Mexico

Dive Site: Chileno Bay

12–18 mBeginner Reef
© Esri — Source: Esri, Maxar, Earthstar, GIS Community · Labels © Esri — HERE, Garmin, FAO, NOAA, USGS

Which liveaboards dive Chileno Bay?

About Chileno Bay

Chileno Bay is a prominent dive site situated within the Los Cabos Tourist Corridor, a coastal stretch connecting Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo in Baja California Sur, Mexico. This expansive, open bay features a substantial rocky reef structure extending perpendicularly from a picturesque beach, establishing it as a versatile location for divers and snorkelers. The site's topography offers diverse exploration opportunities. Shallower areas allow divers to navigate crevices and encounter numerous schools of fish, while deeper sections provide a chance to observe spotted rays resting on the sand or cownose rays gracefully moving above. Depths can be selected to match varying skill levels, making it suitable for both novice and experienced divers. Marine life at Chileno Bay is abundant and varied throughout the year. You can frequently observe schools of surgeonfish, goatfish, chub, and butterflyfish. The site is an excellent spot to find resident zebra and starry moray eels, diamond and Cortes stingrays, and trumpet fish. During warmer months, there's a possibility of encountering white-tip reef sharks, while colder months might bring guitarfish and giant electric rays. As November approaches, lucky divers may even hear humpback whales singing. The overall visibility is often excellent, especially during the summer and fall, reaching up to 30 meters. Diving here is generally accessible for all certification levels, with dive profiles customizable from shallow to deep. Typical boat travel time from Cabo San Lucas can range from 30 to 40 minutes to reach this furthest site in the corridor. Current conditions are generally manageable, although some reviews mention strong currents at times, indicating a need for appropriate dive planning.

Highlights

Expansive rocky reef structureSchools of surgeonfish and goatfishZebra and starry moray eelsDiamond and Cortes stingraysCownose rays soaring overheadOccasional white-tip reef sharksDiverse topography for all levels

Season calendar

Best months to dive here
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Excellent
Good

Nov – Apr (Peak)

Socorro season open (Nov–May) for giant mantas and hammerheads. Cozumel bull sharks Dec–Mar. Cenotes excellent year-round. Best overall conditions.

May – Oct (Transition & Sea of Cortez)

Socorro closing, Cozumel still good. Whale sharks arrive at Isla Mujeres Jun–Sep. From August, the Sea of Cortez comes alive: Midriff Islands offer massive sea lion colonies and schooling mobulas. September and October bring world-class diving around La Paz and Cabo Pulmo with whale sharks, hammerheads, and bull sharks on the Explore Baja route.

Dive site facts: Chileno Bay

Depth
12–18 m
Current
No current
Entry
Liveaboard or dayboat
Level
Beginner
Dive type
Reef, Reef
Region / port
Mexico
Coordinates
22.9069° N, 109.8398° W

Conditions & Currents

Currents at Chileno Bay are generally mild, making it suitable for a wide range of divers, though some diver accounts mention encountering strong currents, particularly at certain times. Divers should be prepared for varying conditions, which may occasionally require a negative entry or reef hooks depending on the day's flow. Visibility is typically excellent, often reaching up to 30 meters during the summer and fall, but can be influenced by plankton blooms at other times of the year. Water temperatures are warmest in summer and fall, peaking at 30 degrees Celsius, but can drop to 19 degrees Celsius in winter and spring, with potential thermoclines present. A 5mm wetsuit and a hood are recommended for comfort during colder months. This site is versatile, accommodating both beginner and advanced divers, but awareness of potential current shifts is advisable for proper gas planning and dive safety.

Why dive Chileno Bay from a liveaboard?

Chileno Bay is one of Mexico's signature dive sites. A liveaboard sleeps you on the water and puts you in the water for three to four guided dives per day, including dawn and night dives that day-boat operators rarely offer. You skip the daily commute back to port and reach quieter, less-crowded sites in the same region on a single trip.

Below are the liveaboards that include Chileno Bay on their Mexico itineraries.

Liveaboards diving Chileno Bay

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

Nautilus Explorer liveaboard at Chileno Bay

Nautilus Explorer

Mexico

25 guests45 m
Valentina liveaboard at Chileno Bay

Valentina

Mexico

20 guests38 m
Rocio del Mar liveaboard at Chileno Bay

Rocio del Mar

Mexico

20 guests34 m
Nautilus Under Sea liveaboard at Chileno Bay

Nautilus Under Sea

Mexico

19 guests32 m
Nautilus Belle Amie liveaboard at Chileno Bay

Nautilus Belle Amie

Mexico

32 guests45 m
Quino del Mar liveaboard at Chileno Bay

Quino del Mar

Mexico

20 guests36 m
Nautilus Gallant Lady liveaboard at Chileno Bay

Nautilus Gallant Lady

Mexico

12 guests35 m

Dive sites similar to Chileno Bay

Same character, same waters — six more sites divers love for the exact same reasons.Compare seasons, access and liveaboard routes — then pick the site that fits your trip best.
© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS

The Agustín Melgar, also known as the C-54, is a 56-meter (185-foot) former minesweeper that rests on a sandy bottom at 24 meters (80 feet) south of Puerto Escondido within the Loreto Bay National Park.

Suitable for
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Current
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Access
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Depth
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Theme
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© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS

Arco Iris

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Arco Iris, or "Rainbow" in Spanish, is a prominent dive site located near Brumel Island (Penahuaste), approximately 8km north of Playa Potrero in Costa Rica.

Suitable for
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Current
Moderate
Access
Dayboat
Depth
9–30 m
Theme
Reef
© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS

Bahía de La Paz serves as the capital of Baja California Sur and the primary gateway to the Sea of Cortez, a region famously dubbed the "world's aquarium" by Jacques Cousteau due to its exceptional biodiversity.

Suitable for
Advanced
Current
Mild
Access
Dayboat
Depth
17–27 m
Theme
Big animals / Reef
© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS

Bahía de los Ángeles, nestled in the northern Sea of Cortez, is a remarkable dive destination primarily known for its seasonal aggregations of whale sharks.

Suitable for
Intermediate
Current
Moderate
Access
Liveaboard only
Depth
3–15 m
Theme
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© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS

Bajo Alcyone

Costa Rica

Bajo Alcyone, a submerged seamount near Cocos Island, stands as a world-renowned dive site.

Suitable for
Advanced
Current
Strong
Access
Liveaboard only
Depth
25–40 m
Theme
Drift / Seamount
© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS

El Bajo, often referred to as Bajo de la Ballena, is a prominent seamount situated approximately eight miles northeast of La Paz, Mexico.

Suitable for
Advanced
Current
Strong
Access
Liveaboard or dayboat
Depth
18–35 m
Theme
Pinnacle

7 liveaboards run the Chileno Bay route.

Three to four guided dives a day on Chileno Bay and the other signature sites in Mexico, sleeping right above the reef.