San Carlos
San Carlos is a coastal resort city in the state of Sonora, and is a tourist destination for mostly
Explore Sonora
Sonora, one of Mexico’s 31 states, borders the Sea of Cortez (also known as Gulf of California) and the state of Arizona in the United States. Sonora is home to the coastal resort town of Puerto Peñasco (Rocky Point) and San Carlos. San Carlos is a popular scuba diving destination because of its warm water, great year-round visibility, and rocky coastline.
Sonora also contains the islands of Isla San Pedro and Isla Tiburón, which are recommended for more advanced divers due to the rougher ocean conditions. Isla San Pedro is located just 15 kilometers/9 miles off the coast near San Carlos and is known for its encounters with sea lions.
In general, the best time of year to dive off the coast of Sonora is August through November, when the water is warmest in the Sea of Cortez (27°C/80°F). This is when divers may encounter hammerhead and whale sharks. However, if you are hoping to see Humpback, Grey, or Sperm whales, the wintertime is the time to visit.
Top Regions to Explore
Dive Activity
Diving in Sonora
Located in the northwest of Mexico, Sonora offers a variety of dive sites that appeal to both novice and experienced divers. San Carlos is a popular destination, known for its shore dives with easy access and vibrant marine life. The underwater topography includes rocky reefs where divers can encounter species like eagle rays and sea turtles. At certain times of the year, divers might witness the playful behavior of sea lions, adding a unique touch to the underwater experience. For those interested in wreck diving, the "Tetakawi" offers an intriguing exploration opportunity. This wreck site is accessible by boat and provides a glimpse into the past with an abundance of marine life that has made the wreck its home. Sonora also offers night diving experiences, where divers can observe nocturnal marine life and bioluminescent organisms. The region strikes a balance between shore dives and liveaboard options, catering to various preferences and diving styles, ensuring a memorable underwater adventure.
Top Wildlife Sightings in Sonora
Sonora, located in Northwestern Mexico, offers a diverse marine ecosystem, particularly in the Gulf of California. Among the common reef fish, divers frequently spot damselfish, angelfish, and various species of wrasse. These vibrant fish are abundant around rocky reefs and coral outcrops, making them a staple sight for underwater explorers. Seasonal highlights include the appearance of hammerhead sharks, most likely encountered from May to September. Green sea turtles are also notable, often seen during the summer months as they come to nest along the region's beaches. Rays, such as the giant manta and mobula rays, are occasionally sighted, especially between April and November. The likelihood of encountering these species varies with water temperature and proximity to breeding or feeding grounds, offering a dynamic experience for divers throughout the year.
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.: 7
iStock-Michael Zeigler
Sea Lion
618 Sightings
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3
F
19
M
13
A
15
M
47
J
81
J
104
A
113
S
106
O
87
N
29
D
1
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
430 Sightings
J
9
F
8
M
13
A
12
M
26
J
62
J
66
A
58
S
79
O
70
N
18
D
9
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
126 Sightings
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0
F
1
M
4
A
1
M
8
J
25
J
33
A
21
S
12
O
6
N
12
D
3
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle
81 Sightings
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0
F
3
M
4
A
0
M
8
J
5
J
17
A
23
S
10
O
4
N
4
D
3
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
52 Sightings
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2
F
7
M
3
A
2
M
2
J
1
J
8
A
4
S
3
O
4
N
9
D
7
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
39 Sightings
J
2
F
2
M
6
A
6
M
0
J
3
J
1
A
0
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6
O
5
N
4
D
4
Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
Hawksbill Turtle
32 Sightings
J
4
F
2
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
0
J
1
A
10
S
10
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.: 90
Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish
352 Sightings
J
6
F
9
M
11
A
12
M
15
J
55
J
47
A
50
S
54
O
55
N
24
D
14
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
284 Sightings
J
9
F
8
M
15
A
9
M
14
J
25
J
36
A
36
S
53
O
53
N
19
D
7
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
234 Sightings
J
11
F
9
M
10
A
11
M
18
J
58
J
35
A
13
S
31
O
18
N
13
D
7
The best Months to dive in Sonora
Sonora, located in northwestern Mexico, offers diverse diving opportunities throughout the year. Generally, diving is possible all year, but conditions can vary significantly with the seasons. In the winter months, water temperatures range from 18–20°C/64.4–68°F, which may require thicker wetsuits. Summer sees warmer waters, with temperatures rising to about 28°C/82.4°F, offering more comfortable diving experiences. Visibility in the Sea of Cortez, which borders Sonora, typically ranges from 10–30 meters/32.8–98.4 feet, although it can be affected by local weather conditions. Northerly winds and currents in the winter months can lead to choppier waters and reduced visibility. The best diving conditions are often found in the late spring and early fall when winds are calm and currents are mild, making these periods particularly favorable for divers seeking optimal conditions.
