Explore Baja North To South Adventure October 2027

Join us in October 2027 for Rocio del Mar's best liveaboard diving trip around, sailing the entire length of the Sea of Cortez!

Trip Dates:

October 16 – 28, 2027

Photo Group Trip

Rocio del Mar Cabin From $5,095 per person

Prices are per person, based on double-occupancy unless otherwise stated.

Why Join This Trip

Unique itinerary sailing the entire length of the Sea of Cortez from north to south
See the unexpected in remote locations: dolphins, sea lions, whales, mantas, etc
Sail with one of the best liveaboards in the Sea of Cortez, the Rocio Del Mar
Easy travel: fly into Phoenix, Arizona to start the trip and end in San Jose del Cabo
Diver to Guide ratio is 6:1
25% off rental photo gear from Bluewater Photo
Fully refundable deposit until 18 months from departure

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Trip Overview

Experience what very few people have - a journey where there are no roads, very few people, and almost no boats. At night you hear something splashing. It could be anything - dolphins, marlin, a school of bonitos? Then you hear a huge sound of blowing and water spouting. It's a whale! You can't see him, but he sounds big. At a distance, you hear sea lions and pelicans. What a splendid way to end a magnificent day.

Check out our complete guide to our Explore Baja trips!

Video by our guest Dan McGanty on our 2018 Explore Baja Photo Workshop.

During the day we move from one island to the next, diving 3 to 4 times daily. If you wish to hike the remote islands during surface intervals, there is always a dinghy available to take you to shore. Kayaks are also always available for a serene cruise around the islands.

Exploring one island to the next is a magical experience - one that will linger in your memory for years to come. The Sea of Cortez remains a secret oasis where the desert meets the sea.

Read all about our latest Explore Baja trip.

Marine Life To Photograph

The biodiversity between the Northern and Southern Sea of Cortez is incredible. The sea life we witness on the surface from the boat, dinghies or snorkeling is fantastic. There's potential to see dolphins, sea lions, pilot, humpback, blue, fin, sei, orca, and sperm whales. Also, flying mantas, blue and brown-footed boobies, cormorants, frigate birds, and the endemic yellow-footed gull.

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Sample Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary from Puerto Penasco to San Jose del Cabo, subject to weather and other conditions.

Day 1 - Check in at boat at 5:00pm - Puerto Penasco (October 16).
Day 2 - 105-mile crossing to Puerto Refugio in Angel de la Guarda Island. Check-out dive at Lolo's Cove. Great macro dive at La Vela and La Muela. Sunset cruise at a sea lion colony.
Day 3 - Bahia de los Angeles. Morning dive at El Pescador and Paraiso. Lunch and then snorkeling with the whale sharks. Depending on timing and conditions, sunset hike at La Gringa or just relax after heavy swimming with the whale sharks.
Day 4 - Morning dive at Punta Don Juan or Elias Point and then whale watching on the "Canal de Ballenas" heading south to Sal Si Puedes. 3 pm dive at Lavadero followed by a great night dive at the same location. Lavadero is located at Las Animas Island in the chain of San Lorenzo - Las Animas - Sal Si Puedes.
Day 5 - San Pedro Martir Island. Enjoy 1 or 2 days of fabulous diving with sea lions, incredible black coral fields and some of the best macro of the Midriff Islands (3-4 dives).
Day 6 - If staying at San Pedro Martir, we do 3 dives. If not, day 6 will be at San Ildefonso Island where we will do 4 dives. Don't miss the Green Moray City!
Day 7 - Parque Nacional Bahia de Loreto, visiting Coronado Island: macro and sea lions. We do 3 dives and then a nice evening with dinner in Loreto.
Day 8 - Danzante Island, part of Parque Nacional Bahia de Loreto. Dive at Submarino, Silhouette and the artificial wreck, C-54 Agustin Melgar. Afternoon hike at Honeymoon Beach.
Day 9 - Las Animas, near San Jose Island. Great dives on the east and north pinnacles and afternoon diving at San Dieguito for a 3 pm dive followed by a night dive.
Day 10 - Los Islotes, in the northern part of Espiritu Santo Island. Dive with the friendliest sea lion colony in the Sea of Cortez. Depending on weather and ocean conditions (visibility and current), we hope to dive "El Bajo", known for big schools of hammerheads. At night we will do the spectacular mobula night dive!
Day 11 - Dive at La Reyna, a great spot for sea lions, school of barracuda and occasionally oceanic manta rays.
Day 12 - Last day at San Lorenzo Channel, diving the Fan Ming wreck, Salvaterra wreck and Suani Reef.
Day 13 - Arrival to San Jose del Cabo, disembark 8:30 am (October 28).

