A joyful group of fourteen women came together for the unforgettable “Wander Women” scuba diving trip in the breathtaking Gulf of California aboard the Quino el Guardian from August 18 to 25, 2024. The week was filled with adventure, laughter, and camaraderie while supporting a good cause — 5% of the trip price is donated to breast cancer research through Dive for a Cure.
The Midriff Islands are a captivating group of nine islands from Angel de la Guarda and Tiburón down to San Pedro Mártir. Surrounded by the Sonoran Desert, the remote paradise is a diver's dream, with vibrant marine life, whale sharks, dolphins, and playful sea lion colonies. The area boasts nearly 900 different species of fish and over 170 types of sea birds, including the blue-footed booby. Every day is a new discovery!
The seven-night adventure includes six days of guided diving in the beautiful Sea of Cortez. With three to four dives per day, including sunset or night dives, there are ample opportunities for unforgettable memories with your girlfriends. Sea creature encounters include inquisitive octopuses, all colors of nudibranchs, orange-throat pike blennies, blue-spotted jawfish, giant jawfish, Cortez stingrays, electric stingrays, the smooth butterfly ray, all the eels, colorful frogfish, pufferfish, porcupinefish, turtles, abundant scorpionfish, and the possibility of seahorses and hammerheads.
Cooler than usual due to tidal currents from the full moon, water temperatures were mid 70s °F, dropping down to mid-60s °F from occasional thermoclines. (Water temperatures typically range in the high 70s and low 80s.) The rich waters, teeming with krill and plankton, provide a lush feeding ground for abundantly diverse marine life.
Our home for the week, the Quino el Guardian is a 90-foot wooden ship redesigned for scuba diving and scientific research. With bunk beds in the shared cabins and community bathrooms on deck, it is the ideal setting for adventuring with friends and making new ones.
Our wonderful crew of nine anticipated every need and expertly met special requests, spoiling us with an impressive variety of delicious meals every day. This included a pre-dive continental breakfast, a hearty full breakfast, satisfying lunches, afternoon snacks, and hearty dinners with dessert. We were also surprised with a grilled Mexican BBQ dinner on deck, a sunset "happy hour" cruise around the islands, and even a special birthday celebration with a cake baked in the galley.
Memories and connections were certainly made among the Wander Women on the Sea of Cortez. We look forward to meeting and diving together again on future trips with Mexico Liveaboards.
Tiffany T.
Tiburon, CA
Sea of Cortez / Midriff Islands
Ladies Only Wander Women Trip
Quino el Guardian
August 2024
Thank you so very much for an absolutely fantastic trip to the Sea of Cortez and Midriff Islands. What an amazing time we had! The boat was great, the weather cooperated (though if you could make it a little less hot, that would be super - haha!), the sea life fantastic, and the crew was superlative. Oh, and my son proposed to his girlfriend on the last evening with the sunset in the background. I believe I speak for the whole group when I say, “Thank you, thank you, thank you for everything - we had the time of our lives.”
Each dive group thought that they had the best divemaster. And to be fair, Nico and Jose were really great. But of course, our DM, Diego, was the best. We loved him! Competent, kind, funny, and really tuned in on our dives, Diego made our undersea sojourns extra special. A couple of stories here to highlight. I’m not the person who usually finds the octopus, the nudibranch, the this, or the that. I usually see what other folks have already found. But on one dive, I spotted the most amazing fish - a Giant Hawkfish. Ever observant, Diego saw me spot it and gave me a “way to go” underwater praising look that made me so happy!
All of the crew was amazing!
The food (Chef Joshua) - Oh. My. God.
Cinco (steward) - what a lovely man.
Ever (panga driver) - Several times upon arriving home, I thought to myself, “When I grow up, I want to be like Ever.” Steady and kind, etc. - wow.
This was my first liveaboard, and I can definitely see booking another trip with you all in the not-too-distant future. I know that some of our group is interested in the two-week trip you offer, and others and I are curious about the Soccorro trips offered.
It was such a pleasure working with you, Susan and team. Thank you, thank you, thank you, gracias, gracias, gracias. We hope to see you again soon!
Carolyn M.
Earlysville, VA
Sea of Cortez / Midriff Islands
Rocio del Mar
August 2024
I just returned from the Sea of Cortez aboard Quino el Guardian, and I must say, the crew's performance was exceptional. They were absolutely fantastic—just as I remember them on my Socorro trip with you. Everardo, Antonio, Abraham, and Manuelito were again on board, so it was lovely to see them again. Joshua's culinary skills were outstanding, making both trips the best food experiences for me on liveaboards. I don't eat meat or chicken, but each meal was wonderful.
Jerson was an exceptional dive guide and cruise director, very focused on safety, and always cheerful, helpful, patient, and kind.
On both of my trips, I have found that the crew works together exceptionally well and as a real team. Their unity and cooperation have a huge effect on the trip's success, and it's something to be proud of.
I know that Quino is an older boat, but like all old ladies - she has character!
The crew was exceptional!
Lorraine B.
