Updated August 29, 2022
This is the thirty-eighth in a series that introduces and describes the various dive services and sites for worldwide liveaboard dive safaris. This one focuses on the Sea of Cortez Midriff Islands liveaboards.
In addition to this one on liveaboards, the best worldwide dive resort locations and services are reviewed in their own series. To check them out, or other liveaboards, click on Liveaboards/Resorts on the menu at the top and choose a title from the list.
Have you ever been diving in the Midriff Islands? If so, I’d love to know about your experience. What dive shop or liveaboard did you use? Which dive spots are the best and what are the conditions there regarding the visibility, current, water temperature, sealife attractions, etc.? Please post your response in the comments section at the bottom and we’ll all learn something we can use.
Scuba Diving the Sea of Cortez Midriff Islands
Background
The Midriff Islands are situated in the upper third of the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California). There are 55 islands, islets, and pinnacles in all, with 11 larger islands, all uninhabited. There are no major cities in the area and shoreside diving options are minimal. The most convenient way to reach the best dive sites which are widespread is on a liveaboard.
Undersea World
The diving on these liveaboards takes place around Isla Angel, Isla Salispuedes, Isla Animas, Bahia de la Angeles, and Isla San Pedro (south of the area on the map below). Each location has its own unique topographical characteristics but much is volcanic in origin, with rocky areas, finger reefs, lava formations, steep walls, and seamounts. The reefs are rich in hard and soft corals and sea fans, with some areas covered in extensive black coral forests. Powerful current is possible on some sites making them more suitable for advanced divers but there are many sites that are shallow and appropriate for beginners.
There is great biodiversity with astounding megafauna and equally fascinating reef tropicals and macro critters.
Especially notable are the numerous sea lions, pods of dolphins, manta and eagle rays, whale sharks that are there year-round, and wintertime appearances of hordes of Mobula rays, and a variety of whales including the possibility of orcas, humpback, sperm, gray, and blue whales.
Other highlights include turtles, schools of jacks, barracuda, and pelagics like tuna, slipper and spiny lobster, 16 species of moray eels, gobies, blennies, octopus, giant jawfish, many species of nudibranch, sea horses, and schools of chromis, Cortez damselfish, and sergeant majors.
There is outstanding diving up and down the Sea of Cortez. For my review of the diving in other great Baja destinations, please check these posts:
- Socorro Islands Scuba Diving Liveaboards
- Scuba Diving Loreto Mexico
- Scuba Diving Cabo Pulmo Mexico
- Scuba Diving La Paz Mexico
- Scuba Diving Caba San Lucas Mexico
Midriff Islands Liveaboard Dive Boats
These two great yachts are the only major liveaboards cruising the Midriff Islands. The season is from July to September when the visibility is great and surface conditions smoothest. The Quino El Guardian is a little smaller and a bit lower priced than the Rocio Del Mar but the itineraries and services are similar. They are sister vessels under the same management who over the years have had an association with research and photography groups giving them special insights regarding species identification and location, and the best dive sites.
