La Reina Reef

La Reina reef is an excellent diving site located between Jacques Cousteau Island and Isla Espiritu Santo within the Sea of Cortez. The reef is known for its abundant marine life, including colorful fish, sea turtles, eels, and a variety of corals. La Reina reef appears to run underwater for several miles off the north end of Jacques Cousteau Island and terminate at a pile of rocks that extends above the water line with a nautical aid to navigation built upon it. A local sea lion colony inhabits the small rocky islet, which marks the north end of the reef.

La Reina reef boasts a “fever” of Giant Mantas with wing spans up to twenty feet, that typically arrive in early August and stay around the reef area until approximately the beginning of December each year. A group of Giant Mantas is called a "fever" of mantas.

Divers can explore this abundant reef's underwater formations, which include canyons, walls, and rock structures. The depth of the reef ranges from 15 to 80 feet, making it suitable for both novice and experienced open water certified divers.
La Reina reef is a remarkable place with a considerable abundance of sea life. Options to visit the reef are limited to experienced open water scuba divers who are brought to the reef via dive boat. At the time of this writing, only Baja Charters provides a snorkel activity to the reef when the Giant Manta’s visit, typically in conjunction with an overnight stay on its yacht Pacifica in an anchorage at Isla Espiritu Santo.