Ultimate Whale Shark & Sea Lion Sea Of Cortez Trip 2026
Macro Critters
Whale Shark Encounters
Pelagic Encounters
Free Photo Workshops
Why Join This Trip
FREE daily photo workshops
The Rocio Del Mar is one of the most experienced liveaboards sailing in the Sea of Cortez
Dive in an area Jacques Cousteau called the Aquarium of the World
Big animal sightings like whale sharks, sea lions, dolphins, sperm whales and much more
Easiest liveaboard to access from the US - fly or drive to Phoenix, AZ
25% off rental photo gear from Bluewater Photo
Fully refundable deposit until 12 months from departure
Trip overview
This trip offers a great combination of big animals and fascinating macro life. There's always something for everyone. Plus, it's really easy to get to being only a 4-hour drive from Phoenix, AZ.
The Sea of Cortez is home to sea lions, whale sharks, manta and mobula rays, dolphins, and huge schools of fish. Sperm whales, pilot whales, and dolphins are also commonly spotted.
(Left) A playful sea lion. (Middle) A tiny 1-inch long reveals its position with a colorful dance in a desert of sand. (Right) The same signal blenny photographed with a saga magic tube.
It doesn't just stop there as the Sea of Cortez is also a perfect place to practice your macro photography skills. You will get to see nice varieties of nudibranchs, Panamic arrow crabs, Pacific seahorses, jawfish, small and big octopuses, frogfish, and blennies.
Check out this cool video from diving the Sea of Cortez:
Sample Itinerary
The boat will depart from Puerto Peasco at 6 pm on Saturday and then travel for 12 hours to arrive the next morning for a 7 am dive. You will be diving 3-4 times per day on this trip. Here's a sample day-by-day itinerary of this trip:
- Day 1 Embark at 5 pm in Puerto Peasco. Depart at 6 pm
- Day 2 Wake up at Refugio Bay on Angel Island
- Potential Dive sites: Angel Rock, La Vela, Lolos Cove, Sunset Zodiak Cruise with Sea Lions
- Day 3 Angel Island
- Potential Dive sites: Andreas Eagle, El Aquario, Las Vivoras, Las Vivoras including a night dive
- Day 4 San Pedro Martir
- Potential Dive sites: El Arroyo, Punta Martir (Sea Lions), Chayos Cove
- Day 5 San Pedro Martir
- Potential Dive sites: Ravijunco, Xarenis Pinnacle, Coromel, Morrito, in the afternoon we go looking for whales!
- Day 6 Salsipuedes & Animas
- Potential Dive sites: Los Cuervos, El Caballo, In Animas, El Lavadero, El Lavadero including a night dive
- Day 7 Baja and Snorkeling with Whale Sharks in Bahia De Los Angeles
- Potential Dive sites: El Pescador, Baja Ca., start heading back to Puerto Penasco in afternoon
- Day 8 Disembark at 7 am
To learn more about what you can expect from this Sea of Cortez trip, check out 2024 Sea of Cortez trip report. Also see the reviews on diving the Sea of Cortez here.
Recommended Scuba Gear
Download our full scuba gear guide to Sea of Cortez, Bluewater Travel guests receive 10% OFF! Click the image below to download (PDF).
- 5mm wetsuit and a hooded vest. Browse Wetsuits at Bluewater Photo
- A good mask and snorkel for whale shark snorkelling. We recommend the Cressi ZS1 & Corsica Snorkeling Package
- Anti-fog
- Dive light/torch. We suggest Kraken NR-2000 Dive Light
- Pointer
- Travel BCD. Read our Best Travel BCD Article
- Travel regulator. We suggest Mares Ultra 62X Dive Regulator
Trip Inclusions
Three meals per day & snacks
Beverages including soft drinks, juice, domestic beer & wine
One morning of whale shark snorkeling, & several dives with a friendly sea lion colony
Tanks, weights & weight belts
Trip Exclusions
Transfers from Phoenix airport ($175 roundtrip)
Park fees ($75, subject to change)
Fuel Surcharge, if applicable (none currently)
Nitrox ($140)
Gratuity
Mexican Tourist Card: purchased at the border ($36 CASH ONLY)
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.
Dining Room & Salon
Camera Table & Dive Platform
Sundeck & Outdoor Kitchen
Check out 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 $3,095 per person.
Rocio del Mar Cabin
Air Conditioning (AC)
En Suite Bathroom
Hot Water Shower
Camera Room
Double-occupancy
$3,095
per person
Payment Schedule
- Deposit: $500 to book your spot
- Payment 2: $750 due 22 July 2025
- Payment 3: $750 due 13 January 2026
- Balance: due 14 April 2026
Extend your trip
Trip Leader
Mark Strickland
Mark Strickland’s life-long interest in the sea has included over 10,000 dives and careers as a lifeguard, boat captain, and scuba instructor. His passion for underwater photography has led him to many top dive locales, including the Virgin Islands, Australia, and Thailand, where he spent 17 years as Cruise Director on a series of liveaboards. Mark now resides in Ventura County, California.
An avid marine naturalist, Mark has discovered several nudibranch species. He is co-author and principal photographer for Lonely Planet’s award-winning book, “Diving and Snorkeling Thailand”, and his work appears in many magazines, books, and displays around the world. Currently, Mark leads several dive trips each year to his favorite destinations, while working on a career-spanning large-format pictorial book.
Mark's photos and articles have appeared in magazines and books around the world, including Action Asia, BBC Wildlife, National Geographic World, Natural History, Scuba Diving, Skin Diver, Sport Diver, Sportdiving, Unterwasser, and many others.
Check availability
and start planning your perfect trip
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