Accessibility may be a primary reason that many visit Ensenada. Cheap prescription medications in the day and a “what happens in Mexico…” attitude towards consumption by night pervades this town. But for the intrepid explorer intent on seeing more than how much damage they can do to their livers, there are lesser-known but very attractive reasons to visit this not-quite-a-border-town on the sea.
Located on the Pacific coast, the offshore nutrient-rich waters bring in an abundance of marine life for scuba divers to visit. Kayakers will delight in exploring the bull-kelp mats that line the coast, and the Pacific Ocean does not spare her power as she visits this region, resulting in a secret haven for professional surfers.
Located 68 miles (110km) south of Tijuana on the Bahia de Todos Santos, Ensenada rose rapidly from a quiet fishing and mining town to a weekend destination for Northerners, now numbering more than 4 million annually. The Pacific Ocean lies at the heart of this town’s attractions. The best dining and resorts are along the waterfront. Scuba diving and fishing are the major water-sports in this area. Scuba divers will find a rich assemblage of Pacific species enjoying waters that are often much more clear than those in California.
A new attraction out of this region is the opportunity to scuba dive at Isla Guadalupe in cages with great white sharks. Deep-sea fishing enthusiasts will not be disappointed in the abundance of albacore, yellowtail, bonito, and halibuts. Seasonally, whale watching is another prime attraction. Gray whales head south each winter-spring to calf at Scammon’s Lagoon, Laguna San Ignacio, and Bahia Magdalena.
Must Sea’s
La Bufadora
Not really a “Must See” destination – but whenever somebody asks, “What should I see in Ensenada?” the answer always comes back “La Bufadora”. Why? Perhaps it is a knee-jerk reaction; perhaps it is just the most easily accessible natural attraction. No matter, it is a big spurt of water that shoots out of a hole in the rocks, especially when the seas are high.
Punta Banda
This is a rocky peninsula that juts out from the mainland to form the southern edge of Bahia de Todos Santos. Despite strong surge, the northwest tip of the peninsula provides what is probably the most electric site for diving off the shore. Walls, caves and kelp forests extend over a mile off the tip along a series of small islets. At the other end of the adventure spectrum is Rocas Tres Hermanas (Three Sisters Rock), where easy access, comfortable beach entries, and shallow scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities abound. Numerous other beach entries are possible along both the north and south sides of the point via the many hiking trails.
Isla Todos Santos
Located about 3 miles northwest of Punta Banda are the large Todos Santos Islands. Known for deep, clear waters and immense kelp forests, these islands are a prime destination for fishing, scuba diving and surfing. Professional surfers will be found haunting these secluded waves in the winter months and these visitors give way to fishermen and scuba divers in summer. The best season for fishing is during the late spring through early fall when the yellowtail are in the greatest abundance. Three miles north of these islands is a unique reef dubbed Bajo San Miguel. This is a small reef that rises from the seafloor to within 20 feet of the surface. Fishing here is outstanding, and there is an amazing diversity of invertebrates nestled into the rocky crevices.