Haute Savoie, France
Sea of Cortez / Midriff Islands
Quino el Guardian
September 2024
The crew on our trip aboard Rocio del Mar to the Sea of Cortez were wonderful. Diego was Debbie's and my divemaster. He was fantastic! We had never been on a liveaboard, and I had many questions. All the staff, Emilio, Leo, Nester, Pollo, Alan, Tigre, and Diego, always had answers for us. They greeted us each morning with smiles and happiness.
Deb and I do not dive as much as many people on the boat. We felt like a fish out of water, but we quickly caught on to the routine. The divemasters respected that I only wanted to do two dives a day, so they helped me by giving me an overview of all the dives so I could pick the best two. Deb did more dives, but if she sat out, it was always entertaining to look for fish, dolphins, sea lions, jumping mobula rays, whales, etc.
At first, I could not believe how remote we were. There were no other boats, villages, or towns. It was so beautiful, with a landscape that I'd never seen before. We loved the sea lions that were everywhere. Also, we saw a huge dolphin pod. They surrounded the boat for miles. What an incredible experience.
Manual was on top of all our food and drink needs and taking care of chores. Last but not least, Poncho, the Chef ... THE VEGETARIAN FOOD WAS AMAZING. A vegan said his food was delicious, too, and the regular meals also looked good. Everyone said the food was excellent.
We just loved the crew. I even got teary when we left. Debbie and I had a great experience on your boat and wanted you guys to know.
Thank you and keep up the good work!
Colleen and Debbie
Wheat Ridge, CO
Sea of Cortez / Midriff Islands
Rocio del Mar
August 2024
My trip on Rocio del Mar last week was great. I really enjoyed the crew. They are hard-working, pleasant, professional, and skilled. I really felt well taken care of, and I knew my panga driver would be waiting when I got to the surface. The divemasters were great, and the food was super. And the diving conditions were good, and the weather was great. I was surprised by the sheer number of nudibranchs, so many species. Great stuff.
Philip C.
San Diego, CA
Sea of Cortez / Midriff Islands
Rocio del Mar
July 2024
I was fortunate enough to participate in the Sea of Cortez/Midriff Islands trip chartered by Bluewater Travel.
I have been privileged to spend the last 42 years diving and traveling. I wanted to share that I found the crew of the Rocia del Mar to be extraordinarily professional, highly motivated, and tremendous ambassadors of ocean travel and diving. Thank you for demanding such an exemplary standard. The boat was spotless upon our arrival; clearly, everything had been thoughtfully prepared to make this a divers boat. The cabin was perfectly suited to my needs and provided a wonderful respite from the heat.
But most of all, irrespective of the function of a boat, its decorative details, its stability or design, nothing can replace a knowledgeable, attentive, and responsible crew. We had Bob maternally hovering about the boat and divers fussing over safety. Not in an intrusive or condescending manner, but rather in a clear and logical way that made it clear that safety is part of the heart of the boat.
Marco was our dive guide, and I must admit that his mischievous attitude belied an immense knowledge of the ocean and its creatures and his unrelenting observation of the dive group. He is amongst the finest dive guides I have ever had the pleasure of diving with. While completely unobtrusive, he was always merely a fin kick away, carefully watching our behavior underwater and determining how much independence to provide us. We felt completely safe in his hands.
Your chef is a delight. Vegetarians are typically subjected to pasta, pasta, sauce, fried pasta, pasta with butter, salad, and pasta salad. Much to our delight, he prepared tasty treats with great imagination that were pure joy. It was wonderful.
The Captain and crew proved themselves yet again when we were struck by 80 mph winds during the night. They promptly sought safe harbor and dealt with any safety issues and potential gear loss.
I believe a wonderful time was had by all and, despite the fact that by doing this, I may not be able to find a vacancy for myself in the future, I recommend the boat and its crew without reservation if one is seeking a wonderful adventure.
Thank you.
Max Weinman
Atlanta, GA
Sea of Cortez / Midriff Islands
Rocio del Mar
August 2023
First of all, I would like to express our gratitude to the entire crew; we can say it is the best crew we have ever had on a liveaboard. The dedication to the clients and the good atmosphere make one of the best crews we have ever had. They knew our names by day two. Thanks a lot, from the Captain to Tigre (the maquinista).
In second place, Manuel and Carlos. What food! That was crazy! I would like to express my gratitude to these guys. This is the best food we have ever had on a liveaboard.
In the third palace, the guides were amazing: Jerson, Emilio and Quique. We would like to have the same guides next year. They were always trying to find the animals and giving 100%!
Finally, I want to express the flexibility you gave us related to the payments. As you know, we are a small company in Spain and, while we are growing quite fast, we are not a big agency. So, thanks again for your understanding and for working with us.
We are thrilled to have another trip with you next year, and, hopefully, we can do two trips in a row with Quino soon.
Pol Vives
Odiocean
Barcelona, Spain
Socorro / Revillagideo
Quino el Guardian<>January 2024
We had an incredible trip, and I wanted to tell you what a fantastic crew you have. I met some of the crew in Socorro last time, and just a few weeks ago, I met them again at the Midriff Islands on a trip with REEF. We had the honor of having Captain Julio as our dingy captain and then again as the ship captain! He has a smile from his heart and an excellent team that respects and likes him, too!
