Dive Review of Quino El Guardian in
Mexico (Western)/Sea of Cortez

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Quino El Guardian: "Explore Baja aboard the Quino El Guardian", Oct, 2016, by John J. Sambogna, MA, US ( Reviewer 4 reports with 5 Helpful votes). Report 9177 has 2 Helpful votes.
No photos available at this time
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity
Dive Operation		Shore Diving	N/A
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
Value for $$
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	This was my first time diving in the Sea of Cortez. I chose the Explore Baja itinerary so I could get a feel for the entire sea. I got my money's worth logging 36 dives on the trip. The northern dive spots were much colder than I expected. I used a 5 mil with a hooded vest and was cold at times. Once we got to La Paz the water was very warm, you could use a 3 mil or some guests wore just a skin. My favorite dives were the massive schools of Jacks at Cabo Pulmo and diving with Sea Lions. Snorkeling with whale sharks was also a special day. Macro photographers will have a fun time on this trip, many small creatures especially nudibranchs. The crew was outstanding. Very friendly and helpful. The food was excellent and we had plenty to eat. The boat is smaller than others I have been on and the cabins are tight. There are 4 shared bathrooms. If you are looking for luxury this is probably not the boat for you. If you are looking for a great crew to take you on fun and exciting dives, then check out the Quino El Guardian. The boat is owned by the same folks that own the Rocio Del Mar.
Websites	Quino El Guardian
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	251-500 dives
Where else diving	Cocos, Socorro, Fl Keys, through-out Caribbean, New England, Sea of Cortez
Closest Airport		Getting There	Fly into Phoenix(PHX) and take shuttle to Puerto Penasco to board the boat. Return flights are from Cabo(SJD).
Dive Conditions
Weather	sunny, dry	Seas	calm, surge
Water Temp	70-85°F / 21-29°C	Wetsuit Thickness	5
Water Visibility	25-100 Ft/ 8-30 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	yes
Enforced diving restrictions	No deco diving. 1 hr dive times, 50 mins on night dives.
Liveaboard?	yes	Nitrox Available?	yes
What I Saw
Sharks	1 or 2	Mantas	None
Dolphins	None	Whale Sharks	> 2
Turtles	None	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish
Large Pelagics	N/A
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter		Boat Facilities
Overall rating for UWP's		Shore Facilities	N/A
UW Photo Comments	[None]

Report currently has 2 Helpful votes

Subscriber's Comments

By Timothy Helble in MD, US at Aug 15, 2019 12:34 EST

I'm doing the same trip this October. I'm trying to plan how much neoprene to bring. You said "the northern dive spots were much colder than I expected," and that the temperature range was 75 to 85 deg. Was the 75 deg actually the coldest water you dove in, or were there a few spots where it was colder? Also, how was the diving in the Loreto area?

By report author: John J. Sambogna in MA, US at Aug 15, 2019 17:56 EST

Hi Tim, Yes, there were spots at depth where it was cooler than 75. I used a 5mil and added a hooded vest during the northern part of the trip. I was still cold at times, however I get cold easily. I think the diving around Loreto would include Coronada and Las Animas so from what I remember it was good. Overall, I enjoyed the trip. I have a video of it on youtube and there is also a link to it on the Quino El Guardian website. - youtu.be/jx8hIwBMEng I hope you have a great trip.

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Dive Review of Quino El Guardian in Mexico (Western)/Sea of Cortez

Quino El Guardian: "Explore Baja aboard the Quino El Guardian", Oct, 2016,

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

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

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

Subscriber's Comments

Dive Review of Quino El Guardian in
Mexico (Western)/Sea of Cortez