Enjoy the Rocio Del Mar's world class experince diving in the Sea of Cortez. There is a reason they get so many return customers. The Sea of Cortez is incredibly diverse with a vast array of blennies, jawfish, rays, massive schools of fish, seahorses, frogfish, Mexican Horn Sharks, and the list goes on and on. They have a large population of sea lions and a lot of whale activity on this particular trip, consistently seeing Pilot, Fin, and Sperm Whales. The Rocio del Mar is a family-owned liveaboard and a longtime partner of REEF. The boat is a spacious 110-foot vessel with an excellent crew.
Project Focus: The purpose of this trip is to conduct fish surveys to support REEF's Volunteer Fish Survey Project. Click here to learn more about participating in fish surveys on a REEF Field Survey Trip!
Best Suited For: Divers.
Accommodations: The Rocio del Mar accommodates 20 passengers. There are 10 air-conditioned cabins onboard, which sleep two people each. Six cabins have two twin bunks, two cabins have a full bed and twin bunk, and two cabins have a Queen bed. Each cabin has drawers for storage, as well as space under the bottom bunks and clothing/towel hooks. Each cabin also has a private bathroom with a shower.
Diving: There will be 3-4 dives per day. Water temperature during this time of year will be in the low 80s with the possibility of thermoclines so a wetsuit and hood or hooded vest is recommended. All divers are required to have a dive computer, safety sausage (SMB), and a whistle. All diving is done from two inflatable zodiacs. 80 cubic foot tanks, weights, and weight belts are included in the cost of the charter. Nitrox is available by request for an additional fee. Proof of dive certification and dive insurance are required for diving.
Pricing, Inclusions, and Other Fees
$3,095 per person based on double occupancy.
Your Package Includes: Seven nights of double occupancy accommodation in a cabin onboard the Rocio del Mar, all dives, 3 daily meals plus snacks, beverages including soda, local beer, and wine, taxes and port fees, tanks, and weights.
REEF Program Fee: A REEF Program Fee of $300 will be added to each package to cover the cost of the group leader, seminar, and REEF survey materials. The REEF Program Fee applies to all divers and any attendee age 18 or older.
Additional Fees - Not Included: The following costs are not included in the price paid to REEF. All flights, Marine park fees, transfers to and from the boat, optional nitrox, gratuities, and insurance. Gratuities are at each individual's discretion. The Rocio del Mar reserves the right to implement a fuel surcharge if the cost of fuel surpasses 20 pesos per liter. Should this occur, all guests will be notified prior to boarding.
Registration
To reserve your space, email trips@REEF.org or call 305-588-5869. A $500 per person deposit will be due to confirm your reservation. Visit our Trip Policies page for more information on deposit and payment schedules.
Mexico Travel Info
Insurance: Travel insurance is not included. REEF strongly recommends that each participant purchase adequate dive travel insurance to protect you from unforeseen circumstances. REEF partners with both DiveAssure and DAN to offer travel insurance packages specifically for divers. REEF will receive a portion of the proceeds from travel insurance purchases when you click on the following affiliate links for DiveAssure or DAN.
How to Get There: The Rocio del Mar is located at the Marina Fonatur in Puerto Penasco, Mexico. Marina Fonatur is approximately a 4-hour drive from Phoenix, Arizona. Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) is the most convenient and closest airport to fly into to reach the port. Participants should ensure that their flights arrive in Phoenix no later than 11am on Sept. 12 in order to catch the shuttle, which departs at 1pm (details below.) The boat will return to port on September 19 where participants should be ready to disembark the boat at 7am via the same shuttle. Participants should book departing flights at 2pm or later out of Phoenix (PHX). Participants are responsible for booking flights their own flights out of Phoenix.
Transfers: Transfers are not included in the cost of the trip. Rocio del Mar coordinates transportation services to and from Phoenix and Marina Fonatur through Head Out to Rocky Point. This shuttle service has 15 passenger vans that haul trailers for dive gear. The cost for the shuttle is around $150 per person (as of sept 2023), payable directly to Head Out to Rocky Point. Payment will be made prior to the trip. If you require this service, please indicate this on your Rocio del Mar passenger forms, which you will be prompted to complete a few months before the trip. The shuttle will cross the international border between the US and Mexico. Head Out to Rocky Point is very familiar with this process and is there to help. The driver will also stop along the way, allowing people to use the restroom and purchase snacks and beverages.
Passports, Documentation and Visas: Visitors to Mexico are required to have a current passport with at least one blank page. U.S. citizens visiting Mexico for less than 180 days do not require a visa. Please refer to the appropriate consulate for requirements to enter Mexico.
COVID-19 Considerations: It is the participant's responsibility to ensure that they understand and comply with all local requirements (for entry and visit as a tourist) of the host destination and for exit and entry requirements for their home country. Be prepared for your plans to change. Be sure your travel insurance covers COVID-related issues. No travel is risk-free during the COVID-19 pandemic. Countries may further restrict travel or bring in new rules at short notice, for example, due to a new COVID-19 variant. Please be aware that REEF is not a travel agent. We are doing our best to interpret the information provided by our trip vendor and the host country’s government COVID-19 webpages. We encourage everyone to do their own research, interpretation, and due diligence. Please see REEF’s COVID-19 Considerations and Vaccine Policies section on our REEF Field Survey Trips Policies page for more information.