The top 33 dive and snorkel sites in Sonora, ranked by diver reviews, with maps and photos. Read the Sonora guide
Commonly known as "Rocky Point" a favorite vacation spot for many Arizonans. About 4 hours away from Phoenix - No passport required. Several good shore diving locations. About 30 miles north of Puerto Penasco, at the northeast corner of the Sea of Cortez
Bay is divided by Mushroom Rock into left and right sides. From spring through fall, water temperatures are warm (80 - 85 degrees at the bottom), and only tidal currents are present. Ample fish and invertebrate species occupy the bay, and shore dives are easy access. Deeper dives are available via short trips on boat, and some dive shop excursions include these. Bay is occasionally visited by local fishermen, but is not heavily fished. Bottom composition runs from smooth, sandy expanses to large, rocky reefs. Himalaya Bay is 15 miles/24km down a series of dirt roads from the nearest paved road. There are no accomodations or facilities, but the Bay is open for camping. Some Arizona dive shops schedule regular trips to Himalaya, and these are the best option for any multi-day stay, as they often bring compressors for tank refills. The site has been accessed by standard passenger sedans, but it is not recommended. A 2WD pick-up has no problem reaching Himalaya, and 4WD is nice but not essential. Be careful when arriving, as the beach is loose gravel and vehicles easily get stuck in it. I have a GPS cue-sheet for the route to the Bay. North Himalaya Bay is also known as El Himalaya, Bahia Himalaya.
Currents usually rip through. Usually have to descend/ascend using anchor line. Captain needs to know how to anchor on site in order not too anchor in water too deep or far from the point. Divers not ascending on line can be drift more than a mile into open ocean during ascent - make sure to take signaling device and have a watchful boat crew. Hammerhead pods in area Oct-Nov. Bottom at 90ft with steep drop off. Southernmost point of San Pedro Nolasco Island San Pedro - Punta Sur is also known as Sout Pont, San Pedro Island.
Similar to "Primera gringa" site, but shallower in general. Off the ocean side there's a black coral "forest" in deeper water. By short boat ride from Miramar beach
Guano covered island you can dive around with a single tank, although best diving is on it's eastern side and it's seaward tip. Visibility varies by season from a best of 50-60ft to less than 10. Dive is mostly over a slope of rubble which ends at a sandy bottom (45-60ft). Not many large fish due to fishing pressure, but very good variety an quantity of smaller rocky reef fish & invertebrates, including many octopus, seahorses, and tent olives (Oliva porphirya) Short boat ride from Miramar Beach
South Himalaya Bay is also known as El Himalaya.
Martini Cove is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Mexico, Northwest, San Carlos which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.
Southwest tip of Lalo Cove Zorro's Cove is also known as Zorro's Beach.
Punta San Pedro is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Mexico, Northwest, San Carlos which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.
South of Tetakawi, take the dirt road east from Lalo Cove. Frenchie's Beach is also known as Frenchie's Cove.
Schooling of pelagics including yellowtail and barracudas. Southern tip of Guaymas Harbor
Lighthouse is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Mexico, Northwest, San Carlos which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.
La Palpa is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Mexico, Northwest, San Carlos which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.
Rich sealife. Out of the mouth of Marina San Carlos. Seamount is also known as The Seamount.
Great marine life including seahorses, eels and soft corals. West of San Carlos
Zentacle lists 1 dive shop in Sonora. The top-rated is Gary's Dive Shop (3.6 from 29 reviews).