This was the first time I met Chef Miquel and Steward Manolito. The food was great, the presentation fun and fresh each time, and the meals were very accommodating to every passenger. It's really amazing to pull this off with all the specific food needs people may have or want. He told me he had been doing this for 20 years, and it was nice to see how much he still loved it. My friend, Peggy and I were trying to guess how old Manolito is and found out he is the same age as our granddaughter. He is a beautiful person with a shy smile and always knew what I wanted before I asked. He is a great kid.
I was on both pangas, and I can tell you our two panga drivers are strong men! WOW! I am so thankful for their skills in doing what they do with us: getting on and off the panga, keeping track of us underwater, and pulling our gear in the boat. They still have fun with us and remember our names and gear. I could chat with Manolo (no Spanish for me, unfortunately), and we shared family pictures and learned where we each came from and how we grew up differently yet very similar. He is a good person, and I enjoyed getting to know him better on this trip.
I spent most of my time with Marco (he was also our divemaster on the fish geek REEF, trip). He is a phenomenal diver and really has a knack for keeping track of a bunch of people who don't understand they are supposed to keep track of him. :) What I enjoyed the most about Marco, Jerson, and Nico is their raw passion for the sea and its treasures. They were just as excited about our amazing encounters as we were! I watched Marco call a manta over. He gave it a bubble tickle from underneath. Then I did it. It was a truly moving experience to be within 6 "-12" of a manta and have it look me right in the eye, stop, and stay. It was unlike any encounter I have ever had. Your divemasters are a great team.
Norberto (engineer) and I have met before. I first met him by asking what engines were on Rocio del Mar. When he said Caterpillar, I told him (through a translator) that my husband Frank and I retired from Caterpillar. I received a great engine room tour and enjoyed his ready smile. Norberto came out of this trip as my hero. When my 2nd stage pin fell out, I could not inflate my donut. He went to his toolbox and came up with a piece of thick wire, cut it to length, and two tie straps. In about 5 minutes, he had me fixed up and working. All with a kind heart and smile. When I came up from the next dive, he asked how it worked, all without words.
You have an exceptional crew, and this is why people dive your boats. It is the people on the boat and the amazing sights they take us to "sea" in our oceans.
Thank you for everything, and I hope to return again.
Kindest Regards,
Marie J Kearney
Fuquay Varina, NC
Revillagideo
Rocio del Mar
November 2023
The trip to Socorro aboard Quino el Guardian was an amazing adventure. The crew was off-the-charts amazing!
So careful and attentive. The other divers were so much fun to be with.
I’m really grateful!!
Nancy B.
Laguna Hills, CA
Socorro / Revillagideo
November 2023
Hi Dora,
Just a shout-out about another great trip to Socorro. The crew on the Quino el Guardian is truly amazing, with a special mention for Victor. One of our group was having trouble diving in the current. He offered her his fins and went the extra mile to make her trip safe and memorable.
Martin Burke
Rochelle, NY
Socorro / Revillagideo
August 2023
Special note: Martin has dived with us to Socorro four times!
I was fortunate enough to participate in the Sea of Cortez trip run by Nirupam from Blue Water Travel.
I have been privileged to spend the last 42 years diving and traveling, and I found the crew of the Rocio Del Mar to be extraordinarily professional, highly motivated, and tremendous ambassadors of ocean travel and diving. Thank you for demanding such an exemplary standard. The boat was spotless upon our arrival, and clearly, everything had been thoughtfully prepared to make this very much a divers boat. The cabin (dolphin cabin), was perfectly suited to my needs and provided a wonderful respite from the heat.
But most of all, irrespective of the function of a boat, its decorative details, its stability or design, nothing can replace a crew that is knowledgeable, attentive, and responsible. We had Bob maternally hovering about the boat and divers fussing over safety. Not in an intrusive or condescending manner, but rather clearly and logically that made it clear that safety is part of the heart of the boat.
Marco was our dive guide, and I must admit that his mischievous attitude belied an immense knowledge of the ocean, its creatures, and his unrelenting observation of the dive group. He is amongst the finest dive guides I have ever had the pleasure of diving with. While completely unobtrusive, he was always merely a fin kick away, carefully watching the nature of our behavior underwater and determining just how much independence to provide us. We felt completely safe in his hands.
Your chef is a delight. For vegetarians, we are typically subjected to pasta, pasta, and sauce, fried pasta, pasta with butter, salad, and pasta salad. Much to our joy, he prepared with great imagination tasty treats that were pure joy. It was wonderful.
The Captain and crew proved themselves yet again when 80 mph winds struck us during the night, and they promptly sought a safe harbor and dealt with any safety issues and potential gear loss.
A wonderful time was had by all, and even though by doing this, I may not be able to find a vacancy for myself in the future, I recommend the boat and its crew without reservation if one is seeking a wonderful adventure.
