| The Sea of Cortez, one of the most unique | | | | itineraries are available out of Puerto Penasco |
| bodies of water on the planet, is the closest "salt | | | | (Rocky Point) and Kino Bay. Rocky Point is a |
| water" for Scuba divers in Arizona. This amazing | | | | quick 3 1/2 hour drive from Phoenix. Kino Bay |
| place has lured folks like John Steinbeck, Jacques | | | | (about 1 hour west of Hermosillo) is about an 8 |
| Cousteau and millions of others for its romance, | | | | hour drive from Phoenix. Once on board, the |
| sea life and quaint oceanside hamlets. | | | | objective is to take you to some of the most |
| Legendary diver Jacques Cousteau described the | | | | incredible and infrequently visited dive spots. |
| Sea of Cortez as the "world's aquarium" and the | | | | For the week long itinerary, the Rocio Del Mar |
| "Galapagos of North America". Cousteau was | | | | departs each Saturday afternoon from Puerto |
| referencing the plethora of sea life that travels up | | | | Penasco. The week-long trips offer a unique |
| and down the Baja and Sonora coasts throughout | | | | itinerary that begins at the Midriff Islands and |
| the year. It is an amazing and impressive | | | | continues to many remote sites where divers can |
| collection that could entertain even the most | | | | encounter a wide range of marine life including |
| seasoned diver with new and exciting finds dive | | | | whales, manta rays, whale sharks and more than |
| after dive. | | | | 800 different species (depending on the time of |
| Now there is a new species traveling up and | | | | year). |
| down the coast of the Baja Peninsula and the | | | | During the summer of 2009, Ned and Anna |
| Sonoran Coast. This species however is known | | | | Deloach of New World Publications ventured to |
| as the "Liveaboard Dive Adventurer". The Rocio | | | | the Midriff Islands on the Rocio del Mar. During |
| del Mar is a new luxury liveaboard that, after | | | | the Deloach's week long expedition, they took |
| three years of construction and ocean testing, | | | | over 4000 awe-inspiring pictures. While they |
| launched this summer. After the first few | | | | spent much of their time visiting with the |
| moments on the boat, you will see that "no | | | | unparallel quantity of fish species, Anna Deloach |
| corners were cut". This 110 foot luxury | | | | noted, one of her most favorite times on board |
| liveaboard screams attention to detail and | | | | the Rocio del Mar was "watching the whales |
| demonstrates from the spacious dive deck that it | | | | swimming alonside the boat". |
| was designed by a "diver". The Rocio del Mar | | | | Cruising along the cactus lined coasts of Baja and |
| has 10 private cabins, each with its own full and | | | | Sonora, the Rocio del Mar is taking divers to the |
| private bathroom, and sleeps 23 guests. | | | | remote Midriff Islands and other isolated dive |
| Much like the accommodations, the menu is | | | | spots in the Sea of Cortez. In the footsteps of |
| second to none. The Rocio del Mar serves up | | | | Cousteau and Steinbeck, Scuba divers are Giant |
| local Sonoran and Baja Mexican cuisine as well as | | | | Striding into the world's aquarium; living the |
| some American fare for those who may get | | | | adventure and realizing the dream! |
| homesick. Whatever a passenger may desire, | | | | If you have questions about the Rocio del Mar, |
| the galley staff is there to take care of its | | | | talk to your favorite dive professional or contact |
| guests, all day long. | | | | us at the Academy of Scuba. |
| The Rocio del Mar has full week (7-day) and | | | | Dive safe and have fun! |
| weekend (3 or 4 day) itineraries. These | | | | |