Diving the Islas Coronado

Diving at the Islas Coronado combines kelp forest exploration, granite wall dives and encounters with a resident California sea lion colony around four uninhabited islands roughly 13 km off the coast near Ensenada. The site suits certified open-water divers and above; a diving certification card is required for booking, and divers should be comfortable with light current and cold water, since surface temperatures range from about 14 degrees Celsius in winter to 20 degrees in autumn. Two-tank charter trips typically include tanks, weights and boat transport from Ensenada harbour; divers must bring or rent their own 7mm wetsuit or drysuit, hood, gloves, a dive torch for the kelp canopy and a surface marker buoy, since the operator generally does not supply exposure protection as standard. Licensed dive charters operating out of Ensenada and San Diego are well established on this route and typically require a minimum group size before confirming a trip, so early booking matters. A pre-dive safety briefing covers the day's current and visibility conditions, the buddy system, and the boat's radio contact with the Mexican coast guard in case of an emergency; landing on the islands themselves is prohibited under the marine reserve rules, so all activity stays on or under the water. Visibility and conditions are best from August through November, when the water clears to 15-20 metres; winter storms can make crossings rough and should be avoided by inexperienced boat travellers.