Marine Waterfront Hotel Sea of Cortez - October 2026

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Overview

Marine Waterfront Hotel Sea of Cortez - October 2026
La Paz, BCS, Mexico
Oct 3 - 10, 2026
Dolphin Scuba Center image
Dolphin Scuba Center
$1,899
Deposit: $750

About this trip

Join Dolphin Scuba Center for seven nights and eight days of sun, sea, and world-class diving in La Paz, Mexico. From our base at the Marine Waterfront Hotel, you’ll spend five full days exploring the legendary Sea of Cortez, often called the “Aquarium of the World.”

With Fun Baja’s expert dive team, we’ll enjoy daily two-tank boat dives to some of the region’s most iconic sites. Swim alongside playful sea lions, glide through massive schools of reef fish, and keep your eyes peeled for manta rays, turtles, and hammerhead sharks cruising the blue. Depending on the season, majestic whale sharks may also make an appearance, offering one of the most awe-inspiring encounters in diving. These waters are a true sanctuary: a protected archipelago where marine life thrives in remarkable abundance.

Back on land, you’ll enjoy the comfort and hospitality of the Marine Waterfront Hotel. Air-conditioned rooms, complimentary WiFi, and a full daily breakfast bar make every morning easy, while evenings bring regional dishes crafted with local ingredients and refreshing drinks at the bar. Whether you’re relaxing by the pool, watching a fiery Baja sunset, or grabbing a late-night snack at the 24/7 market, everything is designed to keep you fueled, rested, and ready for your next underwater adventure.

This is the best of both worlds: epic diving paired with boutique oceanfront comfort. Get ready to immerse yourself in the beauty of the Sea of Cortez — from hammerhead ballet and whale shark encounters to desert landscapes that melt into turquoise seas.

Please note: A standard credit card processing fee will apply to payments made by credit card for this trip. Paying directly via bank transfer (ACH) incurs no additional charges. 

Check out the Sea of Cortez video!

Sea of Cortez Dive Sites

Los Islotes

This is where we get to dive with sea lions! The large rock that breaches the surface of the sea is where a colony of over 400 sea lions live. In addition to sea lions, you can also expect to see different species of fish that are endemic to the area. At the south side of the rock, you can find Giant Blue Spotted Jawfish on the sandy bottom 46-60ft down poking their expressive faces just above the sandy surface. Mobula Rays are known to glide by this area as well. 


Punta Lobo

Experience leaping Mobula Rays at Punta Lobo! Groups of 20 are common and visible in many areas. The Mobula season starts in July. During September and October, all these Mobula groups congregate together. They can number in the thousands! During the Mobula season, when you go off shore from the entry point, you can see them packed from surface to bottom with very little space between each individual Mobula Ray.


Whale Island

This distinct island got its name from its whale-like shape! On the southwest side of the island there is a shipwreck, and caves weave their way to the north side. You can see many sea fans inside the caves. After exploring the web of caves, illuminating the darkness with your flashlight, the Sea of Cortez welcomes you with its bright and warm waters filled with angel fish in a mosaic of life and color.


Swannee Reef

This isolated reef is a fish paradise! You cannot see anything but a multitude of Mexican goatfish and Spot Tail Grunt fish. Keeping tabs of your buddy may be an extra chore at Swannee Reef because of the density of fish. As a famous macro photography site, you can also see Signal Blennies. These alert and shy fish tend to flare their dorsal fin three times in quick succession before darting back into their holey homes. Don’t miss this photo opportunity! You can also see schools of Skipjacks and Barracudas with sea lions sometimes bursting onto the scene.


Fang Ming Wreck

The Fang Ming was a Chinese cargo ship seized by the Mexican navy in 1995; it was the first artificial reef to be intentionally sunk in Latin America. Wildlife encounters include semi-tropical pacific species like octopuses, lobsters, eagle rays, mantas, eels, parrotfish, angelfish, tuna, sea lions and possible hammerheads.

