Explorations of the Sea of Cortez October 18-30, 2025

13 DAYS, 700 MILES, 20 LIKE-MINDED ADVENTURES, ENDLESS BEAUTY TO CAPTIVATE OUR SOULS.

During this remarkable voyage we’ll explore ever-changing landscape and reefs starting at one end of Baja and ending at the other.  This voyage is only offered a couple times a year when conditions are just right. I booked the Rocio del Mar three years in advance in order to nab this opportunity for us. Am I excited? Yes!
We’ll experience what very few people have. A journey where there are no roads, very few people and almost no boats.

We’ll wake up to beautiful sunrises amongst some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world with clear skies, deep blue seas and snorkel on untouched walls and reefs abounding in marine life.  

Between the northern and southern Sea of Cortez we’ll discover incredible biodiversity. From the smallest of gobies and nudibranchs to the largest fish in the world, whale sharks.
We’ll snorkel with playful sea lions, turtles, octopus, countless schools of fish and graceful mobula rays.

The Sea of Cortez is home to large and small cetaceans. We’ll keep our eyes out for sightings dolphins, orcas, fin whales, blue whales and humpbacks.
 Jacques Cousteau called the Sea of Cortez “the world’s aquarium” because of its immense diversity. Who knows who we might meet during our 13-day adventure!

There is also incredible bird life in Baja, including blue and brown footed boobie birds, cormorants, frigate birds and the endemic yellow footed gulls.

During the day we move from one island to the next, snorkeling up to 3 times a day.
We’ll have time to hike through gorgeous desert landscapes and kayak around the islands.

Between activities we’ll indulge with amazing meals!

ITINEARY PUERTO PEÑASCO TO SAN JOSE DEL CABO
Flexibility is key on an expedition of this nature. The schedule will be adjusted based on prevailing weather and sea conditions. Not to mention detours if there are unique animal sightings! 

October 18, 2025  Arrive Phoenix in time to catch our 1:00pm private shuttle to Puerto Peñasco. The journey takes about 4 ½ hours. We will cross the border and along the way, the shuttle stops at a convenience store for a restroom and snack break. 

We’ll board the Rocio del Mar around 5:30pm, settle in and have dinner on board. And our adventure at sea begins!

Day 2: Isla Ángel de la Guarda, great place for macro critters. Sunset cruise with sea lions
Day 3: Bahía de los Ángeles.   The “Bay of the Angels” is a Biosphere Reserve in the Midriff Islands. Each year between August and November the whale sharks are attracted to Bahia de Los Angeles by the abundance of plankton. Lucky for us, It’s rare to see more than one or two other boats in the bay. We’ll have time to hike in the afternoon.
Day 4: Isla Salsipuedes / Isla Las Ánimas, 2-3 snorkels
Day 5: Isla San Pedro Mártir, 2- 3 snorkels, great place for nudibranchs and small creatures and a fun snorkel with sea lions
Day 6: Isla San Ildefonso / 2-3 snorkels
Day 7: Isla Coronado, Loreto. We’ll snorkel around the national park in Loreto and that evening we can choose to explore the town and dine in a local restaurant.
Day 8: Isla Danzante, morning snorkel and afternoon hike at Honeymoon Beach
Day 9: Isla Las Ánimas 
Day 10 and 11 Isla Espiritu Santo. Enjoy snorkeling with the friendliest sea lions in the Sea of Cortez. Night snorkel with mobulas.
Day 12: Isla Cerralvo, also known as Jacques Cousteau Island
October 30, 2025.  Arrive in San José del Cabo and disembark at 8:30 am. You are free to fly out of Cabo SJD airport this afternoon or you may consider extending your stay!

ROCIO DEL MAR

The Rocio Del Mar is a much loved boat with a dedicated and experienced crew that make every trip as special as possible.   The Rocio del Mar is very comfortable and well run. The boat is made completely of steel and with it’s stabilizers it makes for good sailing and crossings.

There are ten comfortable cabins on two decks. All cabins have private bathrooms with hot water stalls, air-conditioning and picture windows.
Eight cabins are on the main deck.  Cabins 1-6 feature two single beds. Cabins 7-8 feature a queen bed.
Cabins 9-10 are on the upper deck. Each features a full size lower bed and a single size bed.
All cabins have ample storage space.  Bath towels and dive deck towels are provided.
Voltage aboard the Rocio Del Mar is 110.

The large dive deck has lots of room for everyone’s gear and a spacious camera table. The dive platform allows for easy boarding on the skiffs and has two outdoor showers for rinsing off after our snorkel sessions.  The snorkels will be made from two 18 ft. skiffs that have sturdy, easy to use ladders.  And once we get back to the boat the crew will put our gear away for us!

Delicious Mexican and Continental cuisine is served in the spacious dining room.  Meals focus on local fresh ingredients. Food restrictions are easily catered to. The salon features full-sized sofas, a TV, and a computer station. An outside covered deck with comfortable patio furniture and a shaded sundeck with lawn chairs perfect for relaxing between snorkels. The top deck has plenty of room to spread out and watch the whales and dolphins and enjoy a barbecue.

EXPLORATIONS OF THE SEA OF CORTEZ:
$4995.00 per person based on Double Occupancy. 
This departure is sold out. Please contact Wendy@Snorkelingetc.com to be added to the waitlist.

PRICE INCLUDES:

• 12 Nights on board the Rocio del Mar
• All taxes & port fees
• All meals, snacks, and beverages including canned soft drinks
• Complimentary local beer and wine
• Weights, and weight belts

You are welcome to bring along your own beverages (including alcoholic beverages) if there is something special you would like.

NOT INCLUDED:

• Airfare to Phoenix 
• Airfare from Cabo to your home city
• Group bus transfer from Phoenix to Puerto Penasco. Approx. $125
• Mexican Tourist Card-$35.00
• National Park Fee – $28 per person
• Dinner in Loreto
• Airport transfers 
• Crew Gratuity
• Fuel Surcharge if applicable

I hope you will be able to join me on this exceptional journey to experience the beauty and wonders of the Sea of Cortez!
Wendy@Snorkelingetc.com

Wendy Simon
CEO/and Fellow Snorkel Addict
Snorkeling Etc. Inc.
Santa Cruz, CA.
831 254-5001