Up Close and Personal with the Apex Predators

There are two types of people in this world: those who love sharks and want to get up close and personal, and those who are terrified and want to stay as far as away as possible! If you’re in the former group, then the waters off Cabo San Lucas are like a playground for you, home to a variety of species of sharks you can swim with in the open ocean. If you’re in the latter, consider reading a bit more about these striking creatures. Cabo San Lucas is the perfect place for us to change your mind about sharks and help you see their majestic beauty.

Swim with Shark

Shark Species : An Impressive Line-Up in Baja California

The Sea of Cortez is one of the most biodiverse water on the planet, attracting sea life of all shapes and sizes. With that, comes the apex predator of the ocean, the shark. Cabo San Lucas is the perfect starting point, right at the tip of Baja California, for you to start your trip. If you’re looking to swim with sharks and get great shark interaction, look no further! Baja Shark Experience has the knowledge and understanding to make your shark encounter epic!

Keep reading to learn about the different shark species we might see when shark diving in Cabo San Lucas.

Summary :

Silky Shark (Carcharhinus falciformis)

Silkies, as they’re called in the diving community, are handsome sharks known for their silk-like skin. They enjoy spending the majority of their time in deeper, subtropical waters. Fortunate shark divers will be able to catch them tearing up a bait ball of sardines with other predators. They are highly migratory and pass through Cabo from June to January. They come to Baja California to mate in July and August and during this time you can see giant schools of silkies. Get close and personal with the Silky Shark

Silky Shark
Silky Shark (Carcharhinus falciformis)

Mako Shark (Isurus oxyrinchus)

The mako, while scary looking due to the protruding teeth, is actually quite impressive. They’re known for their incredible speed (the fastest shark in the world, in fact) and their agility. Their torpedo-like body allows them to hunt the fastest fish and even launch themselves out of the water, known as breaching. Mako sharks hang around the coast of Cabo from December to June. Get to know the Mako Shark

Mako Shark
Mako Shark (Isurus oxyrinchus)

Hammerhead Shark

There are two species of hammerheads that can be frequently spotted around Cabo : The Smooth Hammerhead (Sphyrna zygaena) and the Scalloped (Sphyrna lewini). These bad boys are absolutely one of the most unique sharks out there. Their unique shaped head and wide-set eyes give them nearly 360-degree vision. You can catch them in Baja California from January to August. Learn more about the Hammerhead Shark

Hammerhead Shark
Hammerhead Shark

Blue Shark (Prionace glauca)

True to their name, these sharks are known for their iridescent cobalt blue skin which helps them camouflage in the ocean. Their hunting advantage lies in their sharp vision, giving them an edge as they hunt their speedy prey. Despite their large size, they tend to feed on smaller fish and squid. If you’re lucky, you can swim with Blue Sharks from December to end of April. Learn more about the Blue Shark

Blue Shark
Blue Shark (Prionace glauca)

Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus)

Though they’re the largest sharks on our list, whale sharks are also the gentlest. The juveniles of those gorgeous giants come through the Sea of Cortez to feast on the wealth of plankton, krill, and small fish, but we still have a lot to learn on her behavior and migratory routes of those mysterious sharks. As filter feeders, they’re completely harmless to people, so they are the perfect shark species to dive with for the whole family. Whale sharks tend to be located on the other side of the peninsula, near La Paz, from October to April. Learn more about Whale Shark

Whale Shark
Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus)

Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas)

Although many people consider bull sharks to be one of the most aggressive sharks, they’re not typically dangerous to humans. They focus all their aggressive energy on their prey. Bull sharks can switch from saltwater to freshwater, allowing them to use rivers to help migrate. They hang out at Cabo Pulmo National Park year-round.

Bull Shark
Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas)

Great White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias)

Last, but not least, we have the great white! They are the largest predatory fish on the planet and can grow up to 20 feet. Don’t worry, you won’t see great whites near the shores of Cabo San Lucas. In order to find them, we will have to take a liveaboard to Guadalupe Island, about 150 miles off the west coast of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula.

Great White Shark
Great White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias)

Experience the Ultimate Shark Diving in Cabo

Sharks have been swimming around the oceans since before the dinosaurs roamed the earth!

There are not many opportunities to swim with “living fossils” and here in Cabo San Lucas you have a great chance of catching a wide variety of unique shark species.

With Baja Shark Experience you will get to safely swim with these magnificent beasts in the open ocean. Our expert guides will educate and assist you as you embark on this life-changing, bucket list shark encounter. We pride ourselves in taking the utmost care with small groups, giving you a personal and once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Silky Shark

If you’re looking for something even more personalized or want to organize a private trip for your group, we can help you plan custom expeditions just for you. Our guides have the skills to work with professional photographers and film crews and can help you get the perfect shots of these apex predators.

Contact us today and let us plan your dream shark diving trip!

1 thought on “The Shark Species of Cabo San Lucas”

  1. We are looking for a private shark snorkeling tour. For 14 guys. Friday July 22nd.

    We are hoping to see many sharks and also for the boat to be equipped with both non alcoholic and alcoholic drinks, snacks, and music (if possible!)

    Let me know what you can arrange, and the costs as well as a summary of what the tour will be

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