Cabo San Lucas is popular among tourists for its beautiful beaches, incredible water, and luxurious resorts. This is the place where millions of visitors come every year to enjoy the summer, practice water sports, and party all night, but also to explore marine life.
Located in Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, Cabo San Lucas has a rich marine life due to the unique conditions of its waters. You can find many species of tropical fish, stingrays, sea turtles, sea lions, whales, and sharks in the Sea of Cortez!
If you are planning your Cabo adventures and are interested in swimming with sharks, in this post we will give you a complete guide about sharks in Los Cabos and how to swim with them safely and protected.
What sharks can you find in Cabo San Lucas?
As we mentioned, Cabo San Lucas has a rich marine life, and you can find different species of sharks in the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean. Among the species, the most popular and well-known are:
Hammerhead Shark
The Hammerhead sharks are known for their unique head shape and wide-set eyes, giving them 360º vision. They are great hunters, looking for their prey at night, and their diet consists mainly of smaller fish, octopuses, squid, and crustaceans.
In Cabo San Lucas, you can spot two species of Hammerhead sharks, The Smooth Hammerhead, and The Scalloped. You can find them from January to August, having their peak in May.
Whale Shark
The majestic whale sharks are the biggest on our list and are easily recognizable for having white dots on their body. These gigantic creatures are harmless to humans since their diet is based on plankton, algae, krill, fish eggs, and copepods. The Whale Shark can grow up to 40 feet and weigh 20.6 tons, so it is a real magical experience to swim along.
Whale sharks can be located near La Paz, on the other side of the peninsula. You can spot them from October to April.
Blue Sharks
Blue sharks are known for their iridescent cobalt-blue skin, sharp vision, and speed. Their shape and skills allow them to hunt speedy prey, like squids, octopuses, shrimp, crabs, lobsters, and smaller fish.
These visit the Sea of Cortez during their season, between December and April.
Bull Shark
Bull sharks are commonly found in the Sea of Cortez all year round. They are known for their aggression towards their prey and their capacity to swim in freshwater and saltwater. They are not typically interested in humans, so if you want to swim with them, you can find them in Cabo Pulmo National Park.
White sharks
Great White sharks in the Sea of Cortez are not common at all, so you don’t need to worry about a shark attack. These are the biggest predators on the planet and can grow up to 20 feet.
The great white shark is not commonly found in Cabo San Lucas, but it can appear on a nearby island called Isla Guadalupe (Guadalupe Island). To find them you need to take a liveaboard, and the island is located 150 miles away from Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula.
Top spots to find sharks in Cabo San Lucas
These are the best spots to find sharks. We recommend consulting with your tour operator to make sure the shark you want to meet is in season and the best practices to find them.
Gordo Banks
Probably one of the best spots to find sharks. Located 10 miles off-shore from San José del Cabo, it is a location with rich marine life. You can find Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks, Whalesharks, Silky Sharks, and Tope Sharks.
Cabo Pulmo National Park
Cabo Pulmo is one of the most popular sites for scuba diving and snorkeling. Declared as a UNESCO world heritage site, it is the healthiest marine reserve in the world. You can find here mostly Bull Sharks.
La Paz
Located in the northeast of Cabo San Lucas, this is the best location to spot Whale Sharks. Their season goes from November to April.
Swimming with sharks in the Sea of Cortez
If you are interested in having a close encounter with these apex predators, then you need to schedule your adventure with an operator in Cabo San Lucas. To do this, you need a certification in scuba diving so you can safely swim and explore the marine life in the Sea of Cortez. Let’s discuss some important factors about swimming with sharks in Los Cabos.
Swimming with sharks in Cabo: Is it safe?
Shark attacks in Cabo San Lucas are extremely rare. In fact, diving is one of the safest water activities in the area. With a long history of safe diving operations, local tour guides prioritize your safety. Enjoy your underwater adventure with peace of mind.
However, swimming with sharks and scuba diving requires precaution and following the guide’s instructions to ensure a safe and fun experience for you and the animals around. This protocol will be explained to you before diving in, and at all times you will have professional guides supervising the adventure.
Choosing the right tour operator
There are many operators to choose from, so we recommend doing your research previously. Consider its reputation, especially reviews online where people tell their experiences. Check their website, social media, and travel forums.
Another important aspect to consider is their safety record and licenses. A good tour operator needs to have certified guides, regularly inspected and well-maintained boats and all the licenses and permits to offer their services. This guarantees that the company follows ethical and sustainable practices.
Safety precautions for swimming with sharks
Embarking on a shark encounter in Cabo San Lucas is a thrilling experience, but ensuring safety is important. Before the experience, a professional instructor will give you a briefing explaining shark behavior, safety guidelines, emergency protocols, and proper use of equipment.
It is important to follow each indication to ensure a safe experience for all the people involved.
Best practices for ethical shark encounters
Engaging in an ethical shark encounter in Cabo San Lucas allows you to appreciate these magnificent creatures while ensuring their well-being and preserving their natural habitat.
Some of the best practices include maintaining a respectful distance and keeping a calm demeanor without sudden movements, not touching sharks, and not trying to feed them. Following these guidelines will preserve the sharks’ well-being and the balance of the ecosystem.
Explore the Sea of Cortez with La Isla Tour
If you are already planning your next trip to Cabo, then you cannot miss the opportunity to discover the wonders of the Sea of Cortez. Go on a whale-watching excursion, a snorkeling tour, or just a sunset dinner through the landmarks of Cabo San Lucas.
At La Isla Tour we have prepared the most complete and diverse experience to explore the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy the sun, visit different beaches, go snorkeling, and paddleboarding, have a close encounter with whales, and so much more.
Our tours include snacks and drinks, snorkeling gear, and paddle boards, so you can relax and have fun during your adventure with us!
Celebrate your events in a private luxurious catamaran
Celebrate your events in Cabo San Lucas with a luxurious private catamaran! Throw incredible birthday parties, booze parties, romantic dinners, weddings, proposals, anniversaries, and so much more. We take care of everything so you can fully enjoy your special time with family and friends.
Our luxurious boats are prepared and equipped with an open bar, gourmet food prepared by an onboard chef, and all you need to host the best events in Los Cabos.
