2025 Whale Shark and Sea Lion Expedition in the Sea of Cortez

2025 Whale Shark and Sea Lion Expedition in the Sea of Cortez

Join us for a wild adventure! Dive into the crystal-clear waters of the Sea of Cortez on the Ultimate Whale Shark & Sea Lion Trip 2025. This thrilling exploration is packed with underwater excitement and gorgeous marine life encounters.

Why join us? 1. Expert Photography Workshops: Learn from the pros and upgrade your underwater photography skills while snap-happily capturing the action. 2. World-Class Liveaboard: Cruise aboard the Rocio Del Mar, one of the most experienced boats sailing in the Sea of Cortez. 3. Jacques Cousteau's Aquarium: Dive in a region dubbed "The Aquarium of the World." 4. Big Animal Encounters: Glimpse massive whale sharks, adorable sea lions, frolicking dolphins, and curious sperm whales. 5. Accessible from the US: Travel is a breeze with a quick 4-hour drive from Phoenix, AZ, or a flight into the nearby airport. 6. 25% Rental Discount: Save on photo gear rentals from Bluewater Photo. 7. Fully Refundable Deposit: You're safe as a cash-conscious adventurer; your deposit is refundable until a year before departure.

When? August 23 - 30, 2025Who's leading the way? Nirupam Nigam and Gillian FlahertyPrice? Just $3,095 for 7 amazing nights aboard the Rocio Del Mar!

Want a sneak peek? Check out our exciting video from previous Sea of Cortez dives!

This adventure offers the perfect combination of massive creatures and fascinating micro-life. With easy access from the US, you'll find this trip hard to resist!

The Sea of Cortez is home to sea lions, whale sharks, manta rays, dolphins, sperm whales, and huge schools of fish. It's also an ideal spot for practicing your macro photography skills, with opportunities to photograph colorful nudibranchs, Panamic arrow crabs, Pacific seahorses, jawfish, small and large octopuses, frogfish, and blennies.

Get ready to embark on this unforgettable journey! The boat will depart from Puerto Penasco at 6 pm on Saturday and arrive at 7 am the following morning for a full day of diving. Dive 3-4 times daily with a customized itinerary including amazing sites like Angel Rock, La Vela, Lolo's Cove, and more.

Join today to explore the breathtaking Sea of Cortez with us in 2025! Learn more about this epic sea adventure and read trip reviews on diving the Sea of Cortez here. Back to the menu

Noteworthy Diving Conditions

• Water temperature: 22-28°C (72-82°F)
• Visibility: 15-30 meters (50-100 feet)
• Depth range: 5-30 meters (16-98 feet)
• Diving difficulty: Beginner to advanced; conditions vary by site

Inclusions

• Three meals per day and snacks
• Beverages including soft drinks, juice, domestic beer, and wine
• Tanks, weights, and weight belts
• One morning of whale shark snorkeling and several dives with sea lions

Exclusions

• Transfers from Phoenix airport ($150 roundtrip)
• Park fees ($35, subject to change)
• Fuel surcharges (none currently)
• Nitrox ($140)
• Gratuity
• Mexican Tourist Card: purchased at the border ($36 CASH ONLY)
• Travel insurance: click here to learn more about our preferred plan

Trip Details

This trip is a PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP led by one of our talented photo instructors. They'll provide daily tutorials, in-water support, and one-on-one advice and guidance throughout the trip. Each workshop's syllabus is tailored to the trip leader and detailed on the trip's webpage. Anyone interested in underwater photography is welcome to join!

Nirupam Nigam & Gillian Flaherty will lead this workshop, sharing their secrets for capturing incredible images. The Sea of Cortez offers a wealth of photo opportunities, from the world's smallest critters (nudibranchs, signal blennies) to the largest (sea lions, whale sharks).

Discover what to expect from this Sea of Cortez trip and read trip reviews on underwater diving here.

Flight Information

Attendees will fly in and out of Phoenix, Arizona, the closest international airport. Fly in on Saturday morning before 11 am, and book departure flights anytime after 2 pm.

Head Out To Rocky Point offers a shuttle service to and from the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, taking approximately 3.5-4 hours. The cost is $150 per person, round trip. All passengers will be picked up at the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport's Terminal 4, Door 5 outside on the far side of the street. Book the round-trip Head Out to Rocky Point Shuttle here: https://www.headouttorockypoint.com/scuba.

1. Prepare for an exhilarating adventure as we delve into the crystal-clear waters of the Sea of Cortez, home to a multitude of magnificent marine life.
2. Embark on the Ultimate Whale Shark & Sea Lion Trip 2025, an expedition brimming with underwater excitement and breathtaking encounters.
3. Enhance your underwater photography skills with expert workshops, capturing the action guided by profesionals.
4. Aboard the Rocio Del Mar, sail one of the most experienced boats in the Sea of Cortez, a world-class liveaboard for this unparalleled journey.
5. Experience the allure of Jacques Cousteau's Aquarium, a region famously dubbed "The Aquarium of the World."
6. The Sea of Cortez houses wondrous creatures, from the gentle giants like whale sharks to the charismatic sea lions, curious sperm whales, and playful dolphins.
7. This alluring sea floor also offers hidden treasures for macro photography enthusiasts, boasting colorful nudibranchs, Panamic arrow crabs, and small and large octopuses.
8. Master your macro photography skills with the diversified marine life, from extraordinary critters such as Pacific seahorses, jawfish, and frogfish to distinctive blennies.
9. Tantalizing dive sites in the Sea of Cortez await you, including Angel Rock, La Vela, Lolo's Cove, and more for awe-inspiring dives.
10. Gear up for an unforgettable voyage as the boat departs from Puerto Penasco at 6 pm on Saturday and arrives the following morning for a full day of diving adventures.
11. Engage in 3-4 dives per day with a customized itinerary, ensuring a mesmerizing underwater experience.
12. Marvel at the diving conditions, with water temperatures ranging from 22-28°C (72-82°F) and visibility reaching up to 30 meters (100 feet).
13. Indulge in hearty meals and refreshments throughout your 7-night stay on the Rocio Del Mar, that includes 3 meals per day and snacks, as well as beverages like soft drinks, juice, domestic beer, and wine.
14. Partake in once-in-a-lifetime activities, like a morning of whale shark snorkeling and several dives with sea lions.
15. This trip provides an incredible opportunity for education-and-self-development and lifestyle transformation through the immersive underwater photography workshops and the broad array of marine life encounters.
16. Win a prestigious contest or enhance your skills with the underwater photography trip's learning experience, and maybe even encounter rare sceneries like backscatter and proper lighting for your captivating imagery in the Lightroom editing tutorials.

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