Dive into La Paz, Mexico from 12 to 19 October, 2024 at this exclusive event offered for booking through PADI Travel. Dive in with sea lions, explore sunken ships and get up close and personal with sea turtles. La Paz is one of the hottest scuba diving destinations of the year, and you are invited to explore the wonders of the Baja California Sur locale at this epic event.
Important Event Info
Before we take a giant stride into why La Paz is an epic destination, here’s what you need to know about this event.
- Dates: 12-19 October, 2024
- Hotel: Hotel Catedral
- Dive Operator: The Cortez Club
- Price: USD $1,937 (Includes 3 days of diving for a total of 9 dives)
- Optional Extra – Add 2 more days of diving for a total of 15 dives: +USD $403
- Optional Extra – Full scuba set rental for 3 days: +USD $160
- Optional Extra – Full scuba set rental for 5 days: +USD $223
- Optional Extra – Nitrox fills for 3 days of diving: +USD $126
- Optional Extra – Nitrox fills for 5 days of diving: +USD $291
- Inclusions: Free DAN dive accident insurance (only valid for bookings with a value of more than USD $2500 per person), airport shuttle (from and to La Paz Airport), 7 nights accommodation, 5 days diving, breakfast, 2 dinners, lunch on dive days and one sea lion lecture with a local expert
- Exclusions: Rental gear, lunch (on non-diving days), most dinners, optional extra activities and excursions, transportation within La Paz, rental cars, optional PADI courses
Please note single-use plastics are banned on La Paz dive boats. A water bottle will be provided to all guests for use during the trip. Guests will also enjoy 10% off at the Cortez Club store.
About La Paz
La Paz is a wonderland for scuba divers and has recently become incredibly popular with marine life lovers and water sport enthusiasts alike. But, it’s not just underwater adventurers that love this part of Baja. Topside, the city offers top-class accommodations, stunning ocean views and a plethora of epic activities – from wind surfing to sand dune boarding.
Underwater, La Paz is a veritable living aquarium. In fact Jacques Cousteau called the Sea of Cortez “The World’s Aquarium” when he explored the coast of Baja California Sur. His visit transformed the area and brought fame to the waters of La Paz. Today, the ocean explorer is immortalized with a statue on the city’s Malecón.
Beneath the waves, snorkelers and divers can see any number of pelagics in the clear waters just a short boat ride from La Paz. Sea lions, whale sharks, whales (including humpbacks, sperm and occasionally blue whales), mobula rays, dolphins, hammerheads, mako sharks and sea turtles all make appearances in various seasons throughout the year.
La Paz Dive Sites
La Paz is home to rocky reefs, submerged open ocean pinnacles, and a variety of wrecks. Here are some of the top dive sites in La Paz:
- Los Islotes – One of the largest documented sea lion colonies in Mexico, Los Islotes is also the most famous dive site in La Paz. Head out to this small island in Espiritu Santo National Park to dance with, play with and giggle at sea lions underwater.
- Fang Ming – At 180 feet (55 meters) long and 72 feet (22 meters) deep, the Fang Ming is an easily accessible wreck dive. The sides have been cut away to make entry easy, and divers are often able to spot several sea turtles in, on and around the wreck.
- Salvatierra – This is a vibrant wreck dive where divers can see species like moray eels, parrotfish, and groupers. The sunken ferry near the San Lorenzo Channel offers excellent visibility and a rich underwater experience, although it can be subject to strong currents during certain seasons.
- Swanee Reef – A favorite among local divers, this stunning site is known for its vibrant coral formations and abundant marine life, including angelfish, pufferfish, and sea turtles.
- San Rafaelito – Home to a smaller colony of sea lions but situated closer to the city of La Paz, San Rafaelito offers a good alternative to Los Islotes and equally exciting opportunities to interact with the puppies of the sea.
- El Bajo – Located in the open ocean, the dive sites around El Bajo are underwater pinnacles famous for schooling hammerheads and dramatic topography. Currents can be strong here, but, in addition to hammerheads, divers can also spot other pelagic species, like manta rays and tuna.
- La Reina – Close to Cerralvo (also known as Jacques Cousteau Island), La Reina is where divers have a chance to spot manta rays from June to October. Although not guaranteed, some of the giant rays make a pit stop in the area during these months.
- La Reinita – This lesser-known dive site boasts colorful coral reefs and a variety of small reef fish, such as damselfish and butterflyfish. This is a great spot for underwater photography.
Nearby destinations, like Cabo Pulmo and Cabo San Lucas, also offer world-class scuba diving.