Max Weinmann
Atlanta, GA
Sea of Cortez/Midriff Islands
Rocio Del Mar
August 2023
We went on the Quino el Guardian with a group of 14 divers in July 2023. We had an amazing time with the crew on board visiting the Sea of Cortez!
Everyone was ready to help and offer impeccable service! We felt safe on the boat, and all the equipment was in good condition. The food was also excellent, and the chef accommodated everyone with food restrictions.
We cannot wait to be back with another group!
Also, the administrative process was a charm with Susan, Carmina, and Valerie.
Thanks again for this unforgettable experience!
Marie-Eve and Carlos
Voyage Aqua-Mundo
Quebec, Canada
Sea of Cortez/Midriff Islands
Quino el Guardian
July 2023
My name is Tanner, and I was just on a trip to the Sea of Cortez with Mountain Bay Scuba. I just wanted to take the time to let you know that the entire crew was amazing, and they made the trip well worth the time and travel. Jerson was my group's divemaster, and he was absolutely amazing! He made the trip fun and safe while diving. Not to take away from everyone else because they, too, made a huge impact on the trip, from Cinco (steward) and the panga drivers. I will look into a future Socorro trip, hopefully with Jerson as my divemaster!
Tanner H.
Wisconsin
Mountain Bay Scuba Group
Sea of Cortez/Midriff Islands
Rocio del Mar
July 2023
I organized a group trip on the Rocio del Mar to Socorro for April 2023 and could not have asked for a better experience. The process was easy. Susan and Carmina were always there to answer my questions at any time on any day!! My clients loved the experience. Many of them mentioned it's the best food they've had on a liveaboard!
The whole crew on board was amazing. Their level of customer service is outstanding. They really set the bar high.
I had another trip booked with Mexico Liveaboards already, but when we got back, I booked another! We just can't get enough. Thank you, Mexico Liveaboards team!
Maira T.
Mar Hosted Trips
Texas
Rocio del Mar
Socorro
April 2023
I went aboard Quino el Guardián in March 2023 with a group of customers to Socorro. The booking process was easy, and Susan and Carmina were helpful. We all had a wonderful time; the crew was truly amazing, super kind, and attentive. We couldn't hope for more. The chef was perfect, and the food was so delicious. It was more than we ever expected on a liveaboard. And, of course, the diving was fantastic, and our divemaster was great. Overall, the trip was great, and the planning was smooth.
Kim Jaloustre
Mexico
Socorro
Quino el Guardian
March 2023
I was on Quino el Guardian on the trip on March 18-27, 2023. I want to thank the entire crew for the service provided. All of them have shown to be great professionals.
I want to especially mention the great work of Jaime (Jimmy), a divemaster on this trip. During all the dives, he did everything possible to make our experience marvelous. On top of that, he is a great person. Congratulations on your fantastic team!
Juanjo
Spain
Socorro
Quino el Guardian
March 2023
Thank you for the beautiful work you did and the help you gave me to make this trip. It was all perfect, and my group and I had a great time. It would not have been possible without the help of all those who work behind the scenes in the office, answering our questions so quickly.
The entire crew on the boat was so nice and friendly that I couldn't have asked for better. In one word: FANTASTIC!
Five (hundred) stars to Joshua and Leon, who made sure that the chocolate box was always packed! Divemasters Marco, David, and Mauro were the best. All of us fell in love with their hard work.
I can't say enough thanks to Captain Julio for his fantastic job. He was always focused on our safety and fun. And the same for the panga drivers, Sergio and Everardo, who were very professional and always cared for us during and after our dives! And for sure, the smiling Abraham and mariner Manuelito as they were always working around, inside, outside, up and down on the boat and always smiling. They never stopped, and they ensured that we were always comfortable.
A big plus was an amazing sunset barbecue on the boat's top, celebrating my birthday with a giant cake! What else can I ask?
I am delighted to have worked with all of you for my second trip to Revillagigedo with Rocio del Mar, and I hope to continue to do so.
It is an infinite thank you to the entire Rocio del Mar Team.
Manuela C.
Blue Passion Baja
Socorro
Rocio del Mar
February 2023
We just returned from the January 26-February 4, 2023, Socorro trip, and our group was delighted. Not only was the diving superb, but the crew was at the top of their game; Captain Julio was a master, Cinco kept us entertained; Joshua, of course, kept us well fed; the dive masters, panga drivers, and the rest...what a fantastic time was had by all. In fact, we'd like to book a charter with you to Explore Baja in 2026!
Thanks so much for everything!
Steven B.
Paragon Dive Group (Paragon Dive Adventures, Paragon Scuba Academy)
Tucson, AZ
Rocio del Mar
January 2023
My wife and i just returned from the Socorro trip On Rocio del Mar. It was the most mind-blowing, amazing dive trip we have ever taken. I just wanted to take a minute to commend the crew and divemasters on board Everyone ... everyone went out of their way to ensure we could enjoy the experience to the fullest. Please let them know what a life-changing experience they provided!
Robert R.
