Diving with Sea Lions in La Paz


Day Trip From Cabo San Lucas

To scuba dive with the sea lions, yes: you'll need an Open Water certification or higher. If you haven't dived in the last year, we recommend doing our Scuba Refresher in Cabo San Lucas first. Guests aged 10 and up can join, and minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Yes. Snorkelers are welcome to join our dive groups and swim with the sea lions at the surface, where the young pups often come up to play. It's a great option if you're traveling with divers but prefer to stay near the surface, so everyone can share the same day on the water.

Our sea lion tours run from September to May. From June to August, diving and snorkeling with sea lions are not allowed because it's their breeding season. From September to December the water is warm, with the best visibility of the year. From January to May it's cooler, but the sea lions are especially active and playful. The water can feel chilly in those months, so we recommend a wetsuit and a warm layer for the boat ride back.

Yes. Sea lions are naturally curious and playful. Our guides supervise every interaction and follow wildlife regulations, so encounters stay safe and respectful for both guests and animals.

Yes, when it's done responsibly. Los Islotes is a protected area with strict rules: visits are only allowed with licensed guides, and the colony closes from June to August so the sea lions can breed undisturbed. We never feed, chase or touch the sea lions. We let them decide how close they want to come, and our small groups keep every encounter calm and respectful.

Sea lions aren't aggressive toward divers. The young pups often approach out of curiosity, darting and spinning around you. Our guides explain how to behave in the water so every interaction stays calm and respectful.

The dives are generally shallow, between 15 and 50 ft (5 to 15 m), which makes them comfortable and enjoyable for most certified divers.

We monitor the wind and sea forecasts closely in the days before every trip. If we see that the wind will be too strong to reach Los Islotes safely, we'll let you know in advance and give you the option to reschedule or to visit the San Rafaelito sea lion colony near La Paz instead, which has calmer water and great chances to see sea lions up close. Sometimes the wind in the Sea of Cortez changes suddenly while we're already on the water. In that case, our captain will decide on the spot to head to San Rafaelito, so you can still enjoy your encounter with the sea lions safely.

La Paz is about 2 hours by road from Cabo San Lucas. Round-trip transportation is included, and the full day trip lasts up to 12 hours, with two dives, lunch on a beach on Espíritu Santo Island and the boat ride through the Sea of Cortez.

Yes. While the tour normally departs from Cabo San Lucas, guests already in La Paz can often join us directly at the marina. Contact us in advance to check availability and adjusted rates.

The tour includes two dives with tanks and weights, the federal national park bracelet, round-trip transportation from Cabo, a picnic-style lunch, drinks, snacks, reef-friendly sunscreen and towels. • Swimsuit, sunglasses, and a hat or cap • A sweater or jacket for the drive and the boat • A camera or underwater camera • Seasickness medication, taken before boarding Scuba gear, personal travel or medical insurance and gratuities for the captain, driver and crew are not included, but you can rent gear with us.

It's common to see dolphins, sea turtles, rays and big schools of fish, and in season, whales during the boat ride across the Sea of Cortez.