Pacific Sailfish

Photo: harrier · CC BY

Pacific sailfish appear off El Tejoncito's wall between December and March, often herding baitfish schools against the surface in spectacular feeding frenzies visible from the dive boat before the dive. Below the surface they occasionally descend to 15 to 20 m in pursuit of fleeing prey, giving divers a brief but unforgettable encounter with one of the ocean's fastest hunters. Their presence is linked to the seasonal upwelling that brings cold, nutrient-rich water along this stretch of coast.