Elbert, Colorado
Rocio del Mar
January 2023
I have no words to describe my incredible experience aboard El Quino El Guardian on our trip to Socorro. We were a small group of 15 people, including the two dive masters. It was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure in a fantastic paradise with giant manta rays, schools of hammerheads, and a fabulous encounter with dolphins during our last day of diving. Our guide, Marco, was terrific as he was always trying to do his best so that we could see everything. The crew was always attentive and helpful, and the food was incredible. We had a dolphin scientist on board, Fabio, who was so lovely and patient. Fabio told us a lot about marine life, dolphins, and whales, answering all our questions about the ocean. I will never forget this experience.
Marine D.
Germany
Quino el Guardian
January 2023
Thank you again for the beautiful memories I created on the Quino el Guardian Socorro trip on December 2, 2022. I had big expectations for the trip, and all of them were met or even exceeded!!
The booking process was easy, and your office colleagues were always very helpful and friendly. The boat was exactly as you described it in the information sheet. The crew on board was amazing and did a great job, always eager to make every guest happy. The service was great, and the food was always very, very good!
I also must emphasize my praise for one person in particular, as Jerson made sure every guest felt well taken care of and comfortable in the water and on board the Quino el Guardian. Moreover, he never got tired of talking to us, sharing his interesting diving stories with us, and providing entertainment with his music, friendly and motivating announcements, and infectious laughter. On the last day, when we talked about our highlights, everyone agreed that Jerson really created a unique feel-good vibe on board.
Sophie H.
Germany
Quino el Guardian
December 2022
We had a very successful scientific trip to the Revillagigedos, and I want to thank you and the crew for working with us. We were able to photo document a large percentage of the fish species, collected a wide range of species for research and museum collections, and will be doing DNA analysis on all of the species collected. Many scientific papers will be published based on what we documented during this trip. As one of the scientists stated, “This was a trip for the history books.”
I want to thank you and the crew for working with us. Everyone on the boat did everything they could to make this trip successful. We tested your team’s flexibility with our requests for dive & snorkel sites, with daily changes to the panga rosters, and with our requests for delaying departure times to allow for processing the collected specimens and for nightly zooplankton collections. Captain Nestor took every request in stride and did his absolute best to get us to the habitats we wanted, and he gave us the extra time needed in the evenings to collect zooplankton and process the specimens.
The dive and panga teams worked with us to provide in-water support and safety. Both Pollo and Mario helped collect specimens (Mario helped the scientific team collect specimens while Pollo helped bag specimens that we snorkeled over to the panga during our clingfish hunts). David and Victor worked hard to keep the dive groups together underwater, helped us find the habitats we needed, and provided in-water safety. They’ve never experienced dive groups like ours, and they were very supportive of our needs.
The onboard staff was very curious about our research and it was a pleasure to see their interest and enthusiasm for our work.
Joshua deserves special recognition for his cooking. We have been on high-end liveaboards that did not match the quality and presentation of the meals Joshua provided. He and Carlos kept us fueled on truly delicious meals. They were very flexible with meal times, allowing us to incorporate extra snorkel collection time and specimen processing time.
This was a very successful expedition, and we truly appreciate your support. Dr. Sanchez is already talking about returning to the Revi’s to fill in missing habitats.
I look forward to diving with you again.
All the best,
Allison Estape
13-Day Expedition to Revillagigedo, including Clarion island
November 2022
This was our first liveaboard and certainly not the last. Mauro, our divemaster, did everything to have wonderful dives. He was patient, skilled, fun, and relaxed. Peter also helped whenever we had something to ask (he was leading the other group). Being not-so-experienced divers with 25 and 40 dives, everyone was very helpful, making us feel really comfortable. The crew was all, without exception, very positive and professional. In addition to the incredible diving, whenever I came across a crewmember, they were always smiling. Not because they needed to do so for commercial reasons, it seemed just their nature. You do not see hierarchical staff, ordering each other, etc.; instead, they work together as a team, which creates a very friendly environment. Last but not least, the food was much better than I expected. I ate one of my best ribeyes steaks ... on a boat!
And the dives... we saw hammerheads, sea lions, dolphins, huge schools of fish, big turtles, mobula rays, lobsters, incredible sunrises and sunsets, and a carpet of stars. We were not lucky enough to see sperm whales or orcas, but we still had one of the best weeks of our lives on the Sea of Cortez Southern Safari. Now we are saving money for Socorro!!!
Volkan & Alexia
Netherlands
Quino el Guardian
October 2022
The crew and guides were amazing. Every single one of them far exceeded my expectations. In particular, I would like to highlight my guide Marco, who was truly exceptional. I simply cannot sing his praises enough. In my twelve years of diving, he is truly one of the best guides I have ever had. Marco demonstrated incredible competence and leadership while guiding a group of very diverse divers. Our group ranged in skill level from a very new diver to a dive instructor, and Marco provided the appropriate level of guidance and instruction for each skill level. He was extremely attentive and somehow was able to track and monitor each diver, no matter their location across the reef. I felt extremely safe and looked after diving under Marco’s supervision. Although I am an experienced and competent diver, there was great reassurance in knowing that Marco had his eyes everywhere, and that he could provide appropriate support if needed.
