Enjoy the brand new Quino del Mar, Mexico Liveaboard's newest addition, on an expedition explorring the best Baja has to offer. Starting in the north and ending in the south, the mountainous desert landscapes, rocky reefs, and pinnacles, make it a favorite destination for REEF surveyors. The marine life varies greatly from north to south, and the diversity of nudibranchs, rays, eels, octopuses, blennies, jawfish, and more make it easy to understand why Jacques Costeau nicknamed this region "the world's aquarium." In addition to numerous fish and invertebrates, attendees may also see pilot and sperm whales while in transit and have the opportunity to snorkel with whale sharks and dive with curious sea lions. The plankton-rich currents of the Pacific along the coast of California and Mexico, along with the sheltered waters of the Sea of Cortez, also create a chance to encounter manta and mobula rays.
Project Focus: The purpose of this trip is to conduct fish surveys to support REEF's Volunteer Fish Survey Project. Click here to learn more about participating in fish surveys on a REEF Field Survey Trip!
Best Suited For: Divers
Accommodations: The Rocio del Mar sleeps 20 passengers. There are 10 air-conditioned cabins onboard, which sleep two people each. Six cabins have two twin bunks, two cabins have a full bed and twin bunk, and two cabins have a double bed. Each cabin has drawers for storage, as well as space under the bottom bunks and clothing/towel hooks. Each cabin also has a private bathroom with a shower.
Diving: Diving will begin on Sept. 11 and end on Sept. 21, with 3-4 dives scheduled each day, depending on the conditions and specific location throughout the charter. The Sea of Cortez is a dynamic body of water, and this charter covers such a broad area that the water temperature will vary throughout the trip. An average surface water temperature is 85 degrees F, but please keep in mind that thermoclines are prevalent in the Sea of Cortez. A 3-5mm wetsuit is recommended. All divers are required to have a dive computer, a safety sausage (SMB), and a whistle. All diving is done from two inflatable zodiacs. 80 cubic foot tanks, weights and weight belts are included in the cost of the charter. Nitrox is available by request for an additional fee. Proof of dive certification and dive insurance is required for diving.
Pricing, Inclusions, and Other Fees
| Cabins 1-10 | |
| Double Occupancy | $5,095 |
Your Package Includes: 12 nights of double occupancy accommodation in a cabin onboard the Quino del Mar, 11 days of 3-4 dives, all meals plus snacks, beverages including soda, local beer, and wine, taxes and port fees, tanks, and weights.
REEF Program Fee: A REEF Program Fee of $350 will be added to each package to cover the cost of the group leader, seminar, and REEF survey materials. The REEF Program Fee applies to all divers and any attendee age 18 or older.
Additional Fees - Not Included: The following costs are not included in the price paid to REEF. All flights, Marine park fees, transfers to and from the boat, optional nitrox, gratuities, and insurance. Gratuities are at each individual's discretion. The Qunio del Mar reserves the right to implement a fuel surcharge if the cost of fuel surpasses 20 pesos per liter. Should this occur, all guests will be notified prior to boarding.
Registration
To reserve your space, email trips@REEF.org or call 305-588-5869. A $500 per person deposit will be due to confirm your reservation. Visit our Trip Policies page for more information on deposit and payment schedules.
Mexico Travel Info
Insurance: Travel insurance is not included. REEF strongly recommends that each participant purchase adequate dive travel insurance to protect you from unforeseen circumstances. REEF partners with both DiveAssure and DAN to offer travel insurance packages specifically for divers. REEF will receive a portion of the proceeds from travel insurance purchases when you click on the following affiliate links for DiveAssure or DAN.
How to Get There: This trip is a one-way crossing. The trip embarks on Sept. 10 in Puerto Penasco and disembarks on Sept. 24 in San Jose del Cabo. At the start of the trip, the Rocio del Mar will be located at the Marina Fonatur in Puerto Penasco, Mexico. Marina Fonatur is approximately a 4-hour drive from Phoenix, Arizona. Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) is the most convenient and closest airport to fly into to reach the port. Participants should ensure that their flights arrive in Phoenix no later than 11am on Sept. 11 in order to catch the shuttle, which departs at 1pm (details below.) Participants will disembark in San Jose del Cabo at 8:30am on Sept. 22. Return flights should be booked out of San Jose del Cabo/Los Cabos Airport (SJD). Participants are responsible for booking their own airfare. REEF is not able to book air travel for participants.
Transfers: Transfers are not included in the cost of the trip but taxis are readily available at the airport.
Passports, Documentation and Visas: Visitors to Mexico are required to have a current passport with at least one blank page. U.S. citizens visiting Mexico for less than 180 days do not require a visa. Please refer to the appropriate consulate for requirements to enter Mexico.
COVID-19 Considerations: It is the participant's responsibility to ensure that they understand and comply with all local requirements (for entry and visit as a tourist) of the host destination and for exit and entry requirements for their home country. Be prepared for your plans to change. Be sure your travel insurance covers COVID-related issues. No travel is risk-free during the COVID-19 pandemic. Countries may further restrict travel or bring in new rules at short notice, for example, due to a new COVID-19 variant. Please be aware that REEF is not a travel agent. We are doing our best to interpret the information provided by our trip vendor and the host country’s government COVID-19 webpages. We encourage everyone to do their own research, interpretation, and due diligence. Please see REEF’s COVID-19 Considerations and Vaccine Policies section on our REEF Field Survey Trips Policies page for more information.