Explore Baja 2027

Dive Trip with Photo Support

Join us on October 16 - 28, 2027 for Rocio del Mar's best liveaboard trip!!

October 16 - 28, 2027

Trip Leader: Mike Chiado

12 Nights for only $5,095

Optional 7-Night Land Extensions in La Paz:

The Hotel Costa Baja Resort & Spa - $2,087 pp

La Concha Beach Resort - $1,803 pp

Hotel Catedral La Paz - $1,670 pp

Why Join This Trip?

Daily photography workshops by photo pro at no extra cost, suitable for beginners and experienced photographers alike
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
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.

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 2024 Explore Baja trip.

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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.

Diving Conditions In October

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.

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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 - $115 per person for the arranged group shuttle from Puerto Penasco to PHX Airport at the start of the trip, around $60 per person for a taxi from SJD Airport to Puerto Los Cabos at the end of the trip
Marine park fees ($65, 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. Should this occur, all guests will be notified prior to boarding.
Travel Insurance: click here to learn more about our preferred plan

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Trip Type

This trip is a DIVE TRIP WITH PHOTO SUPPORT. It will be led by an experienced photographer who is available to provide ad hoc guidance on all elements of your photography, as needed. While this trip will provide an abundance of photo opportunities, there are no planned tutorials or instructional workshops. If you would like more formal photography instruction, check out our Photography Workshops. Our Dive Trips with Photo Support are a great option for photographers and non-photographers, alike.

Learn more about what's included in this trip type.

Trip Schedule

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 - Bahía de los Angeles. Morning dive at El Pescador and Paraíso. 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 Ildelfonso Island where we will do 4 dives. Don't miss the Green Moray City!
Day 7 - Parque Nacional Bahía 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 Bahía de Loreto. Dive at Submarino, Silouette and the artificial wreck, C-54 Agustin Melgar. Afternoon hike at Honeymoon Beach.
Day 9 - Las Animas, near San José 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 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 - Angel Island
Day 12 - Last day at San Lorenzo Channel, diving the Fan Ming wreck, Salvaterra wreck and Suani Reef.
Day 13 - Arrival to San José del Cabo, disembark 8:30 am. (October 28)

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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.

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Flight Information

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 Peñasco occurs at approximately 6 pm. Dinner is served at 7 pm.

Book the one-way shuttle for $115 at this link.

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, hotels, and transfers for your domestic and/or international travel on your behalf, we are also happy to arrange this. Please be advised that there is a 10% fee for this service to cover our booking and administration costs.

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About The Trip Leader

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.

Payment Schedule

Deposit: $1,000
Payment 2: $1,200 due on October 1, 2026
Payment 3: $1,400 due on April 1, 2027
Payment 4: $1,495 due on July 1, 2027

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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 Baja. 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

Prices start at $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

Prices start at $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

Prices start at $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.