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.
ScubaSnorkelBoat EntryBeginner
DeepReef
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
Coral HealthMixed health
Marine LifeGreat variety
CrowdedModerate
Where Is Lobos Rock?
This spotNearby spots
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
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.
Snorkel
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.
Lobos Rock Dive Conditions Planner
Use the planner to scan this week, inspect today in local time, and understand how exposure shapes conditions at Lobos Rock.
Current Snapshot
No data
🌥️Variable
Sunrise
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Sunset
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Surface / Entry
Wind No data · Tide No data
Sea State
Swell No data · Period unavailable
Visibility Outlook
Rain chance No data
Wind
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Swell
No data
Exposure Profile at Lobos Rock
Directional shelter context for incoming swell.
Exposure Note
Hourly forecast data is not available yet.
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.
No Dive Logs Yet
Be the first to log a dive at this spot and share your experience!
Dive Spot Log Averages At Lobos Rock
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Conditions
Avg. Visibility19m
Activity
No dive activity logged yet.
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Lobos Rock Guide - Frequently Asked Questions
Planning answers for access, conditions, timing, and site logistics.
Lobos Rock Guide - Sources and Updates
Last Updated
Research Sources
es.lapazdivers.com · Operator
Spanish site list with travel time and max-depth summary.
lapazdivers.com · Operator
Site overview for San Rafaelito from a local La Paz operator.
tulumcharters.com · Tour Operator
Seasonality, popularity, and coral-restoration context.
www.divebuddy.com · Dive Directory
Public directory entry with reported visibility and site profile.
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