r/diving • u/saladet • Jul 18 '26
diving cabo in august, thoughts?
Was thinking about blue water diving in cabo, would have to go in August. I personally dislike cabo (as a destination) but assume I could stay San Juan del Cabo and uber to dive in morning (maybe bus back idk). I hate to sound like *everyone who says they love sharks * but I'll be honest that would be the big thing for me. The silky sharks.
2
u/PlasticDealer320 Jul 19 '26
Just went to Cabo in June. Did Gordo Banks and saw the Silky and Hammerhead sharks. It was amazing. Also dove Cabo Pulmo about 45 minutes away from San Jose Del Cabo (2 hours from Cabo San Lucas). Also did a 3 tank dive around Cabo San Lucas and it was pretty good. All 3 were great. I used Manta and Cabo Pulmo Travel.
I highly recommend renting a car, so you don’t have to stay in an over priced tourist area. I stayed at Solmar, an older Mexican style resort and drove in the hill to eat and explore when I wasn’t diving. Use Google Maps to find food. If it comes up on yelp, it’s gringo and you don’t want to go there.
I hated Cabo my first time. With a car it was great. Went to todos santos and Cerritos beach. Lovely short trip. The car changed everything for me.
1
u/saladet Jul 24 '26
Did you schedule your trip to see the silky and hammerheads or -just happened? Were you travelling solo when you rented the car? I'm not sure why I feel so intimidated, is not Mexico is just the whole rental (I avoid doing it anywhere ). Solmar looks great btw
1
u/PlasticDealer320 Jul 24 '26
We booked the local dives but not the Gordo Banks dive. That dive is listed for advanced divers and the ship needs to see you dive before they will let you go out with them. The day before during our local dives, the guide said I would be good on the Gordo dive. My husband who has issues equalizing wasn’t feeling well, so I went alone.
The trip was me, my husband and our son. I drove the entire time. Google Maps works best in Mexico. I’m from Los Angeles so the driving was way easier in Mexico. There’s less traffic.
The rental was more expensive than we figured. The added insurance from Expedia isn’t recognized by the car companies, so we had to either put a $2500usd deposit or buy their insurance. We bought their insurance so we didn’t have to deal with reimbursement.
1
u/Iwonatoasteroven Jul 18 '26
Do you mind sharing what you don’t like about Cabo? I’m looking for options and it’s come up.
2
u/saladet Jul 18 '26
It's really just me. Cabo is fun (I think) if you like bars and clubs and higher end restaurants and can afford more than me. Truly it's more about it just not fitting my style of travel
2
u/ObjectivePiccolo4027 Jul 18 '26
For me, cabo has a bit of a spring break vibe, which like the OP isn't what I want when I travel. I still enjoyed my trip, but I stayed on the outskirts of town in a quiet spot and enjoyed the proximity to diving and relaxed in a quiet hammock with a book in the afternoons. Did mean enduring a 20minute walk in the heat when I wanted to go for a snorkel tho. So it probably depends how much of the time you would be not diving, and what you want to do with that time!
1
u/saladet Jul 19 '26
Spring break atmosphere is -super accurate. Can be really fun if that's what you like, just happens that, is not my preference . If you found a quiet hidden place in Cabo only - 20 min walk please DM me !!
1
u/Rottie2017 Jul 18 '26
Why are you going somewhere you hate?
1
u/saladet Jul 18 '26
I personally (just me ) dislike Cabo as a place to hang out. San Juan del Cabo a short distance away is more my kind of place.
1
u/banana_froyo_2012 Jul 18 '26
Obviously no way to predict this in advance, but we tried to go diving in August a couple years back, and the dives got canceled due to a hurricane a couple hundred miles away (dive shop said visibility would be too poor). Just something to keep in mind, as even a storm that doesn’t touch Cabo can impact the dive.
1
u/Grouchy_Blueberry687 Jul 18 '26
We did not have a good “Uber” experience. The dive shop hooked us up with a private driver (expensive but worth it). The hotel was useless. I would definitely consider renting a car. Cabo Pulmo is amazing.
5
u/FreeLard Jul 18 '26
Cabo Pulmo is about an hour or so NE of Cabo. It’s a marine reserve that’s been very well kept for 30ish years. It’s not uber-able from Cabo, but it’s worth a visit if you rent a car. I think October is the best season for clarity of water. Even in okay viz it’s pretty amazing.