About Jacks
The dive site named Jacks is unique for its primary highlight: massive aggregations of big eye trevally that form spectacular 'tornados' in the water. While depths can vary, the focus is often on the incredible schooling behavior that occurs anywhere from 10 to 30 meters. This phenomenon is a testament to the success of conservation efforts in the park, providing a breathtaking experience for divers and photographers alike. The 'tornados' of thousands upon thousands of big eye trevally are often spotted as a dark patch on the surface by experienced captains. Divers can descend directly into these swirling masses of fish, immersing themselves in an unforgettable natural spectacle. If lucky, these schools might be observed above one of the park's reefs, offering a combined experience of pelagic action and reef exploration. Beyond the jacks, divers might also encounter dolphins, which sometimes follow these large schools in search of a meal. Giant diamond rays can occasionally be seen lurking on the sandy seafloor. This site is primarily a pelagic encounter dive, offering a thrilling experience for those who appreciate large schools of fish and the broader marine ecosystem.
Highlights
Massive 'tornados' of big eye trevallyImmersive schooling experiencePotential dolphin sightingsGiant diamond raysConservation success story
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: Jacks
- Depth
- 10–30 m
- Current
- Moderate
- Entry
- Liveaboard or dayboat
- Level
- Intermediate
- Dive type
- Reef, Drift
- Region / port
- Mexico
- Coordinates
- 23.4340° N, 109.4092° W
Conditions & Currents
Moderate currents can run here, so plan drift entries and stay close to the group. Dive profiles here run between roughly 10 and 30 metres, so plan your gas and no-decompression limits around the deeper part of the site. It is usually briefed as a dive for intermediate 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 Jacks from a liveaboard?
Jacks 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 Jacks on their Mexico itineraries.
Liveaboards diving Jacks
These liveaboards may visit Jacks 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 Jacks
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
Mexico
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
- Intermediate
- Current
- Mild
- Access
- Liveaboard only
- Depth
- 12–24 m
- Theme
- Wreck
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
- Beginner
- Current
- Moderate
- Access
- Dayboat
- Depth
- 9–30 m
- Theme
- Reef
© EsriMaxar, Earthstar, GIS
Bahía de La Paz
Mexico
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
© EsriMaxar, Earthstar, GIS
Bahía de los Ángeles
Mexico
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
- Reef
© 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
- Drift / Seamount
© 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