10 Reasons To Scuba Dive in Baja California, Mexico

Dramatic mountains and desert flanked by the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez lure divers to the southern Baja peninsula.

1 SURF'S UP Watch surfers tackle Pacific waves on Playa Los Cerritos, a beach just outside the artsy village of Todos Santos.

2 BACK TO SCHOOL Explore East Cape diving at Gordo Banks, an underwater mountain known for seasonal schooling hammerhead sharks. caboscuba.com

3 WINTER RESIDENTS In winter, gray whales migrate here from the Arctic. Check them out up close on Zodiacs. caboexpeditions.com.mx

4 GREAT VIZ Viz in Cabo San Lucas Bay from June to December can exceed 100 feet at sites like Whale Head, which features octopuses, sea turtles and nurse sharks.

5 AT LAND'S END Follow a wall 90 feet to underwater cascades of sand at Land's End, where the Sea of Cortez and Pacific Ocean meet. nautilusdivetech.com

6 SUCH A LOVELY PLACE Settle in at the bar or on a street-side balcony at the colorful, eclectic Hotel California in Todos Santos to people-watch. hotelcaliforniabaja.com

7 CONSERVATION GEM In Cabo Pulmo’s protected marine park, the Sea of Cortez’s most vibrant coral reefs are a quick panga ride from the beach.

8 ZIPPING BY Sign up for a morning zip-line adventure across a deep arroyo where springs bubble from polished rock.

9 THE WALL Plentiful fish await on La Anegada, an 80-foot dive at the tip of the Cabo San Lucas Canyon Wall; beyond here lies the abyss.

10 UNDERWATER ACROBATS Hop a boat from La Paz to Los Islotes island, where snorkelers thrill at the superior swimming abilities of sea lions on day trips that include an afternoon on a deserted beach. funbaja.com

Discover 10 Reasons to Dive Mexico's Riviera Maya!