Destination: Mexico
Socorro Islands (9 Nights), Sea of Cortez (7 nights) and Explore Baja (10-12 nights) | From $291++/night
Quino El Guardian Quick Pitch
The Quino El Guardian liveaboard is a former research vessel that was retrofitted as a scuba liveaboard by the same family that runs the Rocio Del Mar. She specializes in special charters and budget diving safaris to the spectacular Socorro Islands and Sea of Cortez.
Read about our 2017 Socorro Trip aboard the Quino El Guardian here...
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Accommodations - Facilities - NEW! Schedule, Rates & Availability - Dive Info & Itineraries
Other Information - Booking & Inquiry - Underwater Gallery
Looking for more options? View all Socorro liveaboards.
Location
The Quino El Guardian embarkation point depends on the liveaboard destination and operates from Cabo San Lucas for Socorro and Puerto Penasco for the Sea of Cortez.
Dive Overview
Discover excellent big animal diving in Socorro aboard the Quino El Guardian, with giant mantas, lots of sharks, humpback whales, and whale sharks. Explore the Sea of Cortez for mammals and macro with a large biomass of aquatic life.
[See: Socorro Islands Dive Travel Guide & Sea of Cortez Dive Travel Guide]
Check Out This Awesome Video of diving the Sea of Cortez on the Quino El Guardian:
And see this video of diving the Socorro Islands on the Quino El Guardian:
Read about encountering Humpback Whales in Socorro here...
Accommodations
Types of Cabins, Amenities and Photos
Quino El Guardian Cabin Details
4 quad cabins and a twin cabin (usually reserved for couples) accommodating 16 passengers. There are two bunks on each side, equaling 4 beds with privacy curtains. Each cabin is outfitted with 4 large size drawers, one for each guest. 4 community bathrooms are on the main deck and each is assigned to a cabin allowing guests to leave their personal items inside.
The cabins and bathrooms
General Facilities
Dining Room (LEFT) & Salon (RIGHT)
Dive Deck & Camera Table (LEFT) & Dive Platform (RIGHT)
Quino El Guardian Boat Features
- A/C throughout for everyone’s comfort
- 4 spacious community bathrooms with a full-size shower in each
- Galley that comfortably accommodates all 16 passengers with a projector and a drop-down screen for group presentations.
- Comfortable salon with sofas, a TV and a computer table set up
- Large shaded sundeck with lawn chairs
Quino El Guardian Dive Facilities
- DIN Adaptors
- Nitrox
- Camera table
- Wet gear storage
Food & Drinks Aboard Quino El Guardian
- Each day starts early with a continental breakfast with fresh fruit, cereals, bagels, yogurt, bread, and freshly brewed coffee. After the first dive guests enjoy a full, plated breakfast.
- After the second dive, guests will be served a full, plated lunch with a hot homemade soup to start. In the afternoon, we serve a large snack often of sandwiches, fruit, cheeses, and more.
- For dinner, guests enjoy a three-course, plated meal with a salad, entrée, and dessert. Hot and cold beverages are always available including canned soft drinks.
- Scuba divers also enjoy complimentary beer and wine after their last dive of the day.
Quino El Guardian Deck Plan
Schedule, RATES & AVAILABILITY
Quino El Guardian Schedule & Rates
Prices are per person in USD and are inclusive of taxes. Click on 'Booking Request' to see available cabin options and to book.
[See also: 'Inclusions & Exclusions']
Inclusions
- Taxes and Port Fees
- All meals, snacks, and beverages including canned soft drinks
- Complimentary local beer and wine after your last dive of the day
- Tanks and weights
Exclusions
- Transportation to and from the boat
- National Park Fees of $28 per person
- Nitrox Fee of $120 per person
- Crew Gratuity (10%-15% of the trip price is customary)
- Fuel Surcharge, if applicable
Important Note
All rates are per person in USD.
Other Dates & Availability
For more information on other departure dates that are not listed above and on availability email us at info@bluewaterdivetravel.com or call us at 310-915-6677 and we will gladly help you plan your dream dive vacation!
Dive Information & Itineraries
Sea of Cortez Itinerary (7 Nights)
- Day 1 - Embark at 5pm in Puerto Peñasco. Depart at 6pm
- 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 7am
Socorro Island Itinerary (9 Nights)
The Revillagigedo Islands (also Revillagigedo Archipelago) are a group of four volcanic islands in the Pacific Ocean, known for their unique ecosystem. These islands are a spectacular magnet for the largest ocean pelagic animals in the world. Animals include schooling Hammerhead Sharks, Tiger Sharks, Dolphins, Silky Sharks, Galapagos Sharks, clouds of Jacks and Barracuda, Tuna, Wahoo, Oceanic White Tip Sharks, Whale Sharks, and Manta Rays.
Board the Quino El Guardian between 5 pm-7 pm the day of departure. After enjoying a wonderful dinner, relax on board the boat. The Quino El Guardian departs just after midnight for Socorro and you arrive at San Benedicto in the morning giving you a full day of diving!
- Day 1 - Board the boat between 5pm-7pm / Dinner is served at 7pm / Boat departs at approximately 10pm
- Day 2 – Day at Sea
- Day 3 – San Benedicto, 4 dives scheduled
- Day 4 – Socorro, 3 dives scheduled (check-in with Naval Station)
- Day 5 – Socorro, 4 dives scheduled
- Day 6 – Roca Partida, 3 dives scheduled
- Day 7 – Roca Partida, 3 dives scheduled
- Day 8 – San Benedicto, 4 dives scheduled. At the end of this day, we will start our departure to San Jose del Cabo
- Day 9 – Arrive at San Jose del Cabo around 11 pm. Guests may sleep on the boat.
