Quino El Guardian Liveaboard Reviews & Specials - Bluewater Dive Travel

Quino El Guardian

4.75
(3 REVIEWS)
Quino El Guardian liveaboard
Quino El Guardian
dive liveaboard
Quino El Guardian liveaboard cabin
Liveaboard Cabin Quino El Guardian
Quino El Guardian liveaboard bathroom
Bathroom Quino El Guardian liveaboard
Aboard the Quino El Guardian liveaboard
Quino El Guardian Liveaboard Dining Room
Quino El Guardian Liveaboard Dining
Dining Room Quino El Guardian Liveaboard
Quino El Guardian Liveaboard Fruit
Quino El Guardian Liveaboard Food
Food on Quino El Guardian Liveaboard
Quino El Guardian Liveaboard Salon
Quino El Guardian liveaboard deck
Deck on Quino El Guardian Liveaboard
Dive Deck Quino El Guardian Liveaboard
Quino El Guardian Liveaboard Dive Deck
Quino El Guardian Dive Liveaboard
Quino El Guardian Liveaboard Tender Boats

Destination: Mexico

Socorro Islands (9 Nights), Sea of Cortez (7 nights) and Explore Baja (10-12 nights) | From $291++/night

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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...

 

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...

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Accommodations

Types of Cabins, Amenities and Photos

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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.

Quino El Guardian Quino El Guardian

Quino El Guardian Quino El Guardian

The cabins and bathrooms

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General Facilities

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Quino El Guardian Quino El Guardian

Dining Room (LEFT) & Salon (RIGHT)

Quino El Guardian Quino El Guardian

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

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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 Quino El Guardian

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Quino El Guardian Deck Plan

Quino El Guardian Deck Plan

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Schedule, RATES & AVAILABILITY

Quino El Guardian Schedule & Rates

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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

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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!

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Dive Information & Itineraries

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 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

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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

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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

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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 

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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...

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Other Information

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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

 

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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!

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Underwater Gallery 

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Quino El Guardian Quino El Guardian Quino El Guardian Quino El Guardian Quino El Guardian Quino El Guardian

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Reviews (3)

5
3
5
5

This is not a luxury liveaboard, but is one of the best liveaboards I have been on. Cabins are quad share and bathrooms are located on the dive deck and shared among all the guests.
The Quino used to be, and still is a research vessel. They conduct citizen scientist trips where a scientist is on board and conducting research. Divers get to experience a marine scientist at work, with presentations from the scientist and divers can sometimes even assist in some research.
If you spend a lot of time in the cabins of a liveaboard, this one is not for you. If you like interacting with the other divers and making new diving friends, there are few liveaboard better at fostering this than the Quino. This is a very fun liveaboard for singles travelers.
While the cabins and bathrooms might be 3 star, the FOOD is nothing short of 5 STARS. Easily the best food on any liveaboard I've been on. The chef is top notch, and the rest of the crew are also really amazing.
There is also a tv lounge area, a massive camera table, nice open dining area and a large sun deck with shade.

Visited on 03/2016 - Submitted on 11/05/2017
5
5
5
5

We did the shark expedition aboard the Quino El Guardian in November 2019 with shark researcher Mauricio Hoyos Padilla. If I could give 10 stars to the boat and crew I would, in every category. The boat is amazing, it isn't a luxury liveaboard, but has everything you need for an amazing trip. The dive deck and camera tables are more than adequate. The crew was very attentive, fun and safe. Our captain was Julio, safety is his number one priority. He was always available for questions, and kept us very informed on our itinerary based on the weather conditions. Dori and Joshua put out 5-star meals during the entire trip, they worked tirelessly to make sure everyone had a wonderful dining experience. I have food allergies and they were very careful to make sure I got an amazing meal each and every time. There were always plenty of snacks and drinks available.
The divemasters were very professional, Lois and Gabby know how to get the most out of Socorro so you will have an amazing experience.

The rooms on this boat are very small so don't bring a lot of extras. There is a place for you to store your luggage after you unpack so it doesn't have to stay in the room.

The diving in Socorro is second to none if you are looking for pelagics. The mantas made an appearance on every dive, they were so curious and seemed to hang around for the entire dive. We had fun playing with dolphins, swam with huge schools of tiger sharks, the Galapagos, silver tips, silkies, white tip sharks were always present. I don't think we had a dive without all of the above mentioned. We were at the beginning of whale shark season and the last day of the dive a huge pregnant female made an appearance and we dove with her for at least 30 minutes.

I would suggest going early in the season, there were only 3 boats in the area when we were there so the captains coordinated our locations so we were guaranteed to be the only boat at each dive site.

Visited on 05/2020 - Submitted on 05/08/2020
5
4
5
5

I went to Socorro via the Quino El Guardian in December 2019/January 2020 and it was without a doubt the best bucket list experience ever! The marine life is unbelievable. Almost anything you can imagine is there. Massive and graceful manta rays, playful dolphins, and sharks galore - galapagos, silky, oceanic whitetip, tiger and hammerhead sharks.

As for the boat itself, it gets the job done! The experience is real and the whole crew was amazing. Not to mention that the food was some of the best I've had.

I highly recommend this trip. I look forward to going again one day.

Visited on 12/2019 - Submitted on 03/11/2021

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