7 Reasons Why Snorkeling with Sea Lions Is the Best

Scuba diving off Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula is fantastic, whether you’re exploring the reef of Cabo Pulmo Marine Park, shipwrecks in the Sea of Cortez or surveying the seamounts that plunge into the deep.

But there’s nothing quite like trading in your reg for a snorkel and spending a few hours at a sea lion colony. We’re talking non-stop thrills. These pinnipeds are some of the most fearless and playful animals I’ve ever come across. It’s like spending the day with a pack of energetic puppies that have ninja-like skills in the water.

We took the short boat ride from La Paz, Mexico, to the San Rafaelito Sea Lion Colony to get some face time with these amazing sea lions.

Here’s what I learned ...

1. You Never Know Where Sea Lions Are Going

The ritual never gets old: After slipping into the water we slowly approach the small rocky islet, where a motley gang of sea lions awaits. Once I get within about 20 yards of the colony — each colony features one alpha male with a harem of dozens of females and pups — they start hopping into the water to see what's up. I slowly approach a sea lion and it either swims away or decides to swim toward me. Then the fun begins. One swims straight at me in a beeline before darting left or right at the very last second. It's a thrill to see how quickly these mammals dart through the water.

2. Sea Lions Are Always Looking for High Fives

It's common to see groups of see lions chilling at the water's surface with one flipper hanging out. It looks like they're requesting a high five, but they're actually thermoregulating to stay warm. The water around La Paz can be chilly — it was 74 degrees F when we dived — so the sea lions try to catch as many rays as possible. It's funny to see from the surface.

3. Sea Lions Are Really Fast

Researchers say that sea lions can reach a top speed of 12 to 25 mph in the water. That's really fast when you consider Michael Phelps — the most decorated swimmer of all time — tops out at about 6 mph. Sitting in the water and observing these animals whip back and forth at high speeds is a thrill in itself.

4. Sea Lions Love to Roughhouse

If the sea lions aren't resting with one flipper out of the water or taking a sunny nap on the islet, they're probably fighting with one another. Time after time we see two sea lions gnawing at each other's butts or spinning round and round in a high-speed chase. Even when we were scuba diving around the San Rafaelito Sea Lion Colony I was surprised to see a pair of sea lions plunge to where we were at about 60 feet, biting and playing with each before bolting back toward the surface.

Here's an example ...

And another ...

And another ...

5. Sea Lions Are Master Bubble Blowers

After witnessing how skilled these sea lions are in the water, I quickly forget that they are mammals, after all, and need to come up for air. You'll catch them blowing master bubble rings from time to time. (Here's how you can do it.)

It's believed that sea lions can hold their breath for about 12 to 15 minutes before having to come up for air and, although they likely never need to, researchers say they could dive to almost 900 feet.

6. Sea Lions Do Flips

One way to spot the most playful sea lions is to keep an eye on the water's surface and wait for them to breach and smack back down into the blue.

7. Sea Lions Sometimes Forget Which Way Is Up

These willing and able models often swim right up to my camera and start putting on a show — swimming round and round upside-down while blowing bubbles toward the surface.

No one wants to go back to the boat when it's all over. But, thanks to these playful mammals, we were able to get plenty of photos and videos to capture the memories.