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Ultimate Whale Shark & Sea Lion Sea Of Cortez Trip 2028

Encounter sea lions, sperm whales, whale sharks, and more with Bluewater's Photo Workshop aboard the Quino del Mar.

Book this Trip
Book this Trip

Macro Critters

Whale Shark Encounters

Why Join This Trip

  • Whale sharks & sea lions galore! A day of whale sharks with multiple encounters many trips

  • Experience the best of the Sea of Cortez

  • Fly in and out of Phoenix, Arizona! Our van brings you to / from the boat right across the Mexican border

  • Huge diversity of marine life - blennies, nudibranchs, octopus, and more on one of Mexico’s favorite liveaboards - Quino Del Mar

  • FREE optional photo workshop

  1. Guided group trips-
  2. Ultimate Whale Shark & Sea Lion Sea Of Cortez Trip 2028
Ultimate Whale Shark & Sea Lion Sea Of Cortez Trip 2028 - image
Macro
Aug 13, 2028 - Aug 20, 2028

Pelagic Encounters

Free Photo Workshops

  • 25% off rental photo gear from Bluewater Photo

  • Fully refundable deposit until 12 months from departure

  • Trip overview

    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.

     

    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 Peñasco 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 Peñasco. Depart at 6 pm
    • Day 2 - Wake up at Refugio Bay on Angel Island
      • Potential Dive sites: Angel Rock, La Vela, Lolo’s Cove, Sunset Zodiak Cruise with Sea Lions
    • Day 3 - Angel Island
      • Potential Dive sites: Andrea’s 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), Chayo’s Cove
    • Day 5 - San Pedro Martir
      • Potential Dive sites: Ravijunco, Xareni’s 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 trip to the Sea of Cortez 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!


    • 5mm wetsuit and a hooded vest. Browse Wetsuits at Bluewater Photo
    • A good mask and snorkel for whale shark snorkeling. 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

    Book this Trip

    Accommodation

    About the Quino Del Mar

    Launched in July 2025, the Quino del Mar is one owned by one of the top dive operators specializing in trips to the Sea of Cortez and Socorro Islands in Mexico. This 89-foot liveaboard yacht offers 10 cabins for up to 20 divers.

    Quino del Mar's Key Features

    What excites us about the Quino del Mar liveaboard is the promise of knowledgeable and friendly dive staff, exceptional stability for navigating the often-rough waters to the Socorro Islands, mouthwatering Mexican cuisine, and ample space designed for underwater photographers to set up their gear. This liveaboard is shaping up to be a dream for avid divers and underwater photographers eager to explore Socorro and the Sea of Cortez!

    Check out our walkthrough video of the Quino del Mar!

    Trip Price

    Trip starts from $3,195 per person.

    Payment Schedule

    • Deposit: $600 to book your spot
    • Payment 2: $750 due 22 July 2028 
    • Payment 3: $750 due 13 January 2028 
    • Balance: due 14 April 2028
    Book this Trip

    Extend your trip

    Want to extend your trip? We can help with that! See more of Mexico before or after your trip with Bluewater in the Sea of Cortez. Flying all that way merits a multi-destination vacation! La Paz is an amazing destination nearby that offers a range of additional unique experiences. Here are some examples of packages we can add on to your trip reservation:


    Read More

    Trip Leader

    Quino del Mar Cabin - image

    Quino del Mar Cabin

    Air Conditioning (AC)

    Toilet

    Shower

    En Suite Bathroom

    Double-occupancy

    $3,195

    per person

    Nirupam NigamNirupam Nigam
    Read more about Nirupam Nigam

    Nirupam Nigam

    Nirupam Nigam is the Editor-in-Chief of the Underwater Photography Guide and the President of Bluewater Photo & Video - the world's top underwater photo & video retailer. While growing up in Los Angeles he fell in love with the ocean and pursued underwater photography in the local Channel Islands. After receiving degrees in Aquatic and Fisheries Science and General Biology, as well as a minor in Arctic Studies, Nirupam worked as a fisheries observer on vessels in the Bering Sea and North Pacific. Since then, Nirupam has been a full time underwater photographer and photo gear head. 

    You can get in touch with him at nirupam@uwphotographyguide.com or through his website www.photosfromthesea.com.

    Read more about Nirupam Nigam

    Inquire about this trip

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    and start planning your perfect trip

    Check Availability

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    Quino del Mar Cabin - image

    Quino del Mar Cabin

    Air Conditioning (AC)

    Toilet

    Shower

    En Suite Bathroom

    Double-occupancy

    $3,195

    per person