- July-September: 9 X 8-day trips to the Sea of Cortez Midriff Islands
- September-October: 8 X 13-day trips to the Sea of Cortez
- November-June: 19 X 10-day trips to the Socorro Islands
- Daily housekeeping
- Air-conditioned saloon, indoor saloon
- Aircon cabins, non-smoking rooms
- Sun deck, leisure deck, observation deck
- Audio & video entertainment, library
- Charging stations, camera station, separate rinse for u/w camera
- Outside showers, warm water showers
- Naturalist itineraries
- Dedicated local & international crew, English-speaking crew
- Outdoor dining, BBQ area, western food, local food, vegetarian options, beer available, snacks all day, free wine w/dinner, vegan options, free soft drinks, wine available, set menu dinner, fine cuisine, welcome cocktails, full-board option, al fresco dining
- Nitrox available, sidemount diving
- Non-diver (snorkeler) friendly, kayaks on-board
- Dive deck, shaded diving area
- Tenders for diving – 2 x Yamaha 75hp
Featuring
- July-September: 7 X 8-day trips to the Sea of Cortez Midriff Islands
- September-October: 3 X 13-day trips to the Sea of Cortez
- November-June: 13 X 10-day trips to the Socorro Islands
- Daily housekeeping
- Indoor saloon, air-conditioned saloon
- Aircon cabins, sea view cabins, en-suite bathrooms, non-smoking rooms
- Audio & video entertainment, library
- Sun deck, leisure deck, observation deck
- Outdoor dining, BBQ area, western food, local food, vegetarian options, beer available, snacks all day, free wine w/dinner, vegan options, free soft drinks, wine available, set menu dinner, fine cuisine, welcome cocktails, full-board option, al fresco dining
- Outside showers, warm water showers
- Charging stations, camera station, separate rinse for u/w camera
- Naturalist itineraries, naturalist guide
- Dedicated local & international crew, English-speaking crew
- Nitrox available, sidemount diving
- Non-diver (snorkeler) friendly, kayaks on-board
- Dive deck, shaded diving area
- Tenders for diving – 2 x Yamaha 75hp
Seasons and Conditions
Diving is good all year in the Midriff Islands.
- Average daily air temperature highs reach 36°C (97°F) in August and dip to 24°C (75°F) in January.
- Water temperature can get to lows of 19°C (66°F) in January and potential highs of 29°C (84°F) in July meaning that a 5-7mm wetsuit with a hood and gloves may be needed when the water is at the coldest. During the July-September liveaboard season, it is unlikely you would need anything thicker than a 3mm wetsuit.
- The climate is very dry with a rainier season from July through October when it rains 1-2 days a month.
- Visibility runs from 9 to 30 meters (30 to 100 feet) with the plankton bloom in the winter moving it toward the bottom of the range. Most of the year visibility is 15 meters (50 feet) or better.
- There are times and locations where the current can be strong. In the winter months, winds are up and increased surface chop is possible.
Midriff Islands Liveaboard Dive Boat Comparison Table
| Quino el Guardian | Rocio del Mar | |
|---|---|---|
 |  |
|
| Length | 27 m | 34 m |
| Guests | 16 | 20 |
| Crew | 8 | 10 |
| Equipment | Pricing To Be Arranged | Pricing To Be Arranged |
| Nitrox | $120/Trip | $120/Trip |
| Single Supplement | +50% | +100% |
| Kayaks on Board | Yes | Yes |
| Snorkeling Friendly | Yes | Yes |
| Price/Day | $284 | $344 |
Puerto Penasco Hotels & Transportation
Transportation
For the departure from Puerto Penasco, most guests fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport which is a 4-hour drive away. Tucson International Airport is another option requiring almost exactly the same 4-hour drive.
Hotels
Should you have a desire to stay overnight in Puerto Penasco before or after the cruise, there are more than 200 lodging options from $36 to $950 per night.
The website linked below has the details and can arrange a booking for the lodging. You can easily find the location on the map provided on their site. The rates are guaranteed to be the lowest and it is free to cancel or change dates.
Photography in the Midriff Islands
With the colorful coral reefs, a variety of reef tropicals, macro critters, sharks, rays, pelagics, sea lions, whales, and interesting targets from the surface, as well, there are many excellent photo opportunities. For information and reviews of dive cameras, click here:
Scuba Diving Trip Insurance
A cushion for emergencies provides peace of mind when on vacation. I recommend this diving insurance as they have worldwide coverage and give scuba divers quality insurance and medical assistance service. Diving insurance is required on these liveaboards.
Feedback and Comments
I hope you found this post on Sea of Cortez Midriff Islands liveaboard scuba diving interesting and useful. If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to share them in the comments section. I’d love to know of any experience you have. If there is no comments section directly below, click here: >>comments<<
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