Valentina Liveaboard, Mexico

Name: Socorro Islands Exploration (San Jose Del Cabo - San Jose Del Cabo)
Start: 2027-04-08
End: 2027-04-17
Location: Mexico

9.1 Superb

Nitrox available
En-Suite bathrooms
Aircon Cabins
Non-Diver (Snorkeler) Friendly
Warm Water Showers

from $ 430 / day Check dates

Deluxe Twin Cabin - MV Valentina Liveaboard

Deluxe Double Plus Cabin - MV Valentina Liveaboard

Valentina Double Cabin - MV Valentina Liveaboard

“Perfect trip, great dives, helpful and friendly crew, good food”
Giuseppe S, Italy

Highlights

Dive with sea lions and hammerhead sharks
Explore Socorro Islands for humpback whales
Excellent cuisine with Mexican, European, and Asian dishes

Enjoy spectacular diving in the Baja California Peninsular aboard the MV Valentina Liveaboard Mexico. The MV Valentina Liveaboard visits the abundant dive sites of the Sea Of Cortez from August to November, where divers can hope to see sea lions, huge schools of sardines and hammerhead sharks, and the amazing diving of the Socorro Islands to look for humpback whales, manta rays and whale sharks from November to May.

In 2013 the 38m M/V Valentina Liveaboard underwent a re-fit to ensure the highest standards. The MV Valentina Liveaboard has 10 air-conditioned cabins, each with an en-suite bathroom. The air-conditioned dining room offers excellent cuisine with a variety of Mexican, European, and Asian dishes, and also an open bar with a choice of various soft drinks, cocktails, liquors, and draft beer (some beverages require payment on site).

There is a large, partially covered sun deck for relaxation in-between dives or enjoying the stars in the evening. Let the MV Valentina crew take care of your needs and help you to create a diving liveaboard holiday to remember in the spectacular Baja California Peninsula. Book online today.

Choose your departure date

Date

Itinerary

Price

Select

29 Nov

10 Days / 9 Nights

$ 4,300

FULL

11 Dec

10 Days / 9 Nights

$ 4,300

FULL

27 Dec

10 Days / 9 Nights

$ 4,300

FULL

08 Jan

10 Days / 9 Nights

$ 4,300

FULL

20 Jan

10 Days / 9 Nights

$ 4,300

FULL

30 Jan

10 Days / 9 Nights

$ 4,300

FULL

11 Feb

10 Days / 9 Nights

$ 4,300

FULL

23 Feb

10 Days / 9 Nights

$ 4,300

FULL

15 Mar

10 Days / 9 Nights

$ 4,300

FULL

27 Mar

10 Days / 9 Nights

$ 4,300

FULL

08 Apr

10 Days / 9 Nights

$ 4,300

FULL

20 Apr

10 Days / 9 Nights

$ 4,300

FULL

Included: VAT, Port Fees, Drinking Water, Soft drinks, Tea & Coffee, Wine with Dinner, Full-Board Meal Plan (All meals), Snacks, Diving Package, Land Excursions, Beach Towels, Cabin Towels, Complimentary Toiletries.

Required Extras: Chamber Fees ($15 / trip), Fuel Surcharge ($25 / night), National Park Fees (MXN225-3,760 / day), Airport Transfer ($25-45).

Optional Extras: Gratuities, Alcoholic Beverages, Extra Dives, Nitrox ($25-30 / day), Nitrox Course ($355), Private Dive Guide ($150 / day), Rental Gear, Scuba Diving Courses, Snorkel Gear, Snorkeling Guide, WiFi internet ($80-150 / package).

Book now, pay later: You can easily place your booking online. We will then hold the spaces for you and you can confirm with a payment later.

* Extra fees are shown per person.

Pay by bank transfer or online with

Best Price Guaranteed

Boat features

En-Suite bathrooms
Aircon Cabins
Non-Diver (Snorkeler) Friendly
Warm Water Showers
Air Conditioned saloon
Sun Deck
Camera Station
Seaview Cabins
Non-Smoking Rooms
Custom built for diving
Charging stations
Indoor Saloon
Library
Outdoor Dining
Audio & video entertainment
Observation Deck
BBQ Area
Available for Charter
Local & International Crew
Snorkeling Equipment
Separate Rinse for u/w Camera
Leisure Deck
Daily housekeeping
Bar

Food & Drinks

Free Wine w/Dinner
Fine Cuisine
Vegan Options
Vegetarian Options
Free Soft Drinks
Beer available
Wine Available
Full-board Option
Snacks All Day
Western Food
Local Food

If you have any specific dietary requirements whilst on-board your cruise, you can add this to your special requests on step 2 of the booking form. We advise limiting these requests to religious beliefs or food allergies.

Diving

Nitrox available
DIN Adaptors
Rinse Hoses
Dive deck
Tenders for diving

Languages Spoken

The crew speaks English, Japanese, and Spanish.

