Unexpected visitors in Cabo San Lucas: the Bull Sharks

If you’ve spent any time diving in Baja, you know if you want to see Bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas), you head to Cabo Pulmo. For years, the famous marine park has been the reliable hotspot, holding a resident population of these majestic predators almost year-round.

So, when recently in June divers began reporting sightings of apex predators cruising the shallow reefs right here at Land’s End in Cabo San Lucas, it took everyone by surprise.

What started as a few scattered reports quickly turned into one of the most incredible, unexpected underwater spectacles of the season. For almost a month—spanning late June into July—our home dive site became an absolute hotspot for Bull sharks.

Here are some interesting facts about our surprise visitors at the tip of the peninsula.

From Cabo Pulmo to the Land’s End

While seeing a stray shark pass by Land’s End isn’t unheard of given our proximity to deep pelagic waters, a sustained gathering of bull sharks here is practically unheard of. Instead of making their usual rounds in the protected reefs of Cabo Pulmo, a massive aggregate migrated down to the busy waters of the Cabo San Lucas Marine Park. What started as 2 or 3 individuals quickly grew to agglomerations of up to 20 bull sharks at a time. We observed a mixed population of both males and females interacting within the area, from juveniles to adults individuals.

Swimming Patrols 

One of the absolute highlights for divers during this magical month was watching the sharks interact with the local topography. Rather than staying in deep blue waters, Bull sharks spend their time gliding effortlessly through the shallows and sandy bottoms of Land’s End dive site.

This site is famous for its dramatic rock drop-offs, playful sea lions, and the scattered remains of the old shipwreck (the SS Lundberg) resting in the shallow sand behind the Arch. The sharks were calm, cruising slow, confident laps around metal pieces of the wreck and along the shallow sand patches. 

A Unique location

Nature always keeps us guessing. Local guides and biologists were wondering why did they visit and here are some theories:

1. Temperature & Currents: A temporary shift in water temperatures or upwelling currents between the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean may have created ideal hunting or cruising conditions right at the tip of the Peninsula.
2. Bait & Food Availability: The shallow waters around the Land’s End wreck are notoriously thick with schools of fish (barracudas, jacks, grunts, snappers) making it an attractive pitstop.
3. Mating or Social Behavior: With both males and females present in significant numbers, the location may have served as a temporary aggregation site for social interaction before moving on.

A Reminder of Baja’s Wild Nature

By mid-July, as quietly as they had arrived, the bull sharks began to disperse, leaving behind a group of thoroughly spoiled dive guides and ecstatic guests. This unexpected visitor served as a beautiful reminder of why we love diving in Los Cabos: the ocean is dynamic and unpredictable. We can dive the exact same site a hundred times but it will never be the same and will never cease to amaze us !

To everyone who was lucky enough to roll off the boat and drop into Land’s End during June and July—you witnessed Cabo history. And to those who missed it: keep your mask defogged and your fins ready, because you never know who is going to drop by next!

The Ocean Awaits Explorer !