Explore Gordo Banks

Diving at Gordo Banks is challenging, but extremely rewarding. With a max depth of 40-45m and rough surface ocean conditions, this dive is meant for experienced divers only. Once you descend below the surface, however, you will feel like you’ve been frozen in time with nothing but blue around you as you wait for curious hammerhead sharks and other pelagic megafauna to swim your way.

The seamounts that this dive site is centered on are also part of the attraction of this site. The tops of the seamounts are an exciting landscape to explore: deep cracks, canyons, sponges, and black coral are some of the highlights.

While many liveaboard dive operations depart from Cabo San Lucas, which is approximately 20km from Gordo Banks on the tip of Baja California, the majority of them have the destination of Guadalupe Island or Socorro Island. Since Gordo Banks is only a 1.5 hour boat ride from shore, diving via liveaboard dive boat is not necessary, and most local dive shops and resorts offer daily trips to this site.

Upcoming Events

    • Dive Activity

    Diving in Gordo Banks

    Diving at Gordo Banks is primarily a deep dive. The top of the shallowest seamount is at approximately 40m depth, which means that divers must be at least Advanced Open Water certified. Due to the strong currents and rough ocean conditions, it is also recommended that divers have at least 100 logged dives before attempting to dive Gordo Banks.

    Dive Centers

    See Creatures, Nautilus Explorer Mexico, S de RL de CV

    See Creatures, Nautilus Explorer Mexico, S de RL de CV

    Calle Miguel Hidalgo # 10 Colonia Centro, 23450 Cabo San Lucas, BCS - Mexico
    Sun Rider Tours

    Sun Rider Tours

    Av Alvaro Obregon Entre Sebastian lerdo de Tejada e Ignacio Banuelos Cabezud ,Colonia Cent, 23000 La Paz BCS, BCS - Mexico
    Sunrider Tours

    Sunrider Tours

    Blvd Marina S/N Plaza Gali Local 18, 23450 Cabo San Lucas, BC - Mexico

    Dive Sites

    Todd H. (#2497908)
    Cabo San Lucas <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.3)</span>

    Cabo San Lucas (★4.3)

    Cabo offers diving for all levels of divers and many different types of adventures from easy, calm aquarium like shore diving to deeper water diving off the coast at places like Gordo Banks that offer the possibility of large pelagic sightings like orcas, humpbacks, hammerheads, tuna, and more!
    Aqualung
    Lands End - Cabo San Lucas <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.3)</span>

    Lands End - Cabo San Lucas (★4.3)

    Lands End is the last dive site in a long line of popular sites along the coast of Cabo San Lucas and offers spectacular views both above and below the water of the amazing rock formations in this area. Although this site is just offshore it’s only accessible by boat for diving.
    Scubapro, Stephen Frink
    Pelican Rock <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.2)</span>

    Pelican Rock (★4.2)

    Pelican Rock is one of the most popular sites to dive and snorkel in the Cabo San Lucas area. Located just offshore from Playa del Amor it’s easily accessible right from the harbor making charter boats easy to find and not too expensive.

    The best Months do dive in Gordo Banks

    While waters are warmest during the window of June through November (about 27°C/80°F), this overlaps with hurricane season, which can easily cut short or cancel many dive trips. The cooler months, i.e., December through March, are the best time to visit if seeing pelagic species such as hammerhead sharks and manta rays is your main objective. These cooler waters attract plankton, which in turn attract the pelagic megafauna.

    Top Wildlife Sightings in Gordo Banks

    Though not guaranteed, Gordo Banks is best known for its schools of hammerhead sharks. Due to the site’s offshore location, other open-ocean species such as mackerel, tuna, jack, snapper, groupers, eagle rays, cow-nose rays, manta rays, silky sharks, and whale sharks can be spotted here as well. The megafauna are more likely encountered during the cooler months.

    Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 200

    Alamy-WaterFrame
    Moray Eel

    Moray Eel
    608 Sightings
    J
    52
    F
    39
    M
    50
    A
    33
    M
    29
    J
    55
    J
    54
    A
    33
    S
    49
    O
    63
    N
    63
    D
    88

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 7

    iStock-Michael Zeigler
    Sea Lion

    Sea Lion
    485 Sightings
    J
    47
    F
    40
    M
    38
    A
    14
    M
    21
    J
    5
    J
    7
    A
    28
    S
    58
    O
    52
    N
    81
    D
    94

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 300

    Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
    Octopus

    Octopus
    109 Sightings
    J
    12
    F
    6
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    1
    J
    8
    J
    14
    A
    13
    S
    9
    O
    10
    N
    11
    D
    25

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 25

    iStock/Juliosanjuan
    Eagle Ray

    Eagle Ray
    100 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    9
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    11
    J
    14
    A
    6
    S
    17
    O
    4
    N
    19
    D
    20
    iStock-crisod
    Reef Manta Ray

    Reef Manta Ray
    61 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    2
    M
    0
    J
    10
    J
    12
    A
    9
    S
    12
    O
    7
    N
    0
    D
    9
    AdobeStock-Magnus
    Humpback Whale

    Humpback Whale
    41 Sightings
    J
    13
    F
    4
    M
    6
    A
    2
    M
    2
    J
    0
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    3
    O
    3
    N
    2
    D
    6

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 600

    iStock/ultramarinfoto
    Wrasse

    Wrasse
    41 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    17
    M
    5
    A
    0
    M
    2
    J
    2
    J
    10
    A
    1
    S
    0
    O
    4
    N
    0
    D
    0
    Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
    Green Turtle

    Green Turtle
    23 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    2
    J
    5
    A
    4
    S
    7
    O
    3
    N
    0
    D
    2
    Alamy-National Geographic Creative
    Leatherback Turtle

    Leatherback Turtle
    17 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    2
    J
    0
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    15
    O
    0
    N
    0
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
    Pufferfish

    Pufferfish
    667 Sightings
    J
    57
    F
    52
    M
    63
    A
    39
    M
    46
    J
    60
    J
    54
    A
    39
    S
    46
    O
    50
    N
    69
    D
    92
    Show More

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Shutterstock-Rich Carey
    Angelfish

    Angelfish
    448 Sightings
    J
    42
    F
    48
    M
    42
    A
    20
    M
    25
    J
    38
    J
    34
    A
    33
    S
    48
    O
    32
    N
    34
    D
    52

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 100

    iStock-burnsboxco
    Parrotfish

    Parrotfish
    345 Sightings
    J
    30
    F
    29
    M
    25
    A
    16
    M
    20
    J
    23
    J
    27
    A
    22
    S
    36
    O
    28
    N
    37
    D
    52

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 80

    iStock/Extreme-Photographer
    Stingrays

    Stingrays
    281 Sightings
    J
    34
    F
    18
    M
    23
    A
    11
    M
    15
    J
    41
    J
    47
    A
    17
    S
    18
    O
    3
    N
    16
    D
    38

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3

    Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo
    Trumpetfish

    Trumpetfish
    265 Sightings
    J
    26
    F
    24
    M
    27
    A
    11
    M
    18
    J
    26
    J
    27
    A
    20
    S
    19
    O
    19
    N
    15
    D
    33

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
    Butterfly Fish

    Butterfly Fish
    229 Sightings
    J
    28
    F
    12
    M
    9
    A
    10
    M
    14
    J
    15
    J
    15
    A
    19
    S
    26
    O
    19
    N
    27
    D
    35

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 20

    iStock-stephankerkhofs
    Porcupinefish

    Porcupinefish
    179 Sightings
    J
    21
    F
    15
    M
    10
    A
    9
    M
    13
    J
    11
    J
    18
    A
    21
    S
    13
    O
    5
    N
    13
    D
    30
    iStock-June Jacobsen
    Whitetip Reef Shark

    Whitetip Reef Shark
    113 Sightings
    J
    11
    F
    6
    M
    7
    A
    16
    M
    1
    J
    2
    J
    7
    A
    11
    S
    4
    O
    14
    N
    0
    D
    34

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 25

    AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel
    Boxfish

    Boxfish
    110 Sightings
    J
    16
    F
    19
    M
    8
    A
    0
    M
    12
    J
    14
    J
    15
    A
    8
    S
    4
    O
    3
    N
    0
    D
    11

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 20

    Shutterstock-Lewis Burnett
    Guitarfish

    Guitarfish
    106 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    25
    A
    22
    M
    12
    J
    26
    J
    15
    A
    6
    S
    0
    O
    0
    N
    0
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 8

    Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl
    Bannerfish

    Bannerfish
    97 Sightings
    J
    20
    F
    9
    M
    12
    A
    9
    M
    6
    J
    21
    J
    5
    A
    3
    S
    2
    O
    7
    N
    0
    D
    3

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
    Grouper/Basslets

    Grouper/Basslets
    93 Sightings
    J
    2
    F
    11
    M
    8
    A
    3
    M
    10
    J
    5
    J
    13
    A
    6
    S
    18
    O
    13
    N
    0
    D
    4

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 85

    iStock-mirecca
    Surgeonfish

    Surgeonfish
    91 Sightings
    J
    12
    F
    0
    M
    12
    A
    0
    M
    3
    J
    12
    J
    7
    A
    12
    S
    16
    O
    11
    N
    3
    D
    3

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Shutterstock-Levent Konuk
    Goatfish

    Goatfish
    91 Sightings
    J
    16
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    9
    M
    4
    J
    18
    J
    11
    A
    19
    S
    9
    O
    3
    N
    2
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    iStock-wrangel
    Triggerfish

    Triggerfish
    90 Sightings
    J
    15
    F
    11
    M
    5
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    4
    J
    4
    A
    14
    S
    9
    O
    2
    N
    10
    D
    16

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.
    Scorpionfish

    Scorpionfish
    84 Sightings
    J
    10
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    9
    M
    2
    J
    14
    J
    10
    A
    6
    S
    0
    O
    13
    N
    0
    D
    20

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 110

    iStock-Rainer von Brandis
    Snapper

    Snapper
    83 Sightings
    J
    8
    F
    0
    M
    6
    A
    3
    M
    8
    J
    12
    J
    7
    A
    10
    S
    3
    O
    6
    N
    2
    D
    18

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 55

    Shutterstock-RLS Photo
    Lobster

    Lobster
    77 Sightings
    J
    9
    F
    16
    M
    13
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    3
    J
    2
    A
    6
    S
    9
    O
    10
    N
    0
    D
    9

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 120

    AdobeStock-Composer.
    Flounder

    Flounder
    74 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    6
    M
    4
    A
    0
    M
    12
    J
    9
    J
    8
    A
    8
    S
    11
    O
    4
    N
    0
    D
    12

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    iStock-Hoatzinexp
    Jackfish

    Jackfish
    71 Sightings
    J
    7
    F
    10
    M
    5
    A
    3
    M
    2
    J
    12
    J
    9
    A
    5
    S
    15
    O
    3
    N
    0
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 150

    Shutterstock-aquapix
    Sweetlips and Grunts

    Sweetlips and Grunts
    69 Sightings
    J
    15
    F
    11
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    4
    J
    15
    J
    0
    A
    13
    S
    3
    O
    3
    N
    2
    D
    3

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 30

    SSI-Peter-Schinck
    Stonefish

    Stonefish
    64 Sightings
    J
    12
    F
    9
    M
    5
    A
    0
    M
    7
    J
    3
    J
    7
    A
    0
    S
    0
    O
    7
    N
    0
    D
    14

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 28

    Udo Kefrig
    Clownfish

    Clownfish
    47 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    10
    M
    5
    A
    5
    M
    3
    J
    3
    J
    8
    A
    2
    S
    9
    O
    2
    N
    0
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    iStock-Global_Pics
    Spiny Lobster

    Spiny Lobster
    47 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    9
    J
    3
    A
    6
    S
    16
    O
    10
    N
    0
    D
    3

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 350

    Alamy-Andre Seal
    Damselfish

    Damselfish
    36 Sightings
    J
    7
    F
    2
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    2
    J
    0
    J
    7
    A
    4
    S
    11
    O
    3
    N
    0
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    iStock-Global_Pics
    Soldierfish

    Soldierfish
    22 Sightings
    J
    5
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    2
    J
    5
    A
    2
    S
    3
    O
    2
    N
    0
    D
    3

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 15

    Shutterstock-Hans Gert Broeder
    Garfish

    Garfish
    20 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    1
    J
    12
    J
    0
    A
    4
    S
    3
    O
    0
    N
    0
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 30

    Shutterstock-s_a_j
    Sand Eel

    Sand Eel
    19 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    3
    J
    0
    J
    16
    A
    0
    S
    0
    O
    0
    N
    0
    D
    0