Page 295 - Mexico Diving From the Caribbean to Pacific Isles

Sea of Cortez Scuba Diving

A t almost all latitudes, the Gulf side is the upper Gulf and this limits the diversity spectacular underwater habitats, where the
better. In the far northern Gulf there of organisms. In the central Gulf there are marine environment takes on a tropical feel.
are extensive mud and sand bottoms (left abundant rocky shores, craggy islands, and Coral bottoms are common in this region,
over from the days of the great Colorado a more tropical appearing flora and fauna. and there is a “true” coral reef at Cabo Pulmo,
River outflow). A few small areas have inter- Excellent snorkeling and diving is available where the coral is more than just a layer on
esting rocky tidepools to explore, primar- from Isla de la Guardia down through Santa top of a rocky reef. Fish and invertebrate di-
ily around Puerto Penasco and just south of Rosalia, Mulege, and Loreto to La Paz. The versity increases substantially in this region
San Felipe. There are huge tidal changes in lower Gulf from La Paz to Cabo has the most and visibility is usually good to excellent.