Lanai vs Cabo San Lucas — Dive Destination Comparison
Lanai (United States) scores 70.3/100 vs Cabo San Lucas's 70.0/100 in OkToDive's 12-category rating. Choose Lanai for reef diving with 20–45m visibility. Choose Cabo San Lucas for reef diving at ~$120/dive.
Last updated: 2026-07-22
Side-by-side comparison
| Metric | Lanai | Cabo San Lucas |
|---|---|---|
| OkToDive Score | 70.3/100 | 70.0/100 |
| Country | United States | Mexico |
| Visibility | 20--45m | 10--30m |
| Water temp | 23--27 C | 18--28 C |
| Max depth | 40m | 40m |
| Current | moderate | moderate |
| Cost per 2-tank dive | $200 | $120 |
| Budget tier | luxury | mid range |
| Best months | April, May, June | July, August, September |
| Dive types | reef, wall, cave, drift | reef, wall, sand falls, pelagic |
| Min certification | Open Water | Open Water |
| Key species | spinner dolphin, Hawaiian monk seal, tiger shark | mobula ray, hammerhead shark, sea lion |
| Google rating | 4.8 (95 reviews) | 4.6 (600 reviews) |
Which should you choose?
Choose Lanai when...
- + Experienced drift divers comfortable in current
- + Wide-angle photographers wanting crystal visibility
- + Groups seeking 15+ named dive sites in one area
Skip if
- - You don't have Advanced certification
- - You're on a tight budget — avg $200/dive
Choose Cabo San Lucas when...
- + Couples where one partner doesn't dive
- + Anyone visiting North America for the first time
- + Groups seeking 25+ named dive sites in one area
Skip if
- - You don't have Advanced certification
- - You hate cold water — temps drop to 18°C
Bottom line
Lanai wins on overall score (70.3 vs 70.0), but the right choice depends on your priorities. Cabo San Lucas is more affordable ($120 vs $200/dive). Lanai has better peak visibility (45m vs 30m).