Sea Hunter

After three years of meticulous planning and construction, the 110-foot Rocio del Mar had its maiden voyage in May 2010 in the gorgeous waters of the Sea of Cortez. It was built by divers for divers, and the fact is evident when onboard. There are ten double staterooms, all with private bathrooms, air-conditioning and picture windows. The maximum number of divers is 20. Eight of the cabins are located on the main deck and feature angles single beds, and two cabins on the second deck have a full lower bed and an upper bunk. A spacious dining room serves tasty meals that focus on local fresh ingredients, and an entertainment area has a flat-screen television, DVD player and CD player. The top deck has plenty of room to spread out and watch the whales and dolphins, and enjoy a barbecue.

From July to November, Rocio del Mar dives the Sea of Cortez. Whales, whale sharks, mantas, mobula rays, and sea lion colonies inhabit these waters with colorful corals and numerous reef fish, nudibranchs and schools of pelagics. From November to May to boat moves to Socorro Islands to dive with the sharks. You can do up to four dives per day, and there are two zodiacs to serve three different dive groups at the same time. Rocio del Mar departs from Puerto Peñasco, about four-hour van drive from Phoenix for its Sea of Cortez itineraries. The city is getting its airport late 2010 making getting there a breeze. For Socorro Islands, the departure port is San Jose del Cabo. The boat offers Nitrox.

SEA OF CORTEZ ITINERARY
With clear, deep waters, abundant sea life, golden sandy beaches and inspiring vistas, the Sea of Cortez - known as the Gulf of California - is a breathtaking destination for scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, boating, and exploring diverse marine creatures. 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, whale sharks, jumping mobula rays, and sea lion colonies. Hike and explore remote uninhabited islets. Dine under the stars in a calm anchorage, socialize with your shipmates and make new friends. Then melt into a luxurious bunk in your own finely appointed cabin with private bathrooms and hot showers. All in a day aboard Rocio, combined with personalized service to enhance your live aboard safety and fun. Dive into your dreams and see what Sea of Cortez diving is all about.

Although the conditions in the Sea of Cortez are mostly calm, there are times that the sea is rough. Please be prepared for this type of situation. There are several over the counter remedies that can help you in case we are faced with rough seas during your trip.

Day 1
Embark at 5:00 p.m. in Puerto Peñasco. Depart the dock at 6:00 p.m.

Day 2
Wake up at Refugio Bay on Angel Island.
Potential Dive sites: Angel Rock, La Vela, & Lolo’s Cove.
Sunset zodiak cruise with sea lions.

Day 3
Angel Island
Potential Dive sites: Andrea’s Eagle, El Aquario, Las Vivoras, and Las Vivoras including a night dive.

Day 4
San Pedro Martir
Potential Dive sites: El Arroyo, Punta Martir (Sea Lions), Chayo’s Cove

Day 5
San Pedro Martir
Potential Dive sites: Ravijunco, Xareni’s Pinnacle, Coromel, Morrito. In the afternoon, we go looking for whales!

Day 6
Salsipuedes & Animas
Potential Dive sites: Los Cuervos, El Caballo, El Lavadero, and El Lavadero including a night dive.

Day 7
Baja and Snorkeling with Whale Sharks in Bahia De Los Angeles
Potential Dive sites: El Pescador, Baja Ca. Start to head back to Puerto Peñasco in the afternoon.

Day 8
Disembark at 7:00 am.

DIVE THE SOCORROS ITINERARY
The Revillagigedo Islands (also Revillagigedo Archipelago or Islas Revillagigedo) 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, and are sometimes called Mexico's "little Galapagos".  Socorro island is the most diverse in flora, fauna, and topography.

The islands lie 250 miles off Baja Mexico's southern shore. When embarking on a trip to the Socorro Islands; possible destinations on the itinerary are San Benedicto, Socorro, Roca Partida and Clarion Islands.

These islands are a spectacular magnet for the largest ocean pelagic animals in the world. Schooling Hammerhead sharks, Tiger sharks, dolphins, silky sharks, Galapagos sharks, clouds of jacks and barracuda, tuna, wahoo, oceanic white tips sharks, whale sharks and mantas.