Gear Rental

Equipment is available for rent on this boat. Please provide your rental needs on the booking form. If the rental gear is not included in the price, you will need to pay for it on board the boat. Show prices

Drawings & Vessel Layouts

Cabin Types

Boat Specifications

Year built: 1999

Year renovated: 2013

Length: 38m

Beam: 10m

Cruising speed: 12 knots

Max guests: 20

Number of cabins: 10

Number of bathrooms: 10

Boat navigation and safety

Radar
Depth Sounder
GPS
Radio VHF/DSC/SSB
Life Vests
Fire Alarm & Fire Extinguishers
Oxygen

Valentina Reviews

9.1 Superb

Vessel

8.4
Crew

9.5
Food

9.8
Diving

9.3
Value

8.6

8.4 Very good
Erik H
United States

Great food and lots of fish
Water was super warm due to the Super Nino so we didn’t get to see all the fish we had hoped for; however, the crew was great and the food was fantastic. Highly recommend bringing your own gear as the rental gear was well used and I had two faulty regulators on this trip. The boat was dated but seaworthy and comfortable.
Recommended for
Food. Crew. Weather.
12 Oct, 2026

10 Exceptional
Marcio G
Brazil

Fantastic dives, crew prepared to give you the best possible experience.
Dives well planned, crew prepared, guides very helpful.
Recommended for
1. Guides extremely prepared, 2. Rooma comfortable, 3. Food quality
26 Sep, 2018

9.6 Exceptional
Eric K
United States

Great time diving aboard the M/V Valentina
The sea lion rookery at Los Islotes was absolutely amazing!
Recommended for
Food, crew, attention to details
11 Sep, 2019

9.6 Exceptional
monica R
Spain

That's great
Fantastic dives and excellent😊 guides
Recommended for
Crew, dives, companions
21 Aug, 2022

Translated from Spanish

10 Exceptional
Nasira G
France

I was very happy to do this beautiful cruise, the Valentiné is well arranged for divers, the cabins are very beautiful, the meals excellent, the staff super nice and respectful.
Everything was perfect, the Valentina, the staff, the meals, the dives and the atmosphere.
Recommended for
The fabulous dives, the meals and the atmosphere on board the Valentina
04 Aug, 2022

Translated from French

9.6 Exceptional
Irene M
Switzerland

Liveaboard at its best
Although we could not do the planned programm due to strong winds, the crew arranged great dives. I enjoyed it very much - the price is well worth it!
Recommended for
1) diving with Sealions, 2) great staff, 3) excellent food
22 Dec, 2015

10 Exceptional
Richard B
United States

It was an amazing trip.
Awesome
Recommended for
Boat, crew, diving
09 May, 2015

10 Exceptional
Richard S
United States

This was easily the best scuba trip I have yet been on
The scuba diving was amazing, the water was clear, the manta rays were everywhere, the crew could not have been nicer, The Dive Masters could not have been more professional and helpful.
Recommended for
Diving experiences. Crew effort to provide a great experience. Comfort and service were the best.
08 Apr, 2026

9.6 Exceptional
kut K
Spain

Very friendly and professional crew.
Everything
Recommended for
Mantas, dolphins, sharks
02 Apr, 2019

8.4 Very good
Daniel B
Australia

Well worth considering if you are wanting to see Mantas, Whale sharks, Hammerheads, wow
Great trip and highly recommended to those seeking to see some bigger animals
Recommended for
Wildlife. Staff. Other divers and friends.
26 Apr, 2026

131 reviews

9.1 Superb
131 Verified Reviews

Sort reviews by:

9.2 Superb
john R
United States

Wonderful Week with sea lions and mobulas
Mobula night dive was better than I anticipated. I had been on the trip 2 years earlier and as Lorenzo says the mobula night dive just keeps getting better. The mobulas seem to remember and come back in droves. We spent more time diving at Los Islotes and the sealion interactions at our other stops were better than 2 years ago.
Recommended for
Crew always happy enthusiastic and actively seeklng ways to help. Knowledgeable dive guides. Wonderful interactions with sea lions and modulas.
19 Oct, 2026

10 Exceptional
Sarah W
United States

Wow Socorro didn’t disappoint
Amazing manta and dolphin encounters with some of the best people from all over the world.
Recommended for
Crew, other divers, marine life
30 Apr, 2018

8.4 Very good
Alexis R
United States

Wonderful Experience
Excellent Diving, wonderful Crew, cozy and comfy Vessel
Recommended for
Dive Sites. Accommodating Crew. Delicious Food.
11 Jan, 2025

10 Exceptional
Jane L
Canada

Fantastic trip
Loved seeing Mantas and dolphins. The dive leaders were exceptional and the food amazing. I’m vegan and the chef , Eduardo, went above and beyond to feed me well
Recommended for
The sea life, the crew, the boat
09 Feb, 2024

