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LOS
CABOS | CABO
PULMO
Mermaids
Beach
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ISLOTE
Frailes
Rock Sea Lion Colony
El
Bajo
|
Los
Frailes Bay
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Eileen's
Reef
Roca
de Jonathan
Pierdas Wohlford Reef
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Cabo
Pulmo Wrecks
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CABO
PULMO
DIVE SITES
The
Cabo Pulmo Reef is the northernmost LIVING coral reef in the
Eastern Pacific ocean and the ONLY living coral reef in the
entire Sea of Cortez. It has become a popular attraction for
divers visiting this remote area as well as divers shuttling
in by various methods from both Cabo San Lucas and La Paz.
The
reef itself owes its existence to the natural geography of
the surrounding bay which shelters the reef and keeps the
waters constant at approximately 70 degrees, an essential
environment for coral growth. The bay is an ideal place for
snorkelers and beginning divers with much of the reef accessible
from shore. However, there are also spectacular sites awaiting
the more advanced and experienced divers with most dives between
30-70 feet.
NOTE:
Cabo Pulmo Bay, including Frailes Bay is part of an official
Mexican Marine Park and sanctuary. The taking of shellfish,
marine life and fish is strictly prohibited. Additionally,
the coral environment is extremely fragile and delicate. Extreme
care should be exercised when anchoring boats.
MERMAIDS
BEACH
Sometimes called "Dinosaur Egg" beach because of
the unusually uniform oval boulders which surround the cove.
Excellent for beginning divers and snorkelers with an abundance
of underwater structure and coral. Accessible by boat or a
short hike along the southern shore of Pulmo Bay, it's a popular
place to picnic, but secluded enough to keep out the big crowds
that sometimes settle on other beaches along Pulmo Bay. Numerous
fish are inside the cove forming Mermaids Beach, but just
outside and around the point the waters drop to approximately
30-40 feet along an irregular rock wall with overhangs and
small caves. Surge can be a problem outside the cove so only
divers should venture outside the cove.
Roca
de Jonathan
(The middle Broccoli Forest Reef) separated form the inner
reef by large fingers of sand. The rocks and coral heads are
larger. Noted for several natural amphitheaters where grouper,
bass and other species gather for excellent viewing. Whale
sharks have been seen here during plankton blooms. The area
is also populated by large groups of conch and scallops.
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ISLOTE
(Also known as White Rock Pinnacle and Pulmo Rock) A large rock
promontory that pokes out from a largely sandy bottom at the south
end of Pulmo Bay. The base of the rock spreads out in about 70 feet
of water. The rock itself creates some great wall diving with fan
coral, cabrilla, grouper and numerous varieties of reef fish inhabiting
the site. At certain times of the year large schools of sizable
jacks by the hundreds congregate around the rock and rare golden
grouper can often be found at the northern deeper facade of the
rock wall. Conger eels, Morays and several species of Rays are also
resident to the rock.
Frailes
Rock Sea Lion Colony
Accessible only by boat or kayak, several rocks and platforms at the
southern tip of Punta Frailes, serve to harbor several dozen sea lions
who can usually been visited between January and October. The rocks
are in approximately 10 feet of water dropping to approximately 40
feet of water making it ideal for snorkellers and divers alike. The
sea lions can be playful and curious, but restraint should be exercised.
Pelagic bluewater species such as small Tuna, Dorado and Wahoo as
well as larger Grouper and Cabrilla can sometimes be seen in the blue
depths off the rocks cruising along the shoreline.
El
Bajo
One of the long fingers or rock and coral which proliferate the sea
floor of Pulmo Bay, El Bajo runs generally north/south in approximately
55 feet of water. When the current is right, this is truly an excellent
drift dive when divers can literally fly along the ridges and stop
to examine the varied sea life which inhabits the numerous natural
amphitheaters created by the reef. Grouper, Cabrilla, Seargeant Majors,
Anglefish, Pufferfish and Grunts congregate in large numbers along
the reef as well as Lobster, Eels and Rays.
Los Frailes Bay
Also part of the Pulmo Marine Park, Frailes Bay has several dive
spots for both the beginning and advanced diver. Along the northern
edge of Frailes Bay the rocky slopes follow down to the waters
and descend to depths of 30-40 feet. The fallen boulders form
a natural habitat for abundant marine life. An excellent spot
for night diving as the rocks come alive with eels, pufferfish,
lobster, scallops, grunts, parrotfish and other marine inhabitants.
For more advanced divers the walls of the bay drop off into Frailes
Canyon with reported depths of over 700â, much too deep
for recreational divers, but worth exploring the shallower parts
of the canyon with an experienced local divemaster. Keep in mind
that Frailes is part of the Pulmo Marine Park and taking of all
fish and shellfish is prohibited.
Eileen's
Reef
(Sometimes called the inner "Broccoli Forest Reef")
a series of flat shelf rocks beginning approximately 100 yards
directly east of Antares beach at the south end of Frailes Bay.
Some extremely large head coral (hence the name "Broccoli")
cover the rock formations providing abundant protections for many
colorful reef fish. Excellent snorkeling and beginning
diving in 10-20 feet of water.
Piedras Wohlford Reef
(The outer Broccoli Forest Reef) in much deeper water to 50 feet
with rock overhangs but smaller coral groupings. Located approximately
1/4 to 1/2 mile directly east of of Antares point. Large groups
of schooling reef fish can be found at all times of the year.
Cabo Pulmo Wrecks
There are two wrecks to explore in Cabo Pulmo. One is the wreck
of the freighter, Colima which ran aground and sank in 30-40 feet
of water during a fierce 1939 storm strewing all manner of debris
on the ocean floor. The other wreck is a large tuna boat which
went down in 1978. The 90 foot wreck is in about 50 feet of water.
Although the hull is long gone, much of the superstructure, cargo
holds, rigging and netting have been left on the sand floor. During
the latter parts of the year, the wreck can be host to literally
thousands of fish of numerous species making for excellent photography.
LOS
CABOS | CABO
PULMO
Mermaids
Beach
|
ISLOTE
Frailes
Rock Sea Lion Colony
El
Bajo
|
Los
Frailes Bay
|
Eileen's
Reef
Roca
de Jonathan
Pierdas Wohlford Reef
|
Cabo
Pulmo Wrecks
|
