Quino del Mar

Location: Mexico

Rating: 4.8/5 (27 reviews)

Quino del Mar

About Quino del Mar

The Pacific waters off Mexico host a diverse marine environment, where the 36-meter Quino del Mar facilitates extensive dive expeditions.

The Pacific Ocean's vast currents sweep eastward, meeting the volcanic underwater terrain of Mexico's offshore islands. This interaction forces nutrient-rich deep water toward the sunlit surface, igniting the marine food web from the bottom up. The result is an ecosystem defined by abundance and scale, where large pelagic species congregate. Divers can expect encounters with schooling sharks, giant manta rays, and powerful tuna patrolling the deep blue. The Quino del Mar is a modern platform built specifically to access these challenging and rewarding open-ocean environments, offering extended expeditions to the region's most productive sites. Diving is managed from a broad, well-organized dive deck that gives each diver ample space for gear preparation and post-dive breakdown. Instead of anchoring over sites, the crew utilizes agile tenders to transport divers, ensuring precise drop-offs and pick-ups that adapt to changing currents and animal movements. This method maximizes the potential for quality encounters on every dive. For underwater photographers, a dedicated camera station with rinse tanks and compressed air provides a secure area for equipment maintenance. The professional dive team leads all excursions, providing detailed briefings and in-water guidance to ensure both safety and a deeper understanding of the local marine environment. Onboard life is designed for comfort and relaxation after long days in the water. The vessel accommodates up to 20 guests in 10 air-conditioned cabins, all featuring private en-suite bathrooms. The layout includes six twin-bunk cabins, two queen cabins for couples, and two convertible cabins that can be configured with either a king bed or two twin beds, offering flexibility for groups and individuals. When not diving, guests can gather in the air-conditioned interior saloon, relax on the main sun deck, or head to the upper observation deck for expansive ocean views. Wi-Fi service is available for staying connected. The culinary program is a central part of the onboard experience. A professional chef and galley team prepare a variety of fresh meals daily, combining international flavors with local Mexican influences. Dining takes place in the shaded outdoor dining area, where guests can enjoy their food with an ocean breeze. The menu is designed to be plentiful and satisfying, fueling divers for their underwater activities. A selection of snacks and non-alcoholic beverages is always available between meals. Bar service offers beer and wine, and the crew can accommodate most special dietary requirements with advance notification. The Quino del Mar is a modern steel-hulled vessel launched in 2025, engineered for the demands of open-ocean travel. At 36 meters long with a wide 8.1-meter beam, the ship’s design prioritizes stability on the water. This is further enhanced by a dual stabilization system, incorporating both built-in and external stabilizers to significantly reduce roll and motion during long crossings. This advanced construction ensures a more comfortable and restful journey for its 20 guests, particularly on expeditions to distant offshore islands. The boat's recent build means all systems and safety equipment are to the latest standards. This liveaboard operates a schedule of extended itineraries focused on Mexico’s remote Pacific islands, which are prime locations for pelagic life. Journeys are timed to coincide with peak seasons for specific animal migrations, though the exact timing varies by destination. Departure and arrival ports are determined by the specific expedition route. The Quino del Mar is best suited for experienced divers who are comfortable with blue-water diving, potential currents, and variable surface conditions. It appeals to those whose primary goal is to maximize time in the water at locations renowned for consistent encounters with large marine animals.

Vessel Specifications

Cabins

Itineraries

Sea of Cortez - Midriff Islands

Duration: 6 Nights / 7 Days

SEA OF CORTEZ/MIDRIFF ISLANDS 8 days / 7 nights / 6 days of diving July through Mid-September Imagine yourself immersed in a world teeming with life, a vibrant underwater ballet unfolding before your eyes. This isn't a dream; it's the Sea of Cortez, a place Jacques Cousteau famously dubbed the "world's aquarium." Adventure awaits beneath the surface in the warm embrace of the Mexican sun. Picture this: You descend into the nutrient-rich waters, where pristine walls explode with color. See the

Sea of Cortez - Southern Safari

Duration: 6 Nights / 7 Days

SEA OF CORTEZ/SOUTHERN SAFARI San Jose del Cabo 8 days / 7 nights / 6 days of diving Imagine yourself immersed in a world teeming with life, a vibrant underwater ballet unfolding before your eyes. This isn't a dream; it's the Sea of Cortez, a place Jacques Cousteau famously dubbed the "world's aquarium." Adventure awaits beneath the surface in the warm embrace of the Mexican sun. The Sea of Cortez, also known as the Gulf of California, is a strip of water separated from the Pacific Ocean by the

