Scuba diving in Cabo San Lucas and Los Cabos
Scuba diving in Cabo San Lucas centres on a handful of sites close to the bay: Pelican Rock, Neptune's Finger and Sand Falls. They lie inside the Área de Protección de Flora y Fauna Cabo San Lucas, the protected area around the tip of Baja. Further out, Gordo Banks off San José del Cabo is open ocean with strong currents. Further east, Cabo Pulmo National Park has its own reef and its own rules.
Which dive suits you depends on your certification and the conditions on the day. If you would rather stay at the surface, guided snorkel trips in the protected area are the easier way in.
Dive sites at a glance
The main sites around Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo.
| Site | Area | What it is | For whom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pelican Rock | Off Cabo San Lucas | Shallow start that drops into the submarine canyon | Depends on your training and the plan for the dive |
| Neptune's Finger | Off Cabo San Lucas | Steep wall with a sand fall | Depends on training and conditions |
| Sand Falls | Off Cabo San Lucas | An underwater sand fall, not a waterfall on land | Depends on training and conditions |
| Gordo Banks | Off San José del Cabo | Seamounts in open ocean, remote, strong currents | Experienced divers only |
For most visitors, the sites off Cabo San Lucas are the natural first choice, since a dive guide can match the profile to your level. Gordo Banks is for experienced divers who are comfortable in current far from shore.
Our pick: a short snorkel trip
A two-hour boat trip with a divemaster guide, a good way to get into the water without a full day.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Snorkel trips in Los Cabos
Guided snorkel tours in the protected area off Cabo San Lucas and at Cabo Pulmo.
Pelican Rock, Neptune's Finger and Sand Falls
Three named sites off Cabo San Lucas.
Pelican Rock
Pelican Rock starts shallow and then falls away into the canyon that runs through the bay. How deep you go depends on your certification and on the plan your guide sets.
Neptune's Finger
Neptune's Finger is a steep wall where sand spills over the edge. Plan the dive with your guide and stay within your training.
Sand Falls
The Sand Falls are an underwater feature: sand flows over the canyon edge below the surface. There is no waterfall on land here.
Gordo Banks off San José del Cabo
Gordo Banks are seamounts in open water off San José del Cabo. The site is remote, the current can be strong, and it is meant for experienced divers only. No dive here comes with a promise of hammerheads or any other species. If you are new to diving, start with a guided dive or snorkel trip closer to shore.
The Cabo San Lucas protected area and its fee
The official name is Área de Protección de Flora y Fauna Cabo San Lucas. It is a protected area, not a national park.
The protected area fee is MXN 125 per person and day (2026). This fee is separate from what you pay for the boat, the equipment and the guide. Some tours include it, others ask you to pay it on the day, so check your booking.
Free
Children under 12, older people, retirees and people with disabilities, each with proof.
75 % off
Students and teachers with a valid ID.
50 % off
Mexican nationals and foreign residents with proof.
Cabo Pulmo charges the same MXN 125 per person and day, with its own rules for divers: at most 6 certified divers per guide, dives of up to 50 minutes and 2.5 m distance from coral and rock. Details are on our Cabo Pulmo page.
When to dive in Los Cabos
October and November are a favorable window for diving in Los Cabos. That does not mean the same conditions every day or the same visibility at every site. Storms and swell in the hurricane season can stop boats, so leave a spare day in your plans. Ask your dive shop about the water temperature and the right wetsuit for your dates. For the wider picture, see Los Cabos weather and hurricane season.
Snorkeling instead of diving
If you are not certified, snorkeling is the simple way to see the reef fish of the protected area. Guided snorkel trips leave from the marina in Cabo San Lucas, some with a divemaster as guide. The trips around the arch and Lover's Beach are covered on our sister guide: snorkeling in Cabo San Lucas. For a full day on a living reef, a guided trip to Cabo Pulmo is the other option.
Questions about diving in Los Cabos
Which dive sites are there in Cabo San Lucas?
The main sites are Pelican Rock, Neptune's Finger and Sand Falls off Cabo San Lucas. Gordo Banks off San José del Cabo is for experienced divers.
Is Gordo Banks suitable for beginners?
No. Gordo Banks is remote open ocean with strong currents and is meant for experienced divers only.
Do I have to pay a park fee to dive?
Yes, the Cabo San Lucas protected area fee is MXN 125 per person and day (2026), separate from the price of the boat and gear. Some tours include it.
What are the Sand Falls?
An underwater feature where sand pours over the edge of the submarine canyon. It is not a waterfall on land.
When should I dive in Los Cabos?
October and November are a favorable window. Conditions still change from day to day, so keep a spare day.