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Diving Conditions

Average water temperatures in October are in the low to mid-80s. A full 3mm wetsuit is recommended. Although the conditions in the Sea of Cortez are mostly calm, there are times that the sea is rough. Please be prepared for this type of situation and bring sea sickness medication if necessary.

Water Temperature: 75 - 84°F (24 - 29°C)
Visibility: 50 - 115 feet (15 - 35m)
Depth Range: 16 - 130 feet (5 - 40m)

Recommended Scuba Gear

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

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Trip Type

This is a PHOTO GROUP TRIP. Led by a professional or experienced photographer who will be happy to provide advice and guidance on all elements of your photography as required. The logistics of this trip mean that formal photography tutorials and workshops are not practical.

What to Expect From Our Photo Group Trips

Photography support – Your trip leader will ensure that they spend time with everyone throughout the trip, providing advice and guidance on all elements of photography. If you have specific questions about your equipment, shot composition, or post-processing, they will be happy to support you.
Quality time with fellow photographers – You will meet like-minded divers or travelers with a passion for photography. Newer photographers will benefit from the experience of more advanced shooters, and those with experience can share their advice and tips with the group.
Suitable for everyone – New and experienced photographers are welcome on all our trips. Gain the necessary skills to start shooting great photos, increase your confidence in finding the best underwater shots, or hone specific skills. We also encourage non-photographers to join, and do our best to split groups according to skills and interests.

Enjoy free, unlimited access to a wealth of knowledge and advice from your photo instructor.

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Inclusions

Three meals per day, snacks, beverages including soft drinks, juice, domestic beer & wine
3-4 dives per day; tanks, weights & weight belts are provided
Activities included: Diving, hiking, kayaking, snorkeling & several land excursions exploring small towns & missions
16% Mexican tax
Port fees

Exclusions

Airfare
Airport transfers - $140 per person for the arranged group shuttle from PHX Airport to Puerto Penasco at the start of the trip, around $60 per person for a taxi from Puerto Los Cabos to SJD Airport at the end of the trip
Marine park fees ($140, subject to change)
Nitrox ($140)
Dive insurance
Gratuity
Fuel surcharge - Rocio has never charged a fuel surcharge to date but reserves the right to implement a fuel surcharge on all trips in the event the cost of fuel surpasses 20 pesos per liter
Travel Insurance - ask us about our preferred partner plan

* Onboard fees and charges are subject to change

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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.

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

Rocio Del Mar Deck Plan

Check out our walkthrough video of the Rocio del Mar!

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Baja Trip Extensions

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! Here are some examples of packages we can add on to your trip reservation.

Read More.

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Trip Leader

Mike Chiado

Mike Chiado has over four decades of experience in the entertainment post production industry. Mike is CTO of Company3 and oversees technology, workflow and image science departments for feature motion pictures, episodic and advertising businesses. Mike become a PADI Master Scuba Diver in 1991 which included the speciality of Underwater Photography (film-based, BTW!), and actively diving and photographing tropical and California waters. View Mike Chiado's underwater photography portfolio.

Read more about Mike Chiado.

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How To Get There

Arrival

Passengers must arrive at Phoenix Sky Harbor airport no later than 11 am on the trip departure date. A shuttle service is provided to the boat that guests should book in advance. Head Out to Rocky Point will pick up all passengers between 12 noon and 1 pm at Terminal 4, door #5 on the south side. Meet the shuttle curbside. All passengers must have reached the Marina and be aboard the Rocio Del Mar between 5 pm and 6 pm. Departure from Puerto Penasco occurs at approximately 6 pm. Dinner is served at 7 pm.

Book the one-way shuttle for $140 at this link.

Return

Explore Baja North to South trips will end in Puerto Los Cabos. The boat returns to the Marina during the evening and a continental breakfast will be provided the last morning of the trip - guests must disembark by 7 am. The closest airport for departure flights is SJD which is a 30-40-minute taxi journey. Boat crew will assist guests in booking shared taxis on the last morning of the trip.

Flight Package

Our group trips attract guests from all over the globe and many of our customers prefer to book their own flights to take advantage of mileage points or credit card discounts. For these reasons, flights are not included in our group trip packages.

However, we are more than happy to work with you to find the best travel itinerary for your trip and will gladly give suggestions and advice, even if you make the final booking. We will check through your travel reservations at any time to ensure they fit with the trip schedule and can give recommendations on transit hotels and day tours where needed.

If you would like us to book flights and transit hotels for domestic and/or international travel on your behalf, we are also happy to arrange this. Contact Us for more information.

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