Marco’s briefings were thorough, informative, and accurate, and he knew every critter underwater. He made sure every diver saw all the critters that were spotted, thus making sure that the keen photographers did not hog a subject forever. Thanks to his skills and guidance, my macro spotting skills greatly improved. I even found my own sailfin blenny!
Marco maintained a very fun and positive attitude throughout the entire trip, which I know is very difficult to do. His job is not at all easy, and to always provide a smile and a laugh is just a wonderful attribute.
I hope Marco’s contributions and unique skillset are recognized and acknowledged by Rocio del Mar – they are so very lucky to have him!
Karen W.
Bend, OR
Explore Baja / Rocio del Mar
October 2022
This was an amazing and incredible week onboard El Quino el Guardian in the Sea of Cortez and Midriff Islands! I really love the area and the boat was outstanding. But most of all your crew is unbelievably dedicated to making sure we all had a great experience. Their attention to detail and customer service skills were truly admirable. Moreover, they seemed to share a genuine passion for what they do.
I will gladly come back with friends and recommend your boats to everyone!
Steve R.
Mission Viejo, CA
September 2022
On behalf of myself and our group, the Great Outdoors Adventures, I just want to say that we had a really great time on the Quino el Guardian!
From start to finish, everything was excellent, and the crew was absolutely fantastic. We loved every one of them! We especially enjoyed the marine conservation education along the way from marine biologist & researcher Sr. Edgardo Ochoa as we visited the Midriff Islands in the Sea of Cortez. It was amazing to see all the biodiversity of marine life species there at each island: lots of beautiful fish, sting rays, moray eels, and octopus, and also pilot whales, dolphins, sea turtles, marlin, and a silky shark, plus our favorite part were all the playful and curious sea lions at Isla San Pedro Martir Marine Reserve! Evo, our panga driver, even saw a family of orcas go by there too. I can honestly say that in the end, none of us wanted it to be over. It was a lot of fun and an epic experience with priceless new friendships and great memories! Thank you so much for everything.
We look forward to coming back and doing it again soon with Mexico Liveaboards next time on the "Southern Safari" in the amazing Sea of Cortez, Baja California, Mexico!
The "Tres Laura's": Laura H., Laura D., Laura C., & Cristina G.
Quino El Guaridan
August 2022
I wanted to tell you about my experience aboard Quino el Guardian on July 17-24, 2022, to the Sea of Cortez/Midriff Islands.
I have done three liveaboards, and Quino el Guardian is my fourth. Qunio was by far the best liveaboard I have been on for many reasons. This is my list telling you why…
Every crew member on the boat, from the captain and engineer (Abraham) to the chef (Miguel) to the dive masters (Emilio and Enrique Manica) to the pangas driver (Jaime), were genuinely real, wanting to make your trip memorable, always smiling and laughing, and helpful. All around, the best crew ever! When I want to dive on Qunio again, I would want all those guys again. I love every one of them.
I loved having Jonathan Lavan on board. What a knowledgeable man! I learned so much about all the sea life. Without him showing me all the neat life below, I would have missed it. I am happy I was on the same boat with him and can't wait to dive with him again.
All the crew were very well aware of me being deaf and would be sure to get my attention so I would know what was happening. It was sooooo relaxing and peaceful.
The dive masters were fantastic. My dive master Enrique was a great diver - so peaceful and smooth. No stress or worry on any of my dives. Emilio gave good advice to me on equipment and other suggestions.
Chef Miguel - all I can say is OMG! Every meal was mouthwatering. So delicious - just a fabulous cook. I don't eat pork or beef, and he did an excellent job substituting those meats for others. Definitely the best chef I have ever had on a boat. I was worried that I had gained 10 pounds. Luckily it was only one pound.
Our panga driver, Jaime - what a sweetheart. Very helpful. He always ensured I would do a backroll simultaneously with the other divers with his hand signals.
There were 3 or four other people on the boat, and I can't remember their names. But they were all equally excellent. I am so glad that Jonathan Lavan set up this trip. I am overwhelmed with what I learned and the kindness of everyone.
Sudy B.
Idyllwild, CA
I was on Quino el Guardian to the Midriff Islands July 17-24, 2022. I had a great time seeing all the wonderful ocean life in the Sea of Cortez, Golfo de Baja California.
This included the friendliness, knowledge, and professionalism of the crew Los Capi ( Dientes & Teddy), Divemasters (Emilio & Enrique), El Flaco, Sergio, and the Kitchen Wizard - El Chef (Miguel). They made me feel safe and secure above and below the water. I especially enjoyed their frankness as they shared this adventure with us, showcasing "Mejico Lindo" in its splendor. If I miss anybody, please include everybody!! They made my dive trip so memorable!!
I would especially like to thank Jonathan Lavan for promoting your ships and tours that complemented our adventure with his knowledge of the ocean we love!!
Happy Diving!
