Whale’s Head - Sea of Cortez

Whale's Head is a shallow, beginner-friendly dive site in the Sea of Cortez. At 16 meters max, it's a relaxed spot often used for check-out dives or when conditions are a bit choppy elsewhere. You'll generally find the usual reef fish here, along with a good chance of seeing rays tucked into the sandy patches. It's a comfortable dive for those looking to ease into the local conditions.

Location
Sea of Cortez, Mexico, North America
Coordinates
22.893900, -109.866800
Maximum Depth
16m
Difficulty
Beginner

Marine Protected Area: Cabo San Lucas

Best Time to Dive in Sea of Cortez

The warmest water temperatures in Sea of Cortez occur in September, averaging 30.4°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 21.1°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 22.2°C
  • February: 21.1°C
  • March: 21.5°C
  • April: 22.6°C
  • May: 24.8°C
  • June: 27.1°C
  • July: 29.1°C
  • August: 30.1°C
  • September: 30.4°C
  • October: 29.8°C
  • November: 27.6°C
  • December: 25.1°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Sea of Cortez

Nearest Dive Centres to Whale’s Head

Marine Life in Sea of Cortez

Home to 197 recorded species including 172 reef fish, 14 whales & dolphins, 5 sharks & rays, 3 other, 1 sea cucumbers, 1 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Whale’s Head

Based on average water temperature of 26.0°C, currents 9 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 26°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories