MEXICO
The Yucatan
Cancun, Cozumel and Tulum are the major areas of interest here for divers. Offshore reefs are a thriving ecosystem of Caribbean marine species. Tulum is home to ZeroBar.org's launch program, the Tulum Reef Mapping Project.
Seven Day Program Schedule
Day 1
6:00 p.m.* Overview of Project
Meet and Greet
Course Materials Provided for Divers
Day 2
8:00 a.m. Course Theory Navigation Specialty Part 1-2
11:00 a.m. Two Tank Dive (Navigation Specialty)
Mapping
4:00 p.m. Course Theory Part 4-5 Daily Mapping and Documentation
Day 3
8:30 a.m. Two Tank Dive Navigation Specialty
Mapping
2:00 p.m. Course Theory Navigation
Daily Mapping and Documentation
Day 4
8:30 a.m. Course Theory Nitrox Specialty Part 1-2
11:00 a.m. Two Tank Dive (Nitrox Specialty)
4:00 p.m. Course Theory Part 3-5
Daily Mapping and Documentation
Day 5
8:30 a.m. Exploration Day (3-4 tanks)
Mapping and Documentation
Day 6
9:30 a.m. Post Results of Mapping/Exploration
Clients Hand in Observations (see Appendix 1)
Conclusion of Program
Photos Provided to Abyss From Participants With Signed Media Releases
Day 7
9:00 a.m Farewell Day
Tulum Reef Mapping Course Costs
From $1500.00
Included in Project Costs:
1. 7 nights accommodation
2. Daily Lunch
3. Scuba equipment/Tanks
4. 2 Specialties (Nitrox and Navigation SSI)
5. Airport Transfer
6. Any related diving for exploration
Contact ZeroBar.org for information and bookings....
See full details on the Project page and learn more about the Abyss Dive Center and Training Facility on their Eco Profile page.
The Baja of California, where the desert meets the sea....the Sea of Cortez boasts some of Mexico’s best diving. Jacques Cousteau and innumerable underwater adventurers have have described the Sea of Cortez as “The World’s Richest Sea”. This is especially true of the waters that caress the southern tip of the Baja. The diversity in fish and marine mammals that congregate here is unmatched anywhere else in the earth’s undersea domain. Three major ocean currents collide here to create the unique and varied life that abounds in these fruitful waters. The California current, Panamic current, and the North Equatorial Counter current all crash together and bring with them bountiful populations of plankton. This staple of life attracts the whole food chain that benefits from its abundance. Experiencing the wonders of the deep is often a unique experience but diving in these plenteous waters is considered a dream come true as many locals in the area readily profess.
Conditions on the Sea of Cortez differ greatly depending on the time of year, dive site and tidal flow. Visibility inside the bays can be as low as 1 meter with visibility at the outer island and sea mounts having well over 30 meters. Average visibility would be about 15 to 20 meters but once again this can change from day to day.
Temperature also depends heavily on the time of the year, depth and currents. Temperature can range from 31 degrees C on the surface in October to 15 degrees C underwater in May. In general the water temperature in surface from July to December is around 24 to 30 degrees.
Currents are found at most locations and they also can vary from no current to a 5 knot current in less than an hour. Most of the time there will be at least a light current up to 1 knot at most dive sites.
Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas is situated on the southern most tip of the Baja California Peninsula. Cabo is one of the perfect destinations for all water sport activities, not only Scuba. Orcas, Giant Pacific Mantas, Whale Sharks and schools of 200-300 Manta Rays have been sighted not more than 10 minutes from the Marina Cabo San Lucas. Sea Lions, huge schools of fish and White Tip sharks interact with divers daily. Over seventeen types of living corals can be found between San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. On occasion, Spotted Eagle and Bat Rays will glide effortlessly in the distance. When in season, it is common to witness Humpback, Grey, Sperm and Blue Whales in the Los Cabos area. The Cabo San Lucas Marine Preserve and the surrounding area supply a breath-taking diversity of aquatic life. Jacques Cousteau himself described the Sea of Cortez as, "one of the richest seas of the world." In Cabo you can enjoy year-round perfect weather, romance of the ocean and hospitality of the local people.
The visibility in Cabo San Lucas can extend beyond 30 meters in the summer and fall with water temperatures in the mid to upper 20’s C. The winter months bring colder waters, but a greater abundance of marine mammals. Visibility year-round is never less than ten meters, with an exception being the occasional Plankton bloom. Two tank dives require only a 3-4 hour commitment. There are dozens of restaurants, swimming beaches and all of Cabo San Lucas is at your fingertips when your diving is completed. The Sea Lion Colony thrives, Dolphins cruise the bay and when in season Whales can be found almost every day.
