About El Bajo
El Bajo, meaning 'The Low', is recognized as one of the nicest reefs within Cabo Pulmo National Park, presenting a depth range of 9 to 18 meters. This reef bar extends across a significant portion of the park, boasting an impressive 12 out of 14 coral species found worldwide, making it an exceptionally diverse and vibrant coral garden. The site is an extension of the broader El Bajo de los Meros area. This fantastic environment is a haven for all kinds of tropical fish families. Divers can observe angelfish, pufferfish, and various types of eels, including five distinct species. Creole fish, hawkfish, scorpionfish, snapper, and grunts are also abundant. Large sea turtles and mobula rays are frequently sighted, making it a dynamic spot for marine life observation. Schooling jacks and reef sharks are common, with bull sharks also present, making it an advanced dive site. El Bajo is often described as a good drift dive, allowing divers to effortlessly glide along the reef and observe the bustling ecosystem. The thriving coral structures and rich biodiversity make this a standout dive for those seeking a comprehensive reef experience. Due to the potential for strong currents and the types of pelagic encounters, this site is best suited for advanced divers.
Highlights
Exceptional coral diversity (12 of 14 species)Abundant tropical fish familiesFrequent sea turtle and mobula ray sightingsExcellent drift divingPotential for bull and reef sharks
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: El Bajo
- Depth
- 9–18 m
- Current
- Moderate
- Entry
- Liveaboard or dayboat
- Level
- Advanced
- Dive type
- Reef, Drift
- Region / port
- Mexico
- Coordinates
- 23.4363° N, 109.4113° W
Conditions & Currents
Moderate currents can run here, so plan drift entries and stay close to the group. Dive profiles here run between roughly 9 and 18 metres, so plan your gas and no-decompression limits around the deeper part of the site. It is usually briefed as a dive for advanced divers. It can be dived from a liveaboard or a day boat, depending on where you start the trip. Tide, wind and season all shift the picture from day to day, so the crew's briefing on the boat always overrides any general description.
Why dive El Bajo from a liveaboard?
El Bajo 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 El Bajo on their Mexico itineraries.
Liveaboards diving El Bajo
These liveaboards may visit El Bajo on selected itineraries, the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.
Nautilus Explorer
Mexico
25 guests45 m
Valentina
Mexico
20 guests38 m
Rocio del Mar
Mexico
20 guests34 m
Nautilus Under Sea
Mexico
19 guests32 m
Nautilus Belle Amie
Mexico
32 guests45 m
Quino del Mar
Mexico
20 guests36 m
Nautilus Gallant Lady
Mexico
12 guests35 m
Dive sites similar to El Bajo
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.
© EsriMaxar, Earthstar, GIS
Agustín Melgar shipwreck
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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.
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© EsriMaxar, Earthstar, GIS
Bahía de La Paz
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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.
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- Advanced
- Current
- Mild
- Access
- Dayboat
- Depth
- 17–27 m
- Theme
- Big animals / Reef
© EsriMaxar, Earthstar, GIS
Bahía de los Ángeles
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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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© EsriMaxar, 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
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© EsriMaxar, Earthstar, GIS
Bajo de la Ballena
Mexico
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