Baja California Sur
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Why dive in Baja California Sur?
BEST SEASON
Featured Animals 8
- Unlikely
- Likely
- Very likely
Nocturnal Frequent sightingsBlue Shark
Prionace glauca
The Blue Shark (Prionace glauca) is a highly migratory, oceanic requiem shark distinguished by its slender body, deep blue dorsal coloration, and long, narrow pectoral fins. It primarily feeds on cephalopods and pelagic fish but is an opportunistic predator and scavenger. This species undertakes extensive migrations and often segregates by age and sex.
BEST SEASON
Variable Frequent sightingsCalifornia Sea Lion
Zalophus californianus
The California sea lion is an intelligent, playful, and vocal pinniped known for its distinctive barking sound. This sexually dimorphic species features males that are significantly larger with a thick neck and a prominent sagittal crest, while females are typically lighter in color. They are opportunistic feeders found along the coastlines of western North America, preying mainly on fish and cephalopods.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsCommon Thresher Shark
Alopias vulpinus
The common thresher shark is a large pelagic shark recognized by its exceptionally long upper tail lobe, which it uses to stun schooling fish. It is an active predator found in temperate and tropical waters, often inhabiting offshore environments and occasionally approaching coastal areas.
BEST SEASON
Variable Frequent sightingsGiant Oceanic Manta Ray
Mobula birostris
The Giant Oceanic Manta Ray is the world's largest ray, with a disc width that can reach up to 9 meters. It is a circumglobal species found in tropical to temperate pelagic waters, often near coastlines, reefs, and in the open ocean, diving to depths of 1,000 meters. These filter feeders primarily consume zooplankton, including mesopelagic sources, and can also eat small fish. While generally solitary, they aggregate at feeding grounds and cleaning stations. The species is currently listed as Endangered due to overfishing and low reproductive rates.
BEST SEASON
Variable Frequent sightingsHumpback Whale
Megaptera novaeangliae
The Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is a large baleen whale known for its distinctive body shape, long pectoral fins (up to one-third of its body length), and knobbly head. These migratory cetaceans are filter feeders, consuming krill and small schooling fish. They are also famous for their acrobatic surface behaviors like breaching and complex vocalizations, particularly the male's elaborate songs.
BEST SEASON
Cathemeral Frequent sightingsKiller Whale
Orcinus orca
The Killer Whale, also known as Orca, is the largest member of the dolphin family, recognizable by its distinct black and white coloration. They are apex predators with a highly diverse diet, adapting their hunting strategies to local prey availability, and are known for their complex social structures, living in stable, matrilineal family groups called pods. These intelligent marine mammals are found in all oceans, from polar regions to tropical seas, and are active both day and night.
BEST SEASON
Cathemeral Frequent sightingsScalloped Hammerhead Shark
Sphyrna lewini
The Scalloped Hammerhead Shark is a large, migratory shark easily recognized by the central indentation on its hammer-shaped head. These sharks are found globally in warm temperate and tropical coastal and oceanic waters, often forming large schools around seamounts and islands. They are primarily nocturnal foragers, feeding on a diverse diet of bony fishes, cephalopods, crustaceans, and smaller sharks and rays.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsWhale Shark
Rhincodon typus
The whale shark is the largest fish in the world and a gentle filter feeder.
BEST SEASON
More marine life 26
Almaco JackSeriola rivoliana
Bigeye TrevallyCaranx sexfasciatus
Blue WhaleBalaenoptera musculus
Broadnose Sevengill SharkNotorynchus cepedianus
Bull SharkCarcharhinus leucas
Common Bottlenose DolphinTursiops truncatus
Fin WhaleBalaenoptera physalus
Galapagos SharkCarcharhinus galapagensis
Garden EelHeterocongrinae
Gray WhaleEschrichtius robustus
Great White SharkCarcharodon carcharias
Green Sea TurtleChelonia mydas
Hawksbill Sea TurtleEretmochelys imbricata
Leopard SharkTriakis semifasciata
Loggerhead Sea TurtleCaretta caretta
Ocean SunfishMola mola
Sea LionOtariinae
SealPhocidae
Sicklefin Devil RayMobula tarapacana
Silky SharkCarcharhinus falciformis
Sperm WhalePhyseter macrocephalus
Spinetail Devil RayMobula mobular
Spot-fin PorcupinefishDiodon hystrix
Spotted Eagle RayAetobatus narinari
Whitetip Reef SharkTriaenodon obesus
Yellowfin TunaThunnus albacares
Where is Baja California Sur
Pacific Ocean · Mexico
Frequently asked questions about Baja California Sur
When is the best time to dive in Baja California Sur?
The best time to dive in Baja California Sur is from July to November. In those months the water is between 23°C and 29°C.
What marine life can you see diving in Baja California Sur?
Divers can encounter 34 species in Baja California Sur. Highlights include Blue Shark, California Sea Lion, Common Thresher Shark, Giant Oceanic Manta Ray, Humpback Whale, and Killer Whale.
When can you see the Blue Shark in Baja California Sur?
The Blue Shark is most often seen in Baja California Sur from April to September.
When can you see the California Sea Lion in Baja California Sur?
The California Sea Lion is most often seen in Baja California Sur from September to May.
When can you see the Common Thresher Shark in Baja California Sur?
The Common Thresher Shark is most often seen in Baja California Sur from March to June.
What is the water temperature in Baja California Sur?
Water temperature in Baja California Sur ranges from 18°C in January to 29°C in September.
What wetsuit do I need to dive in Baja California Sur?
Most divers wear a 7 mm wetsuit in January, when the water drops to 18°C, and a rash guard or a 1–3 mm shorty in September, when it reaches 29°C.
What is the visibility like when diving in Baja California Sur?
Visibility in Baja California Sur ranges from 5 m to 30 m. The water is clearest from August to October.
What are the currents like in Baja California Sur?
Divers in Baja California Sur can expect moderate or strong currents, depending on the month and the dive site.
What can you see on a night dive in Baja California Sur?
After dark, Baja California Sur reveals nocturnal species such as Blue Shark, Leopard Shark, Spot-fin Porcupinefish, and Whitetip Reef Shark.
Where is Baja California Sur located?
Baja California Sur is a dive destination in Mexico, in the Pacific Ocean.
Every answer is built from the conditions and sightings data we keep for Baja California Sur. Spotted something that looks off?
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