They are here, they are here, the Whale Sharks are here in Mexico! Great news for those of you signing up for our Whale Shark trips. A fantastic specimen was spotted just one mile off of our dock here at the Cortez Club. So its all eyes to sea for the next few months. The water temperature is 80 degrees fahrenheit at the surface, and at depth 76 to 78 degrees. So to translate to you divers and snorkellers out there it is 3mm wetsuits and shorties.
There is a slight welcome breeze about, perfect conditions for this mornings divers heading off to El Bajo. This site, “locally known as Marisla Seamount” is our premiere site and is home to the famous schooling Hammerhead Sharks. The schools range from between six to hundreds travelling in a clockwise direction around the seamount for no known reason. While schooling the hammerheads are not dangerous, but this is an advanced dive. This site is home to an abundance of sealife and mass schooling fish. You are likely to see Amber Jacks, Tuna, Octopus and the impressive Panamic Green Moray Eel. It is here that you are most likely to see our Whale Sharks and the Giant Pacific Manta Rays. So stay alert divers.
Another favorite of our divers and snorkellers alike is the site known as Los Islotes. This is the home of around 350 Californian Brown Fur Sea Lions. This site is situated just half a mile north of the tip of Isla Espiritu Santo, two large rock inlets one of which has a natural arch. Here you can interact with the sea lions as they are very used to divers and snorkellers. Don`t be alarmed though if they decide to interact with you first. It is all part of the package. This is a great dive for those who dabble in underwater-video and photography.
For those who prefer a more relaxed and colourful dive, one full of coral heads, small caves and overhangs head off to Rocas Lobos “Sea Lion Rocks”. This site is called “Sea Lion Rocks” as this used to be the home of the Californian Fur Sea Lions. Here you are most likely to see Parrot fish and many many species of Ray buried in the surrounding sands. Or you could bump into a sea lion that has forgotten that it does not live there anymore.
And finally for you “wreck heads” out there, we can look after you too. We have the Salvatierra Wreck and Swanee Rock. La Salvatierra sank in 1976 moments after striking Swanee Rock. She is laying on a sand bottom at about 60 ft depth and is approximately about 70% intact, with both propellers exposed and has become an artificial reef. It is here that our boats are often joined by Pilot Whales too. So all around entertainment throughout your day with the boat.
So there is the update, but do not just take my word for it, come and have a look yourself. I will see you at the Sunset Bar.
The Crew,
Cortez Club La Paz
