There are few dive destinations in Central America that can compare to the brilliance of Baja California, Mexico’s Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park. Located just 60 miles north of Los Cabos, the Baja’s premiere tourist destination, this marine park is surrounded by undeveloped desert and mountains, which form the shallow bay in which some of the Gulf of California’s healthiest coral reefs reside.
Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park was established by the Mexican government in 1995 to protect the more than 800 species of marine animals that rely on healthy reefs. Its incredible biodiversity led to a severe decrease in species as sport and commercial fishermen rushed in to reap their bounty. The local community, bolstered by international support from conservationists and agencies, ultimately stepped up to establish protections for the region.
Cabo Pulmo consists of eight fingers of hard reef, with the widest coral cover in the entire Gulf of California. Among the 875 species that call the park home, there are 226 species of reef fishes and 154 of marine invertebrates — that alone is enough to keep you busy for hours on a reef! But you’re also likely to see 5 species of sea turtles, 3 species of dolphins, 3 species of whales, schools of mobula rays, whale and hammerhead sharks, and a colony of sea lions who will examine you every bit as curiously as you will them.
If you’re flying into Los Cabos, you’ll have just a 90 minute drive to get to Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park. There are several dive shops and tour operators offering trips to the park, and you’ll have 17 dive sites to choose from once you arrive. Water temperatures range from 65F to 85F, and visibility can often stretch from 60 to 100 feet. Snorkeling is also a popular activity here for those who are not scuba certified.
Check out this fantastic video highlighting the stunning array of marine life in Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park, and see for yourself how protecting this region has resulted in healthy, thriving reefs.
