Scuba Diving in La Paz, Mexico
Background and mindset before arrival
Recap timeline:
December 2018 - My last international flight was Vietnam back to the US in December 2018. (After living abroad for over a year)
2019 - 2022 - Started my first full-time corporate job. Due to the covid pandemic and work schedule, all my travels were restricted to new US cities and states.
Notes:
1. Mexico was a last minute trip.
2. Though I’m in my 30s, I plan & travel as if I’m still in my abundant energy of my 20s.
3. Right before flying to Mexico, I went on a two week road trip from DC to Houston.
4. Only 3 days at home to unpack and wash clothes.
5. Attended the BLACKPINK concert the night before flying out to Mexico.
By the time I got to Mexico, I was utterly dazed and exhausted. The first 5 or 6 days in La Paz felt zen and calm, but not my full eccentric self. I didn’t do any research. I didn’t plan any activities. I didn’t even look up places to eat.
The most beautiful realization upon arrival: my type A personality does not travel internationally. There’s a carefree sense of existence when I am abroad.
La Paz, Mexico: logistics and regulations
October busy season for La Paz. Whale sharks, oceanic manta rays, cow nose rays, and sea lions are normally the ones in the area during this time.
Snorkeling with whale sharks offically starts in October as per government regulations. However, due to climate changes and warmer water temperatures, plankton are not as adundant right now. Even in mid November, there aren’t enough animals for dive tours to access the area where the whale sharks congregate.
Per government regulations:
- only 14 boats per day in the area
- only snorkeling is allowed
- only 2 snorkelers allowed in the water per boat
- must be 10 or more whale sharks in the area before boat permits are allocated
I am thoroughly impress with the detailed and strict conservation regualtions in La Paz.
Due to time constraints, lack of planning, and busy diving season, I stopped at a random dive shop on the main street in La Paz. Unfortunately, it was owned by a British guy. Because of this, I will not list the dive shop here.
It’s imperative to do research and find locally owned businesses to invest your money back into the local residential community. In this case I should have found a Mexican owned and operated dive shop.
Two dive sites for the day
2. Swanee Reef
1. SALVA TIERRA FERRY WRECK - MAX 20METERS DEPTH - 45 MINUTES DIVE TIME
Upon arrival to the dive site, there were at least 4 other boats there. I was nervous about the amount of other divers. Luckily, they were all just surfacing as we prepared our dive. We had the ship wreck to our selves.
I absentmindedly forgot my go pro. It was a bittersweet feeling.
Sweet because leaving the go pro behind meant I could focus on the dive and be totally lost in the moment.
Bitter because I saw some of the biggest tropical fish I’d ever seen. I saw so many large groups of fish.
What I saw:
- garden eels
- bright, light colored parrot fish
- big tropical fish
2. SWANY REEF - MAX 8 METER DEPTH - 1 HR DIVE TIME
The most gorgeous red and orange reef I’d ever seen. Shallow waters we were only about 8 feet below the surface. The dive was almost an hour long. This time I didn’t forget my GoPro and recorded the entire time.
GoPro Pros & Cons
Pro: crystal clear footage, compact, wide angle, water proof rating for 33 feet / 10 meters without any additional case
Con: delayed start after pressing the record button, must buy additional red filter for true colors under water
What I saw:
sea lion
white moray eel
porcupine puffer fish
thick, yet condense area of bright red and orange coral
12lb weights, 3mm long wetsuit, light fins, and all rented gear.
A reminder to keep a dive log for memories and for improved efficiency for your next dive.
I am proud of myself for NOT peeing in the wetsuit this time.
It’s not an easy task because of colder water temperatures!
Luckily the boat had a tiny restroom for some privacy and release.
After the dive:
Upon opening the door to the airbnb, I boisterously announced…
“ I BELONG IN THE OCEAN.”
I was a little annoyed that I was back on land and breathing air.
My core being tells me I am meant to gracefully glide the ocean and have gills to dive the depths forever.
Snorkeling couple days before (link to that blog post here) humbly reminded me that I am built for a life below the surface. Unpopular opinion: snorkeling is for peasants.
DIVING BENEATH THE SURFACE IS ALSO A LIFE MOTTO.
I AM SOMEONE WHO DEEPLY ENJOYS DEPTH OF EMOTIONS, EXPERIENCES, AND CONNECTION.
Things I forgot:
all scuba accessories - mask, socks, pants, reef safe sunscreen, and dive log book
As much as I traveled around the world, I am a very forgetful human. If it’s not attached to my body in my fanny pack, 90% chance I will leave it behind. Even though I didn’t have any of these comfort (nice to have items). I enjoyed the dive more than anything else.
The dive master said, “ if this is your only dive with us, we’ll try to make it good.” I replied,