For divers who want to explore the Sea of Cortez without the crowds, the Mango Wind liveaboard offers a distinctly personal way to experience this remarkable region. This 45-foot fiberglass Leopard sailing catamaran operates exclusively as a private charter, accommodating a maximum of 6 guests. The result is a personalized sailing adventure that follows the wildlife rather than a fixed schedule. The Mango Wind's size makes it possible to visit remote anchorages and adjust plans based on real-time conditions.
The Sea of Cortez is a place of exceptional marine diversity, a fact recognised by divers who return year after year. The Mango Wind is a comfortable base for exploring these waters, with 3 guest staterooms, each with an ensuite bathroom and individually controlled air conditioning. The catamaran design provides excellent stability under sail and at anchor, with a spacious outdoor cockpit for dining and relaxation. This is a liveaboard designed for comfort, with fine dining and attentive service from an experienced crew.
A private charter on the Mango Wind combines sailing with a full programme of activities. Scuba diving is included, with up to 4 dives per trip, and the crew can arrange snorkelling, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding. A Zodiac-style expedition boat allows easy access to dive sites and shore excursions. The Mango Wind operates from La Paz and Loreto, with a suggested minimum of 3 nights to fully appreciate the desert landscapes and marine life of the Sea of Cortez. The rate covers accommodation, all meals, non-alcoholic drinks, diving, and use of adventure gear.
The marine encounters in this region are genuinely impressive. The Sea of Cortez supports year-round populations of California sea lions and bottlenose dolphins, with seasonal opportunities to see humpback and blue whales, mobula rays, and whale sharks. The Mango Wind's flexible itinerary allows the captain and naturalist guide to seek out these animals based on the latest information, making the most of conditions. For divers interested in big pelagic species, the Sea of Cortez is one of the best destinations in the world.
The Mango Wind is operated by a company with a long-standing reputation for safety and excellence in guest experience. Their crew consistently earns praise for their professionalism, local knowledge, and hospitality. The pre-trip information is thorough, covering everything from dive insurance requirements to dietary requests and Starlink satellite wifi availability. This level of preparation ensures that guests arrive ready to enjoy the trip without unexpected complications.
A private charter on the Mango Wind offers a level of exclusivity and flexibility that larger liveaboards cannot match. Whether the priority is diving, wildlife watching, or simply sailing through the stunning seascapes of Baja California, this catamaran provides an ideal platform. For scuba divers who value genuine encounters on their own terms, the Mango Wind is a compelling choice.
Mango Wind has 3 guest cabins located in the dual hulls. 1 cabin has a queen bed, while the other 2 cabins have queen beds that can be reconfigured to 2 single beds using shared dividers. All cabins have private, ensuite bathrooms with showers.
All the cabins have:
- Individually controlled air conditioning
- Portholes
- En-suite bathroom with toilet and hot water shower
- Hand basin, toiletries, towels, mirror
- Daily housekeeping
- 2 flat pin sockets for 110V electricity
- Fire alarm, life jackets, and fire extinguisher
No. of bathrooms / showers - 3 / 3 - hot water
Sea of Cortez Adventure (private charter only) (6 Days / 5 Nights - 4 Dives)
Trip highlights: hammerhead sharks, shark action, dolphins, manta rays, seals/sea lions, schooling fish & big pelagics, non diving activities
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Cerralvo Island, Las Animas, La Reina, Espiritu Santo, Salvatierra wreck, Fang Ming, San Jose. Kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming, hike into the hills, whatever you want. Photographic workshop at SeeCreatures.
Day 1
This itinerary is a sample only, provided to illustrate the typical experience available in the Sea of Cortez. The Mango Wind catamaran operates flexible private sailing charters: guests are welcome to join and leave on any day of the week, and you may stay for as long as you like.
Check-in at the SeeCreatures office in Cabo San Lucas during the afternoon. Sort out any rental gear, complete paperwork, and join a short underwater photography workshop - a good opportunity to get camera settings dialled in before the action starts. A coach transfer takes you to La Paz, where you board the Mango Wind liveaboard. Settle into your cabin, complete the orientation and safety briefing, then enjoy dinner as the catamaran slips its lines and heads out into the Sea of Cortez.
Core Days
A trip on the Mango Wind liveaboard means moving at sailing pace through waters that Jacques Cousteau called the "aquarium of the world". The Sea of Cortez rewards patience and flexibility. Your captain and crew draw on decades of local knowledge, adjusting the route based on recent sightings, weather, and conditions. This is not a fixed conveyor-belt itinerary; it's a responsive expedition that puts you in the right place at the right time. The Mango Wind carries just 6 guests, which means decisions can be made on the fly, and you are never competing for space on a dive site.
The diving spans a remarkable range of environments. At La Reina, a small islet north of Cerralvo Island, summer brings epic baitballs - dense, moving masses of fish that attract predators from across the region. Sea lions, turtles, and moray eels weave through volcanic crevices, while giant mantas sometimes glide through from July to August. El Bajo is a series of 3 seamounts where hammerhead sharks and silky sharks patrol the deeper water, alongside tuna, marlin, and impressive colonies of green Panamic moray eels. At Las Animas, the volcanic topography plunges straight into deep water, and schooling hammerheads pass through from June to November. The walls hold jacks, rays, turtles, and tuna, while California sea lions and the rarer Guadalupe fur seals share the shallower boulder gardens.
