Please join
Mike Gerken
to
La Paz, Baja, Mexico
to dive with the
Sea Lions of
Los Islotes
with
& stay at the luxury
October 21-28, 2023
Inquire about Add-On Trips to Marlins and Bull Sharks and more....
In October of 2022, after waiting my entire life, I finally got to dive and photograph the sea lions of Los Islotes. The experience of diving with these animated and intelligent creatures will go down as one of the highlights of my diving and photography career. It is a rare event when a wild animal, on their terms, willingly and with predictability interacts with us. Not only do they allow close access but they intentionally seek out our attention. The hyper and incurably cute sea lion pups are the most fun subjects I ever shot. A tug on the fins and a look from their big charming eyes will most certainly soften the heart of any hardened person. Please join me in October of 2023 to dive and photograph the sea lions with the land based dive operator, The Cortez Club while staying at the luxury Costa Baja Resort and Spa in La Paz, Baja, Mexico. Please scroll on for details. I hope you can make it. -Mike [email protected]
La Paz, Mexico
This charming Mexican city on the Baja Peninsula will be the launching pad to the fantastic diving of the Sea of Cortez.
For myself, the sea lions were the highlight of the diving out of La Paz but but there is more to explore such as mobula rays, sea turtles, large reef fish, pelagic's, manta rays and even some pretty cool wrecks. If you live in North America getting here is easy and affordable comparatively to other international locales.
The Cortez Club - Dive Operator
This PADI 5 Star facility with captains and guides will take us to the dive sites on their fast and comfortable boats. I have been in the diving business for 25 years and don't often come across a more professionally run operation such as The Cortez Club. The crew will transport gear to the boats, set it up, break it down and even rinse and stow it for you. The Seaside Restaurant is right next door and offers fantastic international meals.
Costa Baja Resort & Spa
Costa Baja Resort & Spa is where the desert meets the sea. This beautiful property faces the majestic Sea of Cortez, offering an exceptional blend of beauty and peace. Costa Baja Resort & Spa, provides a wide variety of activities for every personality, taste and age. You can enjoy such unique scenery, relax at the owner’s exclusive Beach Club, work out while overlooking the sea or revitalize your senses at a world-class spa. Delight your palate with a wide variety of sumptuous dishes at gourmet restaurants overlooking the marina. Take a stroll down the Malecon (waterfront walkway) and discover the essence that makes La Paz such a wonderful place. Finally, end the day by witnessing another magnificent sunset.
Los Islotes
The audible bark of large territorial bulls will alert you to your arrival at the sea lion colony of Los Islotes 25 miles from
La Paz. Vultures in large numbers circle over the the guano covered rock outcroppings reminding you of the harsh reality of nature here. However, the sea lion pups frolicking about with the genteel females periscoping their heads out of the water suddenly reveal the ethereal state of this location. The boats tend to take 90 minutes to get to the colony on a calm day. The ride is well worth it. With a simple roll into the water you are off to mingle with the residents. Depths are a remarkable 1 - 25 feet deep. Dive times are 50-60 minutes.
The Other Diving
We will be doing 2 dives per day for at least 3 days. The 3rd dive will likely be on one of the wrecks such at the Fang Ming famed for its resident green sea turtles. We will also be diving La Reina; a small rocky outcrop 2 hours from La Paz. This site is famous for manta rays, schooling fish, retired sea lions and a giant green moray under every rock.
Getting There
United, American, Jet Blue, Aeromexico all fly daily flights into Cabo San Lucas International (SJD). It is a 2 hour taxi ride to La Paz. Or you can fly direct to La Paz on American Airlines and Aeromexico. Transportation from La Paz airport is included in this package price. Contact Mike for assistance with your reservations and coordinate ground transportation.
Dive Package
7 nights in king or twin pool/golf view room at Costa Baja Resort & Spa; full breakfast, 5 days diving 3 dives per day; lunch & drinks on boat; park fees; RT transport from La Paz International; 10 pax per boat
Package Price
$2950 pp pool view; $3150 pp sea view; 16% tax included; based on double occupancy
$3910 pp view; $4320 pp sea view; 16% tax included; based on single occupancy
Also Included:
-Photo video workshops and private critiques from Mike Gerken; formal and informal photo advice all week long.
-Professional travel guide service. Don't think too much, let Mike do it for you. I got your back.
What's Not Included
-Transportation from Cabo San Lucas Airport (Mike will coordinate multiple passengers)
-Crew gratuities (starts at 10% or $20 per day)
-Nitrox (not required with the depths we will be doing 1' to 60')
-Dinners - Dine with the group or explore La Paz on your own. Mike will tell you where the good eats are.
-Spa, golf and other resort activities
-Travel insurance; highly recommended. Please do not put me on the spot for last minute cancellations. (See below)
-Don't forget to buy your guide (me) a cerveza.
Payment & Cancellation Policy
Request application from Mike; fill it out and email it back to him; [email protected]
Deposit of $750.00 per person required to reserve and hold your spot(s).
-Payment by PayPal, Square, Venmo accepted. Add 3% fee if using credit card and desire buyer protection. Checks and wire transfers also accepted.
$150.00 is non-refundable regardless of when cancellation occurs.
Full payment due 90 days from trip start date. (Sept 21, 2023)
No refund with cancellations within 90 days.
Dive Accident Insurance: This is mandatory. Contact Divers Alert Network DAN to enroll.
Trip Insurance: We strongly recommend every passenger purchase comprehensive accident, medical, baggage and trip cancellation/interruption insurance. The insurance will protect the passenger from financial disappointment in the event of an unforeseen circumstances. No trip insurance is included in this package.
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