Alberto V. Poggio
Dana Point, CA
It's been four years since I embarked on my first trip to Revillagigedo with my dad on a citizen science expedition for Stephanie Venables aboard the Quino in May, 2018. I remember pondering heavily before the trip about how it would alter both my perspective and me as a person. From the first moment I saw the glowing white volcanic ash of San Benedicto as the sun rose upon our arrival, I knew this place was special. And when I saw my first oceanic manta ray, I couldn't believe my eyes. I was absolutely hooked.
Meeting Stephanie, now Dr. Venables, and participating in her PhD journey that week inspired me to pursue the exact same thing. I graduated from Rice University in 2019, and enrolled in a marine science master's degree program at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia. I lived in the Middle East for two years, and during that time I studied both oceanic and reef manta rays in the Red Sea. I am so proud to tell you that my first lead author research paper on manta rays has been published. I've attached it below if you would like to look through it. My second paper focusing on oceanic manta rays is currently still being reviewed, but I will be so excited to share this with you once it is published as well.
I just wanted to say thank you for incorporating research and science into your liveaboard expeditions and for supporting us scientists in being able to do our research. Because you built up the citizen science program, I was able to join a life-changing trip that propelled me into marine megafauna research.
Now, I am starting my PhD at Florida International University this August, where I will continue to study large tropical marine megafauna, including reef and oceanic manta rays.
Hope all is well with you and I hope to join another trip to Revillagigedo soon!
Anna Marie Knochel
MSc Marine Science, King Abdullah University of S & T
PhD Student Florida International University
I have been to the Islas de Revillagigedo four times now and always choose the Rocio Del Mar! One trip was on Quino el Guardian and I loved that too. It is the wonderfully warm and efficient crew that beings me back again and again - not just the boat. I was on Rocio's maiden voyage in the Sea of Cortez. Some of the same crew that actually helped build the boat are still on board. I Love you, Everardo and Julio! There is plenty of room for my camera, and the crew takes special care handling it while the divemasters give me the space to set up my shots. Whenever anyone asks, my answer is only Mexico Liveaboards!
Cindy Shaw
Westminster, CA
Rocio del Mar
May 2022
We are on our way home back from our fifth trip to Revillagigedo and what an amazing trip it was!
The boat and the whole crew was as wonderful as usual. A special remark to Leonardo, our group C (AKA Hammer Group) dive guide. He is very responsible, kind and knows the sites very well.. We had the best time diving with him. And Miguel's cooking was fantastic!
Thank you once more and we hope to come back in the near future to do an Explore Baja trip or Southern Sea of Cortez trip!
Adriana and Marcela
Colombia
Rocio del Mar
April 2022
I just got back from Socorro. I really liked Quino el Guardian - it was simple and cozy. I was astonished by the crew's efficiency. The boat and the bathrooms were always clean. The Chef cooked absolutely delicious food. And there was a selection of movies, too.
My divemaster David really cared about the divers. He knows the dive sites well and I felt comfortable diving with him. Dario was on top of things throughout the trip. You have a good crew.
I look forward to coming back!
Meret W.
Zurich, Switzerland
Quino El Guardian
April 2022
This was one of the BEST dive trips we have ever done! Not only was the diving first class, the crew, food, and accommodations were all incredible! All of the staff could not have been more friendly and accommodating! Our trip was January into February 2022 on Rocio Del Mar and there wasn’t a boring dive to be had. Schooling hammerheads, uncountable mantas, and several friendly meetings with pods of dolphins were just some of the highlights! Thank you all so much for the trip of a lifetime!
Here is a video that we put together of the trip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1KQRyvWXHY&t=25s
Bobby and Jackie
Boston, MA
Rocio del Mar
February 2022
I can't say enough good things about Mexico Liveaboards! From the moment you start your booking process, to the moment you step off the boat you couldn't ask for nicer people. When on the boat, the crew on the boat is 100% about safety first and then fun! The crew makes you feel at home, coming on boards as strangers and leaving like you've known them for years! And don't even get me started on the food - we're talking 5 star Michelin quality (the carrot soup is to die for)! If you ever do have a problem they're right there to do whatever they can to fix it! I also so appreciate their citizen science trips where you can help scientists with their work, and you can tell the crew is passionate about protecting and sharing their world with you! This is my 6th time on the boat, and I would be hard pressed to ever go on a different liveaboard after diving with these guys! I have never felt so well taken care of and had so much fun as I have on this boat!
Sara D.
Sycamore, IL
Quino el Guardian
February 2022
As this was my second trip bringing a group of divers on board of the Quino El Guardián I had an idea of what to expect. We had our same captain, Abraham (aka El Dientes) and Vaquero as panguero. The rest of the group was totally new and they not only fulfilled my expectations but surpassed them. We felt part of the family from our arrival until we sadly and reluctantly left the boat to travel to our home cities.
The food is incredible. And while the boat is not the most luxurious you can easily call it your cozy home for the ten days we were on it. It is a great boat to meet new friends and enjoy the sun deck for sunsets.
