Baja California is the westernmost part of Mexico and is a peninsula that is separated from the mainland of Mexico by the Gulf of California or Sea of Cortez. Diving in this region consists of both shallow, coastal reef environments of the Sea of Cortez and open ocean environments of islands like the Revillagigedo Archipelago and Guadalupe Island.

Since the Sea of Cortez is protected from the open ocean, it allows a large network of coral reefs to thrive. The calm nature of this area also makes it a good dive destination for beginners. However, once you leave this sheltered area, heavy currents shape the underwater landscape, which is dominated by volcanic formations such as pinnacles and arches. This is the type of topography you will find if you dive the Revillagigedo Archipelago, which is also known as Socorro. Due to the open ocean nature of these dives, Socorro is recommended for more experienced divers who are familiar with the ins and outs of drift diving.

Diving at Guadalupe Island does not involve an underwater landscape at all; the main attraction is the Great White sharks. To facilitate intimate encounters with these beautiful beasts, divers get into cages, which are lowered into the water to a depth of either 3m (surface cages) or up to 15m (submersible cages). Due to the remote nature of both Socorro and Guadalupe Island, they are accessible only via liveaboard dive boats, which normally depart from Baja California.   
 

In the Sea of Cortez, some of the best diving can be found by Loreto, which is a city located on the east coast of Baja California. This is where the Loreto Marine Park Islands are, which boast spectacular wall dives along massive underwater rock formations, as well as consistent whale sightings in January.  

Pinnacles are the focal point of most dive sites in the Revillagigedo Archipelago, specifically Socorro Island, San Benedicto Island, and Roca Partida. The “Roca O’Neal” dive site on the east side of Socorro Island has been given the nickname “Hammerhead Central” with good reason. Hammerhead sharks, as well as Galápagos and silky sharks, like to congregate here. On San Benedicto Island, “The Boiler” is a must-see dive site. Named after the bubbling effect that incoming surf creates over the top of a shallow pinnacle, this spot is known for its interactions with playful Giant Pacific manta rays. Roca Partida, or “split rock” is a well-known dive site that puts divers amid schools of tuna, mackerel, and marlin, which attract oceanic whitetip, hammerhead, Galápagos, and whale sharks.

Guadalupe Island does not have distinct dive sites. Rather, liveaboard operators lower their cages where they think they will have frequent Great White shark encounters while taking into consideration that day’s surface ocean conditions. Most of the “sites” are within a 3km-radius of the island, though in some cases, the liveaboard operator may choose to travel further out to areas where land is out of sight.