The Sea of Cortez is filled with life - from whale sharks and sea lions, to blennies, nudibranchs, and jawfish. See just a sample of what Nannette Van Antwerp captured on her adventure aboard the Rocio del Mar in August 2025.

You can tell when a chef loves what they do. Joshua and our chefs prepare meals as beautiful as they are delicious. From garden-fresh salads and homemade dressings to entrees decoratively presented and desserts almost too beautiful to eat, our guests are treated to wonderful dining experiences. For guests with dietary restrictions or gluten allergies or for vegetarians and vegans, our chefs provide a tasty variety of options. When you come diving with us, be sure to bring your appetite!

Dive aboard Rocio del Mar and Quino el Guardian Liveaboards to Socorro, also known as the Archipielago de Revillagigedo Our trips are November through early June and are ten days, nine nights, and six days of diving The Revillagigedo Islands (also Revillagigedo Archipelago) are a group of four volcanic islands in the Pacific Ocean, known for their unique ecosystem. The islands are home to many endemic plant and animal species. Socorro Island is the most diverse in flora, fauna, and topography. The islands lie 250 miles off Baja Mexico's southern shore. These islands are a spectacular magnet for the largest ocean pelagic animals in the world. Animals include schooling hammerhead sharks, tiger sharks, friendly bottlenose dolphins, silky sharks, Galapagos sharks, clouds of jacks and barracuda, tuna, wahoo, oceanic whitetip sharks, and giant, inquisitive manta rays - Socorro's claim to fame! Humpback whales visit during the winter months of mid-February through mid-April. We often hear the sounds of the singing mating males as they provide escort underwater. Surface sightings are common during this time. Whale sharks may be seen during November, December, and May. May is also when we can see giant bait balls and pods of false orcas.

Upon boarding the boat in San Jose del Cabo, we begin our citizen science adventure to Revilliagegedo. We have Dr. Carlos Sanchez and Dr. Fabio Favoretto on board to collect DNA samples from fish and invertebrates. It is such a joy to experience the incredible life of Socorro, San Benedicto, and Roca Partida. Come with us. A film by Jim and Pat Sayer, Out of the Blue Productions. Socorro, Roca Partida, San Benedicto, Citizen Science, lobster, moray eels, white tip sharks, dolphins, manta rays, jacks, underwater photography, silkie sharks, DNA sampling, butterfly fish, spotted boxfish, guinea fowl puffer fish, filefish, bait ball, feeding frenzy, silvertip sharks, school of benito, jacks, whale shark, creole fish, hammerhead sharks, triovoli, Mexico Liveaboards, Rocio del Mar, Quino el Guardian

The Sea of Cortez - Experience a world full of macro and mammals: sea lion colonies, turtles, whale sharks, jawfish, giant jawfish, porcupine fish, king angel fish, bullseye ray, French angel fish, sergeant major, giant hawkfish, moray eels, octopuses, jewel eels, nudibranchs, garden eels, blennies, sea horses, pike blennies, orange-throated blennies, humbolt squid, sperm whales, pilot whales, dolphins, barracuda, night diving, lobsters, underwater photography Socorro - Dive with giant pacific manta rays, 7-species of sharks: tiger, silver-tip, white-tip, black-tip, hammerheads, Galapagos, and silkies, whale sharks, dolphins, humpback whales, huge schools of jacks and wahoo, tuna, barracuda

Meet our first graduates of Heroes del Mar! To make conservation work, it must be beneficial to the local communities. Heroes del Mar takes children from Baja's small local fishing villages and gives them experiences showing them that they can make a difference to their communities, the ocean, and themselves. Thank you to PADI and Divers Alert Network, who made it possible to take 14 children who once barely knew how to swim and make them into divers ready to protect the ocean. We are looking forward to the next generation of Heroes in 2023!

Marine Refugia Story The member countries of the United Nations have agreed to protect 30% of the oceans by 2030. So far, we have 3.7%. So we have a far way to go. Fishers in local communities often reject the idea of protected areas. As we get closer to the shore, we have competing interests between conservation groups and people who make a living from fishing. Our goal is to show how a protected area helps the local people. We coordinate with NGOs to share the results of our research with fishers to help them design their own marine protected areas. With Dr. Alfredo Giron, the video was taken in the Sea of Cortez/Gulf of California. Dr. Alfredo Giron is a scientist who leads trips aboard Quino el Guardian Liveaboard. Quino is part of the Mexico Liveaboards fleet taking divers to the magical destinations of the Sea of Cortez and Socorro.

Monitoring is an important part of marine protected areas. Data is collected before the protected area is established and periodically after that. It is then compared to non-protected areas. With Dr. Alfredo Giron, the video was taken in the Sea of Cortez/Gulf of California. Dr. Alfredo Giron is a scientist who leads trips aboard Quino el Guardian Liveaboard. Quino is part of the Mexico Liveaboards fleet taking divers to the magical destinations of the Sea of Cortez and Socorro.

