For certified divers, the promise of Mexico’s Pacific is clear: vast underwater landscapes teeming with pelagic life. Turning this promise into reality requires a capable vessel, a seasoned crew, and an environment built for divers. The MV Valentina liveaboard is precisely that - a 38-meter (125-foot) motor vessel engineered for the dynamic seas of Baja California and dedicated to delivering exceptional dive expeditions to the legendary Socorro Islands and the rich Sea of Cortez.
Designed by divers for divers, the Valentina operates on a seasonal schedule, aligning with the peak marine life activity in each region. From November to May, it cruises to the remote Revillagigedo Archipelago (Socorro Islands), a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its gigantic manta rays and wintering humpback whales. From August to November, it explores the biodiverse Sea of Cortez, famed as the 'Aquarium of the World'.
Originally refitted in 2013 for dive safari operations, the steel-hulled Valentina liveaboard combines stability for ocean crossings with a layout focused entirely on the dive experience. It accommodates a maximum of 20 guests across 10 cabins, ensuring uncrowded spaces and personalized service. All cabins feature private en-suite bathrooms, as well as TVs and DVD players, and are air-conditioned.
The dive deck is the operational centerpiece of the liveaboard. It is designed for efficiency, with personal gear stations for each diver and a dedicated, rubberized camera table with separate freshwater rinse tanks, making it an excellent choice for underwater photographers. Dives are conducted from 2 sturdy tenders (RIBs), allowing for precise site access and easy water entry. Nitrox is available on board for certified divers, extending bottom time on repetitive dives. Valentina is equipped with comprehensive safety gear, including life rafts, life jackets, fire extinguishers, and emergency oxygen. Dive computers are mandatory use for all divers.
After a day of diving, guests can unwind in multiple communal areas. The air-conditioned salon and dining room on the main deck offer comfortable seating, a bar with complimentary draft beer and soft drinks, and audio-visual equipment. The spacious sun deck provides both shaded and sunny areas for relaxation. The onboard chefs are celebrated for their culinary variety, preparing a mix of Mexican, European, and Asian dishes to satisfy international palates. Many trips feature a memorable Mexican barbecue on the final evening.
Consistently highlighted in guest reviews, the experienced and attentive crew is the Valentina's greatest asset. From the dive guides who ensure safe and enriching underwater exploration to the service staff who meticulously manage all onboard details, the liveaboard team’s professionalism and warm hospitality create a supportive and seamless expedition environment.
The MV Valentina liveaboard offers a professional, diver-centric platform from which to engage with Mexico’s most spectacular marine environments. It is a vessel defined not by luxury frills, but by functional comfort, operational excellence, and a crew dedicated to facilitating spectacular diving adventures at Socorro and the Sea of Cortez.
Valentina has 10 main deck cabins, all with TV and DVD player, air-conditioning and ensuite bathrooms. 7 'Deluxe Twin' cabins have wide twin bunk beds (cabin nr. 4-10), 2 'Deluxe Double Plus' cabins have a double and a single bed (cabin nr. 1 and 2), and 1 'Valentina Double' cabin has a double bed (cabin nr. 3).
All the cabins have:
Air conditioning
Portholes
Private bathroom with toilet and hot water shower
Hand basin, towels, toiletries, bathrobes and hair dryer
TV and DVD player
Closet, drawer and mirror
Storage space
Mains outlet 110 volts with 60 cycles - 24 hours per day
Universal socket adaptor. Bring your own transformer if necessary
No. of bathrooms / showers - 10 / 10 - hot water
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: Roca Partida, San Benedicto: The Boiler, The Canyon; Socorro: Cabo Pearce
Days 1-2
The Socorro Island expedition aboard the Valentina liveaboard begins with guest boarding at the Puerto Los Cabos Marina in San José del Cabo. Upon departure, the vessel conducts an essential safety and dive orientation briefing during the initial transit. The voyage to the Revillagigedo Archipelago involves approximately 24 hours at sea, with arrival expected on the evening of the second day. The first dinner service occurs on the initial evening, with full lunch, afternoon snacks, and dinner provided throughout the following sea day. Valentina is scheduled to commence its first dive operations at the islands on the morning of the third day.
