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Dive Review of Valentina Liveaboard in
Mexico (Western)/Sea of Cortez

Valentina Liveaboard: "Valentina Liveaboard - Sea of Cortez from La Paz - November, 2022", Nov, 2022,

by David Insley, FL, US (Reviewer Reviewer 6 reports with 2 Helpful votes). Report 12211.

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 5 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments I spent six days on the Valentina diving the Sea of Cortez in mid-November. We departed and disembarked from La Paz. Although there is an airport in La Paz, flights are more readily available into Cabo SJD. La Paz is a two hour drive from the Cabo airport.

The Valentina is 130 feet long and was last refit in 2013. The cabins are individually AC controlled with ensuite bathrooms. The public areas are comfortable. The food was superb and plentiful. The crew from the captain to the stewards was awesome. Very attentive to passenger needs both while diving and onboard the ship.

The diving was great! Dives are conducted from zodiacs. The highlight was the sea lions at Los Islotes. Their playfulness and love for interacting with ivers is legendary. We also encountered schools of Mexican Barracuda , Sardines and one group (6) Scalloped Hammerheads. We did two night dives with Mobula Rays in the same bay in about 20 feet of water. Lights are used to attract the plankton which brings in the Mobula.

The winds prevented us from diving El Bajo that is a seamount that attracts mutiple schools of Hammerheads.

I would repeat the trip. Good value for the dollar. Nitrox is available.
Websites Valentina Liveaboard   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 501-1000 dives
Where else diving Florida Keys, Jupiter FL, Roatan Honduras, Belize, Cozumel Mexico, Grand Cayman, Grand Turk, South Bimini Bahamas, Cayman Brac, Aruba, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Thomas, Hawaii, Saba, St. Maarten, Utila, Bonaire, Socorro, Sea of Cortez and Indonesia.
Closest Airport Cabo SJD Getting There La Paz has an airport.There are no direct flight from the US. Cabo offers direct flights. Two hour drive from Cabo airport to La Paz.

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, rainy Seas calm, choppy
Water Temp 77-78°F / 25-26°C Wetsuit Thickness 5
Water Visibility 50-70 Ft/ 15-21 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile no
Enforced diving restrictions 50-60 Min Dive Time
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 1 stars Tropical Fish 3 stars
Small Critters 5 stars Large Fish 3 stars
Large Pelagics 5 stars

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

Subject Matter 5 stars Boat Facilities 4 stars
Overall rating for UWP's N/A Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments Separate camera table, camera rinse bins and charging stations.
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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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