Enjoy this casual presentation as Dora shares her passion for the Sea of Cortez with others during her first Zoom Dive on June 14, 2022. Divers can have an international dive experience with a local flight to Phoenix. After just a few hours in a comfortable shuttle, you'll sail away to uninhabited islands and a sky filled with the Milky Way. Dive with playful sea lions, see countless fish, rays, turtles, eels, and octopus and snorkel with whale sharks in Bahia de Los Angeles. Be catered to by the best liveaboard crew in the industry and enjoy chef-prepared meals. We hope this presentation begins to express our love for the Sea of Cortez and how much we would love for you to join us in this very unique and beautiful place on earth.

Dive the beautiful Midriff Islands of the Sea of Cortez during one of our 8 day/7 night/6 days of diving liveaboard trips aboard Rocio del Mar and Quino el Guardian Liveaboards. Fly to the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and in just four short hours you will be boarding one of our beautiful vessels with our incredible crew in Puerto Penasco. After an amazing chef-prepared dinner you will enjoy a restful sleep and wake up to a breathtaking sunrise. During your trip you will dive Isla Angel de la Guarda, Isla Salsipuedes, and Isla San Pedro Martir with incredible life. Dive with friendly sea lions and countless fish, rays, nudibranchs, eels, octopus, jawfish, blennies, turtles, and more. A trip highlight is snorkeling with whale sharks in Bahia de los Angeles. The Midriff Islands in the Sea of Cortez is easy to get to but will feel like one of the most remote destinations you have ever visited. Enjoy star-filled night skies and be enchanted by the milky way. This destination is also amazing for snorkelers so bring your non-diving friends with you, too!

Work side-by-side with scientists from FIN PROJECT to identify unique animals and study and record the behavior of bottlenose dolphins. Much of what research is done is with animals in captivity. Go to Revillagigedo (Socorro Islands) in Mexico to study them in in a place to observe them in their natural habitat. Join the crew and Dr. Fabio Favoretto aboard Quino el Guardian Liveaboard on a trip that will change forever the way you think about dolphins.

Board Rocio del Mar in Puerto Penasco, Mexico - just a four-hour shuttle ride from the Phoenix, Arizona airport. Once aboard you will enjoy 6 days of diving the magical Midriff Islands in the Sea of Cortez, called "The World's Aquarium" by Jacque Cousteau. See the BIG (whale sharks), the PLAYFUL (sea lions), and the SMALL (nudibranchs, blennies, jawfish) as well as countless fish. Enjoy the milky way and falling stars at night. Truly a bucket list destination for all divers! Photos and video by Joseph Busch.

Experience the breathtaking destination of the Midriff Islands in the Sea of Cortez aboard Quino el Guardian! This remote yet easy-to-get-to destination is excellent for scuba diving, snorkeling, and exploration. Legendary diver Jacques Cousteau described the Sea of Cortez as the "world's aquarium". Dive on untouched walls and reefs abounding in marine life. Encounter large and small whale species, snorkel with whale sharks, dive with playful sea lion colonies, and see countless eels, octopus, fish, and jumping mobula rays. It's a macro photographers' dream with nudibranchs, colorful blennys, dancing jawfish, and sea horses. Video by Beth Watson.

Get a glimpse of what diver/photographer Joseph Busch saw during his expedition to Revillagigedo aboard Rocio del Mar in January 2021. Over seven species of sharks including silkies, hammerheads, silver tips, white tips, black tips, Galapagos and tiger sharks, and giant pacific manta rays. Enjoy!

Join the fantastic crew of the Quino El Guardian, world-renown whale shark researcher Dr. Dení Ramírez Macías, and her team as we return to attempt to ultrasound pregnant whale sharks and manta rays in the Archipielago of Revillagigedo again! The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) and the giant manta ray (Mobula birostris) are filter feeder elasmobranchs. In some countries, these species constitute a fishing resource, while in other countries, they are more valuable as an opportunity to attract tourism. Therefore, the sustainable exploitation of these species depends significantly on the knowledge of their populations. This knowledge is minimal. Both species are especially vulnerable due to their biological characteristics as they are slow-growing, late to reach sexual maturity, and found in small populations. All of this is why the IUCN Red List recognizes these species for the Conservation of Nature. In the Archipielago de Revillagigedo, we can find giant manta rays and whale sharks that enable Dr. Dení Ramírez Macías and her team to study these charismatic giants. Their studies have focused on demonstrating the presence of pregnant females in both species showing that this is a critical habitat for these elasmobranchs and requires a top priority for its conservation. Our expedition will focus on obtaining an ultrasound in females of both species to corroborate that they are pregnant and to evaluate the degree of the embryonic development. This information will help to substantiate the theory that these waters are necessary for reproduction and to strengthen the protection of habitat for the conservation of the species. A second goal will be to place a satellite tag to see her movements. Our goal is to use the regular itinerary for diving in Socorro, knowing that we will be open to using any opportunity that presents itself to ultrasound whale sharks and manta rays. Deni will also be doing presentations throughout the trip. These presentations will include but not be limited to: Presentations: 1. Following the Giants: Whale Sharks 2. Conservation Biology of the Whale Shark 3. The Giant Manta Rays from Revillagigedo 4. Ultrasound on Mobula Rays 5. I3S software for whale shark and giant manta ray photo identification ABOUT DR. DENI RAMIREZ Dr. Dení Ramírez-Macías is the director of Whale Shark Mexico, a passionate conservationist, powerful advocate for the ocean, and pioneer in her field. As a scientist, her innovations both above and below the sea have led to the founding of multiple NGO’s, numerous scientific publications, advanced the careers of her students, and has inspired future generations to take an active role in ocean conservation. As a scuba diver, she is applying scientific research methods to her work underwater, most recently by ultra-sounding pregnant whale sharks and manta rays in an effort to learn more about their reproduction. Her work is being used to create three protected areas in Mexico. Deni's research has taken her around the world and her research has been part of several international films including the National Geographic Discovery Chanel. Deni was inducted into the Women Divers Hall of Fame in 2020.

