Los Cabos · Mexico · Reef · Sand slope
Pelican Rock
A gentle reef slope that ends at a canyon and its sandfall
Photo: Thelmadatter · CC BY-SA 4.0
Pelican Rock lies just offshore from Playa del Amor, close to the Cabo San Lucas harbour. A shallow reef slopes gradually down to a deep canyon with a sandfall, giving a profile from 5 to 27 m (15 to 90 ft) whose upper part suits newer divers, with moray eels, pufferfish and scorpionfish along the way.
Where it is and how deep
22.8787° N, 109.8966° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
The reef begins in shallow water at around 5 m (15 ft), on a sand patch edged by a barrier reef. From there it slopes gradually downward, with schools of tropical fish over the reef and moray eels, pufferfish and scorpionfish along it. It is a calm, protected site for divers of all levels and for snorkellers.
The slope ends at a deep canyon, home to the sandfall the site is known for, where sand pours over the edge into deeper water. The canyon takes the profile down to 27 m (90 ft). Mobula rays are among the animals seen here, and Middle Wall connects with this same sandfall area for divers who want the deeper terrain.
Marine life and season
- Mobula rays
- Reef fish swarms
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime | Prime | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime |
Season follows Los Cabos: Diving runs all year. August to February brings the best conditions and clearest autumn water; mobula rays pass from May to July.
Photos from Pelican Rock
Thelmadatter · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dive videos
Diving Pelican Rock Cabo San Lucas · Greg Clouser on YouTube
Sources
- Cabo San Lucas Dive Sites | Marine Park & Corridor — Dive Cabo
- Pelican Rock — Scubago (SSI)
Photo credits
- Turquoise water in front of a small beach backed by tall granite cliffs by Thelmadatter, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Jagged granite rock formations rising straight out of blue sea by Thelmadatter, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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