1) Cabo Pulmo is hard to get to. About 2 1/4 hours from downtown Cabo San Lucas. The last 5 miles is on a bumpy, gravel road where you can only go 10 to 15mph without hurting your car.
2) Once you are there though, Cabo Pulmo is simply beautiful. White sands, ocean water with a dozen hues of blue. Calm water. It reminds me of Aruba, Bonaire, Cozumel, and/or Tahiti 20 or 30 years ago before they were "discovered" and overrun. About a hundred people live there. All solar power and well water. Simple living, nothing fancy. Once the road is paved, this place might become a haven for movie stars to hide out at for its privacy and gorgeous surroundings. Land is probably real cheap now and if I had some money, would buy some stunning beachfront property.
3) Arturo arranged our dive over the phone from the States. He was exceptionally accommodating as our group kept changing its mind as to when and how. Even with last minute changes, he make our Sunday afternoon dive happen.
4) Our dive instructor/guide, Ari, was terrific. She worked patiently with my teen daughter to review all the safety instructions with her gear and plans for our dive. She gave us a great overview of our dives, including what to expect and what to do in case of unexpected happenings (shark sighting, low-on-air, etc). Underwater, she was the perfect guide. On the short ride over to the wreck dive, we spotted a turtle swimming in the water and my daughter exclaimed that was her favorite sea creature. A half hour later, when my daughter saw another turtle swimming around us underwater, Ari gave her a hand sign that meant "You see what you love!"
5) We did see may great fish and coral at the two sites: thousands and thousands of jack fish plus at least 1000 yellowtail snappers swimming among us. Also saw small octopus, rays, parrot fish, plus plenty of docile large fish (no sharks though - darn).
6) Back at the dive shop we rinsed off and changed. The facilities are low-end, as you would expect in a tiny little beach town, so not much hot water or fancy changing areas, but it works. Afterwards, we hung out a little with Ari and discussed all the wonders we saw. She was enlightening in her grace and smarts and made us all feel so welcome and lucky. We tipped her $20 for her efforts and caring and she was very grateful. read more