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El Bajo Seamount

El Bajo Seamount, just off La Paz, is one of our favourite dives in the Sea of Cortez. It’s essentially three peaks rising from the deep, creating a magnet for pelagics. You drop onto the shallowest peak, usually around 20 metres, and often find yourself immediately in the middle of schooling jacks. These aren’t just a few dozen, but thousands, circling so tightly they create a shimmering wall. We love the feeling of being out in the blue here, with the seamount beneath you and the open ocean all around. The best time to hit El Bajo is early in the morning; the big stuff tends to be more active. Keep an eye out for hammerheads cruising by in the deeper water – we’ve had some incredible encounters here, though they can be shy. It’s a dive for those who enjoy the thrill of open water and the chance of a big animal encounter, not so much for macro enthusiasts. Currents can pick up, so good buoyancy and comfort in drift are key.