Sample Event Itinerary
Please note the below itinerary is subject to change.
Saturday, Oct 12 – Arrival Day
- 8:00am – 5:00pm: Check-in, gear rental & gear drop off at the dive center
- Hotel Check-in
Sunday, Oct 13 – Dive Day 1
- Breakfast: At hotel (included)
- Shuttle to Dive Shop
- 8:00am – 4:00pm: 2 or 3-tank boat trip with lunch & drinks on the boat.
- Los Islotes – 2 Dives
- Optional Sea Lion Distinctive Specialty course
- Optional wreck dive on the way back
- Dinner: At your leisure
Monday, Oct 14 – Dive Day 2
- Breakfast: At hotel (included)
- 8:00am – 3:00pm: 2 or 3-tank boat trip with lunch & drinks on the boat
- Wreck Dive at Salvatierra
- Swanee Reef
- San Rafalito
- Optional specialty courses offered at the end of the day
- Dinner: At your leisure
Tuesday, Oct 15 – Dive Day 3
- Breakfast: At hotel (included)
- 8:00am – 5:00pm: 2-tank boat trip with lunch & drinks on the boat
- Sea Mounts of El Bajo
- Dinner: At your leisure
Wednesday, Oct 16 – Dive Day 4
- Breakfast: At hotel (included)
- 8:00am – 5:00pm: 2 or 3-tank boat trip with lunch & drinks on the boat
- La Reina
- La Reinita
- Cerralvo
- Dinner: At your leisure
Thursday, Oct 17 – Dive Day 5
- Breakfast: At hotel (included)
- 8:00am – 5:00pm: Dive trip with locations decided depending on conditions and the success of the prior dive days. Lunch & drinks will be provided on the boat.
- Dinner: At your leisure
Friday, Oct 18 – Exploration Day
- Breakfast: At hotel (included)
- Optional Dive Day: If there are weather issues earlier in the week and/or we decide to do extra dives, this will be an optional diving day (extra cost may apply).
- Optional Exploration Day: Explore Todos Santos, El Triunfo, La Ventana or other areas in Baja California Sur on your own (at your own cost).
Saturday, Oct 19 – Departure Day
- Breakfast: At hotel (included)
- Check Out
- Airport Shuttle
Recommended Training
There is no pre-requisite training required for this event, and snorkelers are welcome to join. We do recommend an Advanced Open Water Diver certification to take advantage of all the dive sites we’ll visit. In addition, the following PADI Diver Specialty certifications would be helpful and will be offered as optional extras during the event.
- Sea Lion Diver Distinctive Specialty – Developed by underwater photographer, Explorers Fellow and PADI Professional, Luke Inman, this distinctive specialty dives into the biology of sea lions and how to dive or snorkel with them at the Los Islotes Sea Lion Colony in La Paz. Purchase the course materials in advance (via Amazon) or buy them at the dive shop . Please note that an additional training fee applies.
- Enriched Air (Nitrox) Diver – Learn the ins and outs of using enriched air during your dives, and as a result, enjoy shorter surface intervals and extended no-decompression limits (NDLs).
- Fish Identification Diver – The Sea of Cortez is home to a wide diversity of marine life. Learn more about the fish you see during your dives with the Fish Identification Diver Specialty course.
- Underwater Naturalist – Get a better understanding of the local ecosystem and the differences between the terrestrial and aquatic worlds. Given the diversity of the Sea of Cortez, taking this course in La Paz adds a lovely dimension to the material covered.
- Self-Reliant Diver – If you’re an experienced diver, the best PADI Specialty course to take is Self-Reliant Diver. Even if you never intend to dive alone, this course will teach you how to use redundancies and self-rescue in emergency situations.
Get started on these courses and more before you even step out of your front door.
PS – If you’re interested in leveling up your diving skills, consider taking on the Master Scuba Diver Challenge for a chance to win a luxury dive trip to the Maldives for you and your favorite dive buddy!
What to Pack
This event will be laid back and full of adventure! For this event, be sure to pack summer clothing, a light jacket and one or two dressy casual outfits for group dinners. And, you’ll want to throw some hiking or exercise gear into your suitcase for our ranch adventure on the final day of the event. Reef-friendly sunscreen is also a must!
In terms of dive gear, bring either a 3mm or 5mm wetsuit in addition to your normal kit. You may also want to pack a poncho or jacket for the boat rides back from the dive sites.
And don’t forget your certification cards, logbook and passport!
La Paz is an epic destination full of underwater adventures.
