Whale sharks migrate vast distances and make seasonal appearances but here in the Sea of Cortez, off Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, they find it hard to leave. In fact, their nickname is Gentle Giants. The largest confirmed individual had a length of 12.65 m and a weight of more than 21.5 metric tons. Great whites have been spotted in the waters, but you should be worried about a shark attack. Whale shark season in La Paz runs from early winter until late spring, when whale sharks feed in the Sea of Cortez and in the Bay of La Paz in Baja California Sur. They’re nicknamed the Gentle Giants for a reason. Great whites have been spotted in the waters, but you should be worried about a shark attack. The Midriff Island region of the Sea of Cortez in Baja California, Mexico is one of those 4 spots and closest to the US. While in the shark family, you shouldn’t let the name scare you. These sharks feast on seals—which is why in Baja California, they stick close to the island of Guadalupe. Within the sea there are thousands of islands, pinnacles and rocks around which are countless liveaboard dive sites.. Whale sharks are the ocean's largest fish and frequent a number of locations in the Sea of Cortez. Some of it is deserved—those teeth are pretty scary—but for the most part, Baja California beachgoers have nothing to fear from Sea of Cortez sharks. Mark Domeier, marine biologist and president of the institute, agreed. The chance of you seeing a great white shark while in the Sea of Cortez are slim. Home; About. 23450 Cabo San Lucas, Cabo San Lucas B.C.S. Whale sharks migrate to the Sea of Cortez to feed and give birth. Where to go This small-group experience allows you to swim alongside massive whale sharks, for an intimate experience few travelers get to enjoy, and … In 2018, there were only 66 unprovoked shark attacks recorded around the world, and only 6 of these were fatal—compare that to 40,000, the number of people who lost their lives in car accidents in 2018 in the US alone. Still, if you see anything that makes you nervous, come to the shore and make a report. “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. Although great white sharks have been known to visit the area in the Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez, which may be a nursery for the species. The Pearson brothers spotted the shark as it thrashed around and noticed it had injuries consistent with a propeller injury. Many people enjoy swimming with them and seeing them up close in their natural environment. Pearson believes that the shark ventured in to the shallow waters in order to hunt for stingrays. Includes all equipment, bottled water & soft drinks. Spending some time face to face with these fish—with a trained guide—is a once in a lifetime experience, and is completely safe. They average between 22 and 32’ feet long. A 6 metre whale shark stopped to feed and positioned itself vertically in the water, completely indifferent to our snorkellers. “White sharks are generalists (and scavengers) when it comes to diet,” Domeier wrote on Facebook. SECTIONS Skip to Content. If you are headed to Cabo during whale shark season, you can sign up for a group whale shark encounter experience or, for a more unique tour, a private whale shark encounter for you and your friends or family. While great white shark teeth are the stuff of nightmares, and there have been incidents of sharks biting, and even killing, humans around the world, people aren’t on the great whites’ menu. Sharks typically have seals for dinner, so you’re not on the menu. Probably not. We’ll swim and snorkel with whale sharks—the largest fish in the world!—and enjoy the serene Sea of Cortez. These sharks have been spotted closer to land, and some of them in the Sea of Cortez itself. Get up close and personal with marine wildlife in its natural habitat during this full-day boating excursion on the Sea of Cortez. In flat calm conditions, at with not another boat in site, we got to experience these gentle giants feeding in a beautiful bay in Mexico. The Black Demon Shark is an enormous black shark whose territory is said to be just off the coast of Mexico's Baja California peninsula. Our Company; Shark Conservation; Reviews; Adventures. In June of 2017 a 15-foot great white shark was filmed in 3 feet of water. Sail away from the safe harbor. Joining Sharks in the Sea of Cortez - Los Angeles Times A great white shark that briefly stranded in the Sea of Cortez last month has been spotted again – and it's alive and well. We still felt tiny along with these huge animals! Are There Sharks in the Sea of Cortez? The chance of you seeing a great white shark while in the Sea of Cortez are slim. See Whale Sharks Up Close Yes, great white sharks have been known to venture from the island of Guadalupe closer to shore. In order to study whale shark populations individuals need to be tagged and identified. The Whale Sharks of the Sea of Cortez. Science Source Whale Shark Sea Of Cortez … Hammerhead Sharks Of The Sea Of Cortez Youtube. Bat Rays are commonly seen jumping vertically from the water and put up a great fight when hooked! Pangas (classic Mexican wood and fiberglass boats) are the norm for resort diving. If you’re headed to a vacation in Cabo San Lucas, you might be worried about finding great white sharks in the Sea of Cortez. “In other words they will eat whatever they want at that moment!” Home; DMCA; copyright; privacy policy; contact; sitemap; Sunday, October 27, 2013. From