Valentina Liveaboard, Mexico

Name: Socorro Islands Exploration (San Jose Del Cabo - San Jose Del Cabo)
Start: 2027-02-11
End: 2027-02-20
Location: Mexico

9.1 Superb

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

from $ 429 / 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

03 Oct

6 Days / 5 Nights

$300 OFF! Rates include discount. Valid for a limited time only.

$ 2,590 Deal %

FULL

10 Oct

6 Days / 5 Nights

Last space for women only.

$ 2,890

Select Cabin only 1 space left

17 Oct

6 Days / 5 Nights

$ 2,890

Select Cabin only 2 spaces left

24 Oct

6 Days / 5 Nights

$ 2,890

FULL

31 Oct

6 Days / 5 Nights

$ 2,890

FULL

15 Nov

10 Days / 9 Nights

$ 4,300

FULL

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

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.

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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

9.4
Value

8.6

10 Exceptional
Richard B
United States

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

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

10 Exceptional
Lisa H
United States

Fabulous Trip to Socorro on the Valentina
My friend Mary and I had a wonderful trip to Socorro aboard the Valentina. I was a bit nervous at first because I hadn't spoken to anyone who had first hand experience aboard the boat Valentina, but it had open dates for the week we wanted to go to Socorro and excellent reviews, so we went ahead and booked it. We are lucky we did because we couldn't have been any happier with our experience on the boat! From the moment we stepped on board the crew was so helpful and friendly and we immediately felt welcome. Our room was small (there are bigger ones available), but the beds were super comfy. I liked that the doors opened out to the deck. It was great taking post-dive afternoon naps with the door open and ocean breeze coming in. Our dive guides Lorenzo, Chabello, and Fernando made sure we saw all of the things Socorro is famous for. We were treated to dolphins, schooling hammerheads, tons of white tips, and of course, manta rays. The skiffs were easy to board and the crew was great about getting us on and off. For those who are curious, we boarded with our gear on and then took our gear off in the water when our dive was over to make it easier to climb back on. At the end of the trip Lorenzo had made a 20 minute movie of our trip that was available to download and take with us, which was an extra-special touch. The service we received on the boat was incredible. Luigi, our chef, made the most delicious dishes I've had on a liveaboard and his presentation made us feel like we were in a 5 star restaurant. There was so much delicious food it was impossible to eat it all! Juan Manuel was our bartender and made sure we always had the drinks we needed, and we bonded by talking about our cats at home! We had quite the diverse group of people on board with people from the UK, USA, Dubai, Argentina, Costa Rica, and Japan. It was fun to have such a global group of divers together.
Recommended for
Spectacular Diving, Comfortable Boat, Amazing Food
03 Mar, 2024

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

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

9.2 Superb
Adelheid D
Switzerland

Great experience!
The diving with the Sea Lions and the Hammerheads at las Animas was amazing. Overall the amazing crew made this trip unforgettable. Thank you very much!
Recommended for
Crew Services and Friendliness. Diving. Food.
15 Nov, 2024

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

9.6 Exceptional
kut K
Spain

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

10 Exceptional
Michael S
United States

Great choice for vacation
Diving, courteousness and attentiveness of the crew, fun, food, meeting new friends, fresh sea air and wet ocean water.
Recommended for
Hard to single out
03 Jan, 2017

10 Exceptional
Agnieszka S
Poland

Great experience
Everything was great
Recommended for
Diving - mantas and sea lions. Very friendly stuff. Nice boat.
27 Jul, 2024

123 reviews

9.1 Superb
123 Verified Reviews

Sort reviews by:

9.6 Exceptional
Austin G
United States

Sea of Cortez, Nov 2025
Our time aboard the Valentina was exceptional. The staff, food, and diving were all top notch.
Recommended for
The staff!. The diving!. The food!.
13 Nov, 2025

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

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

8.8 Fabulous
Gijs D
Netherlands

Great group, great crew & guides, great food, great diving.
Close encounter with a hammerhead. Playful mantas on every dive. The pattern of dive, eat, rest, repeat.
Recommended for
Mantas on every dive. Excellent food and great guides and crew.
03 Apr, 2019

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
Kristi S
United States

Wonderful experience on the Valentina
Just returned from 10 days in Socorro Islands on the Valentina. I was a little nervous being the only American with a tight group of Chinese divers who spoke little English, but we all bonded over the experience. The crew was wonderful. A very unique experience in a very unique part of the world. Loved playing with the giant Mantas and chasing whales on the bow after the dives. Many sharks and some very fast dolphins. I did my Nitrox training on the trip to Socorro. Very comfortable accommodations and good food. Loved it when the Chinese cooked their specialties. Learned to play Mah Jong on Chinese New Year. A very special trip.
Recommended for
Crew, scenery, diving
15 Feb, 2016

