Just a short boat ride from La Paz, Mexico, Isla Espíritu Santo is one of the crown jewels of the Sea of Cortez. Its turquoise waters, dramatic volcanic cliffs, and thriving marine life make it a diver’s paradise. From playful sea lions and coral gardens to deep seamounts and shipwrecks, every dive around the island offers something unique.
Here are the top ten dive sites you don’t want to miss when exploring the underwater world of Espíritu Santo.
Perhaps the most famous dive site in the region, Los Islotes is home to a large colony of California sea lions. These graceful and curious animals love to interact with divers, performing playful spins and flips in the water. Beyond the sea lions, you’ll find schools of colorful reef fish, sea fans, and coral-covered walls. With depths ranging from 15 to 60 feet, it’s perfect for beginners and seasoned divers alike.
Known as one of Baja California’s legendary dive sites, El Bajo is a submerged mountain rising from the deep. Strong currents attract schooling hammerhead sharks, giant manta rays, and tuna, making it a dream for advanced divers seeking big pelagic encounters. The seamount’s peaks start around 60 feet, dropping into the blue abyss below — an exhilarating experience for any adventure diver.
Just south of Los Islotes, El Bajito offers a colorful reef system full of crevices and coral ridges teeming with marine life. Moray eels, octopus, scorpionfish, and vibrant angelfish are common sights here. With depths between 20 and 90 feet, it’s a great spot for intermediate divers and macro photographers who enjoy searching for hidden critters.
For those who love dramatic underwater landscapes, Los Muellecitos features a beautiful wall that drops to about 75 feet. The vertical face is covered in sea fans and sponges, and it’s often visited by rays, pufferfish, and octopus. Morning dives here are particularly stunning, as sunlight filters down the wall, illuminating the marine life in a warm golden glow.
Named for its distinctive red-hued rocks, Rocas Tintorera is known for its striking rock formations and diverse sea life. Large groupers, parrotfish, and snapper cruise among the boulders, while crevices hide smaller species like blennies and cleaner shrimp. Because of its open-water location, divers should be mindful of currents — but the vibrant scenery makes it well worth it.
Isla Ballena is a fascinating site with volcanic caves, arches, and swim-throughs perfect for exploration. Beneath the overhangs, divers often spot sleeping turtles, lobsters, and schools of glassfish. The sandy seabed around the island is also home to “gardens” of garden eels that rise and sway in the current, creating an almost hypnotic sight.
For wreck enthusiasts, the Fang Ming is an unforgettable dive. This Chinese fishing vessel was intentionally sunk in 1999 to create an artificial reef, and over time, it has become a thriving underwater ecosystem. Now covered in coral and sponges, it’s home to schools of fish, turtles, and octopus. Sitting at a depth of about 70 feet, it’s suitable for both novice and experienced wreck divers.
Another fantastic wreck dive, the El Salvatierra was a cargo ferry that sank after hitting a reef in the 1970s. Resting upright on the sandy bottom at about 65 feet, it has become an artificial reef buzzing with life. Large groupers, pufferfish, and rays have made this wreck their home, making it one of the most photogenic dives near La Paz.
Swanee Reef is one of the shallower dive sites near Espíritu Santo, making it ideal for beginners or those who want a relaxing dive. The reef bursts with color — hard and soft corals, angelfish, butterflyfish, and even the occasional sea turtle. It’s also a favorite for snorkelers and underwater photographers due to its crystal-clear visibility and abundance of marine life.
At the southern end of the island, Punta Lobos offers a mix of sandy slopes and rocky structures, attracting a wide variety of marine species. Divers can encounter rays, sea turtles, and schools of jack crevalle, while the rocks are covered in coral, sponges, and anemones. The site’s easy accessibility makes it a great option for multi-dive days around the island.
The best diving conditions around Espíritu Santo are generally from May to November, when the water is warm, visibility is clear, and marine life is most active. Hammerhead sharks are often seen in late summer and fall, while sea lions are playful year-round, especially from September through May.
Always dive with a certified local operator familiar with the island’s marine park regulations.
Use reef-safe sunscreen to protect the fragile coral ecosystems.
Morning dives offer calmer seas and better visibility.
Bring an underwater camera — you’ll definitely want to capture the magic!
Whether you’re exploring a sea lion colony, swimming through volcanic caves, or hovering above a sunken ship, diving at Isla Espíritu Santo is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Each site offers its own flavor of adventure, beauty, and connection to the ocean.
For the best way to experience these incredible dive sites, consider booking with Baja Charters
— the leading luxury charter company in La Paz. Their expert crew, top-quality equipment, and comfortable vessels make for an unforgettable day of diving, relaxation, and exploration around Espíritu Santo. With Baja Charters, every dive becomes more than an adventure — it’s a true ocean experience in style.
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