The Mango Wind liveaboard might also explore the shipwrecks scattered through these waters. The Fang Ming is a particular favourite, now colonised by turtles, groupers, baitfish, and snappers. The C-59, La Salvatierra, and Lapas 03 wrecks offer alternative wreck dives, each with its own character and marine life. At Los Islotes, the world-famous sea lion colony provides some of the most playful interactions you will find anywhere. The pups are curious, acrobatic, and utterly unbothered by divers. Hammerheads have also been sighted recently at the deep western section.
The Mango Wind offers a genuinely flexible experience. Kayaks and paddleboards are carried onboard, ready for exploring calm shorelines or sheltered coves. When conditions allow, the crew finds landing spots for beach walks - bare feet on sand, a chance to stretch legs and take in the rugged Baja coast. The itinerary includes time ashore, with guided nature walks into the hills led by a naturalist. The photographic workshop at SeeCreatures before departure gives you a head start on capturing the pelagic action, whether you are shooting wide-angle or macro.
Day 6
Wake to a final breakfast onboard, then disembark in La Paz. A complimentary transfer takes you back to Cabo San Lucas or directly to San José del Cabo Airport for onward flights.
[Information is best estimate in ideal circumstances and subject to changes beyond our control. The itinerary is a guide only and may be adapted to best suit the weather, tides, currents, availability and other prevailing events. Price is for the cruise, not for an exact number of dives].
A typical day on the Mango Wind follows the rhythm of the sea. The captain and naturalist guide set the day's plan based on weather, tides, and recent wildlife sightings, so flexibility is built into the experience. The day begins early, with coffee served at 6:30 am. A full breakfast follows at 7 am, providing a solid start before the first activity of the day, whether that is a dive, a snorkel with sea lions, or a kayak along a desert shoreline. The pace is unhurried, allowing time to appreciate the surroundings and prepare for whatever the Sea of Cortez offers next.
Lunch is served at 1:30 pm, after the morning's adventures. Meals are taken in the spacious outdoor cockpit dining area, where a large table overlooks the open ocean. On cooler days or when guests prefer, the indoor saloon is also available. The cuisine on the Mango Wind liveaboard is tailored to guest preferences. The chef works with the group's requests, using fresh regional seafood and international ingredients to create dishes that match the group's tastes. Past meals have featured fresh-caught fish, seafood, and Mexican-inspired dishes, alongside lighter options such as salads and grilled vegetables.
Complimentary snacks are served in the late afternoon, typically after guests return from their afternoon activity, with drinks, including boxed juices, soft drinks, tea, and coffee available throughout the day. Alcoholic drinks are not included but can be stocked in advance if requested by the group.
Dinner is served at 6:30 pm, often accompanied by the setting sun over the Baja coastline. Special beach BBQs can be arranged upon request, but these are custom extras and need to be planned well before departure. Dietary requirements, including allergies, non-spicy options, and specific needs, are accommodated when provided on the pre-trip forms.
Life on the Mango Wind is defined by its flexibility and focus on the guest experience. The crew is there to handle the logistics, leaving you free to enjoy the Sea of Cortez on your own terms.
MORE TRIP DETAILS
Notes: Mexico is a popular diving destination with limited liveaboard spaces. We recommend you book well in advance to avoid disappointment.
Dive experience: All certified open water divers may dive on Mango Wind liveaboard cruises.
Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinking water, soft drinks, hot drinks, max. 4 dives per trip, experienced English-speaking divemaster, complimentary photography workshop, standard 12 liter tanks, weights and weight belts, snorkel gear.
Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): 5% sales tax, scuba equipment rental (USD 255 per week), dive computer (USD 50 per week), dive insurance, port fee per cruise (USD 35). Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash MXN or USD).
Optional extras: Alcoholic drinks, nitrox fills for enriched air divers (USD 20 per day). Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival. Note: prices of items purchased onboard are subject to change.
How to get there: Guests fly into Los Cabos International Airport (SJD), located roughly 45 minutes' drive from Cabo San Lucas. From the airport, you will make your way to SeeCreatures, the check-in point near the harbour in downtown Cabo San Lucas. The address is Calle Miguel Hidalgo 10, Centro.
Your Mango Wind package includes a complimentary photo lesson at 1 pm. The on-site photo pros will coach you on underwater image techniques, help set up and service your camera gear, and assist with any rental equipment. You are welcome to drop your bags off and check in whenever it is most convenient for you. We do ask that you check in at SeeCreatures Cabo by 4:30 pm at the latest for your complimentary coach transfer to La Paz to board the Mango Wind. [Loreto can used as the port of operations on request].
The last dive of the trip will be at around 9 am on the second-last day. Please allow at least 18 hours before flying after diving. You will disembark at approximately 8 am on the final morning of your trip for your return coach transfer to Cabo San Lucas. For outbound flights on that day, we recommend booking no earlier than 2 pm.
For more details, including airlines and additional travel information for the Sea of Cortez, please see our dedicated Mexico tourist information section.
Non-diver rate: None.
Single supplement (if you do not want to share accommodation): None.
Dive clubs and group discounts: None.
Whole boat charter rate (per night): All cruises are private charters. See prices in the trip schedule/
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