| Open Water Certification - San Carlos, Mexico
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The Sea of Cortez is a unique ocean environment
formed millions of years ago, when Baja California slid westward due to
geological activity in the San Andreas Fault. The clear, mild waters
of the sea are influenced by the warm tropical eastern Pacific, and
attracts many tropical marine species. It has over 800 species of
fish, and over 400 species of shell, as well as several species of animals
found in this unique area that occurs nowhere else in the world. The
Sea of Cortez is a dynamic body of water, whose beaches are continually
washed by the gentle waves. When you combine the extensive marine
life with the superior diving conditions and their wreck dives as well as
the sea lion colony and fish life on Seal Island, I’m sure you’ll agree
that San Carlos is one of the top diving destinations in the world., and
offers a pleasant alternative to the Caribbean. |
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San Carlos is a small, but busy tourist town, located just
4 hours from the border town of Nogales, Arizona. It has been a
longtime favorite with retired gringos and weekend warriors from the
nearby cities of Guaymas and Hermosillo. San Carlos has sandy
beaches, comfortable hotels, delicious restaurants, a variety of shops,
and is SCUBA diving central for the northern gulf. The best
underwater conditions in the Gulf of California are in May/June and
September/October, when temperatures and visibility
peak. |
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There are dozens of dive sites within 10 miles of San
Carlos, both along the coast and at the half-dozen offshore islands
nearby. Prime attractions include Isla San Pedro, a seamount rising
from an 800-foot bottom that’s home to a big sea lion rookery. Look
for an underwater cave here with whalebones in it. Kevin’s Rock has
a 40-foot wreck, a 120-foot wreck and piles of shells hiding numerous
octopuses. Sharks can often be found under a ledge at Isla San
Nicolas, and not far away is Window Rock, a 20-foot underwater arch where
manta rays are common.
Pelagics are possible on the San Pedro dives where mantas,
hammerheads and whale sharks are sometimes encountered. Many times
on your trip to San Pedro, pods of dolphins will greet your boat on the
17-mile offshore journey. Upon arrival to the island, the large sea
lion colony will welcome you with their distinctive yelps, as they know
“playtime” is about to begin. The prolific underwater life also
exists on local mainland dives. One of the best is a local site
called “Eagles”, where you’ll dive amongst a very cool black coral garden
at 80-feet. Keep a lookout for large sea horses hanging out among
the branches of the yellow-polyp black coral. |
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Water temperature averages in the mid-80’s. In fact,
the surface temperature can go into the 90’s in July with an average
visibility of around 50 feet, on some days as much as 100 feet. The
water in the area doesn’t have Caribbean clarity, nor does it have hard
reef-forming corals or the colorful splendor of a coral reef. What
it does have is a good variety of fish and other sea life, beautiful black
coral gardens and warm tropical water. |
Travel Information:
Driving Directions
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