Socorro Islands
Trip highlights: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, shark action, dolphins, manta rays, whales, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, drift diving, off the beaten track, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: San Benedicto, Roca Partida, Socorro Island
Day 1
Rocio Del Mar is located at the new marina in Puerto Los Cabos in San Jose del Cabo. A welcome dinner will be served once all guests have boarded. After being greeted by the captain and crew and shown to your cabin, the liveaboard will depart after midnight. Meals are provided throughout the day as you travel to San Benedicto, with arrival scheduled for the evening of the following day
Core Days
Embark on this liveaboard diving safari with Rocio Del Mar to the legendary Socorro Islands, an experience defined by breathtaking, large animal encounters that will forever be etched in your memory. The nutrient-rich waters here are a magnet for megafauna, creating a true pelagic paradise. Prepare for close interactions with curious mantas rays, playful pods of dolphins, and, during the winter months, the awe-inspiring sight of humpback whales. The region is also a renowned haven for sharks, with thrilling opportunities to see 7 different species, including imposing schools of hammerheads.
Your underwater adventure is meticulously planned y Rocio Del Mar for maximum exploration. Each day typically features 3 dives, often surrounded by massive schools of trevallies, barracuda, and tuna. A highlight is your time at Roca Partida, a sheer pinnacle where you will dive amidst a staggering concentration of life - expect thousands of fish and sharks, including whitetip, silvertip, silky, and Galapagos sharks, with the potential for encounters with gentle whale sharks and hammerheads when conditions align.
When you're not diving, the adventure continues on the surface. You can glide across the water in a kayak, soak up the sun, or simply relax and share stories with fellow guests on board, solidifying the bonds of this unique and unforgettable liveaboard expedition to the Socorro Islands.
Final Day
A continental breakfast will be provided on the last morning of the trip before all guests disembark from the liveaboard.
Sea of Cortez North & Midriff Islands (8 Days / 7 Nights - 24 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, shark action, dolphins, manta rays, whales, seals/sea lions, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Angel Rock, El Jardin, El Aquario, Las Vivoras, In Animas, El Lavadero, Xareni's Pinnacle, Punta Martir, Chayo's Cove, El Pescador and Animas in Bahia Los Angeles
Day 1
The Rocio Del Mar sets sail from Puerto Penasco late afternoon. Upon arrival, the tour leader will assist you by assigning your cabin and dive station, allowing you to unpack and prepare your gear for the next day's diving. Please be ready to present your scuba certification and dive insurance documents. Dinner will be served to conclude your first evening.
Core Days
Prepare for an unparalleled underwater liveaboard adventure in the Sea of Cortez, where each day promises 3-4 dives in the region's characteristically clear, deep waters, teeming with abundant marine life. This legendary body of water, often called the Aquarium of the World, is a dynamic highway for magnificent migratory species.
As the liveaboard navigates the waters around San Pedro Martir, you might witness the breathtaking spectacle of humpback whales breaching in the distance. Beneath the surface, your dives will bring you face-to-face with graceful manta rays, ancient leatherback sea turtles, massive schools of mobula rays, and pods of curious dolphins that might race alongside the liveaboard. The vibrant reefs are also home to a stunning array of macro life, including clever, colour-shifting octopuses, Cortez angelfish, and schools of triggerfish.
A truly unforgettable highlight of this Rocio Del Mar diving safari awaits at the Midriff Islands, where bustling sea lion colonies reside. These playful and inquisitive pups and adults are known to zoom through the water, coming within inches to tug playfully at your fins or blow bubbles right in front of your mask - a truly heart-pounding and joyful interaction. And then the liveaboard stops at Bahia de Los Angeles to snorkel with whale sharks, as these gentle filter feeders effortlessly glide through the water.
When you're not submerged in the blue, the adventure continues topside on the Rocio Del Mar. Stay alert for spectacular displays of leaping mobula rays and the hunting dorsal fins of orcas. You can kayak along pristine coastlines in search of a glimpse of fin, sperm, or pilot whales, hike and explore uninhabited desert islands, or simply relax on deck, sharing stories and forging friendships with your fellow guests. This is more than a liveaboard dive trip; it's a comprehensive immersion into one of the planet's richest wildernesses.
Day 8
A continental breakfast is served on the final morning prior to disembarkation from the Rocio Del Mar in Puerto Penasco.
Note: this itinerary sometimes uses the port of San Jose Del Cabo. Check your trip details for exact port information.
