Explore San Carlos

San Carlos is a coastal resort city in the state of Sonora, and is a tourist destination for mostly Americans and Mexicans. San Carlos is located on the Sea of Cortez, or Gulf of California, which is the body of water that is sandwiched between the main body of Mexico and the peninsula of Baja California.

Aside from being a resort, San Carlos is also a popular scuba diving destination because of its warm water, rocky coastline, and great underwater visibility all year round. The wind and waves have carved into the rocky coastline of San Carlos, which has created an interesting underwater landscape that divers can explore.

About 30km west of San Carlos, there is an island 15km offshore called Isla San Pedro that is also a diving hub. It is well-known for encounters with sea lions.

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Dive Activity

Diving in San Carlos

Beginner divers or those who have not been diving in a long period of time may want to stick to the near-shore rocky and reef dive sites. They are more protected, and so the current/surf is much tamer. While ocean conditions are much rougher at Isla San Pedro, experienced divers find the encounters with sea lions well worth it.

It is recommended to dive with one of San Carlos’ dive shops, or one of the dive shops in the United States (mostly in Southern California and Arizona) that brings clients to San Carlos. These dive shops run daily multi-tank boat trips to offshore dive sites and also offer certification courses. Since all dive sites can be reached via short boat ride, liveaboard diving is not an option.

Dive Centers

El Mar Diving Center Mexico

El Mar Diving Center Mexico

263 Sector Creston, 85506 San Carlos, Guaymas, SON - Mexico
Ocean Sports San Carlos

Ocean Sports San Carlos

Blvd Gabriel Estrada S/N Int. 07 Caracol Turistico, 85506 San Carlos Nvo. Guaymas, SON - Mexico

Dive Sites

El Mar Diving Center Mexico, 85506 San Carlos, Guaymas
ARM Santos Wreck (★4.1)

ARM Santos Wreck (★4.1)

Auk Class Minesweeper with World War History in the Pacific theater. Decommission after the war and recommissioned briefly for the Korea War. Sold to the Mexican Navy in 1973. Sunk as an artificial reef in March 2022. 220ft in length, resting partially upright at 55ft on the sand. Top at 20ft below surface (12/20)
Mares, Janez Kranjc
Sea of Cortez (★4.4)

Sea of Cortez (★4.4)

The Sea of Cortez, also known as the Gulf of California, is a warm, sub-tropical strip of water that sits between Baja California and the mainland of Mexico.
Mares
Sea Mount (★4.1)

Sea Mount (★4.1)

Fantastic dive site right out of the Marina San Carlos. Underwater mountain with the top at around 20ft below the surface. Steep to less steep sides leveling off at around 90-100ft.
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic
Eagle Rock (★4.2)

Eagle Rock (★4.2)

Eagle Rock is a great site for all levels of training. The sloping rocky reef gradually descends to the sand at 60 ft. In the shallows at the wall there is a canyon opening up to the south that is around 20 ft deep. Toward the north, the sloping reef turns into a field of boulders.
Mares
Tres Marias (★3.9)

Tres Marias (★3.9)

This shallow Bay is a short boat ride from San Carlos Marina. Typical, volcanic topography, with rocky shoreline and flat sandy bottom further from shore.
Mares, Janez Kranjc
Piedras Pintas (★4.7)

Piedras Pintas (★4.7)

Easy access shallow cove. Gradually sloping bottom with sandy patches and rocks/reef. Kelp formation in the winter. A 5 minute surface swim gets to 10m/33ft in the center of the bay.
Scubapro
San Antonio Point (★4.1)

San Antonio Point (★4.1)

Popular dive site north of Marina San Carlos. Shallow area with pebbles/rocks (10ft) sloping off to the West with larger boulders finishing on a sandy area (30ft).
Mares
Shangri-La (★4.0)

Shangri-La (★4.0)

Easy, shallow dive site close to the Marina San Carlos. Huge wall with large broken boulders. Beautiful, open swim through. Can have strong swell.
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic
Ex Buque Suchiate Wreck (★4.4)

Ex Buque Suchiate Wreck (★4.4)

The former SUCHIATE BI-05 naval vessel was sunk on Friday, March 15, 2024. The top level of the ship sits at about 12 feet water and the bottom rests at about 50 feet.
Scubapro
Aquarium San Carlos (★4.1)

Aquarium San Carlos (★4.1)

New Diver experience to keep shallow with tons of aquatic life. Lots of artificial life. Big boulders, kelp in the cooler months, grunts, damsels, octopus, nudibranchs and more.

The best Months to dive in San Carlos

In general, the best time of year for scuba diving in San Carlos and at Isla San Pedro is August through November. This is when water is warmest in the Sea of Cortez (27°C , or 80°F), and also when divers may encounter hammerhead and whale sharks.

However, if you’re hoping to see Humpback, Grey, or Sperm whales, the wintertime is the time to visit. December to March is when waters are cooler, and pelagic species are attracted to this region. Aside from these whales, there is increased activity among sea lions, and divers may spot mobula rays and bullseye rays as well.

Ocean conditions are rougher in June and July and diving is limited to near-shore dive sites, so if you are prone to seasickness or are keen to go to Isla San Pedro, you may want to avoid this time of year.