Let us take your breath away and experience the majesty of Socorro aboard the Rocio del Mar and Quino el Guardian with Mexico Liveaboards. Our crew awaits to transport you to another world with dancing manta rays, playful dolphins, noble sharks, clouds of jacks, wahoo, and barracuda. Let our chef amazing you with incredible meals and our highly-experienced crew provide you with service to make your diving and trip fun, safe, and extraordinary. "Life is not the amount of breaths you take. Its the moments that take your breath away." Alex (Hitch) Hitchens

Join photographer Samantha Schwann on an expedition to world-class, big animal diving in the Revillagigedo Archipielago. Samantha will be onboard, continuing a 4-year project concentrating on the ocean's ecologically unique areas, and Socorro is a location so remarkable that she returns every year. Her work has received recognition via 11 international photography awards, was featured by NatGeo YourShot, published in Oceanographic Magazine, and exhibited across the USA and internationally. Samantha invites photographers and non-photographers alike for a unique behind-the-scenes experience alongside a pro photographer. Enhance your trip to one of the most spectacular locations on the planet: • Evening presentations. Samantha often presents to the public about conservation photography via radio, dive clubs, organizations such as REI, and art venues. She will conduct engaging evening presentations on board Quino el Guardian designed to enrich your experience via images and stories of the marine life and locations in which you will be diving, as well as conservation photography. • Sam will be experimenting and testing specialized equipment at night to attract and document marine life. Working topside from the boat's back deck, she invites guests to join in, either observing or directly participating. Join her for pre-breakfast morning coffee for a casual discussion on the day's photographic goals –approach, specific considerations for the day's dive sites, and problem-solve any issues. • Photo / Video. Whether you just like to document your holidays with a GoPro or are more serious about underwater photography, a few tips and tricks can be a total game-changer on this trip and ones to come. Sam can help with basic settings and, for those interested, will delve into more advanced topics such as composition, editing, color correction, shooting in challenging conditions, and creating a story or series. Trip dates: April 19-28, 2021

Experience the giant bait balls of Magdalena Bay! Snorkel and be a part of one of nature's most unique and magnificent sights as sea lions and striped marlin rocket through the bait balls for food. The bait balls also bring in hammerhead sharks, mako sharks, and silky sharks. We also often see dolphins and whales including orcas! The best time of year to go is November and December with visibility up to 100' and water temperatures from 78' to 84'.

Start in Puerto Penasco and end in San Jose del Cabo. Cover over 700 miles in 13 days as you go where there are no roads, a handful of people, and only an occasional boat. Each day you will awake to a fantastic sunrise amongst some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world…clear skies, deep blue seas, and terrain only millions of years could create. Enjoy 3 to 4 dives daily as we move from island to island. Dive on untouched walls and reefs abounding in marine life. The north is a macro photographer's dream with nudibranchs, colorful blennies, dancing jawfish, and sea horses. Encounter large and small whale species, snorkel with whale sharks, see jumping mobula rays, and dive with playful sea lion colonies. As we go south, dive on wrecks, Fan Ming and Salvaterra, do a night dive with mobula rays, and we are seeing schooling hammerheads and giant manta rays again. Last year guests even got to snorkel with an orca. If you wish to hike the remote islands during surface intervals, there is always a dingy available to take you to shore. We also have kayaks to take a serene cruise around the islands. Between activities get spoiled with amazing meals and the best crew in the industry.

Join Dr. Fabio Favoretto and Dr. Erica Carone of FIN-Project Revillagigedo for a once-in-a-lifetime citizen science expedition to Socorro to increase your engagement and awareness about vulnerable species of cetaceans and learn what you can to to help their conservation.