- Day 10 - Disembark by 8:30 am
Explore Baja Itinerary (12 Nights)
Three times a year, the Quino El Guardian offers a very special, 13-day trip that covers all of Baja California. The bio-diversity between the Northern and Southern Sea of Cortez is incredible and diving the entire Baja is truly a spectacular experience. You will also see equally incredible sea life on the surface including dolphins, sea lions, Pilot Whales, Humpback Whales, Blue Fin Whales, Orcas, and Sperm Whales, flying Mobula Rays, Blue and Brown Footed Boobie Birds, Cormorants, Frigate Birds, and the endemic Yellow Footed Gulls.
SAN JOSE DEL CABO (OR LA PAZ) TO PUERTO PENASCO ITINERARY:
- Day 1 – Check-in at the boat at 5:00 pm in San Jose Del Cabo
- Day 2 – Cabo Pulmo
- Day 3 – Isla Cerralvo
- Day 4 – Los Islotes, Shipwreck “Fang Ming”, visit La Paz for the afternoon
- Day 5 – Dora’s Pinnacle in the morning, Los Islotes in the afternoon, Ensenada Grande and Mobula night dive
- Day 6 – Animas
- Day 7 – Coronado, walk Loreto Mission Square in the evening
- Day 8 – Isla Alfonso
- Day 9 – San Pedro Martir
- Day 10 – Animas and Salsipuedes
- Day 11 – Bahia De Los Angeles – Snorkeling with Whale Sharks, El Pescador
- Day 12 – Angel Island
- Day 13 – Disembark 8:30am in Puerto Penasco
PUERTO PENASCO TO SAN JOSE DEL CABO (OR LA PAZ) ITINERARY:
Day 1 – Check in at boat at 5:00pm in Puerto Peñasco
- Day 2 – Angel Island
- Day 3 – Bahia De Los Angeles – Snorkeling with Whale Sharks, El Pescador
- Day 4 – Animas and Salsipuedes
- Day 5 – San Pedro Martir
- Day 6 – Isla Alfonso
- Day 7 – Coronado, walk Loreto Mission Square in the evening
- Day 8 – Animas
- Day 9 – Dora’s Pinnacle in the morning, Los Islotes in the afternoon, Ensenada Grande and Mobula night dive
- Day 10 – Los Islotes, Shipwreck “Fang Ming”, visit La Paz for the afternoon
- Day 11 – Cerralvo
- Day 12 – Cabo Pulmo
- Day 13 – Disembark 8:30am in La Paz or San Jose Del Cabo
Southern Baja Safari Itinerary (7 Nights)
The Sea of Cortez, also known as the Gulf of California is a strip of water separated from the Pacific Ocean by the Baja Peninsula. This isolation, on land and underwater, provides a unique series of contrasting ecosystems from the vast solitude of the desert to the rich underwater realms and black coral gardens.
PUERTO PENASCO TO SAN JOSE DEL CABO (OR LA PAZ) ITINERARY
- Day 1 – Check in at the boat at 5:00pm
- Day 2 – Isla Alfonso
- Day 3 – Animas
- Day 4 – Dora’s Pinnacle in the morning, Los Islotes in the afternoon, Ensenada Grande and Mobula night dive
- Day 5 – Los Islotes, Shipwreck “Fang Ming”, visit La Paz for the afternoon
- Day 6 – Cerralvo
- Day 7 – Cabo Pulmo
- Day 8 – Disembark 8:30am in La Paz or San Jose Del Cabo
SAN JOSE DEL CABO (OR LA PAZ) TO PUERTO PENASCO ITINERARY
- Day 1 – Check-in at the boat at 5:00 pm
- Day 2 – Cabo Pulmo
- Day 3 – Isla Cerralvo
- Day 4 – Los Islotes, Shipwreck “Fang Ming”, visit La Paz for the afternoon
- Day 5 – Dora’s Pinnacle in the morning, Los Islotes in the afternoon, Ensenada Grande and Mobula night dive
- Day 6 – Animas
- Day 7 – Isla Alfonso
- Day 8 – Disembark 8:30 am
Citizen Science Expeditions aboard Quino El Guardian
Quino El Guardian liveaboard offers a truly unique experience – our Citizen Science Program. These trips include a marine biologist specializing in subjects such as Mantas, Sharks, Humpback Whales, Marine Mammals, Marine Ecology, Reef Ecology, Invertebrate Ecology, Geology, and more.
Included in their research is animal tagging, identification, fish/animal counts, census monitoring, human and climate impact studies, etc. Much of the information that is collected is included in papers and presentations to governments and NGOs to help with the conservation of these areas and animals. In addition, this information is provided to websites to educate laypersons helping to further conservation awareness. Scuba divers can be involved as much or as little as they like including hands-on research and presentations.
Socorro is one of the best liveaboard destinations in the world. Read more here...
Other Information
quino el guardian Boat Specifications
- Year built: 1980
- Year renovated: 2015
- Length: 90ft
- Beam: 23ft
- Top speed: 10 knots
- Cruising speed: 7.5 knots
- Engines: 1 x Perkins
- Maximum guests: 16
- Number of cabins: 5
- Number of bathrooms: 4
- Tenders: 2 x Yamaha 75hp
- Water capacity: 25000 liters
- Fuel capacity: 40000 liters
- Freshwater maker: 7000 lts per day
Practical Information
- Time Zone: UTC-6
- Local Currency: MXN (Mexican Peso)
- Language Spoken: English & Spanish
- Electricity: 110 V
- Payment Onboard: US, Mexican and European currency; Traveler’s checks and Credit Cards
Got Questions? Ready to Book?
Call us today at +1-310-915-6677 or email us info@bluewaterdivetravel.com
And let us book your dream vacation!
Underwater Gallery
