Best live-aboard experience for under $2300 (Mexico or South Pacific) - opinions?

[chinacat46]

The last two years I did Rocio Del Mar in the Midriff Islands at the end of August. We snorkeled with Whale Sharks both trips. Seems to be a regular occourence on their trips. It is also under your $2300 but not during Feb/Mar.

 

[Shasta_man]

I read somewhere about Isla Mujeres, mexico having the largest concentration (probably of tourists too). Not during those months. If you find anywhere for less than 3 grand, it would be interesting to know about it.

 

[NW_DiverDude]

I read somewhere about Isla Mujeres, mexico having the largest concentration (probably of tourists too). Not during those months. If you find anywhere for less than 3 grand, it would be interesting to know about it.

So funny Shasta-man that you would mention Isla Mujeres since I have now in fact booked a stay on that island for a couple days to swim with the whale sharks before heading over to Cozumel to be part of the ScubaBoard 'Cozumel Invasion 2012" adventure that is happening at the end of June and running thru the first week of July. The deal was just too good to pass up and even though I really wanted to go out on a live-aboard much earlier in the year, that type of trip will just have to wait a bit. Thanks for the suggestion anyway - had I not already ended up taking that path, I probably would have after your feedback. If you are interested in heading out to the Yucatan yourself, check out the details about the Cozumel Invasion in the activities section of the ScubaBoard forum. It is a great deal with 7 nights lodging, all your meals and drinks, 3 boat dives per day AND unlimited shore diving - for less than $900 per person (double) or a mere $1025 for a single! This ScubaBoard sponsored event has 75 rooms locked up for scuba diving enthusiasts like us so it will be an outstanding trip. With Isla Mujeres less than 3 hours away via 2 ferrys and a shuttle/bus/taxi, it only makes sense to stretch the trip out a couple days and stop over there as well.

The last two years I did Rocio Del Mar in the Midriff Islands at the end of August. We snorkeled with Whale Sharks both trips. Seems to be a regular occurrence on their trips. It is also under your $2300 but not during Feb/Mar.

Thank you chinacat46 for the suggestion - I had not considered the Midriff Islands as a potential candidate. I have gone ahead and booked a different trip already for later this year where I will get my opportunity to swim with the Dominoes, but perhaps next year it could be Midriff.

So - what part of Colorado do you call home? I lived out in the country near Berthoud (between Longmont and Loveland) for a number of years in the 90's and absolutely loved the state and all of the outdoor activities that abound everywhere. I miss it but the Pacific Northwest is quite spectacular as well.

 

[chinacat46]

So - what part of Colorado do you call home? I lived out in the country near Berthoud (between Longmont and Loveland) for a number of years in the 90's and absolutely loved the state and all of the outdoor activities that abound everywhere. I miss it but the Pacific Northwest is quite spectacular as well.

I call Lafayette home just east of Boulder and just south of Longmont. We also got to snorkle with sperm whales on the Midriff trip.

 

[Dora the Explorer]

Rocio Del Mar Liveaboard starts it's Sea of Cortez season 2012 the end of June and is there until mid-October. Our trips are Saturday to Saturday. The price is $2295.00 per person. Easiest and least expensive way to arrive is to fly into Phoenix, Arizona. You can talk the shuttle (head out to Rocky Point is the shuttle company) They
charge $100.00 round trip and will have you on the boat in 3 1l2 hours. Some of the sea life we see are whale sharks, sperm whales, humboldt squid(in a cage of course) and sea lions. At this time we are at the Socorro Islands running trips until the end of May. If you have any questions please call us at 602-689-0764 or
visit our website at Rocio Del Mar Liveaboard

We hope to see you on board soon!!

Dora

 

[Wild Woman]

If airfare is not a problem, you might consider Maldives. It's not in Mexico or the South Pacific, but after 30 years, you might want to up your odds. You can see them year round, some periods of time on the western side, some on the eastern. We went in February and there they were. There is a lot of drift diving and some fairly strong current so it's not necessarily the place to float along and snap photos but if you're looking for whale sharks, it's quite the place.

 

[Shasta_man]

Belated "you're welcome" DiverDude, sounds like a good trip. Hmmm...a grand, huh.....hmmmm....$2,300.....where to go, where to go....