The Best Budget Liveaboard Dive Boats Sea of Cortez

Sea of Cortez liveaboard diving on a budget

This Mexican gulf which is called the Sea of Cortez is a scuba diver’s paradise. Whilst this popular diving area is dived by day trips, a liveaboard cruise will allow you to reach more dive sites and areas in comfort.

3 of best budget liveaboard dive boats Sea of Cortez:

1. Quino el Guardian, Mexico – 8.8 outof 10, 4.5 stars and Fabulous.
2. The El Mechudo, Mexico liveaboard of the Sea of Cortez.
3. Nautilus Gallant Lady, Mexico dive liveaboard.

The Sea of Cortez liveaboard season runs from July through October. At this time of year the water temperatures are around the 27°C (80°F). September and October are the best times for hammerhead shark sightings. Whereas for whale sharks this is October.

The best way to dive the Sea of Cortez, Mexico is by a scuba diving liveaboard. You can check the latest and best deals on Sea of Cortez liveaboards using the following window:

How big is the Sea of Cortez?

The Sea of Cortez is sometimes known as the Gulf of California.

The sea stretches for 1,200 kilometers (745 miles) and is some 160,000 km² (61,776 m²). The Sea of Cortez is sheltered from the Pacific Ocean by the Baja California peninsula.

Sea of Cortez: the world’s aquarium – heading of an article by The Telegraph..

Why is it called the Sea of Cortez?

The Sea of Cortez was named in honor of Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés (or “Cortez“) by Francisco de Ulloa in 1539.

At the time, Ulloa believed that the Sea of Cortez gulf led to the mythical Strait of Anian, which connected the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean.

Let’s now take a look at the best budget liveaboard dive boats Sea of Cortez in more detail

There are three budget liveaboards that escort divers to the Sea of Cortez. Let’s take a look at these popular low cost dive boats.

Quino el Guardian, Mexico – 8.8 outof 10, 4.5 stars and Fabulous

The Quino el Guardian budget liveaboard is a 25 metre (82 feet) long custom-built for diving boat. Catering for up to 16 divers across 4 quad cabins.

These four air conditioned cabins share four community bathrooms. All have showers.

Features of Quino el Guardian liveaboard

• DIN adapters.
• Nitrox on board.
• Sidemount diving.
• Scuba equipment rental.
• Warm water showers.
• Kayaks on board.
• Outdoor dining.
• Naturalist itineraries.
• Western food, vegan and vegetarian options, plus free wine with diner.

Reviews of Quino el Guardian liveaboard

Here are two of the best reviews of Quino el Guardian liveaboard.

Very nice trip. Cabins are quite small.

“Whalesharks and sealions.”

Recommended for: Crew and diving staff

Paolo Martino C, Italy – 8.8 out of 10,4.5 stars and Fabulous

Amazing

“Small cabins amazing value top quality diving great crew amazing food great relaxed vibe safe boat clean no fumes or diesel smells great tenders small groups personal attention when needed would come back.”

Recommended for: Diving, food, crew

Linus N, Sweden – 10 out of 10, 5 stars and Exceptional

To book the Quino el Guardian Sea of Cortez liveaboard go to Liveaboard.com.

More Reading: Is Liveaboard.com legit? (Liveaboard.com reviews)

The El Mechudo, Mexico liveaboard of the Sea of Cortez

This is a slightly smaller liveaboard standing in at 14 metres (45 feet). But was also custom built for scuba divers. This low cost liveaboard takes a maximum of 8 guests in four cabins. Each cabin has an en-suite bathroom and all is air conditioned.

The El Mechudo catamaran liveaboard is for both diving and adventure cruises. She is non-diver friendly. The non-divers can enjoy the other excursions and snorkeling.

Features of El Mechudo catamaran liveaboard

• Scuba equipment rental.
• Warm water showers.
• Kayaks on board.
• Outdoor dining.
• Naturalist guide and itineraries.
• Local food, vegan and vegetarian options, plus a fine wine selection.

Reviews of the El Mechudo catamaran liveaboard

So far the El Mechudo catamaran hasn’t had any reviews, but we will update this article when there are some.

To book the El Mechudo catamaran to explore and dive the Sea of Cortez go to Liveaboard.com.

Nautilus Gallant Lady, Mexico dive liveaboard

The Nautilus Gallant Lady liveaboard was newly commissioned in 2019. She is a luxury yacht yet priced for those on a budget. Suited for 16 guests in 6 large suites. The six suites all have air conditioning and en-suite bathrooms.

The Nautilus Gallant Lady liveaboard was built for divers and is 35 metres (116 feet) in length.

Features of Nautilus Gallant Lady liveaboard

• DIN adapters.
• Nitrox on board.
• Sidemount diving.
• Rebreather support.
• Scuba equipment rental.
• Warm water showers.
• Kayaks on board.
• Western food, vegan and vegetarian options, plus free wine with diner.
• Jacuzzi.
• Available for charter.

With rebreather support and sidemount diving, the Nautilus Gallant Lady is ideal for tech divers. To book the Nautilus Gallant Lady liveaboard go to Liveaboard.com.

More Reading: Where’s the best tech dive liveaboard destinations in the world?

Best time to dive Sea of Cortez

The liveaboards going to the Sea of Cortez usually visit between July to October. It’s at this time when there’s the best visibility. This can often be up to 25 metres (80 feet).

La Paz area is best visited in October, which is prime season for whale sharks and offers warmer waters.

But one of the most well-known attractions of the the Sea of Cortez are the sea lions. Sea lions love to play with divers and in the months of August and September you’ll experience the juveniles.

You’ll also experience schools of Hammerhead sharks, see Manta Rays and Dolphins too. It’s at the El Lavadero, Las Animas dive site where you’ll see the hammerheads. But you’ll also see jacks and tuna there too.

The El Arrayo, Punta Martir dive sites includes a sea wall dive which extends down 40 metres (120 feet). You’ll see lots of marine life including moray eels, seahorses and schools of reef fish.

More Reading: Where Can You Swim With Seahorses (Best Place To Scuba Dive With Seahorses)

But of course, the Sea of Cortez is also known for Mobula Rays.

Are there sharks in the Sea of Cortez?

Great white sharks have been known to visit the area in the Gulf of California. This area is though might be a nursery for the species.

But if you want to see great white sharks in Mexico, you are better to go to Guadalupe Island instead.

More Reading: Where is the best place to cage dive with sharks (5 Best great white spots)

But you are more likely to see:

• Hammerhead sharks.
• Reef sharks.
• Whale sharks.

I hope you enjoyed this article about liveaboard dive boats Sea of Cortez

I’d love to hear from you. Tell us about your adventures of diving and snorkeling, in the comments below. Please also share your photos. Either from your underwater cameras or videos from your waterproof Gopro’s!

If this article hasn’t answered all of your questions. If you have more questions either about snorkeling or types of scuba diving (or specifically about liveaboard dive boats Sea of Cortez), please comment below with your questions.

There will also be many more articles about scuba diving (and snorkeling) for you to read and learn about these fabulous sports.

Have fun and be safe!