Cabo Pulmo

Cabo Pulmo is a tiny village on the East Cape, about 1.5 hours from Los Cabos, surrounded by a national marine park that protects a reef estimated to be around 20,000 years old. It's part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing for the Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California, and it's widely studied as one of the most successful marine recoveries in the world.

That recovery followed serious damage. Through the 1980s, the reef was heavily overfished by both local and commercial boats, and fish populations collapsed. In the 1990s, residents pushed for protection, and the area became a national park in 1995. Fishing within the park ended, the community shifted to diving and snorkeling tourism, and locals have played a major role in enforcing the rules.

Within about a decade, scientists documented fish biomass increasing several times over, with large predators like groupers, jacks, and sharks returning. The reef is a reminder of what overfishing does to an ecosystem, and how much it can recover once the pressure stops.

Snorkeling and diving are the reasons to come. Some of the best snorkeling is accessible from shore, and local operators run boat trips to the main dive sites. You may see schools of jacks, groupers, sea turtles, rays, and, seasonally, bull sharks.

Visibility is best in late summer and fall, when the water is warmest. The village itself is small and rustic, with a few simple restaurants and lodgings. Fishing is prohibited in the park, and visitors are expected to protect what's been rebuilt: wear reef-safe sunscreen, never touch or stand on coral, and don't feed or chase wildlife.

Good to know: The road in is a mix of paved and dirt, so check conditions before you go. Bring cash, water, and snacks, and expect very limited services. Cabo Pulmo works as a day trip from Los Cabos or as a quiet overnight stop from Los Barriles.