Sea of Cortez (13 Days / 12 Nights - 38 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, shark action, dolphins, manta rays, whales, seals/sea lions, turtles, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Angel Island, Bahia De Los Angeles, Las Animas, Sal Si Puedes, San Pedro Martir, Isla Alfonso, Loreto: Coronado, Danzante; San Francisco, Dora's Pinnacle, Los Islotes, El Bajo, La Reina, San Lorenzo Channel
Day 1
Upon boarding the Rocio Del Mar in Puerto Penasco, you will receive a warm welcome from the liveaboard captain and crew, who will personally show you to your cabin to help you settle in. Following this introduction, a delicious dinner will be served, offering the perfect opportunity to meet your fellow travelers and anticipate the diving safari ahead.
Core Days
Join the Rocio Del Mar on a comprehensive liveaboard expedition through the Sea of Cortez, designed to showcase the full spectrum of this marine paradise, from its northern whale shark nurseries to its southern sea lion colonies and legendary pelagic action.
Descend into a world of vibrant color and constant motion. Pristine walls and rocky reefs are alive with shimmering schools of fish, including the regal king angelfish and dozens of triggerfish. Ethereal fields of black coral create an otherworldly backdrop, while curious sea lions at playful haunts like Los Islotes and the San Lorenzo Channel invite you into their acrobatic games.
For those who look closer, a macro paradise reveals itself. Vibrant nudibranchs, colorful blennies, dancing jawfish, and elusive seahorses offer endless fascination. Keep your eyes open for masters of disguise like the octopus and the many rays and eels that inhabit the nooks and crannies of this living seascape.
The deep blue of the Sea of Cortez holds its own majestic wonders. The Rocio Del Mar visits legendary sites like El Bajo and San Pedro Martir, where you can witness the awe-inspiring spectacle of schooling hammerhead sharks. The liveaboard adventure continues with the ghostly remains of shipwrecks, now thriving artificial reefs, and a planned night dive where powerful lights attract swirling swarms of mobula rays for an unforgettable spectacle.
The magic isn't confined to the depths. The liveaboard captain's keen eye will guide you to pods of breaching dolphins and the powerful fluke of a rising whale. You might even spot the distinctive fin of an orca in the distance. A highlight of the trip is a stop at Bahia de Los Angeles to snorkel alongside the ocean's gentle giants - the magnificent, filter-feeding whale sharks.
The activities extend beyond the waterline. The remote islands that the Rocio Del Mar visits, such as Angel Island, San Pedro Martir, and the gems of the Loreto region like Coronado and Danzante, offer hikes during surface intervals. Here, you can trek through an arid landscape for panoramic views of the rugged coastline. At night, the absence of light pollution reveals a celestial masterpiece. The sky blazes with countless stars, a silent, majestic end to days filled with vibrant life. This is the true magic of the Sea of Cortez - a profound connection to the wild, both above and below the surface.
Day 13
A continental breakfast will be provided on the final morning of the trip before all guests disembark from Rocio Del Mar in San Jose del Cabo.
Please note that these trips sometimes run in reverse - check your trip for details.
Socorro & Clarion Islands
Trip highlights: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, shark action, dolphins, manta rays, whales, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, drift diving, off the beaten track, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: San Benedicto, Roca Partida, Clarion, Socorro Island
Day 1
This very special Rocio del Mar liveaboard cruise visits the standard Socorro Islands plus the remote and exceptional Clarion Island. Once on board in San Jose del Cabo, the crew will welcome you, show you to your cabin, and serve dinner. The vessel departs after midnight, arriving at San Benedicto the following evening. All meals at sea are provided.
Core Days
Diving the Socorro Islands offers an unforgettable experience defined by thrilling, large animal encounters. This Rocio del Mar safari will bring you face-to-face with curious manta rays, playful dolphins, and seasonal humpback whales. The region is a renowned haven for sharks, with the potential to see 7 different species, including impressive schools of scalloped hammerheads. The diving schedule is intensive, with up to 4 dives per day. A highlight is Roca Partida, a sheer pinnacle where you can expect 3 dives amidst a staggering concentration of life, including whitetip, silvertip, and Galapagos sharks, with chances to see hammerheads, tiger sharks and gentle whale sharks. The Boiler at Socorro offers one of the world's most thrilling manta ray encounters. Named for its bubbling, surge-washed shallows, this site acts as a giant cleaning station where mantas hover effortlessly in the current. Divers can experience breathtakingly close passes, often finding themselves in the center of an aquatic ballet performed by multiple, curious mantas.
