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Ultimate Whale Shark & Sea Lion Sea Of Cortez Trip 2026

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

Macro Critters

Whale Shark Encounters

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

  1. Guided group trips-
  2. Ultimate Whale Shark & Sea Lion Sea Of Cortez Trip 2026
Ultimate Whale Shark & Sea Lion Sea Of Cortez Trip 2026 - image
Macro
Aug 29, 2026 - Sep 5, 2026

Pelagic Encounters

Free Photo Workshops

  • 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.

    Signal Blenny Sea of CortezA female bluespotted jawfish

    (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.

    Dive Conditions

    August is the peak of the warm season in the Sea of Cortez, featuring calm seas and warm water temperatures. 

    • Water Temperatures: 68 - 84F (20 - 29C) 
    • Visibility: 50 - 115 feet (15 - 35m) 
    • Depth Range: 16 - 130 feet (5 - 40m)

    Recommended Scuba Gear

    Download our full scuba gear guide to Sea of Cortez, Bluewater Travel guests receive 10% OFF!

    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 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.

    sea of cortez rocio del marsea of cortez panga

    Rocio Del Mar liveaboardRocio Del Mar

    Dining Room & Salon

    Rocio Del MarRocio Del Mar liveaboard

    Camera Table & Dive Platform

    Rocio Del MarRocio Del Mar

    Sundeck & Outdoor Kitchen

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

    Rocio Del Mar


    Check out our walkthrough video of the Rocio del Mar!

    Trip Price

    Trip starts from $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
    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. Flying all that way merits a multi-destination vacation! There are amazing destinations nearby that offer a range of additional unique experiences. Here are some examples of packages we can add on to your reservation:

    sea of cortez whale sharksea of cortez dolphins

    Read More

    Trip Leader

    Rocio del Mar Cabin - image

    Rocio del Mar Cabin

    Air Conditioning (AC)

    En Suite Bathroom

    Hot Water Shower

    Camera Room

    Double-occupancy

    $3,095

    per person

    Mark StricklandMark Strickland
    Read more about Mark Strickland

    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.

    Read more about Mark Strickland

    Inquire about this trip

    Check availability
    and start planning your perfect trip

    Check Availability

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    Rocio del Mar Cabin - image

    Rocio del Mar Cabin

    Air Conditioning (AC)

    En Suite Bathroom

    Hot Water Shower

    Camera Room

    Double-occupancy

    $3,095

    per person