Cabo San Lucas sport fishing is unmatched around the world. Every year thousands of eager fisherman try their hand at the elusive Blue Marlin. Legend has it sometimes it can be up to 7 hours to reel in an adult Marlin weighing up to 1100 lbs. Cabo scuba diving and sport fishing are year-round. Marlin, Dorado, Tuna, Wahoo, Roosterfish, Sailfish, etc... can be caught year-round, the best month being October.
Cabo Pulmo
On the East Cape of the Sea of Cortez in Southern Baja, Cabo Pulmo is a shallow bay boasting over 5 miles of secluded beaches which stretch from Pulmo Point on the north end to Los Frailes on the south. Cabo Pulmo is located on the Tropic of Cancer, in the tropics. The landscape is desert-like, with a relatively dry similar to Southern California during most of the year. The climate is sunny and it's never cold. The area is arid with over 300 days of sunshine. Average annual rainfall is 5-10 inches (12.7-25.4cm), most with occurring during the months of September and October.
The Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park is located about 40 miles north of San Jose del Cabo on the eastern cape of Baja, "the interactive peninsula". The abundant coral growth on the rocky reefs provides shelter and food for countless colorful reef fishes, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. The marine boundaries are Bahia Las Barracas to the north and Bahia Los Frailes to the south, encompassing approximately 7,111 hectares. This nutrient rich water results in a profusion of plankton that forms the base of a vast food web of invertebrates, fishes, birds and mammals making the Sea of Cortez one of the most productive waters in the world.
The reef is the only hard coral reef found in the Sea of Cortez formed by multi-fingers and lies in 18 meters of water. It is one of only three living reefs in North America. A Mexican fishing vessel (the Colima), sunk during a storm in 1939, lies in 15 meters of water approximately 2.4 kilometers north of Punta Cabo Pulmo, and offers the added bonus of a wreck dive for scuba enthusiasts to an already spectacular marine park. Underwater visibility ranges from 18-30 meters and water temperatures range from 18-27 degrees C. Tigers, mantas, and bullsharks, hammerheads, and whale sharks among others are often sighted.
Your best bet is to fly into Los Cabos International Airport (San Jose del Cabo), Mexico. The approximate driving time from Los Cabos to Cabo Pulmo is about 90 minutes. You also have the option to fly into La Paz. Expect a two and one half to three hour drive to Cabo Pulmo.
La Paz
Located on the Mexican coast of Baja California Sur, La Paz is a combination of desert, ocean, culture and tranquility. This secluded city by the bay is a contrast of opposites, as vestiges from the past coexist with today’s cosmopolitan atmosphere. Explore desert islands surrounded by azure blue waters, where the towering reddish colors of the Sierra Gigante Mountains rising from the sea creates the backdrop for the bay of La Paz. This fascinating landscape is dotted with huge cacti, beautiful white sand beaches, sea caves, dramatic cliffs and hidden bays. The shorelines of nearby islands in the Sea of Cortez offer world-class scuba diving and are considered by most to be not only the finest cruising grounds in the Sea of Cortez, but in all of Mexico. The marine life, natural wonders and sunsets are spectacular! Snorkelers, divers, beach enthusiasts, and those seeking a rich cultural experience will all love Baja. Expect to see sea lions, whale sharks, orcas, mantas, and schools of dolphins among others.
Loreto
Sitting off of Loreto's coastline are five dramatic looking islands that make up the Loreto National Marine Park; Isla Carmen, Isla Coronado, Isla Danzante, Isla Monserrate & Isla Catalina. This great 100-mile long stretch of sea that hugs Baja's peninsula in the Sea of Cortez is refuge to a diversity of marine life and home to over 800 species of fish, unique only to the Sea of Cortez.
The diving terrain consists of rocky bottoms, jutting walls, undercuts, overhangs, sprawling reef systems and several wreck sites. The water temperature ranges from over 27°C in the summer and fall and gets in the high 60's & low 70's in the winter and spring months. Visibility ranges from 15-40 meters. The best diving here is during the summer through November. This is a must-do for those who like to go off the beaten path. Kayak dive trips are available where you stay on an uninhabited island and dive off of your kayak, new tanks and food are delivered to your island each day.