Sea of Cortez 2022 Photo workshop

Join us for sea lions, sperm whales, whale sharks, and some awesome macro life! 

WHY JOIN THIS TRIP?

• 25% off rental photo gear from Bluewater Photo
• The Rocio Del Mar is one of the most experienced liveaboards sailing in the Sea of Cortez
• Daily photo workshops
• 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

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Check out this cool video from diving the Sea of Cortez:

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. 

Some macro photos from our 2019 trip to the Sea of Cortez

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 this trip report or see how our 2019 trip to the Sea of Cortez went. You may also read the reviews on diving the Sea of Cortez here.

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Inclusions

• Three meals per day & snacks,
• Beverages including soft drinks, juice, domestic beer & wine
• One full day of whale shark snorkeling, & several dives with a friendly sea lion colony
• Tanks, weights & weight belts

Exclusions

• Transfers from Phoenix airport ($125 roundtrip)
• Park fees ($28)
• Fuel Surcharge, if applicable (none currently)
• Nitrox ($120)
• Gratuity
• Mexican Tourist Card: purchased at the border ($36 CASH ONLY)
• Travel Insurance: click here to learn more about our preferred plan

About the Rocio Del Mar

Rocio Del Mar is one of the best liveaboards sailing in the area, offering 10 comfortable cabins for up to a maximum of 20 divers. All have private bathrooms with hot shower stalls, Western-style toilets, lavatories, and above height window. Each cabin is carpeted and air-conditioned. There are room length windows with privacy curtains, convenient gear, and clothes storage drawers beneath the beds.

Check out this page to see more details and customer reviews on the Rocio Del Mar.

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DAILY PHOTO WORKSHOPS

Workshops will be given daily on topics such as wide-angle underwater photography, ambient light shots, snorkeling with large animals, strobe exposure and positions, and avoiding backscatter and composition. Help underwater is also given.

Check out this page for more information on what to expect from our photography workshops as well as some testimonials!

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FLIGHT INFORMATION

Trip attendees will fly in and out of Phoenix, Arizona, which is the closest international airport. You should fly in on Saturday morning and arrive before 11 am. A shuttle will arrive for pick-up at the airport at 12 pm. The shuttle ride is approximately 4 hours to the boat and costs $125 roundtrip (paid directly to shuttle driver).

Disembarkation is Saturday at 7:00 am. For return flights, book anytime after 1 pm. 

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ABOUT THE TRIP LEADER

Nirupam Nigam is a dedicated underwater photographer and fisheries scientist. While growing up in Los Angeles he fell in love with the ocean and pursued underwater photography in the local Channel Islands. He received degrees in Aquatic and Fisheries Science and General Biology, as well as a minor in Arctic Studies, at the University of Washington. He spent some time as a fisheries observer on boats in the Bering Sea and North Pacific. When he is not at sea, he is traveling with his fiancee and taking photos. As the Editor-in-Chief of the Underwater Photography Guide, Nirupam is one of the world's few full-time underwater photography editors. You can get in touch with him at nirupam@uwphotographyguide.com or through his website www.photosfromthesea.com. 

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

• Deposit: $725, due on July 27, 2021
• Payment 2: $725, due on January 15, 2022
• Balance: $1,445, due on April 15, 2022

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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:

*Rates are subject to change at any time; please contact us for the most updated pricing.

7 NIGHTS AT THE 5 STAR COSTA BAJA RESORT & SPA

Price: $2,087 per person based upon double occupancy.

The Hotel CostaBaja Resort & Spa is the first and only luxury hotel & spa in the city of La Paz. This boutique hotel offers a selection of ocean, mountain and marina views. North of the hotel is Espiritu Santo Island, where you will find the greatest marine life in the world and the best sport fishing within Baja Sur.

• 7 nights in a king or twin room
• Full buffet breakfasts
• 5 days of 3 tank dives
• Lunches & drinks on the boat
• National park permit fees 
• Roundtrip Cabo transfers
• Free WiFi: Yes
• Swimming Pool: Yes

Costa Baja Resort & Spa

7 NIGHTS AT THE 3 STAR LA CONCHA BEACH RESORT

Price: $1,803 per person based upon double occupancy.

A beach resort offering a peaceful and mellow atmosphere on the Sea of Cortez. Over a hundred sea view rooms are featured in La Concha Beach Resort. Located in front of the ocean and with full view to the beach and pool, the accommodations include from essential details to luxury amenities.

• 7 nights in a king or twin sea view room
• Full American breakfasts
• 5 days of 3 tank dives
• Lunches & drinks on the boat
• National park permit fees
• Roundtrip Cabo transfers
• Free WiFi: Yes
• Swimming Pool: Yes

La Concha Beach Resort

7 NIGHTS AT THE 4 STAR HOTEL CATEDRAL 

Price: $1,670 per person based upon double occupancy.

Hotel Catedral La Paz is a new concept of accommodation to suit the needs of today's travelers. It is part of the historic center of the city, surrounded by major attractions next to Our Cathedral Lady of La Paz. With its sophisticated contemporary modernist architecture, Hotel Catedral La Paz it focuses on every detail to offer its guests an excellent service and quality, both in the rooms and its gourmet restaurant.

• 7 nights in a king or twin sea view room
• Full breakfasts
• 5 days of 3 tank dives
• Lunches & drinks on the boat
• National park permit fees
• Roundtrip Cabo transfers
• Free WiFi: Yes
• Swimming Pool: Yes

Hotel Catedral La Paz

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Photo Gallery 

Sea of Cortez Underwater Photos from Previous Trips

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