Sea of Cortez, Mexico with Dan’s Dive Shop

Dive the World’s Aquarium in the Sea of Cortez

Join Dan’s Dive Shop October 5-12, 2025 as we dive the amazing Sea of Cortez, Southern Safari. The Sea of Cortez, also known as the Gulf of California is a strip of water separated from the Pacific Ocean by the Baja Peninsula. This isolation, on land and underwater, provides a unique series of contrasting ecosystems from the vast solitude of the desert to the rich underwater realms and black coral gardens.

Let the crew aboard the Quino el Guardian spoil you as we travel throughout the warm and clear waters of the southern Sea of Cortez. Enjoy six days of diving where we can see countless tropical fish, schools of mobula rays, eels, octopuses, turtles, rays, giant pods of dolphins, and whales. We will explore Isla el Bajo and Isla Los Islotes, where you will encounter a massive colony of friendly sea lions.

We will dive Isla Espiritu Santo and wrecks Fang Ming and Salvaterra, Isla Las Animas, Isla Los Islotes, and Isla Cerralvo, known as Jacques Cousteau Island. We’ll also do a night dive with mobula rays! All diving, meals and accommodations are taken care of aboard Quino el Guardian.

TRIP ITINERARY: Southern Safari

Weather, sea conditions and unique animal sightings may alter this itinerary.

Oct 4 – Arrive in San José del Cabo and spend a night at a local hotel (not included).

Oct 5 – Embark in San José del Cabo / Dinner and departure at approximately 7 pm

Oct 6 – Isla Espiritu Santo and mobula ray night dive / 3-4 dives

Oct 7 – Isla Las Ánimas / 3-4 dives

Oct 8 – Isla El Bajo and Isla San Francisquito / 3-4 dives

Oct 9 – Isla Los Islotes and wrecks Salvaterra and Fang / 3-4 dives

Oct 10 – Isla Cerralvo, also known as Jacques Cousteau Island / 3-4 dives

Oct 11 – Pelican Rock and Cabo San Lucas / 3-4 dives

Oct 12 – Arrival in San Jose del Cabo and disembark at 8:30 am.

DIVING THE SEA OF CORTEZ

Divers can expect to do up to 3-4 dives per day including night dives. Diving is from two 18′ Achilles inflatable pangas with sturdy, easy-to-use ladders. Entries are backwards roll and you remove your gear before boarding. The boat’s crew will assist you with exiting the water and cameras and dive guides are provided inwater in small groups.

Diving can be challenging, and we suggest that all divers be in good health, dive regularly, have good buoyancy and have been diving recently before the trip. Minimum Advanced certification and 30 logged dives recommended.

Included are 80 cubic ft. aluminum tanks that are both DIN & yoke compatible, as well as weights and belts. The dive deck is well-organized. Each diver gets assigned a dive station and there is a spacious camera table with many power outlets and compressed air.

WATER TEMPERATURES you can expect temperatures between 85 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. 3mm wetsuit.

ABOUT QUINO EL GUARDIAN

The boat is 90 ft long with a 23 ft beam and comfortably accommodates up to 18 passengers.

Four air-conditioned cabins sleep four guests each with two bunks in each cabin. Each bunk has a privacy curtain and two double outlets. Each cabin has four large drawers, one for each guest. Cabins are typically assigned by gender. One cabin has two bunks with one upper and one lower bunk. This cabin is generally reserved for a couple.

Quino has four air-conditioned bathrooms with a full-size shower in each bathroom on the dive deck. Each cabin is assigned a bathroom so guests can leave their items and towels inside. Bath towels, dive deck towels, shampoo and soap are provided. There are two lavatories on the dive deck that all passengers share. There is an outdoor shower on the dive deck.

The galley has a projector and a large drop-down screen. The comfortable salon has sofas, a TV, and a computer table. On the second deck is a large, shaded sundeck with lawn chairs for relaxing between dives.

TRIP DETAILS

COST: $2500 USD per person, quad occupancy.

INCLUDES: 8 days/ 7 nights boat accommodations, meals, beverages, 6 days diving, tanks, weights, complimentary beer and wine and all taxes and port fees.

NOT INCLUDED: Airfare, pre-liveaboard hotel and transfers to and from the boat. Crew gratuity (10%-15% of the trip price is customary). National Park Fee – 100 pesos per day of diving, approx $7-10 CDN (park fee is subject to change without notice). Rental Gear (if applicable). Nitrox- $140 USD.

FUEL SURCHARGE: El Guardian LLC. has the right to implement a fuel surcharge on all trips in the event the cost of fuel surpasses 20 pesos a litre. Should this occur, all guests will be notified prior to boarding

LOGISTICS: Fly into Cabo San Lucas (SJD) by Oct 4th. Spend the night at a hotel in San Jose del Cabo and board the boat on Oct 5th. Fly home in the afternoon when you disembark on October 12th. Direct flights between Toronto and Cabo available, 5-6 hour flight time.

DIVER: Minimum Advanced Certification. Every diver is required to have a dive computer, a safety sausage (SMB) and a whistle. Proof of diving certification and dive insurance is required. This itinerary is excellent for snorkelers, single divers and couples.

PAYMENTS:

Deposit at booking $400 USD.

October 1, 2024 – $400 USD. April 1, 2025 – $700 USD. July 1,  2025 – $1000 USD.

CANCELLATION POLICY: 25% of the full rate will be forfeited for cancellations made by April 1, 2025. 50% of the full rate will be forfeited for cancellations made by July 1, 2025. No refunds for cancellations after July 1, 2025. All payments are transferable to a new guest at any time. If you need to cancel we will do our best to try and sell your spot. Travel Insurance is strongly advised to protect yourself.

INSURANCE: Diver Insurance is mandatory and Travel Insurance is strongly advised to protect your self. Single Trip and Annual Plans available from Dive Assure including Diver and Travel Insurance. Get a quote instantly here.

Travel Arrangements by

Fawn Messer, Flight Centre Independent 

329 Welland Ave, St Catharines, Ontario

Phone: 1-800-268-DANS

Email: fawn.messer@fcitravel.ca

CPBC #2790 | TICO#50016384 | OPC#702971