Dive Site: Gordo Banks

About Gordo Banks

Gordo Banks is a world-renowned deep dive site located approximately seven to ten miles offshore from San José del Cabo marina in Mexico. This exhilarating seamount is a pinnacle of underwater topography, rising prominently from the seafloor, with its highest peak reaching about 31 to 38 meters (102 to 125 feet) below the surface. The underwater mountain features unique cracks and canyons, attracting diverse marine life that thrives on the nutrient-rich currents funneled through the area. Its rocky surfaces are adorned with black and wire corals, providing refuge and hunting grounds for smaller species and attracting a rich ecosystem. This site is celebrated for its abundant pelagic life, particularly attracting large predatory fish due to the high concentration of prey. Divers frequently encounter schools of jacks, snappers, and creole fish, which in turn draw in tuna, wahoo, and marlin. Gordo Banks is especially famous for its shark encounters, offering opportunities to spot schooling hammerheads, silky sharks, and tope sharks, among others. Beyond sharks, solo whale sharks, squadrons of mobula rays, and even humpback whales during migration season are known to frequent these waters. While shark sightings are never guaranteed, the prospect of experiencing such a vibrant marine spectacle makes it a highly coveted destination. Given its offshore location, depth, and potential for strong currents, Gordo Banks is reserved for advanced and experienced divers. An Advanced Open Water certification or higher is typically required, along with proficiency in deep diving and excellent buoyancy control. Divers often descend along an anchor line into blue water, with the seamount becoming visible at deeper depths. Nitrox certification is highly recommended, as it allows for extended bottom time at these depths. While best visibility generally occurs from September to December, the site can be rewarding any time from May to January, with schooling hammerheads often arriving in May.

Dive site facts: Gordo Banks

Depth

31 m (102 ft) to 30+ m (100+ ft)

Typical dive

100+ ft / 30+ m

Current

Mild to strong

Visibility

5–30 m (15–100 ft)

Water temperature

16–30°C (61–86°F)

Entry

Descent line from boat

Level

Advanced Open Water

Dive type

Pelagic, deep, blue water

Night dive

Not typical

Region / port

Los Cabos, Baja California Sur

Coordinates

23.04, -109.62

Conditions & Currents

Gordo Banks can present challenging conditions, particularly with currents that funnel through the seamount's canyons. Divers must be prepared for mild to strong currents, necessitating excellent buoyancy control and the ability to hold position against the flow. Visibility can vary significantly; while it can be murky in the shallows during spring, clear blue conditions with up to 30 meters visibility are common from late August through December. Dive operators frequently require divers to carry Surface Marker Buoys (SMBs), dive alert whistles, and marine rescue GPS devices as a precaution against potential drift away in open water conditions. Entry typically involves descending along a line into the deep blue, often without a visual bottom reference, making proficiency in deep diving and mid-water safety stops essential.

Marine life & sighting chances

Scalloped hammerhead shark

May - January · common

Silky shark

May - January · common

Mobula ray

Spring and Autumn · common

Whale shark

occasional

Humpback whale

January - April · occasional

Tuna

common

Wahoo

common

Marlin

occasional

Jack

common

Snapper

common

Creole fish

common

Hound shark

common

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Diving Gordo Banks typically begins with a boat ride 7-8 miles offshore from San José del Cabo or Cabo San Lucas. Upon arrival, divers prepare for a deep, blue water descent. You will enter the water and immediately begin a controlled descent down a line, as the dive site lacks a shallow reef reference. The dive proceeds to depths of 30 meters (100 feet) or more, exploring the pinnacle of the seamount and its surroundings in search of schooling pelagics. Navigation focuses on following the contours of the bank and the movements of marine life. Turn points are usually dictated by air consumption and bottom time, considering the deep profile. Ascents are gradual, always including a mid-water safety stop at 5-6 meters (15-20 feet) for three minutes, often in open water, before surfacing.

Underwater photography

Gordo Banks is a prime location for wide-angle photography, focusing on large pelagics like schooling hammerheads, mobula rays, and whale sharks. A wide-angle lens (e.g., fisheye or rectilinear wide-angle) is essential to capture the scale of these magnificent animals and their schools. Given the deep dive profile and potentially murky conditions, external strobes are highly recommended to bring out colors and add contrast, especially in blue water where subjects can appear monochromatic. Be mindful of depth and bottom time; planning your shots efficiently is crucial. Maintain excellent buoyancy to avoid stirring up any sediment and to position yourself respectfully around marine life. Always be ready for unexpected encounters in the blue, as pelagics can appear suddenly.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Cabo Pulmo - El Vencedor Wreck

  Famous national park with thriving reefs and a wreck, further north along the coast.

• Los Islotes

  Known for playful sea lions and abundant marine life in the Sea of Cortez.

• El Bajo Seamount

  Another pelagic hotspot, particularly for hammerheads, further north in the Sea of Cortez.

• La Reina

  Often combined with other Sea of Cortez sites for varied marine encounters.

• Salvatierra Wreck

  A popular wreck dive often part of Sea of Cortez itineraries.

Getting there & logistics

Dives to Gordo Banks typically depart from Cabo San Lucas or San José del Cabo. The closest major airport is Los Cabos International Airport (SJD), serving both cities. The site is approximately an 8-mile, 25-minute boat ride from San José del Cabo. Dive trips usually involve two tanks and last 6-7 hours, with early morning departures around 6 AM. Most operators require divers to have an Advanced Open Water certification and often mandate a check-out dive at a local site prior to the Gordo Banks trip to assess skills. Nitrox certification is also recommended due to the deep profiles. While day trips are standard, some liveaboards exploring the Sea of Cortez may include Gordo Banks in their itineraries. No specific park fees are mentioned for Gordo Banks itself, but a previous diving day with the operator is often required as a security procedure.

Safety & environment

Diving at Gordo Banks requires adherence to strict safety protocols due to its deep, open-water, and potentially current-swept nature. The nearest recompression chamber is located in Los Cabos, with evacuation to medical facilities in Cabo San Lucas or San José del Cabo generally efficient. Dive operators strongly recommend, and often provide, personal safety equipment such as Surface Marker Buoys (SMBs), audible signaling devices like dive alert whistles, and Nautilus LifeLine marine rescue GPS for each diver. Divers must maintain excellent buoyancy control, be proficient in deep diving procedures, and comfortable with mid-water safety stops. It is highly advisable to have comprehensive dive insurance, such as through DAN, to cover any potential medical emergencies or evacuations. Always dive with an experienced guide, stay close to your group, and respect the dive plan.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Gordo Banks FAQ

Liveaboards diving Gordo Banks

These liveaboards may visit Gordo Banks on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Nautilus Explorer

Mexico

25 guests44.8 m

$230/day

Valentina

Mexico

20 guests38.1 m

$430/day

Rocio del Mar

Mexico

20 guests33.5 m

$392/day

Nautilus Under Sea

Mexico

19 guests32 m

$261/day

Nautilus Belle Amie

Mexico

32 guests44.8 m

$323/day

Quino del Mar

Mexico

20 guests36 m

$392/day

Nautilus Gallant Lady

Mexico

12 guests35.36 m

$332/day