Mantas are the claim to fame for Socorro Islands; the island on which they seem to congregate the most is San Benedicto! The magical dive site called "The Boiler" is a submerged sea mount and cleaning station. More than a half dozen Mantas frequent this pinnacle regularly. The Mantas here are the friendliest I have ever experienced, they seem to enjoy the presence of humans. This is truly an exceptional place if you wish to really experience the Manta Magic.

Humpback whales visit during the winter months of January through April. This is a splendid time to hear the sound of the singing mating male escorts underwater. This destination can only be dived by a live aboard dive vessel. It takes approximately 26 hrs one way to reach the islands. This is an excellent dive destination for large pelagics due to the open ocean nature of the islands, which sometimes include currents and choppy conditions. The underwater topography consists of rocky outcroppings, boulders and some walls. There is not much in the way of coral as this is a cooler water destination.

The crossing from Los Cabos San Lucas to the Socorro Islands takes approximately 26-28 hrs. It is open sea, please be prepared in case we are faced with rough seas. There are several over the counter remedies that can help you. In case you have a propensity to motion sickness or are concerned that you might develop symptoms, please arm yourself with preventive measures before hand.

Day 1  
Board the boat the day of departure at 8 a.m.
Departure 9:00 a.m.

Day 2
Rocio del Mar arrives to San Benedicto around 11:00 a.m. Start Diving! 2 dives scheduled...

Day 3
San Benedicto, 4 dives scheduled.

Day 4
Roca Partida, 3 dives scheduled.

Day 5
Roca Partida, 3 dives scheduled.

Day 6
Socorro Island, 4 dives scheduled.

Day 7
San Benedicto, schedule 4 dives. At the end of this day we will start our departure to San Jose del Cabo.

Day 8
Arrive at San Jose del Cabo around 11 p.m. Guests may sleep on the boat.

Day 9
Disembark by 8:30 a.m.

EXPLORE BAJA ITINERARY
The Sea of Cortez is also called “The World’s Aquarium” by Jacque Cousteau.  Our Explore Baja trip explores the entire Baja Peninsula. This is a one-of-a-kind 13-day trip that travels port to port from San Jose del Cabo, Mexico to Puerto Peñasco, Mexico or from Puerto Peñasco, Mexico to San Jose del Cabo, Mexico. This trip includes the variety of the Northern Sea of Cortez to the larger pelagics of the Southern Sea of Cortez.  In addition to diving, passengers can explore the islands and kayak. Divers enjoy 4 dives per day and 2 to 4 night dives.

SAN JOSE DEL CABO TO PUERTO PEÑASCO (or reverse)

Day 1
Check in at boat at 5pm in San Jose del Cabo

Day 2
Cabo Pulmo

Day 3
Isla Cerralvo

Day 4
El Bajo, Ship wreck (Fang Ming) - Visit La Paz for the afternoon

Day 5
Early hike on San Francisco Island, Dora's Pinnacle, Los Islotes

Day 6
Animas

Day 7
Coronado, walk Loreto Mission Square in the evening

Day 8
Isla Alfonso

Day 9
San Pedro Martir

Day 10
Animas and Salsipuedes

Day 11
Bahia de Los Angeles - Whale Sharks, El Pescador

Day 12
Angel Island Day 13 Disembark at 8:30am in Puerto Penasco

​SPECIFICS
• 110’ with a 25’ beam
• Custom designed & built specifically for divers
• In operation since 2009
• 10 Private Staterooms
o 6 Staterooms – twin bunks
o 4 Staterooms – double bed for couples
o Each has a complete bathroom with lavatory, hot shower stall and toilet
• Large salon with oversized furniture, television, computer stations
• All areas are fully air-conditioned including cabins, salon, galley, and hallways
• Covered patio with comfortable outdoor furniture for relaxing
• Shaded sun deck
• Bathroom on dive deck
• Two fresh water showers on back deck
• Maximum 20 divers

DIVING
Rocio del Mar has been designed specifically with divers in mind:
• Spacious camera table with multiple outlets and dry storage
• Each diver has their own dive station with storage for their gear
• Two inflatable pangas each with their own driver
• Experienced divemasters lead all dives
• Nitrox available at additional charge

MEALS
This is one of the things that our liveaboards are best known for … the food!

