Travel - Explore The Sea of Cortez and Baja - Liveaboard 19 Sept - 1 Oct 2026
COME EXPLORE THE THE WORLD'S AQUARIUM WITH US IN 2026!!
Yes, 2026 -- this trip only happens 3x per year about the Rocio del Mar and it is already fully booked with groups until 2026 because of the special nature of this trip.
Jacques Cousteau referred to the Sea of Cortez as the World's Aquarium because of it's incredible biodiversity.
Now, you can experience this for yourself on this 11 days of diving aboard the famous Rocio del Mar liveaboard dive boat!
We will depart from Puerto Peñasco, Sonora, Mexico on 19 Sep 2026 and end up in San José del Cabo, Baja Sur, Mexico on 1 Oct 2026. Ground transportation from Phoenix will be available so you can fly into Phoenix and then return by air to Phoenix from San José del Cabo.
Here's a brief description of what you can expect on this trip:
Each day you will awake to a fantastic sunrise amongst some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world with cear skies, deep blue seas, and terrain only millions of years could create. Enjoy three to four dives daily as we move from island to island. Dive on untouched walls and reefs abounding in marine life. The north is a macro photographer's dream with nudibranchs, colorful blennies, dancing jawfish, and sea horses. Throughout the course of this adventure, we should encounter large and small whale species, snorkel with whale sharks, dive with playful sea lion colonies and see countless eels, octopus, fish, and jumping mobula rays.
The bio-diversity between the northern and southern Sea of Cortez is incredible and diving the entire Baja is spectacular! The sea life we witness on the surface from the boat, dinghies and/or snorkeling is also breathtaking.
We can see dolphins, sea lions, pilot whales, humpback whale, fin whales, blue whales, sperm whales, orcas and flying mobula rays. There are also incredible birds including blue and brown footed boobie birds, cormorants, frigate birds and the endemic yellow footed gulls.
In the south we dive the national park in Loreto and guests can spend a nice evening walking and dining in Loreto. We do a night dive with mobula rays and dive wrecks Fang Ming and Salvaterra.
If you wish to hike the remote islands during surface intervals, there is always a dinghy available to take you to shore. We also have kayaks to take a serene cruise around the islands. Between activities, get spoiled with amazing meals and the best crew in the industry.
For a complete description of the trip, the vessel, what you can expect, click here:
Explore The Sea of Cortez and Baja: Know Before You Go
And, here's a sample itinerary:
ITINERARY
Our Explore Baja destination truly is an exploration. The below itinerary is a guideline only as, truly, anything can happen and flexibility will help you to enjoy this adventure to its fullest. We always want to be open-minded so that we can take advantage of what nature brings our way!
Puerto Peñasco to San José del Cabo
13 days / 12 nights / 11 Days of Diving
Below is our scheduled diving itinerary. Weather and sea conditions may alter this itinerary, and if unique animal sightings arise, we may suggest options to divers.
Day 1 - Embark at 5 pm in Puerto Peñasco / Dinner and departure at approximately 7 pm
Day 2 - Isla Ángel de la Guarda / 3 dives / Sunset cruise with sea lions
Day 3 - Bahía de los Ángeles / 2 dives / Snorkel with whale sharks
Day 4 - Isla Salsipuedes / Isla Las Ánimas / 3-4 dives
Day 5 - Isla San Pedro Mártir / 3-4 dives
Day 6 - Isla San Ildefonso / 3-4 dives
Day 7 - Isla Coronado / 3 dives / Walk around Loreto
Day 8 - Isla Danzante / 3 dives / Afternoon hike at Honeymoon Beach
Day 9 - Isla Las Ánimas / 3-4 dives
Day 10 - Isla Espiritu Santo / 3 dives and night dive with mobula rays
Day 11 - Isla Espiritu Santo and wrecks Salvaterra and Fang / 3-4 dives
Day 12 - Isla Cerralvo, also known as Jacques Cousteau Island / 3-4 dives
Day 13 - Arrive in San José del Cabo and disembark at 8:30 am
AVERAGE WATER TEMPERATURES
One of the most popular questions we receive is about water temperature!
The Sea of Cortez is a very seasonal sea which means it changes rapidly based on the seasons. For trips in September, temperatures range from 76-78 degrees Fahrenheit in the north and warms as we go south. In October, the south remains in the low 80's and the northern temperatures can go as low as 72-24.
The Sea of Cortez has vertical thermoclines! You can see the water shimmer before you feel it. There are cool as well as warm currents. During a single dive, experiencing a temperature difference of 10 degrees is quite normal. But don't worry, the cool thermoclines don't usually last long.
The price for this trip is $4895.00 per person, double occupancy.
Price includes all taxes, port fees, meals, beverages (including beer and wine), tanks and weights. Rental gear available for an additional fee.
Not Included:
The cost of ground transportation from Phoenix to Puerto Peñasco (we will arrange but you are responsible for the fee of TBD), National Park Fee of 100 pesos per day of diving (subject to change by Mexican government without notice), airfare, crew gratuity (10-15% of the fare), alcohol other than wine and beer (you are free to bring any beverages and/or food that you would like to have on board).
$300 non-refundable deposit required to hold your spot. In the event you have to cancel, we will do our best to help you find someone else to take your place. We expect a waiting list to develop for this trip.
Additional payments as follows:
QUESTIONS:
Please reach out to Steve with any questions.
Steve@ParagonDive.com - 520-481-3976
