About Gavilanes
Gavilanes is a captivating dive site situated within the Los Cabos Corridor, linking Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo in Baja California Sur, Mexico. This site offers a vibrant environment for divers exploring the rich biodiversity of the Sea of Cortez, an area recognized for its unique marine ecosystems and legal protection from harmful fishing since 1973. The underwater topography at Gavilanes features vibrant reefs and rocky outcrops that provide a diverse habitat for marine life. While specific depth details are not provided in the sources for Gavilanes, dive sites in the broader Cabo San Lucas Marine Park typically range from 8 meters (25 feet) to 40 meters (130 feet) for recreational divers. The site is part of the local diving excursions from San José del Cabo, with boat rides to the site typically lasting between 10 to 45 minutes. Divers at Gavilanes can anticipate encountering a variety of species, including moray eels, stingrays, schooling jacks, and nudibranchs. The region is also known for seasonal appearances of mobula rays and even humpback whales, particularly during spring and autumn when water temperatures change. The consistent presence of abundant marine life is a hallmark of the Los Cabos diving experience. The site is generally accessible to certified divers with a PADI Open Water Diver certification or equivalent, and a minimum age of 10 years. Dives are typically guided boat dives, with a standard two-tank excursion format. Conditions are generally calm, making it a comfortable experience for a range of skill levels.
Highlights
Vibrant reef ecosystemRocky outcropsMoray eel sightingsSchooling jacksSeasonal mobula raysStingray encounters
Best Season
The spring and autumn months are particularly rewarding for diving in the Los Cabos region, including Gavilanes, as changing water temperatures attract large schools of migrating mobula rays. While general dive conditions in Cabo San Lucas are noted as having good visibility and calm seas, these transitional seasons offer heightened opportunities for significant pelagic encounters.
Dive site facts: Gavilanes
- Depth
- 12–18 m
- Current
- No current
- Entry
- Liveaboard or dayboat
- Level
- Beginner
- Dive type
- Reef, Reef
- Region / port
- Mexico
- Coordinates
- 22.9677° N, 109.7752° W
Conditions & Currents
The dive sites within the Los Cabos Corridor, including Gavilanes, generally experience minimal current and usually offer calm seas, which contributes to a comfortable diving environment. This protected nature also means reduced seasickness for many divers. Visibility in the region is typically good, allowing for clear views of the marine life and underwater topography. Standard entry and exit procedures are typically via boat, with two-tank guided dives being the norm for local excursions. These generally mild conditions make Gavilanes suitable for certified open water divers.
Why dive Gavilanes from a liveaboard?
Gavilanes 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 Gavilanes on their Mexico itineraries.
Liveaboards diving Gavilanes
These liveaboards may visit Gavilanes 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
$249/day
Quino del Mar
Mexico
20 guests36 m
$377/day
Nautilus Gallant Lady
Mexico
12 guests35.36 m
$332/day
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© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
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