Northern Sea of Cortez Group Dive Trip | Scuba Center

	Scuba Center Eagan 1571 Century Point Eagan, Minnesota 55121 (651) 681-8434	Scuba Center Minneapolis 5015 Penn Ave South Minneapolis, Minnesota 55419 (612) 925-4818

Northern Sea of Cortez: Sep 5-12, 2026

Midriff Islands in the Sea of Cortez, Mexico.

Rocio del Mar is approved by the Coast Guard and is highly seaworthy. It is equipped with state-of-the-art electronics and all necessary safety equipment, ensuring your peace of mind during the dive expeditions. The Sea of Cortez is along the same fault line as the San Andreas Fault. The only other similar topography can be found in the Red Sea! Its northern terminus is in northern Mexico - just a 4 hour drive from Phoenix, Arizona. Legendary explorer and inventor, Jacques Cousteau, called it the “world’s aquarium”. You will dive with sea lion colonies, dense schools of fish, eels, octopuses and jumping mobula rays. Macro photographers will delight in seeing colorful blennies, dancing jawfish, nudibranchs and sea horses.

Rocio Del Mar | Northern Sea of Cortez group dive trip | Scuba Center Dive Travel To enjoy these amazing dives, we will be traveling on the Rocio Del Mar. The vessel is 110’ feet long with a 25’ beam. It comfortably accommodates 20 guests in 10 air conditioned cabins. There is a large salon with full sized sofas to relax in after your dives. A shaded deck offers another space perfect for relaxing and taking in the beautiful desert scenery. It is also where you want to be to enjoy the amazing desert sunrises and sunsets!

There is a myriad of surface attractions to enjoy while the boat is underway. Guests consistently see giant pods of dolphins and whale species - including pilot, fin, sperm, and orcas. As you might expect with waters teeming with life, bird life is also fantastic. Blue and brown footed boobie birds, cormorants, frigate birds, and the endemic yellow-footed gulls are commonly seen.

Rocio Del Mar liveaboard Northern Sea of Cortez | We dive from two 18' Achilles inflatable pangas, each with a driver vigilantly looking for bubbles. Getting from the boat to the dive site typically takes just a few minutes. The pangas have sturdy, easy-to-use ladders. | Scuba Center Dive Travel Between dives, you'll savor delicious cuisine prepared with fresh, local ingredients, adding another layer of enjoyment to your adventure. | Rocio Del Mar 3-4 dives are offered daily. The dive deck is well organized with each diver assigned a dive station. For photographers there is a spacious camera table with plenty of 110 outlets. Dives are done from 18 foot inflatable pangas. Boat rides are typically just a few minutes long. A custom designed boarding ladder makes exiting the water easy. The dive crew is happy to assist divers with knee or back issues.

You will enjoy ample and delicious meals during your stay on the Rocio Del Mar. Each day starts with a continental breakfast with fresh fruit, cereals, bagels, yogurt, breads and freshly brewed coffee. After the first dive guests enjoy a made to order breakfast. After the second dive you will be served homemade soup and a hot plated lunch. Snacks are served after the 3rd dive. Dinner is three courses; salad, entrée, and homemade dessert.

A great thing about this trip is how easy it is to get there! We will fly into Phoenix. Upon arriving at the Sky Harbor Airport, a shuttle service will take us the rest of the way crossing the border to Puerto Penasco, Mexico where the Rocio Del Mar docks. After boarding, we sail 12 hours to the Midriff islands where we begin our week of incredible diving the following morning!

Includes:

Rocio Del Mar Midriff Islands in the Sea of Cortez, Mexico | Covered patio with comfortable outdoor furniture for relaxing. | Scuba Center Group Dive Trips

The Rocio Del Mar liveaboard offers 10 Private Staterooms with ensuite bathroom.

Ground transfers from Sky Harbor Airport, Phoenix to Puerto Penasco, Mexico and return.
7 nights on board the Rocio Del Mar
All meals, snacks and beverages, including soft drinks, local beer and wine
All taxes and port fees
3 to 4 dives daily plus 2 night dives*
Tanks and weights
*Friday before departure there will be 2 morning dives followed by a whale shark snorkeling excursion.

Not included in the package:

Roundtrip airfare to Phoenix
National Park Fee – $5.75 per day of diving**
Nitrox Fee - $140
Crew gratuity
Mexican Tourist Card - $35**
Incidental charges: Individual group members will be responsible for their own charges including but not limited to beverages and bar bill, telephone, internet usage, sightseeing, equipment rental of any sort, gratuities and any other items of a personal nature.
**Note: Costs may vary due to changes in the exchange rate.

Please note the following:

You will dive with sea lion colonies, dense schools of fish, eels, octopuses and jumping mobula rays. | Northern Sea of Cortez dive trip.

Rocio Del Mar diving vacation in the Sea of Cortez. | Scuba Center

Scuba certification card required for each diver.
We recommend all divers purchase DAN membership.
We highly recommend all travelers purchase travel insurance.
A passport is required for travel.

Dates: Sep 5-12, 2026

Trip Cost: $3325 *** (Per Person/Double Occupancy)

***All rates quoted by Scuba Center include a 3% discount for cash/check payments.

Reservations / Deposit Information:

$500 deposit is required at registration

Registration: An application for this trip must be completed by each traveler at the time of registration. You may pick up a trip application at either store or print out our Scuba Center Trip Application. Complete the application and fax, mail or drop off in person with a $500 non-refundable deposit per person.

For more information, contact our Travel Department.

DAN Membership & Diving Insurance

Sample packing checklist