SEA OF CORTEZ/MIDRIFF ISLANDS - AUGUST 17 - 24, 2024
This is going to be EPIC!!!
Join Scuba Shack for an 8 day/ 7 night/ 6 days of Diving and Exploration Adventure in a breathtaking destination for scuba diving in the
Sea of Cortez, onboard the Rocio del Mar liveaboard!
Availability: Contact us for booking information
Legendary diver Jacques Cousteau described the Sea of Cortez as the "world's aquarium." We couldn’t agree more! Dive on untouched walls and reefs abounding in marine life. At this time of year we can expect to encounter large and small whale species, dive with playful sea lion colonies, and see countless eels, octopuses, fish, and large bait balls. And snorkel with WHALE SHARKS! It's a macro photographer's dream too, with nudibranchs, colorful blennies, dancing jawfish, and sea horses!
The Rocio del Mar is extremely seaworthy and is approved by both the Mexican and US Coast Guard. She is equipped with state-of-the-art electronics and all required safety equipment.
There are 10 comfortable guest staterooms on two decks. 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 and convenient gear and clothes storage drawers beneath the beds.
Eight of the cabins are located on the main deck - four each on the port and starboard sides. Six of those feature two single beds with reading lights. Two additional cabins feature a double bed with lots of storage space underneath. All have adjustable reading lights to focus illumination without disturbing your cabin-mate.
Two more staterooms are on the second deck behind the bridge on the port and starboard sides. Each features a full size lower bed and a single size bed on top with adjustable reading lights.
The spacious dining area is in the lower forward part of the boat to minimize any sense of movement during meals. The crew will carefully select anchorages to minimize any wave action while anchored for the night.
- The Salon is comfortably furnished with sofas, a TV, a computer table set up, books and DVD’s
- A huge, well organized dive deck with gear storage for all your diving equipment
- A spacious camera table with lots of power outlets
- A dive platform for easy access to the inflatable pangas
- Two rinse showers on the dive platform
- Two on-board compressors
- A large, shaded sundeck with lawn chairs – perfect for relaxing between dives
- Two inflatable pangas with drivers to get you to and from the dive sites – each has a sturdy ladder for the safety and comfort of our divers
- All power is 110 (just like the US)
- Wet gear storage is available on the diving deck so there is no need to lug gear or clutter your stateroom with it
We will start our day early with a continental breakfast of bagels, toast, yogurt, fresh fruit, cereals, fresh juices, coffee, tea and hot chocolate. After our first dive we will enjoy a heartier American style breakfast consisting of pancakes, waffles, eggs, breakfast meats, and potatoes etc. After our second dive we will come back to a hearty lunch that starts with a home-made soup followed by a plated meal such with fish, beef or chicken, fresh vegetables, home-made pasta salads, burgers, fish tacos, and more. In the mid afternoon our chef will prepare a snack with items such as mini sandwiches, sliced cheese and meats, nachos, guacamole, etc. We will end our day with a three course dinner that starts with a salad, followed by a main course with seafood, beef, chicken or pork cooked with savory spices, paired with vegetables, pastas and potatoes. Desserts are a sweet surprise made fresh daily!
Weather permitting we have special evening on the top of the boat where our chef will prepare carne asada! Hot and cold beverages are available throughout the day including canned soft drinks.
Below is our scheduled diving itinerary. Weather and sea conditions may alter this itinerary, and if unique animal sightings arise, the crew may suggest other options!
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: Isla Ángel de la Guarda / 3 dives and a night dive
Day 4: Isla San Pedro Mártir / 3-4 dives
Day 5: Isla San Pedro Mártir / 3-4 dives
Day 6: Isla Salsipuedes / Isla Las Ánimas / 3 dives and a night dive
Day 7: Bahía de los Ángeles / 2 dives / Snorkel with whale sharks
Day 8: Arrive in Puerto Peñasco and disembark at 7:30 am
Want to know more? Check out the following links!
About the Rocio del Mar
https://www.mexicoliveaboards.com/rocio-del-mar.html
Frequently Asked Questions
https://www.mexicoliveaboards.com/faq.html
Know Before you Go!
https://www.mexicoliveaboards.com/things-you-need-to-know-sea-of-cortez-rdm.pdf
The above document will answer just about every question you can think of!
Required Documents
Contact in Case of Emergency
Suggested Gear and much more!
Details-
Plan to arrive in Phoenix, AZ before 5pm on Friday, August 16, 2024. (Generally speaking, there are no flights available on Saturday that will get you to Phoenix before the 1pm van ride to Puerto Penasco. Due to the chance of summer weather delays/cancellations, late day Friday arrivals are not recommended). Optional Group Reservations at a local hotel will be offered as an Add-On.
A private, air-conditioned shuttle from Head Out To Rocky Point will take us round trip to Puerto Penasco, Mexico at 1 pm. You must book your own reservation and pay the fee of $150pp – see below.
The shuttle has scheduled stops for a restroom, grocery and liquor store and will deliver us to the boat about 5:30 pm. On our return, we will be picked up on Saturday, August 24, 2023 at 7:30am and delivered to the airport by Noon.
Plan to depart Phoenix, AZ on no earlier than 3pm.
Due to the limited number of staterooms, this trip is limited to 20 Divers - 2 per cabin. THIS TRIP WILL SELL OUT! All cabins are First Come, First Serve!
Double Diver
$3150.00
Sorry... There are no Single Diver cabins.
This trip includes
7 nights, 6 days of diving, Nitrox, 3 meals daily, snacks, beverages, tanks, weights, complimentary local beer and wine, taxes and port fees. Up to 4 guided dives daily.
What is not included –
Rental Gear - there is limited availability
National Park Fee - 100 pesos per day of diving* (about $6 per day) Payable on the boat
Transfers via Head Out To Rocky Point to and from the boat ($150pp, subject to change until invoiced) plus gratuity,
Crew Gratuity (typically 15% of the fare) Cash is appreciated.
Overnight accomodations on Friday, August 16, 2024.
Round Trip Airfare to Phoenix, AZ