Scuba diving in the Eastern Pacific
6 dive regions in the Eastern Pacific, each scored month by month for marine life, coral health, visibility, water temperature, currents and weather. Taken together, the diving here is at its best in May, July–December, but every region has its own season, so check the grid below before you book.
Countries: Mexico · United States
Best time to dive in the Eastern Pacific, region by region
Sorted by each region's best month
| Nov2026 | Dec | Jan2027 | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cocos IslandCosta Rica | 6.5 | 6.2 | 5.9 | 6.0 | 6.3 | 6.5 | 6.8 | 7.1 | 7.2 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.7 | 7.6 |
| Sea of Cortez (La Paz)Mexico | 7.2 | 6.5 | 5.6 | 5.6 | 5.7 | 6.1 | 6.3 | 6.2 | 6.5 | 6.8 | 7.2 | 7.4 | 7.6 | 7.1 |
| MalpeloColombia | 6.0 | 6.0 | 5.8 | 5.9 | 6.1 | 6.3 | 6.5 | 6.7 | 6.8 | 6.9 | 7.0 | 7.1 | 7.2 | 7.3 |
| GalápagosEcuador | 6.1 | 5.6 | 5.0 | 5.1 | 5.4 | 5.6 | 6.1 | 6.4 | 7.1 | 7.1 | 7.1 | 7.2 | 7.1 | 6.8 |
| Socorro (Revillagigedo)Mexico | 6.6 | 6.7 | 6.6 | 6.6 | 6.9 | 6.9 | 7.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 7.1 | 7.2 |
| Channel Islands (California)United States | 5.8 | 5.1 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.1 | 5.4 | 5.9 | 6.2 | 6.2 | 6.4 | 6.1 | 5.7 | 5.1 |
Overall score out of 10 with balanced priorities, from the current forecast.
Dive regions in the Eastern Pacific
- Cocos IslandCosta Rica
Peak season: June–November · Expert · Liveaboard
Known for scalloped hammerhead, whitetip reef shark, silky shark, marble ray
- Sea of Cortez (La Paz)Mexico
Peak season: September–November · Intermediate · Day boat, Liveaboard
Known for california sea lion, whale shark, mobula rays, schooling jacks
- MalpeloColombia
Peak season: June–December · Expert · Liveaboard
Known for scalloped hammerhead, silky shark, smalltooth sand tiger
- GalápagosEcuador
Peak season: July–October · Expert · Liveaboard, Day boat
Known for scalloped hammerhead, whale shark, galápagos shark, mola mola, marine iguana
- Socorro (Revillagigedo)Mexico
Peak season: November–May · Advanced · Liveaboard
Known for giant oceanic manta, humpback whale, silky shark, whale shark, bottlenose dolphin
- Channel Islands (California)United States
Peak season: June–October · Intermediate · Liveaboard, Day boat, Shore
Known for california sea lion, garibaldi, giant sea bass, giant kelp forest