Top Wildlife Sightings in San Carlos

San Carlos boasts exciting encounters with both megafauna and macrofauna. While divers usually visit San Carlos for a chance to see sea lions, whale sharks, and Humpback whales, they are blown away by the thousands of species of macrofauna, such as garden eels, octopus, sting rays, stonefish, sea stars, and nudibranchs.

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
395 Sightings
J
10
F
15
M
27
A
14
M
28
J
70
J
42
A
46
S
64
O
54
N
15
D
10

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
193 Sightings
J
2
F
1
M
4
A
5
M
11
J
52
J
48
A
28
S
10
O
13
N
11
D
8

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
115 Sightings
J
1
F
4
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
10
J
17
A
12
S
28
O
29
N
12
D
0

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
37 Sightings
J
2
F
1
M
0
A
2
M
3
J
0
J
1
A
8
S
0
O
3
N
8
D
9

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

Total number of species approx.: 27

iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda

Barracuda
30 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
4
A
2
M
0
J
1
J
1
A
0
S
7
O
7
N
4
D
2

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
315 Sightings
J
13
F
15
M
17
A
13
M
28
J
65
J
26
A
24
S
50
O
28
N
15
D
21

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
299 Sightings
J
7
F
10
M
29
A
9
M
18
J
46
J
22
A
49
S
59
O
29
N
13
D
8

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
267 Sightings
J
5
F
9
M
9
A
10
M
10
J
59
J
14
A
38
S
44
O
32
N
19
D
18

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

Total number of species approx.: 3000

SSI-Peter-Schinck
Nudibranch

Nudibranch
113 Sightings
J
3
F
1
M
7
A
11
M
22
J
31
J
23
A
0
S
0
O
12
N
2
D
1

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
108 Sightings
J
3
F
2
M
0
A
12
M
13
J
8
J
8
A
13
S
8
O
18
N
8
D
15

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
89 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
3
A
5
M
8
J
7
J
2
A
17
S
18
O
5
N
11
D
11

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
77 Sightings
J
7
F
2
M
2
A
3
M
5
J
9
J
4
A
6
S
14
O
3
N
10
D
12

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
77 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
4
A
1
M
2
J
14
J
7
A
10
S
15
O
11
N
5
D
8

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
73 Sightings
J
5
F
0
M
0
A
2
M
6
J
5
J
2
A
13
S
17
O
3
N
8
D
12

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
65 Sightings
J
0
F
2
M
1
A
2
M
0
J
7
J
13
A
8
S
23
O
5
N
3
D
1

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
60 Sightings
J
6
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
10
J
2
J
5
A
11
S
0
O
9
N
10
D
6

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
53 Sightings
J
4
F
0
M
0
A
2
M
4
J
4
J
2
A
5
S
6
O
14
N
7
D
5

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
49 Sightings
J
6
F
3
M
4
A
2
M
5
J
6
J
6
A
4
S
0
O
0
N
8
D
5

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
48 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
3
J
1
J
1
A
16
S
15
O
1
N
4
D
4

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
41 Sightings
J
8
F
0
M
1
A
3
M
3
J
1
J
2
A
2
S
6
O
3
N
5
D
7

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
30 Sightings
J
4
F
0
M
0
A
2
M
0
J
1
J
2
A
3
S
15
O
0
N
3
D
0

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

Total number of species approx.: 7000

iStock-Michael Zeigler
Crab

Crab
27 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
4
A
1
M
0
J
5
J
6
A
5
S
3
O
0
N
1
D
1

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
23 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
0
J
5
A
2
S
4
O
3
N
2
D
4

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
23 Sightings
J
4
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
3
J
2
J
1
A
3
S
5
O
0
N
3
D
1

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

Total number of species approx.: 250

Alamy-Nature Photographers Ltd
Skate Fish

Skate Fish
22 Sightings
J
2
F
1
M
0
A
1
M
8
J
0
J
2
A
0
S
0
O
2
N
2
D
4

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
20 Sightings
J
2
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
4
J
1
J
7
A
1
S
0
O
0
N
2
D
2

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
20 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
4
J
6
A
4
S
0
O
0
N
1
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
Squirrelfish

Squirrelfish
20 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
4
J
2
J
1
A
2
S
0
O
0
N
4
D
5

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
19 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
5
J
1
J
1
A
0
S
2
O
0
N
5
D
3

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
18 Sightings
J
5
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
2
J
2
A
2
S
0
O
0
N
5
D
1

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
18 Sightings
J
1
F
4
M
0
A
1
M
4
J
1
J
4
A
1
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
1

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

Total number of species approx.: 2

iStock-stock_colors
Tarpon

Tarpon
15 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
1
A
2
S
4
O
0
N
4
D
1

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
12 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
0
A
2
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
2
S
0
O
0
N
2
D
3
AdobeStock_cherylvb
Garibaldi Damselfish

Garibaldi Damselfish
11 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
0
S
6
O
3
N
0
D
1
Alamy-WaterFrame
Common Seahorse

Common Seahorse
10 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
4
J
6
J
0
A
0
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.: 80

iStock-bearacreative
Emperor

Emperor
10 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
1
J
2
A
2
S
0
O
0
N
2
D
0