Core Days
Welcome to the Socorro Islands, an unsurpassed paradise that hosts some of the planet’s most magnificent marine creatures. Each day is designed for full immersion, with 3-4 dives scheduled at the premier sites around Socorro, San Benedicto, and Roca Partida. At The Boiler off San Benedicto, you’ll experience unforgettable encounters with giant oceanic manta rays, known for their curiosity and graceful barrel rolls, while pods of playful dolphins often weave through the blue. Just a short cruise away, The Canyon offers a different thrill: here, schools of scalloped hammerhead sharks patrol the depths along with more mantas, creating a dramatic spectacle in the cool, nutrient-rich currents. This daily rhythm of diving blends awe-inspiring pelagic action with moments of observation, all set against a backdrop of volcanic seascapes.
Further expanding your liveaboard adventure with the Valentina, Roca Partida, a sheer pinnacle rising from the open ocean, delivers heart-pounding energy. This tiny rock acts as a magnet for sharks, including silvertips and Galapagos sharks, while massive schools of jacks and tuna circle its base. When conditions align, especially from December to April, the waters around Cabo Pearce at Socorro Island offer a breathtaking bonus: the chance to hear and observe humpback whales during their seasonal migration. Whether you’re hovering amid a vortex of fish at Roca Partida or scanning the blue for a passing whale, every dive in Socorro promises a new story.
Guiding is one of the most important factors in ensuring you enjoy scuba diving safely and to the fullest. Before each dive, detailed briefings, complete with site maps drawn clearly on a whiteboard, prepare you for conditions, entry techniques, and the marine life you’re likely to encounter. In the water, the experienced guides of Valentina accompany each group, not only pointing out iconic species but also revealing the hidden details of the ecosystem, such as the subtle behaviors of larger pelagics. This careful, knowledgeable support allows you to dive with confidence and enriches every moment beneath the waves.
Final Days
After one last morning dive at Socorro on the penultimate day, the Valentina departs the islands and heads back to the mainland, arriving in the morning of the final day. A full dining service will be offered. After breakfast on the final day, guests can disembark and make use of the scheduled airport transfer.
Sea of Cortez South
Trip highlights: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, shark action, dolphins, manta rays, whales, seals/sea lions, schooling fish & big pelagics
Dive sites and activities: Swanee Reef, La Reina, El Bajo, Las Animas, San Francisquico, Sea Lion Point, Salvatiela Wreck. Esprit Santo island hiking.
Day 1
Get ready - your Sea of Cortez liveaboard expedition aboard the Valentina is set to launch! Once everyone is aboard at the La Paz Malecon, you will depart and conduct a comprehensive safety and dive orientation while cruising to the initial site. The evening is yours to settle in, mingle with fellow guests, and enjoy the onboard hospitality, starting at the wet bar.
Core Days
Your days onboard the Valentina liveaboard will be filled with exploration at signature sites, each offering a distinct underwater character. At renowned locations like El Bajo and Las Animas, you may drift along seamounts and dramatic walls where schools of hammerheads and silky sharks patrol the blue. For a burst of playful energy, Sea Lion Point provides an unforgettable interaction with curious and acrobatic sea lion pups. Meanwhile, reefs like Swanee and La Reina showcase vibrant coral and sponge gardens teeming with endemic reef fish, offering spectacular opportunities for both wide-angle scenes and macro photography of the Gulf’s unique critters.
The liveaboard adventure extends beyond natural reefs to include memorable wreck diving at the Salvatiela Wreck, an artificial reef encrusted with life and patrolled by large groupers and schools of jacks. Above water, the Valentina expedition is equally captivating. A hike on Esprit Santo Island reveals dramatic desert landscapes, secluded beaches, and fascinating geological formations, providing a contrast to the rich marine world below. As evening falls, prepare for a truly magical experience: a scheduled night dive where you can witness hundreds of mobula rays soaring through the black water, their silhouettes moving gracefully in your dive light beams - an encounter that perfectly captures the wonder of the Sea of Cortez.
With expert guides providing detailed briefings and in-water leadership, every dive is both safe and deeply enriching. From the moment you descend each morning to the final review of photos under the stars, you will be immersed in the incredible biodiversity that makes this World Heritage Site a true crown jewel of the diving world.
Final Day
The tour concludes with 2 final morning dives and an early breakfast. The liveaboard will then cruise back to La Paz, with lunch served during the transit. Disembarkation is scheduled for Marina Palmira.
[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].
Aboard the MV Valentina liveaboard, all your meals are freshly prepared by the onboard chefs and served in the spacious, air-conditioned indoor saloon or al fresco on the shaded upper deck, allowing you to dine with a view.
The daily rhythm is designed around the dive adventures: a light breakfast of fresh fruit, toast, cereals, and eggs to order is served before the first dive, with a more substantial hot breakfast following. The schedule typically sees morning dives around 8 am, followed by a lunch buffet at approximately 12:30 pm, afternoon dives, and then dinner served around 7 pm.
