Cabo Pulmo + La Paz

Why dive here?

Cabo Pulmo has large jack schools, bull sharks and a reef that has benefited from protection. La Paz adds sea lions and seasonal whale-shark encounters. December combines these well, though the whale-shark trips are regulated snorkels, not scuba dives.

When to go

The best time to dive here is December. Check the linked season guide and ask your operator about conditions for your dates.

What to look for

These are the main draws. Sightings vary by site, season and luck.

• Bull sharks
• Whale sharks
• Sea lions
• Jack tornadoes

Conditions and trip planning

Intermediate. Cooling water. Northerly winds can cancel boat trips.

Trip format: Liveaboard or well-planned day boats, depending on the exact itinerary.

About the score

Cabo Pulmo + La Paz scores 8.1/10 for diving at its best. The ranking favours sharks and other large animals, followed by reef health and variety across the trip. Price and travel time do not affect the score.