Suggested Flights using Alaska Airlines

Saturday, October 3, 2026

  • Alaska #3398 – Sacramento (SMF) → San Diego (SAN)
    Depart 7:00 AM | Arrive 8:41 AM

  • Alaska #1438 – San Diego (SAN) → Cabo (SJD)
    Depart 10:03 AM | Arrive 12:29 PM

  • Group transfer to La Paz (approx. 3 hours)

Saturday, October 10, 2026

  • Alaska #1395 – Cabo (SJD) → San Diego (SAN)
    Depart 3:34 PM | Arrive 5:45 PM

  • Alaska #3349 – San Diego (SAN) → Sacramento (SMF)
    Depart 8:59 PM | Arrive 10:46 PM

To book airfare, contact Deby at Aggressor Adventures as soon as possible as flights are subject to change:
800-348-2628 or 706-434-8158 (East Coast hours – please call in the morning)
Let Deby know: “You are traveling to the Sea of Cortez and doing the land-based dive trip with Mike Johnson at Dolphin Scuba Center.”

Fun Baja Digital Waiver

Please complete the online waiver using the link below.
You’ll need to enter your name, trip dates, and sign electronically.
Once completed, it will automatically be sent to Fun Baja.

🔗 Online Waiver

Protect Your Trip and Diving Adventure

For all travelers joining us on international dive trips we recommend DiveAssure for dive accident insurance and travel insurance. Dive accident insurance can protect you in the event of a dive-related injury and is strongly recommended for all of our guests. Travel insurance can protect you in the event of an unexpected trip cancellation or trip interruption and can also cover lost or damaged luggage expenses, unexpected itinerary changes, and more. 

 Learn More About Diving La Paz

Divers Alert Network (DAN) published a great article on diving the Sea of Cortez.
📄 PDF from AlertDiver Magazine:
Learn more about the Sea of Cortez

What's included

Accommodations

7-Nights accommodation, with private ensuite bathroom, climate control, and daily housekeeping at the Marine Waterfront Hotel.

Meals

Continental breakfast included daily, lunch included on dive days.

Drinks

A complimentary selection includes soft drinks, water, tea, coffee, and a limited selection of local beer.

Diving

5 days of 2 tank diving with guides. 80 cubic feet tanks, weight belts, and weights.

WiFi

Complimentary high speed internet at the Marine Waterfront Hotel.

National Park Fee

National park fee for 5 diving days.

What's not included

Airfare

International and domestic airfare not included.

Airport Transfers

Shared transfers to and from the Los Cabos International Airport available for an additional US$145, to be paid onsite.

Enriched Air Nitrox

US$100 for the entirety of the trip, to be paid onsite.

Meals

Lunches on non-dive days and dinners not included.

Day 1

Day 1 image

Arrival in La Paz

Transfer from the Los Cabos International Airport to La Paz. Check in at the Marine Waterfront Hotel and settle into your oceanfront accommodations. Evening at leisure to relax, meet fellow travelers, and grab some dinner.

Day 2 - 6

Day 2 - 6 image

Dive Days

Fuel up at the breakfast bar before heading out for our exciting days of diving. Two-tank boat dives introduce us to the vibrant reefs and marine life of the Sea of Cortez. Lunch and soft drinks provided on board. Evening free to explore La Paz or relax at the hotel.

Day 7

Day 7 image

Day at Leisure

No diving today — enjoy a free day to relax at the hotel, explore La Paz, shop for souvenirs, or take part in optional activities such as snorkeling or cultural excursions. Perfect for off-gassing before flights.

Day 8

Day 8 image

Departure

Check out and transfer back to San José del Cabo (SJD) for flights home.

Location

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1. La Paz, BCS, Mexico

La Paz, BCS, Mexico

About your organizer

Dolphin Scuba Center is proud to be Northern California’s premier SSI Diamond Certified SCUBA training facility and showroom featuring the industry’s most trusted brands. We are here to train, certify, and get our new and returning dive and swim buddies in the water! To all of our new students, Welcome! To our returning divers, dive pros, and instructors, thank you for trusting us with your SCUBA, free diving, and swim journeys. After nearly 50 years, we still continue striving to be your one-stop shop to get you back in the water.

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