The culinary philosophy celebrates a vibrant fusion of Western, Mexican, and Asian cuisines. Expect a diverse buffet at every meal - think grilled fish or beef, crisp vegetables, rice, pasta, and soups. For breakfast, this might mean pancakes or chilaquiles; lunch could feature fresh ceviche or a hearty pasta dish; and dinners are a highlight with offerings like savoury tacos, succulent sashimi, or a tender beef stir-fry.
Throughout the day, complimentary snacks like fresh fruit, cookies, and cake are available to Valentina's guests, along with self-service drinks including water, tea, coffee, and juice. For an additional charge, soft drinks, beer, and wine are available.
As a special finale, on the last full day of your liveaboard trip, there is a memorable beach BBQ dinner featuring a classic Mexican spread.
Dietary requests are catered to with advance notice. but remote locations mean specific brands or items cannot be guaranteed.
DEPARTURE SCHEDULE & PRICES
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MORE TRIP DETAILS
Dive experience: Note: an advanced diver certification is required to join Valentina's liveaboard cruises.
Sea of Cortez - It is recommended that you have more than 30 logged dives and have logged at least 1 dive within the past 12 months before boarding the trip. Dives are often at an advanced level such as El Bajo and Las Animas.
Socorro - It is recommended that you have more than 50 logged dives and have logged at least 1 dive within 6 months before boarding the trip. Many of the dives are at an advanced level.
Currents often can be strong and divers often are required to swim against them.
Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation, breakfast, lunch, dinner (not on 1st day of Sea of Cortez trips), snacks, drinking water, soft drinks, hot drinks, draft beer, glass of wine with dinner, scheduled transfers to the boat from local airport, port fees, dives (as detailed in the trips above), 3-4 experienced English-speaking divemasters, standard tanks, weights and weightbelts, sales tax.
Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Park fee (Socorro) USD202 per diving day, scuba equipment (full set USD30 per day), dive computer (USD15 per day), fuel surcharge (USD20 per night), re-compression chamber (USD15 per trip). Note: park fees are waived for retirees and pensioners over the age of 60 years old. A 75% discount on park fees is available for active students and teachers. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash only).
Optional extras: Additional drinks from the bar, nitrox fills for enriched air divers (USD30 per day), 15 liter tank (USD30 per day), torch (USD12 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: Socorro: The Valentina liveaboard departs in the evening from San Jose del Cabo for trips to the Socorro islands. Guests fly into nearby Los Cabos International Airport (SJD). There are 3 complimentary shared transfers timings from the airport to the boat on embarkation day: 12 noon, 2 pm and 6 pm. Boarding is at 3-5 pm with departure at 5:45 pm. The marina is 25 minutes from the airport and 5 minutes from downtown San Jose del Cabo. The last dive of the trip will be at around 7 am on the second last day of the trip. The boat will then spend the rest of the day cruising back to the marina (it takes approx. 24 hours), and you disembark from Valentina at 8-10 am of the last day. There are 2 complimentary shared transfers timings from the boat to the airport: 10 am and 12 noon. Sea of Cortez: For liveaboard diving tours in the Sea of Cortez, MV Valentina departs in the evening from La Paz, Mexico. Most guests fly into La Paz Airport and a shuttle service can be arranged (meet at Arrivals Hall exit). Embarkation is between 7-9 pm and the boat departs the marina at 9 pm, with the first dive at 7 am the following morning. The last dive of the trip will be at around 10 am on the last day of the trip. Guests disembark from the liveaboard in the afternoon of the final day around 4 pm, and you will be transferred to your hotel. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving.
For more details, including airlines, see our Mexico tourist information section.
Non-diver rate: USD200 discount.
Single supplement (if you do not want to share accommodation): This is optional - single travellers may agree to share a cabin and pay the regular fare, or pay a supplement of the published price for their own cabin - 'Deluxe Double Plus' cabins: 65%, 'Deluxe Twin' / 'Valentina Double' cabins: 80%.
Dive clubs and group discounts: Pay for 9 divers and 1 extra person can join the cruise free of charge (total 10+ guests), pay for 15 divers and 1.5 extra persons can join free of charge (total 17+ guests).
Whole boat charter rate (per night): Pay for 18 divers and 2 additional persons can join the cruise free of charge (max. 20 guests).
Click to view product. Special discounted trips highlighted in yellow
