Dive· Las Ánimas (islets)· Mexico
Las Ánimas Islet Dive (Isla San José)
25° 6.9′ N · 110° 30.6′ W · approximate
A rocky islet above a 4,500-ft drop-off north-east of Isla San José—the 'crown jewel of fall diving', with California sea lions and rare Guadalupe fur seals in the boulder shallows and schooling hammerheads off the north pinnacles.
Practical
Coordinate is approximate: just off the north side of the GeoNames 'Isla las Ánimas' point (25.1132, -110.51013), checked in-water against the OpenStreetMap coastline. The north pinnacles are 'prime hammerhead territory' June-November and the south-west pinnacles drop into a huge wall with turtles and schooling fish (Baja Expeditions); inside the cove the fur seals play at the surface, popular with snorkelers. Bull sea lions patrol the rookery—at the first circling or bubble-blowing, back off (X-Ray Mag). No anchorage is described: cruisers stage overnight in the Punta Colorada north coves about 8 miles away and arrive at first light (Baja Nomad, 2019). Open water and currents—experienced divers with a tended boat only. Do not land on the islet. Inside the Islas del Golfo de California flora-and-fauna protected area (CONANP): rangers can ask to see a park pass; the annual Conservation Passport (MX$3,620 in 2025) or a day bracelet covers it.
Best for
Pelagic diving with sea lions and hammerheads
Season
Jun–Nov for hammerheads; fall peak
Nearby
- Punta Colorada Snorkel (Isla San José)6.5 NM away
- Punta Colorada North Coves (Isla San José)6.6 NM away
- Islas del Golfo de California Protected Area9.9 NM away
- Isla San Diego11.5 NM away
- Isla San José Salinas Salt Works13.7 NM away
- Bahía Amortajada Mangrove Lagoon14.2 NM away
- Bahía Amortajada (Isla San José)14.6 NM away
- Mobula Ray Aggregations14.6 NM away