early winter until late spring the whale sharks can be found feeding in the rich waters of the Sea of Cortez and in the Bay of La Paz in Baja California Sur. It’s an experience you won’t want to miss. Sea Of Cortez Sharks, Exotic Sea, Sea Of Cortez Sharks. They feast on microscopic plankton, so again, you’re not on their menu. Your chances of spotting a great white shark in the Sea of Cortez out in the wild, not to mention the likelihood of a shark attack, are slim. Each shark is identified with photos of the lateral markings behind the five gills slits on the left side of the fish. Your 6-day whale shark tour trip will use our Eco-friendly Las Animas Wilderness EcoLodge, as its base. In fact, almost the entire coast of California is considered a great white shark nursery—sightings of the young sharks are rare, but they do happen. Where rocks meet the sand at Cabo Pulmo and farther north toward La Paz, a sharp- eyed diver may see the rough- skinned Mexican hornshark, discovered near here in 1972. This trip saw us snorkel with the biggest fish in the sea over two days at the start and end of a 5 days trip in the Sea of Cortez. However, there’s nothing to worry about when it comes to your safety as they don’t typically come close to the shore. Much about them remains a mystery, but scientists have found that juvenile whale sharks come to the Bay of La Paz (and other parts of the Sea of Cortez) from October to February each year. Whale sharks are the largest fish on the planet and can easily reach more than 40’ long and live up to 70 years. Basking Shark. Embark on one of the most memorable days of your life! This time they join Nautilus Liveaboards on a trip to the northern part of the Sea of Cortez. There are only four places on the planet whale sharks make predictable appearances at certain times of year. In spring, the Sea of Cortez is a good place for sighting whales, including gray whales,finback whales, and … Dives i… We'll snorkel through warm, clear waters along the steep rocky shores and over the shallow reefs that teem with life. Type and press enter to search. Liveaboards will dive from their tender boats. Book a tour with Cabo Adventures. During the months of October through April whale sharks visit the Sea of Cortez, so you can have a swimming experience with these breathtaking animals right here in Baja near the city of La Paz, only 1 hour and 45 minutes north of Cabo San Lucas. So throw off the bowlines. Swimming with the whale sharks in their natural environment gives you an up-close and personal look at this amazing species. The short answer is yes. The seas surrounding Baja California are filled with great white sharks. We saw five whale sharks at El Mogote and our two local pangas were busy dropping off and picking up our divers. In fact, a big part of your trip might include spending some up close and personal time with them like when snorkeling. When to Go. The whale sharks usually congregate in the Sea of Cortez between November and April, but other locations will have different timeframes. They live in tropical and warm-temperature seas, including the Sea of Cortez, where they swim constantly, forcing plankton rich water through their mouths. These versatile, outboard-powered crafts provide smaller groups with fast, easy access to the dives dive sites. Your time with the whale sharks will forever change how you feel when you hear the word “shark.”. Details: The trip cost $110 USD + 16% local Tax. But if you are vacationing in Cabo, should you worry about a shark attack? Snorkeling The Sea Lion Colony With The Cortez Club. A variety of shark species possibly including bulls and hammerheads (noting that the Sea of Cortez is nowhere near as sharkie as Socorro), several shipwrecks, garden eels and diving cormorant birds. Giant manta rays at one particular site. Guadalupe, a volcanic island about 150 miles off the coast, is home to colonies of seals—and one of the biggest populations of great whites in the world. But there are beaches designated as safe for swimming, including: The Sea of Cortez is home for part of the year to one of the world’s most gentle ocean creatures: the whale shark. Dream. We were suited up and about to make our first dive of the trip in the Sea of Cortez, but it wasn't the thrilling moment we'd imagined. These Gentle Giants gather near Cabo San Lucas each year from October to April. Let's learn about these immensely interesting creatures: Whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) are sharks, not whales. Enjoy a morning looking for humpback whales out of Los Cabos. This all went down in a shallow water bay on the Sea of Cortez. The Sea of Cortez is home for part of the year to one of the world’s most gentle ocean creatures: the © 2021 Aventuras y Expediciones de los Cabos S.A. de C.V., All Rights Reserved. California sea lions. They aren’t sure exactly where the sharks give birth, but have found that Sebastian Vizcaino Bay, which is about halfway down Baja California and 500 miles south of San Diego, is where baby sharks are nurtured and cared for as they grow to adulthood. The whale sharks are most often found in the winter months in the Bay of La Paz. An enormous great white shark found itself trapped in shallow water after the tide went out, and one man with balls of steel decided to get really close to that shark. The gentle giants of the sea are the largest fish in the world and each season return to the waters close to the city of La Paz. Create unforgettable memories in Cabo