As for the diving, Revillagigedo offers one of the best spots in the world. Quino has excellent dive guides. They are very helpful, seasoned, and experienced divemasters and are always trying to help and show you the best of every dive site. We ended the trip with three new friends and can't thank Benjamin, Jerson, and Emilio enough. You did great! We got lucky and saw many mantas, dolphins, tuna, jacks, so many sharks (Galapagos, white tip, black tip, silky, hammerheads) and then we hit the lottery with a whale shark, tiger shark and even a humpback whale! Revillagigedo never disappoints and the only risk of going with Mexico Liveaboards is that you´ll end up hooked and wanting for more. Oh, and you'll be missing the great service on the boat and at every meal, too, thanks to our chef! Thank you Pamplona, Norber, Manuelito (the future divemaster), Vaquero, and Jimmy too.
Jorge R.
Bucea Baja Norte
Tijuana, Mexico
January 2022
I am about to write your crew the best Trip Advisor review I can! From start to finish they made my trip. The diving was some of the best I have ever done. I have over 1000 dives and worked as a divemaster. I have not seen a better crew than yours. Dario, Emilio, and Jerson were the best guides I have ever had in diving. They made it so much fun but at the same time made sure everyone was safe. I would come back just to dive with them. Jerson is the funniest guy ever. I cannot say more about Jorge. He was so polite and professional. I think everything Miguel cooked was amazing. Captain Julio, Allen, Abraham, and Teddy Bear were awesome too! Thanks again. Myself and the other divers are talking about a reunion already!
Tom H.
Philadelphia, PA
Quino el Guardian
January 2022
It is difficult to describe how amazing our trip to was to Revillagigedo aboard Quino el Guardian with Mexico Liveaboards. There was nothing we could complain about. The dives are absolutely amazing, the boat, the food, but without any kind of doubt, the crew is the best! They are really good professionals, kind and fun. It was a a pleasure to meet them all. It was a life-changing experience every diver should have. Thank you very much for everything!
Raul S.
President - Club de Buceo U-Natores
Sevilla, Spain
January 2022
I've logged nearly 1500 dives all over the world and my Dec 2021 trip to the Socorro Islands on the Rocio Del Mar was one of my best trips! I'd been to Socorro in May about 4 years earlier on another boat and enjoyed the trip but our encounters with mantas and dolphins were only brief. This trip blew me away compared to my previous experience. I credit the dive guides and the captain for adjusting our schedule and keeping us right where we needed to be for the best action. We had very close encounters with chevron and black oceanic mantas who played in our bubbles on almost every dive and stayed with us for extended periods of time. Bottlenose dolphins visited us several times and hovered vertically in the water inviting us to interact with them. If we weren't getting distracted by mantas and dolphins, we had lots of shark action (silkies, galapagos, white tips, silver tips, scalloped hammerheads). The shark action highlight for me was frequent sightings of big hammerhead schools in the blue above and below us and a big school crossed in front of us across the reef. The crew was friendly and helpful. The dive guides were just as excited as we were for every dive and worked hard to find the action! Loved the dive style of our guide Ben who knew how to get us to the action without going to fast or having to kick against the current. Ben also took amazing pics underwater which he willingly shared with anyone who wanted them. The food was tasty and plentiful. Beds and cabin were comfy. Highly recommend this trip!
Linda M.
Bellbrook, OH
December 2021
I was a guest on the most recent Socorro trip aboard Quino el Guardian, from Nov 21-30, 2021. I wanted to reach out to you directly to let you know how wonderful your entire crew and boat are. Every member of your crew played a part in making this the best birthday and one of the most incredible trips of my life! Dario, Antonio, Kike, Peter, and everyone else on board were so amazing and really went above and beyond for us to have the best experience, pulling off 22 dives. Chef Joshua blew us away with his meals every day, and the always smiling faces of Miguel and Captain Abraham made sure we were having a great time. I found the boat itself to be so comfortable and clean.
We all really enjoyed the interaction and experience of having scientist Deni (Ramirez) onboard, and the presentation on your Heroes Del Mar organization as well really made the trip special. Every piece of the trip truly exceeded my expectations and I can’t wait to dive with your team again soon!
Shelby W.
Charlotte, NC
November 2021
I joined Dr. Deni Ramirez Macias (aboard Quino el Guardian and a citizen science trip to ultrasound pregnant manta rays and whale sharks) to help her tag and identify mantas, and to ultrasound a whale shark. It was a trip of a lifetime! I have done many dive trips but to have a purpose in helping with important research to protect these magnificent creatures added a special purpose to my diving experience. I loved learning from Deni’s lectures and just hanging out and talking around mealtimes. She’s so authentic, passionate, and approachable.
Joan C.
Portland, OR
November 2020
The Family Trip was a blast! We knew it'd be fun diving, but the whole trip exceeded our expectations. We had so much fun diving with the playful sea lions, great excitement swimming with whale sharks, and enjoyed everything in-between. The crew was incredibly welcoming and made us feel right at home, and the food was amazing and plentiful. It was particularly nice to see all the kids flock together and entertain each other on deck. Taking kids on the family trip is a great way to introduce them to a liveaboard and was great for all levels of divers. Our kids didn't want to leave and neither did we! The Sea of Cortez is a must-do and the Quino and crew are the way to do it!
Tara K.
Durham, NC
Quino el Guardian Family Trip
August 2019