The remote Clarion Island is a truly exclusive destination. Reaching this far-flung gem is a reward in itself, offering pristine conditions away from the more frequented sites. Weather and sea conditions permitting, you can expect up to 2 full days of diving here, with the opportunity for up to 6 dives. Exploring Clarion's untouched waters is the ultimate adventure, promising a sense of discovery and the potential for unique pelagic encounters that few divers ever get to experience, making it the crowning jewel of this liveaboard expedition.
Final Day
A continental breakfast is provided on the final day prior to guest disembarkation from San Jose del Cabo.
Sea of Cortez South
Trip highlights: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, shark action, dolphins, manta rays, whales, seals/sea lions, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: La Paz: Los Islotes, Fang-Ming Wreck, Salvatierra Wreck, Swanny Reef, Ensenada Grande; Isla Las Animas, San Dieguito Reef, Isla Cerralvo, La Reina, Cabo Pulmo National Park, Cabo San Lucas: Pelican Rock, Land's End, Gordo Banks
Day 1
The Rocio Del Mar liveaboard is docked at Marina Puerto Los Cabos in San Jose Del Cabo. Boarding will be followed by a personal welcome from the captain and crew, who will show you to your cabin. A group dinner will then be served, with the departure from port scheduled for the early evening.
Core Days
This diving cruise in the southern Sea of Cortez perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the "world's aquarium", the explosive, living spectacle of one of the most successful marine recovery stories on the planet. Each day offers a new discovery, blending the thrill of big animal encounters with the intricate beauty of a healthy, thriving reef system, all set against the backdrop of the Baja California desert.
Rocio Del Mar will explore the hauntingly beautiful wrecks of the Salvatierra and Fang-Ming, where steel and timber have been reclaimed by the sea, now serving as thriving artificial reefs. These underwater museums are bustling with schools of snapper, glinting grunts, and the watchful eyes of large groupers. This theme of abundance continues at the stunning Swanny Reef, a colorful coral and sponge-covered pinnacle that acts as a magnet for marine life, and at the legendary Gordo Banks, a deep-water seamount where massive schools of jacks, tuna, and even the occasional sailfish or shark patrol the blue.
The liveaboard adventure extends to the remote and rugged Isla Las Animas, a desert island sanctuary where you will find pristine walls and sea lion colonies, and La Reina, a site known for its dramatic oceanic manta ray encounters. The crown jewel of this region, however, is Cabo Pulmo National Park. This protected marine reserve is a living testament to conservation, home to the only hard coral reef in the Sea of Cortez. Here, the water teems with staggering biodiversity, from vast schools of jacks and snapper that form shimmering silver walls to the patrol of bull sharks and the serene glide of giant rays.
Final Day
On the final morning, a continental breakfast will be served on the Rocio Del Mar before disembarkation.
[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].
To help you plan your days on the Rocio del Mar liveaboard, all meals are served in the air-conditioned indoor dining saloon, where you will be attended by the waitstaff. The daily schedule will be active, beginning with a light pre-dive breakfast (such as pastries, fruit, and toast) to energize you before your first dive. Following this, you will return for a full cooked breakfast. The day then progresses with a pattern of scuba diving and dining: after 2 more dives, a substantial lunch is served, and after the day's final dive, the group gathers for dinner.
Rocio del Mar's 5-star chef takes great pride in crafting a diverse menu, baking fresh bread and preparing daily homemade soups. You can expect an array of international cuisine with delectable Mexican specialties. For each meal service, you will typically have a choice of 3 different dishes. For example, breakfast may feature eggs, chilaquiles, waffles, muffins, or pancakes, while lunch and dinner could include options like fresh fish tacos, a pasta dish, or a traditional meat entrée. To keep your energy levels high between dives, complimentary snacks such as fresh fruit, bread, toast, and ice cream are available.
Your thirst is equally catered for, with coffee, tea, hot chocolate, soft drinks, local beer, and wine provided free of charge throughout the liveaboard safari, alongside ample drinking water.
Please note that the cruise dining service begins upon your boarding on the first day. Rocio del Mar are also pleased to accommodate any dietary requirements; please be sure to send them advanced notice to ensure the chef can prepare for your needs.