10 Exceptional
David I
United States

Sea of Cortez - Amazing experience with a great crew!
I spent six days on the Valentina diving the Sea of Cortez in mid-November. We departed and disembarked from La Paz. Although there is an airport in La Paz, flights are more readily available into Cabo SJD. La Paz is a two hour drive from the Cabo airport. The Valentina is 130 feet long and was last refit in 2013. The cabins are individually AC controlled with ensuite bathrooms. The public areas are comfortable. The food was superb and plentiful. The crew from the captain to the stewards was awesome. Very attentive to passenger needs both while diving and onboard the ship. The diving was great! Dives are conducted from zodiacs. The highlight was the sea lions at Los Islotes. Their playfulness and love for interacting with divers is legendary. We also encountered schools of Mexican Barracuda , Sardines and one group (6) Scalloped Hammerheads. We did two night dives with Mobula Rays in the same bay in about 20 feet of water. Lights are used to attract the plankton which brings in the Mobula.
Recommended for
Location, Crew & Food
29 Nov, 2022

10 Exceptional
Lisa S
Germany

Incredible Dives, Amazing Crew – A Perfect Liveaboard Experience!
Our dive trip aboard the Valentina Liveaboard was truly unforgettable! The underwater world was absolutely breathtaking—we saw everything we had hoped for and more. From a humpback whale during our dives to giant mantas that came incredibly close, along with countless sharks, hammerheads, and an abundance of marine life, every dive was spectacular. The dive guides went above and beyond to ensure we had the best experience possible. They were knowledgeable, attentive, and made sure we got the most out of every dive. The entire crew was outstanding—caring, friendly, and always ready to help, whether it was dealing with seasickness, making sure we were well-fed, or assisting with anything we needed. Speaking of food, the chef was amazing! As vegetarians, we were delighted by the creative and delicious meals—we never felt like we were missing out. Cabins were comfortable, with private bathrooms and hot showers—a must after a long day of diving! Overall, this trip exceeded our expectations, and we would 100% recommend it to anyone looking for an incredible liveaboard experience. 10/10, would do it again!
Recommended for
amazing, friendly, and skilled dive guides. incredible underwater action. caring staff, 24 h tea/coffee, lots of foods.
04 Mar, 2025

10 Exceptional
Rodolfo P
Chile

Best all round experience
The boat itself was very comfortable, but what stands out the most is the amazing wildlife, it was the best diving of my life. Also the crew was super friendly and professional. Francisca, Lorenzo and David were great. In addition, the food was the best i’ve ever had on a boat, shoutout to the chefs
Recommended for
Wild life. Friendliness. Food.
01 May, 2026

10 Exceptional
Gavin M
Switzerland

Great crew and amazing destination
One of the best dive sites I’ve ever visited - mantas, dolphins, hammerheads, whale sharks, several other species of sharks… It’s amazing. The Valentina’s crew ensured it was a safe, comfortable and even gluttonous journey, diligently managing food restrictions and carefully coordinating each dive to ensure everything ran smoothly. A friendly, professional team that kept us happy and safe in a diving paradise.
Recommended for
The crew, the destination and the company
03 Jan, 2022

9.2 Superb
Polly R
United States

Excellent Dive Masters & Crew!
1. Diving with the divemasters who all were very professional, friendly, accommodating, pleasant and downright fun along with being serious dive masters that were at the same time very knowledgeable about the areas we were in as well as their personal dive expertise: Jenny,. Carlos & Shezuko were all fantastic to dive with. 2. Accomplishing our Advanced Open Water Certifications on board: Jenny Smith was an excellent divemaster and trainer for this accomplishment~I cannot speak highly enough of her expertise, teaching skills and diving skills~ we got really lucky working with her. 3. Boat was spacious with plenty our outdoor living area and large salon for meals with good windows. Boat had some deferred maintenance, but our deluxe cabin was adequate with private bath & the beds were comfortable. 3. Dos Islotes with sea lions and sardine schools were the highlight!. We Missed Cabo Pulmo unfortunately, so that and the trip itinerary change were the only disappointments. 4. Entire crew was fantastic in addition to the divemasters~from the captain to the chef~ all lovely, pleasant and accommodating and ready to help in any way at any time! Very appreciated attitudes all around! Food was excellent, all meals were excellent and varied ~and the barbecue fiesta was awesome:) In closing, I cannot speak highly enough of this wonderful trip~and I am looking forward to booking another trip on the Valentina with its lovely crew & divemasters next year:) Many thanks again, Polly
Recommended for
1. dive masters 2. crew. 3. size of Valentina
26 Nov, 2019

