La Paz, on the Sea of Cortez, is famous for its varied marine life-- especially large animals. Hammerheads circle the seamounts looking for love, and whalesharks feed along their migration route.  Enjoy close encounters with manta rays, sea lions, orcas, dolphins, turtles, schooling jacks, tuna, groupers, eels, nudibranchs, and beautiful black coral sea fans. Some years we've spotted pilot whales, marlin and even elephant seals-- you just don't know what you're gonna get under there. 

What you do know:  the boat rides will be scenic, the water will be 82-84, the visibility will approach 100 feet, and October is the best time of year to spot schooling hammerheads.  Also, we can hire a spotter-plane to almost guarantee a swim with whalesharks.  Lunch between dives is on off-shore islands, they usually set up a great BBQ-- and they bring beer for the boat ride home.  The sunsets are magical.  See pictures from previous trips in the Gallery.

The city of La Paz (meaning "peaceful") is fantastic.  You'll love walking to town on the malecon along the water, for a sea food dinner as fresh as they come.  Club El Morro has spacious rooms, some with kitchenettes, and a pool-bar.

About the dive sites:

LOS ISLOTES ISLAND: known as the Sea Lion Colony, located north of Holy Spirit Island, about an hour and a half boat ride from La Paz. Besides the 200-300 sea lions, you will also see a large variety of fish.

EL BAJO: with seamounts in 60 to 150 ft of water, El Bajo is an excellent spot for advanced divers. Due to the strong currents, the swimming can be difficult, and divers can hold onto rocks while watching for the large animals:  schools of hammerheads, whale sharks, manta rays, marlins and more. For those who like to explore underwater, this is absolutely the best dive site of the Sea of Cortez

EL BAJITO: next to the sea lion colony lies a beautiful dive site where the cracks on the sea floor are covered with soft coral. Small manta rays, eels, and big fish can be seen here.

WHALE ISLAND: this small, whale-shaped island has caves, crevices, rocky reefs, and a coral forest at 10-60 ft. This area is protected from the wind and the current is mild, you will see fish exclusively found in the Sea of Cortez, such as the Cortez Angelfish.

SALVATIERRA WRECK: a 250 foot ferry boat that sank in 1976, this wreck lies 45-60 feet deep in the San Lorenzo Channel at the southern end of Holy Spirit Island. Common residents of this area include snappers and reef fish.

Trip package includes:

• 5 nights lodging at Club El Moro
• 3 days of boat diving (2-3 dives per day)
• Lunches on diving days
• Tanks, weights, and weight belts
• All hotel taxes
• Transfers to hotel (but not on departure)
• Roundtrip airfare from SFO to La Paz (based on availability)

Optional:

• 4th day of diving ($115)
• Ultra-light spotter plane to locate whale sharks (approx. $20)
• Extension to Las Animas dive site
• Suite upgrade at Club El Moro ($160)
• 3 day surfing safari on the East Cape (Oct 15-18)
• 2-tank boat dives at Cabo Pulmo ($65)

Reservations:
A deposit of $500 per person will reserve your space. Full payment is due  September 12, 2009.

No refunds on air, no refunds on diving after 4 weeks prior to departure date. Price based on double occupancy and is subject to change.

Make a Reservation Today!

California Seller of Travel #:  2020378-40