Every year, thousands of mobula rays fly through the waters of Baja California, forming vast, swirling aggregations that are, quite frankly, nothing short of breathtaking.
From the Bay of Cabo San Lucas to the remote waters of La Ventana and Cerralvo Island, these encounters offer one of the most spectacular snorkelling and diving experiences in the region.
What is the mobula ray aggregation?
Mobula rays travel in fevers of hundreds and sometimes thousands of individuals, moving between the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean. It’s not uncommon to witness individuals launching themselves high out of the water in spectacular, acrobatic displays believed to be a form of communication.
Once in the water, we see the squadron in full scale: thousands of mobula rays cruising together through the bay, an unforgettable underwater encounter.
When is the best season
to swim with mobula rays?
Every year, we are fortunate to witness the incredible mobula ray aggregation around Cabo San Lucas and throughout Baja California.
The best season to see mobula rays in Cabo San Lucas generally runs from May to August, with occasional sightings extending into late November through early January, depending on conditions.
Near Cerralvo Island and La Ventana, the prime season to swim with mobula rays is typically April to June.
Should I snorkel or scuba dive
to see mobula rays?
We’re often asked whether scuba diving is the best way to experience mobula rays. In reality, you’re far more likely to see them by locating the schools from the boat and entering the water to snorkel above them.
This raised an important question for us: how can we make the most of this beautiful encounter? The answer was simple. We created a combo tour that blends snorkeling and scuba diving into one carefully planned experience.
Mobula ray tours
from Cabo San Lucas
From Cabo San Lucas, we offer two types of mobula ray tours during the main season from May to August.
Mobula Ray Snorkeling Safari
This tour is a Blue Water Tour, also known as an Ocean Safari. We head out early in the morning, scanning the open ocean for mobula ray activity. Once located, guests enter the water with fins, mask and snorkel to observe the rays from the surface.
The tour lasts approximately three hours, and during the peak summer weeks it enjoys an excellent success rate.
Tour details:
- May to August
- 3 hour snorkel
- Private or Shared boat
Mobula Ray Combo Diving Tour
Our Mobula Combo Diving Tour starts with a snorkeling ocean safari, followed by a two-tank reef dive in areas where mobula rays are known to pass through.
We dedicate the first hour to actively searching for the large squadrons that are often found at first light within the bay. If conditions allow, we then continue with two relaxed scuba dives on nearby reefs.
This is a shared tour, with additional guides provided when experience levels within the group vary significantly. Total tour duration is approximately 5.30 hours.
Tour details:
- May to August
- Duration 5.5 hour
- 1 hour snorkel
- 2 Tank dive in Cabo
- Private or Shared boat
Is seeing mobula rays guaranteed?
Absolutely nothing in nature is guaranteed, of course. What we do guarantee is an experienced local crew who will give you the very best possible chance of finding mobula rays on the day of your tour.
In the days leading up to your trip, we’ll stay in contact to advise on current conditions and the likelihood of sightings. Our aim is always to select dive sites based on the most recent mobula ray activity.
Historically, the best chances in Cabo San Lucas are mid-June to early July, though sightings can occur as early as May.
Mobula ray tours
La Ventana & Cerralvo Island
From April to June, we also organise snorkeling day trips from Cabo San Lucas to La Ventana and Cerralvo Island.
These Mobula ocean safari to Cerralvo Island take you away from busy Cabo to a more secluded area of Baja California Sur, where mobula ray encounters are often longer and more intimate. And it’s not just about the mobulas. Sightings may also include orcas, sperm whales, whale sharks, and even opportunities to swim with wild dolphins.
What to Expect on the La Ventana Day Trip
We collect you with our car or van from Cabo San Lucas, we can also arrange even earlier pick-ups from San Jose del Cabo for an extra cost. We provide a breakfast and bathroom stop slong the way. Driving through the windy Baja roads of Triumfo during sunrise with a view of Cerralvo Island is, in itself, a spectacular part of the tour!
Upon arriving in La Ventana, we board a 28-foot panga boat with shade and spend four to six hours on the water searching for marine wildlife. A picnic-style lunch is enjoyed onboard before heading back to Los Cabos, with return times typically between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm.
Tour details:
- April to June
- Day trip (5:30 am to 5pm)
- 4 to 6 hour snorkel
- Private or Shared boat
