Los Islotes – Diving with hundreds of sea lions from La Paz, Mexico

If diving with sea lions is on your bucket list, then you must plan a visit to Los Islotes! There are several sea lion colonies around Baja California, the Mexican peninsula separating the Gulf of California / Sea of Cortez and the North Pacific Ocean. Here you are basically guaranteed to have great encounters and lots of fun! 

Photo by Tobias Friedrich – BELOW SURFACE

In the national marine park of the Espiritu Santo archipelago is the southernmost reproductive sea lion colony in the Gulf of California. Known as “La Lobera” or “Sea Lion Colony,” the small island of Los Islotes has more than 200 sea lions living there year round. This is the most popular site for diving and snorkelling with the cute pups – a must-do for visitors to La Paz! 

 

What to expect from diving with sea lions?

Ochre rocks streaked with white guano serve as the domain of melon-headed sea lion bulls, who spend their days posturing and preening to impress the females. The raspy barks of disgruntled males, challenging rivals, herald your approach to the island well before you anchor. The island’s lower reaches are blanketed by a dense, wriggling mass of sea lions, sprawled in layers and seemingly indifferent to personal space. Meanwhile, the crystal-blue waters teem with lively pups frolicking in the surf.

Photo by Nicolai Posininsky

Juvenile sea lions are full of character, each with a distinct personality. Some are shy, observing cautiously from a safe distance, while others are delightfully mischievous. The playful ones love a game of chicken, darting toward you at breakneck speed before veering away at the last second, blowing bubbles from their whiskered snouts as they loop around for another daring fly-by. Their puppy-like faces, with their impossibly large eyes, make them irresistibly endearing, while tiny bubbles cling to their fur like droplets of liquid mercury. Surrounding them, shimmering shoals of silver sardines refract flashes of light as they split, scatter, and reform, evading the agile sea lions in pursuit. The water brims with life, and at Los Islotes, diving is no passive experience—these sea lions make you the star of their spirited underwater performance.

Photos by Tobias Friedrich – BELOW SURFACE

Photo by Nicolai Posininsky

Typically, it’s the juveniles who show interest in snorkelers and scuba divers. For your own safety, it’s best to keep a respectful distance from the rocks, where the fiercely territorial—and considerably more imposing—bulls reside. Fortunately, there’s no need to approach the sea lion pups at Los Islotes. Their natural curiosity and playful demeanor will bring them to you. The bolder ones may venture quite close, and the cheekier pups might even give your fins a gentle nibble if they think they’re being ignored. Swimming with these young sea lions offers a safe and immensely rewarding opportunity for close interaction.

 

Snorkel or scuba at Los Islotes?

You can interact with the sea lions at Los Islotes either by scuba diving or snorkeling. With depths ranging from 8 to 15 meters (25 to 50 feet), both options provide a similarly immersive experience. At first, entering a lively, sea lion-filled world might feel a bit overwhelming, but as you dive in, the serene silence of the underwater realm transforms their energetic antics into a mesmerizing display of grace. Any initial intimidation quickly gives way to enchantment as you realize the playful pups are simply inviting you to join their games. Their remarkable agility, as they twist and dart effortlessly around you, is a humbling reminder of their mastery in the water—outpacing even the strongest human swimmers with ease.

Photo by Nicolai Posininsky

 

The dive site

There are two main dives: the southern, shallow one with an interesting cave and the northern one, deep and with chances of seeing pelagic fish.

Perfect for snorkeling, but better for scuba diving. We personally prefer staying in one spot underwater, letting the pups approach us. They have so much fun nibbling at everything and playing with you!

Photos by Nicolai Posininsky

If you are there for the photos, book yourself on a double-tank dive at Los Islotes, to be able to explore all sides of the island. Bare in mind, dive time is limited to 45 min. 

Alternatively, try to make it your last dive of a three-tank day, after all the day boats have gone.

 

Best time to visit Los Islotes

Visiting Los Islotes is not allowed from the 1st of June to the 31st of August every year. This is the sea lion’s reproduction period and when pups are born. The diving season is open from the 1st September to the 31st of May. Getting to Los Islotes from La Paz is just over an hour boat ride. 

 

Conditions

The water temperature is highest at the beginning of the season with 30°C/85°F in September. By December it drops down to 19°C/65°F and is coldest in February, with around 16°C/60°F. Towards the end of the season the water starts warming up again and reaches 25°C/77°F in June. Make sure we wear appropriate exposure to maximise your time in the water!

The visibility is between 10 and 30m (35-100ft).

 

Insider tips

• Don’t scuba dive with a snorkel. The pups nibble at everything just to see what it is. If they snatch your snorkel, it will be gone together with your mask.
• Don’t let the sea lions bite on your action camera or phone case. The young ones have very sharp teeth and will damage the housing. 
• You will have lunch on a beach or in a turquoise lagoon, so make sure you bring sun protection
• Bring your own towel and drinks (ideally electrolyte water)

Photos by Tobias Friedrich – BELOW SURFACE

 

Capturing memories from your dives