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

Blissful week on the Valentina
My second trip on the Valentina. My first was to Socorro, this time to Sea of Cortez. Both trips were absolutely great. The crew cannot be beat. Cabins are spacious (per industry standards). Five dives at Los Islotes was FANTASTIC! Last time I dove in the Sea of Cortez (land based) we dived there a measly one time. It is my favorite place in the world and they took the time necessary to properly explore it. Amazing night dive with hundred of mobula rays swarming around us. Breathtaking. It was fun chasing whale sharks the last day. It was a blissful week. Lorenzo and El Capitan are the best! The crew knew my needs and wants before I did. Nice mix of cultures with Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and American divers.
Recommended for
Exceptional crew, wonderful diving, amazing organization and delicious food.
01 Nov, 2016

10 Exceptional
Nadine G
Lebanon

The crew that goes the extra miles to ensure the trip meets your expectations
Diving with hammerhead, silvertip, whitetip and blacktip sharks as well as manta rays (occasionally encountering an elusive tiger shark). Watching from the boat humpback whales, mobula rays, silky sharks and dolphins. Amazing crew: cheerful, attentive, helpful, enthusiastic, passionate, who will try relentlessly, irrespective of the conditions, to deliver on the trip expectations keeping in mind safety and fun.
Recommended for
Crew, food and outer cabins
04 Apr, 2022

10 Exceptional
Pamela W
United States

Great crew, very professional, fantastic dive masters and wonderful diving, comfortable boat.
I liked the dive masters and people we dove with. Food was excellent too.
Recommended for
The crew, the diving and a comfortable boat.
11 Oct, 2021

8.8 Fabulous
Mark H
United States

It's a divers boat for divers
Gorgeous Scenery, below and above water. Cow nose ray's night dive. Constantly helpful Dive master, and the food. Excellent chef.
Recommended for
Crew, Food, Dive Masters
26 Sep, 2021

9.2 Superb
Jane N
United Kingdom

Friendly and Professional operation and some great diving.
Great Mantas at the Boiler San Benedicto and Socorro. Rocas Partidas was good for sharks. Friendly and helpful crew that could not do enough for the guests. Great balance between safety and fun. Comfy beds.
Recommended for
Diving. Crew. Cabin.
14 Feb, 2018

10 Exceptional
Caitlin M
United States

Amazing diving and crew!
We had a wonderful time on our trip in May 2022... the seas were a little rough that time of year but the boat handled it like a champ! We had the nicest crew who were always there to help with our gear or bring us hot drinks after our dives. the food was amaing and we never went hungry! And best of all were the hammerhead sharks, dolphins (and two babies!) and Manta rays... allong with all the other sharks and sea life!!! It was the trip of a lifetime - thank you!
Recommended for
Sharks, dolphins, and mantas!!!!
04 Aug, 2022

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
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

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
Matthew O
United States

Great experience!
Great trip in the Sea of Cortez. Can'y say enough about the crew, a great bunch of people, who also helped me with an emergency, with complete professionalism. I want to thank them all for all of their help, and the owner Enrique, who jumped in and gave his time towards seeing me back to the boat. I highly recommend going on this trip, an all around terrific experience.
Recommended for
The crew, the location, and the sea lions!
18 Sep, 2019

10 Exceptional
Caryn F
United States

More than excellent❗️
The VALENTINA is the best Dive Boat I have ever been on. The food was amazing. The dives were wonderful and the crew was more than excellent. The crew asked us if there was anything they could do to improve the trip. Not one single passenger could think anything! It was perfect!
Recommended for
The Excellent Crew And Foof. Great Diving. Plenty of help with anything you need!.
28 Oct, 2024

8.0 Very good
Darren G
United Kingdom

The Best Diving Experience I've ever had
When we first joined the Valentina, our first thoughts were it looks like an old fishing boat...but what a marvellous trip it was. Socorro was just awesome The diving was absolutely incredible. The guides were very good. The food on the boat was some of the best food I've ever had> I would definitely recommend it
Recommended for
The reefs, The food & The company
17 May, 2023

9.2 Superb
Robert L
United States

Off the Charts Diving Experience
After over 40 years of diving this was one of our most amazing experiences. Sea life encounters were off the charts. We absolutely loved the diving and boat crew. The boat is a bit weathered but absolutely fine. Our cabin mattresses were not very comfortable as compared to other boats. A mattress upgrade would be meaningful.
Recommended for
The diving was amazing. The dive guides and crew were fantastic.. The food was very good..
24 Feb, 2026