Each day starts early with a continental breakfast with fresh fruit, cereals, bagels, yogurt, breads, and freshly brewed coffee. After the first dive guests enjoy a full, plated breakfast. After the second dive, guests will be served a full, plated lunch with a hot, homemade soup to start. In the afternoon, we serve a large snack often of sandwiches, fruit, cheeses and more. For dinner guests enjoy a three course, plated meal with a salad, entrée, and dessert. Hot and cold beverages are always available including canned soft drinks.

Divers also enjoy complimentary beer and wine after their last dive of the day. Most special dietary needs can be accommodated.

CREW
The only thing better than the food aboard Rocio del Mar is THE CREW! Our captain, steward, panga drivers, divemasters and engineer work together as a team to ensure not only your comfort and safety, but that you come away feeling like you have a new family in Mexico. No request is too big or too small and we are here to make your dive trip memorable.

OTHER AMENITIES
Guests enjoy Tempur-Pedic® mattresses and quality bed linens. Our steward cleans all rooms, bunks, and bathrooms during the first dives of the day. We provide bath towels and dive deck towels.

To see a video on the diving in the Sea of Cortez click HERE

SEA OF CORTEZ / EXPLORE BAJA
Sep and Oct - 12 nights / 13 days

Each day you will awake to a fantastic sunrise amongst some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world with cear skies, deep blue seas, and terrain only millions of years could create. Enjoy three to four 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, dive with playful sea lion colonies and see countless eels, octopus, fish, and jumping mobula rays.

The bio-diversity between the northern and southern Sea of Cortez is incredible and diving the entire Baja is spectacular! The sea life we witness on the surface from the boat, dingys or snorkeling is fantastic.

We can see dolphins, sea lions, pilot whales, humpback whale, fin whales, blue whales, sperm whales, orcas and flying mobula rays. We also have incredible birds including blue and brown footed boobie birds, cormorants, frigate birds and the endemic yellow footed gulls.

In the south we dive the national park in Loreto and guests can spend a nice evening walking and dining in Loreto. We do a night dive with mobula rays and dive wrecks Fang Ming and Salvaterra.

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.
ITINERARY

Our Explore Baja destination truly is an exploration. The below itinerary is a guideline only as, truly, anything can happen and flexibility will help you to enjoy this adventure to its fullest. We always want to be open-minded so that we can take advantage of what nature brings our way!

Puerto Peñasco to San José del Cabo

Day 1 - Board the boat at 5 pm / Dinner at 7 pm.

Day 2 - Three dives at Isla Angel de la Guarda and a sunset cruise.

Day 3 - One morning dive than snorkeling with whale sharks. Two dives in the afternoon.

Day 4 - Three dives plus a night dive at Isla Salsipuedes.

Day 5 - Four dives at San Pedro Martir Island.

Day 6 - Four dives at Isla San Ildefonso.

Day 7 - Three dives at Isla Coronado Island. Visit and dinner in Loreto.

Day 8 - Three dives at Isla Danzante and an afternoon hike at Honeymoon Beach.

Day 9 - Four dives at Isla las Animas.

Day 10 - Three dives at Isla del Espiritu Santo Island and a mobula night dive.

Day 11 - Dives at Jardines de la Reina Island.

Day 12 - Two dives at Cabo Pulmo National Park and one dive outside of the park.

Day 13 - Arrival in San José del Cabo and disembark at 8:30 am.

San José del Cabo to Puerto Peñasco

Day 1 - Board at 5 pm / Dinner at 7 pm.

Day 2 - Two dives at Cabo Pulmo National Park and one dive outside of the park.

Day 3 - Dives at Jardines de la Reina Island.

Day 4 - Three dives at Isla del Espiritu Santo Island and a mobula night dive.

Day 5 - Four dives at Isla las Animas.

Day 6 - Three dives at Isla Danzante and an afternoon hike at Honeymoon Beach.

Day 7 - Three dives at Isla Coronado Island. Visit and dinner in Loreto.

Day 8 - Four dives at Isla San Ildefonso.

Day 9 - Four dives at San Pedro Martir Island.

Day 10 - Three dives plus a night dive at Isla Salsipuedes.

Day 11 - One morning dive than snorkeling with whale sharks. Two dives in the afternoon.

Day 12 - Three dives at Isla Angel de la Guarda and a sunset cruise.

Day 13 - Arrive in Puerto Peñasco / Disembark at 7 am.