La Paz is an excellent destination for scuba diving and snorkeling thanks to its many reefs and the various marine species that inhabit the waters of the Sea of Cortez.

Isla Espiritu Santo. Located 30 km (19 mi) north of La Paz from the port of Pichilingue. This is one of the most visited islands on the Sea of Cortez. It is surrounded by a group of small islands, including Isla Partida, Los Islotes, La Ballena, El Gallo and La Gallina. This island has coral banks that are great scuba diving. You’ll find the best spots at San Gabriel Bay, which has a shallow reef called San Rafaelito, and El Candelero, where you’ll see reefs and underwater caves. At Isla Ballena you can explore a black coral reef. In this area, you also can observe sea lion colonies and hammerhead sharks.

Los Islotes. Located 35 km (22 mi) north of La Paz, in the direction of Isla Espiritu Santo. These are two groups of rocky headlands where you’ll find ideal conditions for scuba diving and snorkeling. The reefs are anywhere from 6 to 28 meters (20 to 92 feet) deep. In these waters you can spy a wide variety of species, such as sea lions, hammerhead sharks, manta rays and tropical fish like surgeonfish, angelfish, bugle fish and schools of barracuda.

El Bajo. Located 43 km (27 mi) northeast of La Paz. This is one of the most recommended sites for professional scuba diving due to its deep waters, which range in depth from 18 to 43 meters (59 to 142 feet). This spot is well known for the interesting species that inhabit its waters, including marlin, dorado, corbina, giant manta rays, whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, tiger sharks, yellow sharks and black and silver fin sharks.

Barco Hundido Salvatierra (Salvatierra Sunken Ship). Located in the Canal de San Lorenzo, 20 km (14 mi) north of La Paz. This is an artificial reef formed by a sunken ferry, which is 91 meters (300 feet) long and covered with black coral, mollusks and sea fans. The ship lies about 20 meters (66 feet) deep. While diving you can see a wide variety of tropical fish species, such as barracudas, angelfish, parrot fish and grouper.

Isla Cerralvo. Lies 65 km (40 mi) east of La Paz. This island is 30 km (19 mi) long and as wide as 9 km (5.5 mi) on the southern end. Known for its gorgeous blue waters, this is one of the largest islands on the Sea of Cortez.  At this spot you can dive in underwater canyons near the coast, which is the habitat of numerous fish species. You also can explore nearby rock formations at La Reina and La Roca Carpintero, where you’ll see hammerhead sharks and giant manta rays.

Las Animas. Located 70 km (43 mi) northeast of La Paz, near Isla Cerralvo. At this place you can do an exciting dive among reefs that are 17 meters (56 feet) deep, submerged mountains, caves and steeps. Among the species you can see here are sea lions, yellow sharks, hammerhead sharks and a wide array of colorful fish.

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