Archipielago de Revillagigedo / Socorro Island (10D9N)

Duration: 10D9N

The Revillagigedo Archipelago — often simply called Socorro — is one of the planet's last truly wild pelagic frontiers. A UNESCO World Heritage Site 250 nautical miles off the southern tip of Baja California, this volcanic chain of four remote islands sits where the open Pacific meets a deep underwater seamount system. The result is a magnet for big animals: oceanic mantas, schooling hammerheads, silky and Galapagos sharks, dolphins, tuna, and — between January and April — humpback whales whose

Socorro Islands (San José Del Cabo, 14D13N)

Duration: 14D13N

Embarkation: San José Del Cabo

This extended 14-day expedition explores the full breadth of the Revillagigedo Archipelago, including the rarely visited Clarion Island. Divers will experience the legendary big animal encounters of Socorro, San Benedicto, and Roca Partida, famous for giant manta rays, schooling sharks, and dolphins. The itinerary is designed for maximum pelagic action at these remote volcanic islands, offering a truly comprehensive adventure.

Sea of Cortez - Southern Safari - Citizen Science

Duration: 11D/10N

Embarkation: La Paz

Embark on an extended exploration of the Southern Sea of Cortez, a UNESCO World Heritage site celebrated for its incredible biodiversity. This safari-style journey focuses on the islands around La Paz, including Espiritu Santo and the remote Las Ánimas, offering a comprehensive look into what Jacques Cousteau called 'the world's aquarium.' Divers can expect playful encounters with sea lion colonies, thrilling night dives with mobula rays, and explorations of historic wrecks. With varied underwat

Archipiélago de Revillagigedo

Duration: 9 nights

Embarkation: San José del Cabo

The Revillagigedo Archipelago — often simply called Socorro — is one of the planet's last truly wild pelagic frontiers. A UNESCO World Heritage Site 250 nautical miles off the southern tip of Baja California, this volcanic chain of four remote islands sits where the open Pacific meets a deep underwater seamount system. The result is a magnet for big animals: oceanic mantas, schooling hammerheads, silky and Galapagos sharks, dolphins, tuna, and — between January and April — humpback whales whose

Sea of Cortez - Explore Baja

Duration: 13 Days / 12 Nights

Embarkation: La Paz

Embark on a 13-day, 700-mile odyssey across the Sea of Cortez — Jacques Cousteau's legendary "world's aquarium" — from Puerto Peñasco in the north to San José del Cabo in the south. This is a true expedition through one of the planet's richest marine ecosystems, where arid desert islands rise straight out of a sapphire sea. Expect playful sea lion colonies, snorkel encounters with whale sharks in Bahía de los Ángeles, a special night dive with swarms of mobula rays at Isla Espiritu Santo, and th

Socorro Islands

Duration: 13D/12N

Embarkation: San Jose Del Cabo

Embark on an epic 13-day adventure to Mexico's remote Revillagigedo Archipelago, also known as the 'Mexican Galapagos.' This itinerary focuses on the iconic islands of Socorro, San Benedicto, Roca Partida, and Clarion, renowned for thrilling pelagic encounters. Divers can anticipate close interactions with giant manta rays, numerous shark species including hammerheads and whale sharks, and playful dolphins in open ocean conditions. The journey, primarily spent at sea, offers an immersive experie

Sea of Cortez / Midriff Islands

Duration: 7 nights

Embarkation: Puerto Peñasco

Imagine yourself immersed in a world teeming with life, a vibrant underwater ballet unfolding before your eyes. This isn't a dream; it's the Sea of Cortez, a place Jacques Cousteau famously dubbed the "world's aquarium." Adventure awaits beneath the surface in the warm embrace of the Mexican sun.Picture this: You descend into the nutrient-rich waters, where pristine walls explode with color. See the regal king angelfish, the endemic Cortez angelfish, dozens of triggerfish, and the schools of oth

Sea of Cortez - Explore Baja

Duration: 11D/10N

Embarkation: Puerto Peñasco

Embark on an extended expedition through the legendary Sea of Cortez, famously dubbed “the world's aquarium.” This comprehensive journey navigates from the remote Midriff Islands to the beautiful Loreto National Park area, showcasing the region's incredible biodiversity. Divers will experience everything from vibrant reefs and walls teeming with macro life to exhilarating encounters with sea lion colonies and gentle whale sharks. The striking contrast between Baja's arid desert islands and the n