Explore Baja North To South Adventure October 2027
Join us in October 2027 for Rocio del Mar's best liveaboard diving trip around, sailing the entire length of the Sea of Cortez!
Macro Critters
Whale Shark Encounters
Whale Encounters
Photo Group Trip
Why Join This Trip
Unique itinerary sailing the entire length of the Sea of Cortez from north to south
Unique itinerary sailing the entire length of the Sea of Cortez from north to south
See the unexpected in remote locations: dolphins, sea lions, whales, mantas, etc
Sail with one of the best liveaboards in the Sea of Cortez, the Rocio Del Mar
Easy travel: fly into Phoenix, Arizona to start the trip and end in San Jose del Cabo
25% off rental photo gear from Bluewater Photo
Fully refundable deposit until 18 months from departure
Trip overview
Trip Overview
Experience what very few people have - a journey where there are no roads, very few people, and almost no boats. At night you hear something splashing. It could be anything - dolphins, marlin, a school of bonitos? Then you hear a huge sound of blowing and water spouting. It's a whale! You can't see him, but he sounds big. At a distance, you hear sea lions and pelicans. What a splendid way to end a magnificent day.
Video by our guest Dan McGanty on our 2018 Explore Baja Photo Workshop.
During the day we move from one island to the next, diving 3 to 4 times daily. If you wish to hike the remote islands during surface intervals, there is always a dinghy available to take you to shore. Kayaks are also always available for a serene cruise around the islands.
Exploring one island to the next is a magical experience - one that will linger in your memory for years to come. The Sea of Cortez remains a secret oasis where the desert meets the sea.
Read all about our latest Explore Baja trip.
Marine Life To Photograph
The biodiversity between the Northern and Southern Sea of Cortez is incredible. The sea life we witness on the surface from the boat, dinghies or snorkeling is fantastic. There's potential to see dolphins, sea lions, pilot, humpback, blue, fin, sei, orca, and sperm whales. Also, flying mantas, blue and brown-footed boobies, cormorants, frigate birds, and the endemic yellow-footed gull.
Diving Conditions In October
Average water temperatures in October are in the low to mid-80s. A full 3mm wetsuit is recommended. Although the conditions in the Sea of Cortez are mostly calm, there are times that the sea is rough. Please be prepared for this type of situation and bring sea sickness medication if necessary.
Recommended Gear
Download our full scuba gear guide to Baja, Bluewater Travel guests receive 10% OFF! Click the image below to download (PDF).
Trip Schedule
This is a sample itinerary from Puerto Penasco to San Jose del Cabo, subject to weather and other conditions.
- Day 1 - Check in at boat at 5:00pm - Puerto Penasco (October 16).
- Day 2 - 105-mile crossing to Puerto Refugio in Angel de la Guarda Island. Check-out dive at Lolo's Cove. Great macro dive at La Vela and La Muela. Sunset cruise at a sea lion colony.
- Day 3 - Baha de los Angeles. Morning dive at El Pescador and Paraso. Lunch and then snorkeling with the whale sharks. Depending on timing and conditions, sunset hike at La Gringa or just relax after heavy swimming with the whale sharks.
- Day 4 - Morning dive at Punta Don Juan or Elias Point and then whale watching on the "Canal de Ballenas" heading south to Sal Si Puedes. 3 pm dive at Lavadero followed by a great night dive at the same location. Lavadero is located at Las Animas Island in the chain of San Lorenzo - Las Animas - Sal Si Puedes.
- Day 5 - San Pedro Martir Island. Enjoy 1 or 2 days of fabulous diving with sea lions, incredible black coral fields and some of the best macro of the Midriff Islands (3-4 dives).
- Day 6 - If staying at San Pedro Martir, we do 3 dives. If not, day 6 will be at San Ildelfonso Island where we will do 4 dives. Don't miss the Green Moray City!
- Day 7 - Parque Nacional Baha de Loreto, visiting Coronado Island: macro and sea lions. We do 3 dives and then a nice evening with dinner in Loreto.
- Day 8 - Danzante Island, part of Parque Nacional Baha de Loreto. Dive at Submarino, Silouette and the artificial wreck, C-54 Agustin Melgar. Afternoon hike at Honeymoon Beach.
- Day 9 - Las Animas, near San Jos Island. Great dives on the east and north pinnacles and afternoon diving at San Dieguito for a 3 pm dive followed by a night dive.
- Day 10 - Los Islotes, in the northern part of Espiritu Santo Island. Dive with the friendliest sea lion colony in the Sea of Cortez. Depending on weather and ocean conditions (visibility and current), we hope to dive to dive "El Bajo", known for big schools of hammerheads. At night we will do the spectacular mobula night dive!
- Day 11 - Dive at La Reyna a great spot for sea lions, school of barracuda and occasionally oceanic manta rays.
- Day 12 - Angel Island Day 12 - Last day at San Lorenzo Channel, diving the Fan Ming wreck, Salvaterra wreck and Suani Reef.
- Day 13 - Arrival to San Jos del Cabo, disembark 8:30 am (October 28).
Trip Inclusions
Three meals per day, snacks, beverages including soft drinks, juice, domestic beer & wine
3-4 dives per day; tanks, weights & weight belts are provided
Activities included: Diving, hiking, kayaking, snorkeling & several land excursions exploring small towns & missions
16% Mexican tax
Port fees
Trip Exclusions
Airfare
Airport transfers - $140 per person for the arranged group shuttle from PHX Airport to Puerto Penasco at the start of the trip, around $60 per person for a taxi from Puerto Los Cabos to SJD Airport at the end of the trip
Marine park fees ($140, subject to change)
Nitrox ($140)
Dive insurance
Gratuity
Fuel surcharge - Rocio has never charged a fuel surcharge to date but reserves the right to implement a fuel surcharge on all trips in the event the cost of fuel surpasses 20 pesos per liter
Travel Insurance - ask us about our preferred partner plan
Accommodation
About The Rocio Del Mar
Rocio Del Mar is one of the most popular liveaboards sailing in the area, offering excellent service and fantastic food. There are 10 cabins for up to a maximum of 20 divers, all offering private bathrooms with hot shower stalls, Western-style toilets, and above-height windows. Cabins are carpeted and have air-conditioning, plus convenient gear and clothes storage drawers beneath the beds.
Check this page to see more details and customer reviews on the Rocio Del Mar.
Check out our walkthrough video of the Rocio del Mar!
Trip Price
Trip starts from $5,095 per person.
Rocio del Mar Cabin
Air Conditioning (AC)
En Suite Bathroom
Hot Water Shower
Camera Room
Double-occupancy
$5,095
per person
Payment Schedule
- Deposit: $1,000 to book your spot
- Payment 2: $1,200 due 1 October 2026
- Payment 3: $1,400 due 1 April 2027
- Balance: due 1 July 2027
Extend your trip
Trip Leader
Mike Chiado
Mike Chiado has over four decades of experience in the entertainment post production industry. Mike is CTO of Company3 and oversees technology, workflow and image science departments for feature motion pictures, episodic and advertising businesses. Mike become a PADI Master Scuba Diver in 1991 which included the speciality of Underwater Photography (film-based, BTW!), and actively diving and photographing tropical and California waters. View Mike Chiado's underwater photography portfolio.
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