Gordo Banks

Gordo Banks is an offshore seamount about 16 km south of San José del Cabo made up of two submerged pinnacles that rise into recreational diving limits. It is a classic pelagic site renowned for large schools of sharks and other oceanic species; scalloped hammerhead and silky sharks are frequently encountered, often attracted by schools of baitfish around the summit. Dives are boat-based with a long run offshore. Divers descend on a shot line to the seamount summit and drift in open blue water over the top. Typical dives reach roughly 30–40 m, with the Inner Banks commonly around 40 m and the Outer Banks beginning near 76 m and extending beyond recreational limits. Visibility is usually clear, often around 10–15 m or more. Moderate to strong currents are common and divers must go with the drift, use surface markers, and maintain careful buoyancy control. Surface water can be warm (mid-20s °C in summer) but thermoclines often bring temperatures down to the high teens °C at depth, so a thick wetsuit or drysuit and careful gas planning are recommended. The main hazards are the depth and currents; there are no wrecks or caves and this site is for advanced divers only.