CORTEZ DIVERS San Carlos Bay, Sonora, Mexico
Since 1983, CORTEZ DIVERS has been providing quality scuba diving
instruction and exceptional dive trips throughout the magnificent Sea of Cortez.
Known on many maps as the Gulf of California and originally named by the
Spaniards, the Vermilion sea, the Sea of Cortez is the richest, most prolific, body of
water on earth. It is home to more species, in greater numbers than any other place
on the planet.
Nearly 1000 miles long and averaging over 100 miles wide, the Sea of Cortez is
sheltered, from the Pacific swell, by the Baja peninsula. The peninsula acts like a
giant breakwater and the Sea of Cortez is very often as glass calm as a placid pond.
Hundreds of islands, islets, rocks, and pinnacles are scattered throughout the gulf
to help make this a scuba divers paradise.
Cortez Divers knows the Sea of Cortez intimately and we dive her most
magnificent attractions
Kayaks in a protected cove
The open ocean is a pelagic menagerie abounding with marlin, mantas,
sailfish, dorado, yellowtail, wahoo, tuna and the reefs are alive with myriad of
tropicals. Angelfish, moray eels, damsels, pufferfish, sergeant majors,
seahorses and moorish idols are plentiful and schools of snapper, jacks and
barracuda abound.
The rocky substrate is forested with pastel colored seafans, gorgonions,
sponge and a variety of soft corals creating a natural kaleidoscope. Scallops
and oysters cling to the reefs, thriving in the fertile currents.
The open ocean is a pelagic menagerie abounding with marlin, mantas,
sailfish, dorado, yellowtail, wahoo, tuna and the reefs are alive with myriad of
tropicals. Angelfish, moray eels, damsels, pufferfish, sergeant majors,
seahorses and moorish idols are plentiful and schools of snapper, jacks and
barracuda abound.
The rocky substrate is forested with pastel colored seafans, gorgonions,
sponge and a variety of soft corals creating a natural kaleidoscope. Scallops
and oysters cling to the reefs, thriving in the fertile currents.
Marina San Carlos
Although, Cortez Divers offers diving expeditions throughout the Sea
of Cortez, our headquarters are in San Carlos Bay, Sonora; one of the
most beautiful places on earth. The diving here is superb with a wide
variety of dive sites that will please any diver. There are islands, rocks,
reefs, seamounts and wrecks that are all complemented by water
visibility of in excess of 100 feet much of the year.
From June through October, the water temperature is in the high
eighties, making this a wimp divers paradise. Leave your wetsuit at
home during these months. In the fall months as the water cools, a
magnificent seasonal change overcomes the Sea of Cortez. The ocean
comes alive as large fish move into the shallows Big fish feed off
smaller fish and bigger fish feed off them. In the winter months there
can be some very large animals swimming around.
Although, Cortez Divers offers diving expeditions throughout the Sea
of Cortez, our headquarters are in San Carlos Bay, Sonora; one of the
most beautiful places on earth. The diving here is superb with a wide
variety of dive sites that will please any diver. There are islands, rocks,
reefs, seamounts and wrecks that are all complemented by water
visibility of in excess of 100 feet much of the year.
From June through October, the water temperature is in the high
eighties, making this a wimp divers paradise. Leave your wetsuit at
home during these months. In the fall months as the water cools, a
magnificent seasonal change overcomes the Sea of Cortez. The ocean
comes alive as large fish move into the shallows Big fish feed off
smaller fish and bigger fish feed off them. In the winter months there
can be some very large animals swimming around.
Diver and gentle giant
All instruction is supervised and all trips hosted by Tommy Pinnell,
a well known and highly experienced Cortez diver.
Pinnell had his first boat at the age of five, first strapped on a scuba
tank at the age of twelve, and has been a scuba instructor for over
twenty years. He's been a commercial spearfisherman, a single
handed ocean voyager, black coral diver and marine expedition
leader.
Pinnell's dive trips have always been known for exceptional diving,
excellent cuisine and above all, unlimited fun. Quality is built into all
trips, whether to local sites aboard a well equipped panga or
extended liveaboards on megayachts.
Although safety is foremost on any trip, there is no heavy handed
dive supervision and certified divers are free to explore within the
boundaries of their experience.
In twenty years of instruction and dive travel, Cortez Divers has a
100% safety record.
All instruction is supervised and all trips hosted by Tommy Pinnell,
a well known and highly experienced Cortez diver.
Pinnell had his first boat at the age of five, first strapped on a scuba
tank at the age of twelve, and has been a scuba instructor for over
twenty years. He's been a commercial spearfisherman, a single
handed ocean voyager, black coral diver and marine expedition
leader.
Pinnell's dive trips have always been known for exceptional diving,
excellent cuisine and above all, unlimited fun. Quality is built into all
trips, whether to local sites aboard a well equipped panga or
extended liveaboards on megayachts.
Although safety is foremost on any trip, there is no heavy handed
dive supervision and certified divers are free to explore within the
boundaries of their experience.
In twenty years of instruction and dive travel, Cortez Divers has a
100% safety record.
This website is dedicated to the memory of Lane Larson
Paradise in Baja
San Carlos bay diving conditions as of 07/ 23 / 2008: Mornings calm with afternoon winds SSE to SSW from 8 to 12
mph. Average water temperature is mid to high 80s. Inshore visibility is 10 to 15 feet; offshore at San Pedro Nolasco the visibility
is 80 to 100 feet with a profusion of marine life. The ocean is wild with pelagic marine life; marlin and sailfish are plentiful, big
dorado are being caught and whales and dolphins are observed daily.
mph. Average water temperature is mid to high 80s. Inshore visibility is 10 to 15 feet; offshore at San Pedro Nolasco the visibility
is 80 to 100 feet with a profusion of marine life. The ocean is wild with pelagic marine life; marlin and sailfish are plentiful, big
dorado are being caught and whales and dolphins are observed daily.
Phone: (520)979-9357 Email: cortezdivers@juno.com
