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If the Baja peninsula is "nearly an island" then the Sea of Cortez is nearly a lagoon. It is a very long narrow stretch of water with a relatively small opening at the tip of the peninsula. These rich waters are considered among the most bio-diverse in the world and offer liveaboard diving with both large and small marine animals.
Many endemic creatures thrive in the Gulf of California including the endangered porpoise sub-species, the vaquita. Migratory creatures are also common and include whales of the humpback, California gray and killer varieties. It is estimated that 30% of the world's cetacean species are found in this stretch of water that has been called 'The Aquarium of the World'. The list of large creatures that you can see on Sea of Cortez liveaboards include schooling hammerhead sharks at various sites including El Lavadero, bull sharks at Cabo Pulmo, and wonderful sea lion encounters throughout the sea at places like El Arroyo.
This region of Mexico also promises sightings of whale sharks. You can see leatherback sea turtles, many types of angelfish, plus seahorses and all manner of smaller reef fish. Unlike Guadalupe and Socorro, there is beautiful reef scenery here and a wide array of smaller marine species, as evidenced by the nudibranch lovers' favorite dive site, La Vela. [More details on these dive sites: Sea of Cortez].
You can experience trips called Sea of Cortez liveaboards which normally run for a period of 12 nights and cover the northern, central and southern regions of this amazing body of water. More common are trips called Sea of Cortez North & Midriff Islands, which are usually 7 nights long and do not venture too far south, and Sea of Cortez South tours which don't venture far north!
Another alternative is to book a trip to the Sea of Cortez South & Socorro Islands - these trips are normally for 10 nights' duration and are unique in that they combine both the Sea of Cortez dive sites and then steam out to the distant islands of Socorro, San Benedicto and Roca Partida.
> [More details: Sea of Cortez Trips]
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August through November, when the water temperatures are around the 80°F (27°C) mark, is the Sea of Cortez liveaboard season.
Hammerhead sharks are most abundant here during September and October. From May through July, witness the spectacular mobula ray migration - this is also prime time for orca encounters. Whale sharks frequent these waters all year, with juvenile sightings peaking from late September to November when they gather to feed on plankton blooms near Bahía de los Ángeles (note: visibility decreases during these plankton-rich months).
Northern Sea of Cortez liveaboard cruises normally depart in the afternoon from Puerto Penasco. Trips that cover all sections of the sea may begin or end their cruise in Puerto Penasco or San Jose del Cabo. Cruises that include both the southern sites of the Sea of Cortez and the Socorro Islands, depart in the evening from Cabo San Lucas, or sometimes Cabo Pulmo.
Puerto Penasco is on the northern coast of the Sea of Cortez. Most guests fly through Phoenix Sky Harbor airport, 4 hours drive from Puerto Penasco. For San Jose del Cabo departures, guests fly into Los Cabos International Airport (a.k.a. San Jose del Cabo International Airport). You should plan to arrive the day before departure. The marina is 25 minutes from the airport and 5 minutes from downtown San Jose del Cabo. In all cases, an airport shuttle service can be arranged. More information on: How to get to Mexico.
You'll find the departure ports for all the Sea of Cortez liveaboards clearly listed in the 'Departure Schedule & Prices' section of their web pages. The boat operator typically arranges complimentary transfers from local hotels for guests staying overnight before departure. We'll email you comprehensive departure details once your booking is confirmed.
For your protection, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance that specifically covers scuba diving activities and trip cancellations. You can request a competitive quote through our recommended insurance program:
For travelers needing accommodations before or after their Gulf of California liveaboard safari, our partner HotelsCombined.com offers an extensive selection of Mexican hotels. Their user-friendly platform allows you to research options, consult with specialists via live chat, and complete secure credit card bookings. Every reservation comes with their Low Price Guarantee, ensuring you receive maximum value for your travel budget:
It's good to able to see the possible liveaboard by date on your website. The staff, Vic quickly checked availability for booking. And when I changed the booked date, he help me kindly. I could get a reply quickly. It was so good.
