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Dive Review of Fun Baja / Valwntina live aboard. in
Mexico (Western)/M/V Valentine

Fun Baja / Valwntina live aboard.: "The M/V Valentina revisted.", Nov, 2019,

by Bill Schlegel, MO, US (Contributor Contributor 19 reports with 17 Helpful votes). Report 11265.

Photos Submitted with this Report


Click on an image to see an enlarged version and captions

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 4 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 4 stars
Dive Operation 4 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling 3 stars
Value for $$ 4 stars
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments Fist, the bad, because there is not much bad in my opinion. Although the boat itself has very good human accomodations, it appears that the underlying mechanical stuff needs some work. We had one of the big Diesel engines go out which caused a change in the itinerary and prevented us from going further off the grid to places like Las Animas which are great. The other major "bad" comment is that this trip is now so popular that it reportedly takes 1-2 years to get a booking. And, please note that my comment about limited corals is because this is too far north for extensive corals to grow.
However, no one really cared as the diving remained excellent even thugh we stayed closer to La Paz than usual. The hammerheads certainly were back at El Bajo. We did 4 dives there and saw hammerheads every dive. The technique is to start from the peak of El Bajo, a seamount about 5 miles off shore that is 50 feet at its shallowest. Head east off the easmount (following divemaster and / or compass) out into the blue at between 60 and 80 feet. Blue water diving. When you see the first hammerhead below you at about 100 - 120 ft, drop down and get a close encounter and picures.
Then, there is Los Islotes sea lion colony with dozens of friendly sea lions who love to be played with. Shallow water diving with 100 foot visibility and calm conditions without currents. I could dive there all week and never get bored.
Other sites are the Fang Ming wreck, Old sea lion colony and La Regna and multiple other sites. The whale shark excursion (snorkle) is a classic for those in the bay of La Paz. There were about a dozen. The dive guides seem to feel it is easy to find them. If you need to see whale sharks to complete your bucket list, this is one of the best places to do it.
Websites Fun Baja / Valwntina live aboard.   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience Over 1000 dives
Where else diving About everywhere.
Closest Airport Cabo San Lucas Getting There Most major airlines from the states.

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, dry Seas calm, no currents
Water Temp 80-82°F / 27-28°C Wetsuit Thickness 2
Water Visibility 30-100 Ft/ 9-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Must have computer. Dive your computer. Watch your MOD. Stay with buddy and the divemaster.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas Squadrons
Dolphins 1 or 2 Whale Sharks > 2
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 1 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish 5 stars
Large Pelagics 5 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 4 stars Boat Facilities 4 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments Large camera table and charging station. Charging station is outside the salon and no charging allowed in rooms.
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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