4 replies to this topic

[CaptainMorgan]

I'm going to be going to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico this December with my girlfriend. I'm hoping to get her into a discover Scuba course and do a little diving myself while I'm there. Anyone have any recommendations for a op or dive sites. Anything anyone recommends for doing topside? We prefer to do more than just hang out on the beach or in a bar. Thanks.

Kelly

[WreckWench]

There are lots of things to do culturally in the area. And you can dive/snorkel with SEA LIONS!!!

Cabo is known for its nightlife so you will have PLENTY of that whether you like it or not. Lots of tourists go there as evidenced by the HUGE duty free shop at the airport and the tons of people we saw when we were there on our way to Guadalupe for the Great Whites!

[secretsea18]

I'm going to be going to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico this December with my girlfriend. I'm hoping to get her into a discover Scuba course and do a little diving myself while I'm there. Anyone have any recommendations for a op or dive sites. Anything anyone recommends for doing topside? We prefer to do more than just hang out on the beach or in a bar. Thanks.

Kelly

Hi Kelly,

As for diving, there is some in Cabo, but it is a bit limited, and beware that the water is rather cold! In the low to mid 70s, due to the lovely Humbolt current from Alaska. For somewhat warmer water you can drive over to La Paz (~3.5 hr drive). One of the northernmost coral reefs is Cabo Pulmo, a protected marine area. That said there is also diving in the bay by the main beach in Cabo San Lucas, and you might get lucky to even see grey whales in the bay, like I did on my first trip to Cabo while kayaking around the arch.

Most discover scuba courses would take the student into that area, in the bay, because of the protected conditions, and relatively shallow depth. There are some sea lions that are by the arch, too. I have not dived in Cabo, but often take the water taxi or other boat rides there. I have dive in La Paz before and there are more diving options, and I think it is overall better diving, but La Paz is a smaller place with otherwise fewer things to do.

Things to do in Cabo:
1. Go deep sea fishing (catch and release!) --- very fun. I went a couple of years ago, and each of us all got hookups to blue marlin! Much more fun that expected.
2. Rent a car and take a drive up to Todos Santos. This is an artsy town with some very nice dining. About 1 hour drive through the desert.
3. Snorkel.
4. Swim, kayak in the protected bay south of the arch. Do not swim on the north side (Pacific Ocean side) of the arch --- Sunset Beach area. There are very strong undertows, and ripcurrents and every year someone is swept away to Antarctica -- never to be seen again.
5. Scuba dive at Cabo Pulmo. All day trip, cause it is past Cabo San Jose several hours.
6. Whalewatch grey whales. You might get lucky.

I'll be in Cabo the week btwn Christmas and New Years, too. Let's hope for sun.

Robin

PS... It can get really chilly at night in Cabo.... bring a sweater or light jacket!

[Capn Jack]

Second Robin's nomination for Cabo Pulmo. Nice reef, lots of life including bigger rays & a few sharks, good drift diving with a very professional operator in a real "six-pack" - More of an open boston whaler with a big OB engine. Bring hat & sun screen for your surface interval. The whole Cabo Pulmo bay is explorable by diving, kayaking and snorkeling, I'd be tempted to go chill there for a couple of days - but it is QUIET - no real town - just a couple of restaurants and small hotels.

You can drive from Cabo but it's kind of an adventure - or it was 3 years ago. If you just want to do a dive, I'd arrange for a pickup in Cabo San Lucas. I think there is only one op there, but I may have missed something.

Enjoy

[Yoshimi]

I don't mean to necro-post, but I'd like to get some opinions on Cabo vs Cozumel/Cancun.

I've got opportunities for both, and all in, the cost is about the same. These would be this fall.

From what I read, they're both ifferent kinds of diving, with larger critters in Cabo. It isn't clear if Cabo is line dives or drift dives.

Advice, experiences appreciated. I mean to do both, but this year, must choose.