Big fish schools, bull shark season, and a community-built marine park on Baja's East Cape
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Overview
Cabo Pulmo is a tiny, off-grid beach community on Baja California Sur's East Cape, anchored by Mexico's Cabo Pulmo National Park and the UNESCO-listed protected areas of the Gulf of California. The park protects the only coral reef system in the Gulf of California and one of the northernmost reefs in the eastern Pacific. After the community pushed for a no-take reserve, fish biomass rebounded dramatically, and today divers drop into swirling "jack tornadoes", turtles, rays, and seasonal shark action. Most dives are short panga rides to reefs, pinnacles, and the El Vencedor wreck. For non-divers, snorkeling is excellent on calm days, and the quiet desert coastline is perfect for stargazing and road-trip side quests to Santiago's oasis, Sierra de la Laguna hikes, and La Paz whale shark season.
Cabo Pulmo is a small, low-impact beach community on Baja California Sur's East Cape. It is far quieter than the Los Cabos resort corridor, but close enough for an easy road transfer. Most visitors base in Cabo Pulmo village or nearby eco-lodges, then head out by small panga boats to dive and snorkel sites inside Cabo Pulmo National Park.
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Last updated: January 23, 2026 • 17 sources
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Trip callouts
Cabo Pulmo National Park protects the only coral reef system in the Gulf of California, a rare hard-coral ecosystem in a desert coastline setting.
After protection and local enforcement, studies reported fish biomass increases on the order of 460%, creating the big-school spectacle divers come for.
Bull sharks are the marquee winter encounter, with strict guide-led protocols.
A straightforward drive from Los Cabos (SJD) makes Cabo Pulmo a high-impact, low-crowd add-on to a Baja trip.
scuba
Why Cabo Pulmo for Scuba Diving
Cabo Pulmo packs world-class marine life into a tiny, community-protected park. Guided panga dives put you on coral reef bars, pinnacles, and the El Vencedor wreck, with a real shot at the signature "jack tornado" schools. Winter adds the possibility of bull sharks, while humpback whales migrate offshore in the cooler season. Operators in and around Cabo Pulmo (for example, Cabo Pulmo Scuba Diving and Cabo Pulmo Beach Resort) keep things small and schedule around weather, so booking ahead matters.
freedive
Why Cabo Pulmo for Freediving
Cabo Pulmo is best for scenic reef freediving, not factory-style training camps. The park's shallow reef bars and clear water (especially in fall) make for relaxed breath-hold sessions with real wildlife payoff. For depth-focused line training, many travelers pair Cabo Pulmo with La Ventana or La Paz, where competitive freediving events like the AIDA Cortez Cup are held.
snorkel
Why Cabo Pulmo for Snorkeling
Cabo Pulmo is one of the best snorkeling bases in Baja when the sea is calm. You can see vibrant reef fish, turtles, and sometimes rays in relatively shallow water, either from shore on protected days or via guided panga trips to shallow reef and pinnacle zones. Because conditions can change quickly with wind and swell, the best snorkeling usually happens early in the day and benefits from local guidance.
topside
What to do when you're not in the water
Topside Cabo Pulmo is about desert-coast simplicity: sunrise beach walks, star-filled nights, and slow days between water sessions. Use the location as a base for East Cape road trips, Santiago's oasis and waterfalls, and Sierra de la Laguna hikes. If you want a bigger restaurant scene or a spa day, plan a split stay with San Jose del Cabo or Todos Santos.
