costasalvaje.org · Official Guide
Published Oct 1, 2024Protected-area visitor guide covering Faro de San Rafaelito.
Dive Spot Guide•
Lobos Rock
Boat-access sea lion reef near La Paz.
Local operator required
Practical access is by licensed boat trip from La Paz, with operators briefing current protected-area rules before entering the water.
Usually run as a short La Paz boat trip, with a calmer shallow east side for sea lion encounters and stricter protected-area rules around the islet.
About Lobos Rock
Lobos Rock, commonly known locally as San Rafaelito, is a sheltered boat dive on a rocky reef just outside Balandra Bay near La Paz. The site is best known for its small California sea lion colony, shallow coral habitat, and easy topography that makes it popular for relaxed reef dives, snorkeling, and in-water wildlife encounters.
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Research Estimate At Lobos Rock
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
VisibilityVisibility: 19m
AccessModerate entry effort
CoralMixed health
Aquatic LifeGreat variety
Crowd / PopularityModerate
Where Is Lobos Rock?
This spotNearby spotsExplore nearby spots on the map
Community sourced coordinates.
Lobos Rock Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
5m - 18m
Depth Note
Public depth references vary by profile. Local operator summaries place the usual recreational route in the shallow-to-mid teens, while one directory notes a deeper west-wall profile beyond that. This proposal keeps the shallow start point and leaves the existing max-depth baseline unchanged.
Best Season
Mid-October through May is the usual in-water sea lion season, while summer management periods can limit interaction around the colony.
Typical Conditions
Usually dived as a calm, shallow reef with sea lions on the east side, a steeper wall on the west side, and visibility often around the high teens in meters when conditions are settled.
Safety & Access At Lobos Rock
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Restricted access
Safety Notes
Follow the current protected-area briefing around the sea lion colony, keep clear of restricted approach limits, and maintain good buoyancy and gear control around shallow coral and wildlife.
Access Restrictions
Boat access only. Protected-area rules around Faro de San Rafaelito limit approach distance to the islet and may restrict in-water sea lion interaction during management periods.
Legal Notes
San Rafaelito sits inside the protected Balandra area. Public visitor guidance calls for small supervised groups, minimum stand-off distances from the islet and wildlife, and time limits for both snorkeling and scuba.
Local Intel For Lobos Rock
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
A short boat dive close to La Paz with shallow reef structure, sea lion activity around the islet, and an easy profile for relaxed recreational dives when the site is open.
Snorkeling
The reef crest sits close to the surface, so snorkelers can usually see sea lions, reef fish, and shallow rock-and-coral habitat without needing a deep profile.
Wildlife at Lobos Rock
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Recent Logged Visits At Lobos Rock
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Dive Spot Log Averages At Lobos Rock
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Conditions
Avg. Visibility19m
Activity
No dive activity logged yet.