by embarking on the adventure of a lifetime with our wide selection of world-class tours! Catch the trade winds in your sails. Exotic Sea Menu. They eat microscopic plankton—definitely not people—and they are an endangered species that only live in tropical water. Instead, the Sea of Cortez is full of strong waves and powerful undercurrents, making many otherwise pristine beaches dangerous for swimming. Spend 3 days snorkeling with whale sharks and sea lions in the Sea of Cortez. The Sea of Cortez is also home to the whale shark. Now these sharks that you’ll be with are whale sharks, not great whites. Don’t let the name scare you—these beautiful Sea of Cortez sharks are nothing like the man-eating sharks in Jaws. Three days of diving with hammerhead sharks and manta rays in La Paz was unable to erase the rumor from our unconscious moments. Several operators have larger, more "traditional" dive boats. Great White Shark Diving In fact, your favorite part of your Cabo trip might be spending some quality time with the unique Sea of Cortez sharks. Learn more about us, Subscribe to our newsletter below, or contact us for more infomation! Sierra Mackerel "Sierra" A pelagic fish, related to tuna, Sierra are typically found in the top 50 feet of the water column. In season The Cortez Club will take you over to where you can swim with as many as 12 Whale Sharks in one area. Want to swim with the whale sharks? A favorite activity of Cabo visitors during this time is to swim with the whale sharks. If you’re going on a vacation to Cabo San Lucas, you might be thinking about the white sharks that swim in the Sea of Cortez. Sharks typically have seals for dinner, so you’re not on the menu. As you can clearly see, this is one GIGANTIC Thanks to Jaws and other depictions of sharks, these creatures have a pretty bad rep. Snorkeling with the Whale Sharks has got to be one of the most uplifting experiences in the world. While Cabo’s beaches are the postcard turquoise blue and sandy white, most aren’t suitable for swimming—but no, it’s not because of great white sharks in the Sea of Cortez. Discover.” - Mark Twain. Whale sharks are filter feeders feeding exclusively on teeny tiny nutrient rich plankton, so fear not – they will never try to eat us humans. Underwater you can expect unforgettable scuba encounters with playful sea lions at sites throughout the area.Schools of hammerhead sharks and encounters with manta rays, breaching mobula rays and magnificent whale sharks are also headlining diving attractions of the Sea of Cortez. The short answer is yes. The pups are playful and great fun to swim with! To schedule a snorkeling adventure in Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S, call Book Now Adventures at +1 909-328-0889 today! Explore. Sea Of Cortez The World S Aquarium Travel Associates . Explore two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park with coral reefs that host more than 25% of the fish species in the Sea of Cortez. Yes, the teeth may be scary, but the beachgoers and snorkeling enthusiasts in Cabo have nothing to fear when it comes to the sharks that are in the Sea of Cortez. This provided a great opportunity for photos and videos. These Gentle Giants are typically in Cabo between October and April. You can go on a snorkeling tour and potentially see them up close. A great white shark measuring nearly 20 feet and weighing 2,000 pounds -- according to a local report -- was hauled up Sunday by commercial fishermen in the Sea of Cortez near Guaymas. These enormous filter feeding giants feed on the plankton rich waters present in the Sea of Cortez. (P.S., we’re talking whale sharks, not great whites.). Despite their bad reputation, great white Sharks in the Sea of Cortez are not out to get you—in fact, you’re more likely to die from falling out of bed than from a shark bite. Sea Of Cortez Sharks Diving With Whale Sharks In The Sea Of Cortez Cabo Blog. While great whites have definitely been sighted offshore, you don’t need to worry about your safety. The whale sharks we found with were on the smaller size, closer to 6-8 m, but the experience was fantastic nonetheless. While the idea of being close to a shark might send a chill down your spine, it’s actually not as dangerous as you might think. BBC Oceans dive team investigates the hammerhead sharks at the El Bajo seamount in the Sea of Cortez. Massive great white shark caught in Sea of Cortez. SOUTHERN SEA OF CORTEZ... SEA LIONS, BULL SHARKS & WHALE SHARKS The southern half of the Sea of Cortez is the most frequently visited by divers, perhaps because of the variety it offers. A video shows a 14-foot-long great white shark in shallow water in the Sea of Cortez off Baja California. Scientists have discovered that the area is a nursery for newborn sharks. Does the idea of sharks lurking nearby send a chill down your spine? Whale sharks are the largest fish in the ocean. Some divers spend their whole life to find the filter feeding Rhincodon Typus, and here he was waiting at the edge of a story from a stranger where a long dirt road touches the Sea of Cortez. You bet. The Sea of Cortez has 170 species of shark and occasionally we do catch one of the more odd species, but in general we see Hammerheads, Makos and Sand Sharks. Depart from our dock at 8:30 am and head to Los Islotes, a group of small islands at the north of Espiritu Santo Island, year round home to a colony of over 350 curious Californian brown Sea Lions! 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