7.2 Good
Sven B
Germany

Friendly and helpful crew
Diving with the sea lions Diving at the two wrecks Overall good crew service
Recommended for
Very good food quality, crew always ready to help, nice diving with sea lions
21 Aug, 2023

9.6 Exceptional
Joseph G
United States

Another great trip!
This was my fifth trip to Socorro and my third time on the Valentina. I come back to Socorro for great diving and return to the Valentina because the service and food is so great!
Recommended for
The diving!. The Crew. The food.
13 Mar, 2025

8.8 Fabulous
Lawrence G
United States

Great diving experience and staff but the boat needs updating
We had an incredible experience aboard the Valentina. The staff truly made the trip special. From the dive masters to the boat crew, everyone was friendly, professional, and always had a smile. They worked hard every day to make sure the experience was top-notch. The diving was outstanding. We saw an amazing variety of marine life, including rays, sharks, whale sharks, dolphins, octopus, and much more. Every dive felt memorable. The boat itself is a bit dated and could definitely benefit from modernization, but that did not take away from the overall experience. The crew, service, and diving more than made up for it. Overall, we had a fantastic trip and would recommend the Valentina to anyone looking for a memorable liveaboard scuba adventure.
Recommended for
Unbelievable diving. Great staff/dive guides. Great food.
27 May, 2026

9.6 Exceptional
Storrer M
Switzerland

Amazing Trip
Excellent crew, Manta interaction, pelagic sightings
Recommended for
Crew, Manta interaction, dive spots
17 Dec, 2018

9.2 Superb
Melissa V
United States

The Crew Makes This Amazing
The crew made this trip. From the welcome at the airport to the tiny little things like hot tea after a cold final dive of the afternoon, everyone on board and underwater kept us safe, fed, and entertained. The cabins need a little updating, but the dive deck is perfectly configured to accommodate multiple dives and all the gear they goes with. We had amazing shark (8 kinds) and manta interactions, and had learning experiences to make us stronger/better divers along the way. The captains in the dive dinghies were a godsend, always having a sense of where we were, and making transfers safe and routine. The crew of MV Valentina is top notch!
Recommended for
1. The dive guides - safety, flexibility and knowledge 2. The Crew - responsiveness, helpfulness, safety 3. The food - yum, yum and oh my gosh so much food!
19 Apr, 2021

9.2 Superb
David W
United States

Great Dive Location for good interaction with Manta Rays and Sharks
The highlights of the trip were seeing the giant Manta Rays and many varieties of sharks. The food and drink options on the boat were also great. We didn't encounter any tiger sharks, dolphins, or humpback whales, but all of those are rare to see on a dive, though possible in the Socorro Islands. We did however see humpback whales from a distance on our boat several times.
Recommended for
Great Crew, Great Food, Great Interaction with Manta Rays
28 Mar, 2020

9.6 Exceptional
Warren P
United Kingdom

A genuine 5 star liveaboard !
Third time on this liveaboard and it’s a brilliant boat, super slick operation, very customer focused on giving you the best possible experience. My only finicky thing I would improve is the dive time seemed sometimes short. I think 60 minutes is reasonable rather than the 40 - 45 minutes.
Recommended for
Diving / Food / Staff
30 Sep, 2023

9.2 Superb
Warren P
United Kingdom

One of the best liveaboards out there …
The diving is out of this world, every dive was great and the dive guides gave you enough freedom underwater to enjoy your diving whilst keeping it safe. The wildlife is exceptionally beautiful, both above and below the water, the Sea of Cortez is incredibly rich and diverse and is a must experience for everyone to experience.
Recommended for
The operation is superbly managed, the organisation on the boat is fantastic. The food is excellent for a liveaboard, the crew are very helpful and professional and the boat is clean and well maintained.
14 Oct, 2022

9.6 Exceptional
Christopher P
United States

Best liveaboboard food ever
Mantas and friendly dolphins
Recommended for
The food, the weather, the dives
21 Jun, 2024

8.0 Very good
Charles M
United States

Valentina for the win if you want to done Socorro!
I’ve done several and this one was excellent in all aspects. From the food to the service them the attentiveness of the staff the their attention when we had to get ready to dive, come up, and their specific attention to safety! This was a challenging trip from a diving perspective and they made sure we were fully prepared. The food was amazing! They provided lots of videos after the trip to keep us occupied on the boat trip back to shore. I’ll defensively use them again when I’m ready to do sea of Cortez!
Recommended for
Staffing. Friendliness of staff. Attentiveness of staff.
11 Jan, 2026

9.6 Exceptional
john R
United States

Great way to meet Sea Lions
I had never been diving with Sea Lions before. On a liveaboard we were able to do 4 dives on Las Ilotes and also saw Sea Lions on several other sites in the Sea of Cortez. It really exceeded my expectations.
Recommended for
Diving with California Sea Lions. Very helpful, knowledgeable staff.. Great group of divers.
22 Oct, 2024