Explore Baja South To North Adventure October 2026
Macro Critters
Pelagic Encounters
Whale Shark Encounters
Free Photo Workshops
Why Join This Trip
Unique itinerary sailing the entire length of the Sea of Cortez from south to north
Unique itinerary sailing the entire length of the Sea of Cortez from south to north
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 San Jose del Cabo to start the trip and fly out from Phoenix, Arizona
25% off rental photo gear from Bluewater Photo
Fully refundable deposit until 12 months from departure
Trip overview
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 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.
Recommended Scuba Gear
Download our full scuba gear guide to Explore Baja, Bluewater Travel guests receive 10% OFF! Click the image below to download (PDF).
Diving Conditions In September/October
Average water temperatures in September/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.
Trip Schedule
This is a sample itinerary fromSan Jose del Cabo to Puerto Penasco, subject to weather and other conditions.
- Day 1 - Board the boat at 5 pm. Depart from San Jose del Cabo around 6 pm.
- Day 2 - Check out dive at Punta Prieta in San Gabriel Bay, part of Espiritu Santo Island, and diving Fang Ming wreck and Salvaterra wreck.
- Day 3 - Dive at La Reyna, a great spot for sea lions, a school of barracuda, and occasionally oceanic manta rays.
- Day 4 - 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 5 - Las Animas, near San Jos Island. Great dives on the east and north pinnacles and afternoon diving at San Dieguito for a 3pm dive followed by a night dive.
- Day 6 - Danzante Island, part of Parque Nacional Baha de Loreto. Dive at Submarino, Silhouette, and the artificial wreck, C-54 Agustin Melgar. Afternoon hike at Honeymoon Beach.
- Day 7 - Parque Nacional Baha de Loreto, visiting Coronado Island: macro and sea lions. We do 3 dives and then a nice evening with dinner in Loreto.
- Day 8 - San Ildelfonso Island where we will do 3 dives. Don't miss the Green Moray City!
- Day 9 - San Pedro Martir Island. Enjoy fabulous diving with sea lions, incredible black coral fields, and some of the best macro of the Midriff Islands. (3-4 dives).
- Day 10 - An early dive at San Pedro Martir, followed by whale watching crossing to Sal Si Puedes area. A 3pm dive at Lavadero in Las Animas Island in the chain of San Lorenzo - Las Animas - Sal Si Puedes. Night dive at the same location.
- Day 11 - Sal Si Puedes: Some of the best macro diving along the Sea of Cortez at El Caballo, Los Cuervos and La Corona.
- Day 12 - Wake up on the east coast of Baja California and dive El Pescador or Punta Don Juan. After breakfast, snorkeling with Whale Sharks at Baha de Los Angeles. At 2 pm, the boat will start motoring to Puerto Penasco.
- Day 13 - Arrive at Puerto Penasco and disembark at 7 am.
Trip 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
Trip Exclusions
Airfare
Airport transfers - around $60 per person for a taxi from SJD Airport to Puerto Los Cabos to join the boat, and $140 per person for the arranged group shuttle from Puerto Penasco to PHX 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. Should this occur, all guests will be notified prior to boarding
Travel Insurance - ask us about our preferred partner plan
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.
Check out our walkthrough video of the Rocio del Mar!
Trip Price
Trip starts from $4,895 per person.
Rocio del Mar Cabin
Air Conditioning (AC)
En Suite Bathroom
Hot Water Shower
Camera Room
Double-occupancy
$4,895
per person
Payment Schedule
- Deposit: $700 to confirm your spot
- Payment 2: $1,100 due 1 September 2025
- Payment 3: $1,400 due 1 March 2026
- Balance: due 1 June 2026
Extend your trip
Trip Leader
Dan Bishop
Dan is an accomplished underwater photographer based in northern Virginia. He did his first dive at age 14 and has been an avid photographer for more than 28 years. Initially a skydiving photographer and videographer, Dan transitioned his focus to the underwater world, driven by a desire to capture the ocean's stunning beauty. Dan is skilled in both wide-angle and macro photography and has a passion for sharing his knowledge with others, particularly in a structured workshop environment.
View more of Dan's work here: DanBishopPhotography.com
Check availability
and start planning your perfect trip
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