Valentina Liveaboard, Mexico

Name: Socorro Islands Exploration (San Jose Del Cabo - San Jose Del Cabo)
Start: 2027-03-15
End: 2027-03-24
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

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

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

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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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

9.4
Value

8.6

8.0 Very good
Emily B
United Kingdom

Brilliant for sea lions. Don’t expect to see whale sharks.
We loved diving with large numbers of sea lions and a night dive with mobula rays. Unfortunately there were no sharks which we were advised is due to El Niño (warm water). The whale shark snorkel advertised on the itinerary is not actually part of the trip which was disappointing. The food on board was amazing, all the crew and dive masters were very friendly and helpful. The boat itself is really spacious and we liked our double cabin.
Recommended for
Sea lions. Night dive with mobula rays. Amazing food.
16 Oct, 2026

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

8.4 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
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
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

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

8.8 Fabulous
Frederique S
France

Amazing
Extraordinary dives, like nowhere else,A top team, always available to please us, friendliness
Recommended for
The dives. Crew. The Socorro Islands.
05 Jan, 2026

Translated from French

10 Exceptional
Thomas R
United States

Best live-aboard dive boat ever.
Manta Ray. Bull sharks. Moray eels. Torpedo rays. Large schools of fish. Sea horse. Octopus. Large cabin. Stable boat. Delicious food at all meals.
Recommended for
Abundant underwater life, large and small creatures. Excellent dive guides. Fantastic food.
26 Aug, 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
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

126 reviews

9.1 Superb
126 Verified Reviews

Sort reviews by:

9.2 Superb
Ruth G
United Kingdom

Excellent food and great diving
Seeing the mother and calf Humpback whales undewater on my last day was for me an incredible experience. All the diving was great, there was a good mix of passengers all enthusiastic and friendly. The crew were very professional and helpful. The food was excellent 😊
Recommended for
Mantas, whales and sharks
07 Apr, 2023

10 Exceptional
Heimke M
Germany

Unforgettable Day’s amazing Dives
It’s our second time on Valentina the Crew is so amazing wonderful . Unbelievable how the take care of you on the boat and also diving. Safety 100% The dive spot of Socorro they’re the best places for my opinion worldwide. Dolphins, Tigersharks, school of Hammerheads, Galapagos and a lot of other sharks circle around you . Then you turn around and Mantas swim right in top of you and don’t forget to look after all the tuna’s , mackerel and differents Schools of fish What was also Great that are maximum 20 divers on Valentia . Thank you for this wonderful unforgettable experience
Recommended for
Super Crew , Safes Dives , amazing divesites
11 Mar, 2024

8.8 Fabulous
Ana V
Germany

An incredible dive trip
Diving Socorro Islands aboard Valentina Liveaboard was honestly one of the best dive experiences I’ve ever had. The crew was incredibly professional, attentive, and genuinely passionate about making every dive unforgettable. The diving itself was spectacular: giant mantas interacting up close, dolphins joining the dives, sharks everywhere, and the raw beauty of the Revillagigedo archipelago. Food onboard was also surprisingly great, with plenty of variety after long dive days.
Recommended for
The dives. Crew Service & Friendliness. Food.
25 May, 2026

8.8 Fabulous
William E
United States

Very nice experience - met my expectations
The highlight is diving with the sea lions. Besides that, the overall undersea experience was very good. Not a lot of colorful soft corals but plenty of sea-life to observe. We did one night dive which was great, I would have liked to have done another.
Recommended for
The boat as well as the operation overall was well organized. the crew was very helpful and accommodating and the diving was great.e
26 Sep, 2021

8.4 Very good
Kristi P
United States

La Valentina sea of Cortez
To the La Valentina crew!!! Everyone was amazing ! The food was outstanding. Dive guides so friendly and knowledgeable. The rest of the crew just made me happy to be around always having a smile and a helping hand, literally ! We definitely felt safe the entire time and the dives were spectacular! Thank you all! Kristi and John
Recommended for
The Dives. The crew. The food.
21 Sep, 2025

10 Exceptional
Richard B
United States

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

9.6 Exceptional
Rainer S
Germany

The experiences of the safari, especially the sea lions, will remain unforgettable.
Diving with playful sea lions and a rich marine life with large schools of barracuda and green trevally ("cocineros").There is also a lot to discover in the macro area.
Recommended for
The competent and attentive crew. Relaxed atmosphere on board with plenty of space to read, sunbathe and chat between dives. The dive sites were varied and attractive.
21 Oct, 2024

Translated from German

9.2 Superb
Juan Jose L
Spain

A diver's dream
Excellent treatment by the diving crews and other members of the crew, very comfortable boat except for the arrangement of the beds in the bunk bed and a destination to fulfill the wishes of a diver, large pelagics and reefs full of life.
Recommended for
Professionalism and treatment with the dive guides. Crew treatment. Quality of diving.
11 Apr, 2025

Translated from Spanish

9.2 Superb
James W
United States

a wonderful time for our 1st ever Livaboard trip.
The interactions with the sea lions. Getting kissed by a baby sea lion. Seeing Manta rays. Night dive with mobula rays. Enjoying the beautiful views of all the different islands in the sea of Cortez. Making new friendships with the crew and other guests. How the went out their way to make sure everyone hand a good time.
Recommended for
The Crew, the food, and the dive guides.
21 Aug, 2016

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

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

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

9.2 Superb
Jorge S
United States

Great diving and ship. Sealions are amazing
The best diving trip of my life. All the dive sites are great and different, but the highlight for me was diving with sealions puppies.
Recommended for
The crew and the dive masters. The diving sities. The cabin was very comfortable.
24 Oct, 2025

8.4 Very good
Charles L
United States

Crew was outstanding but diving was disappointing.
The grew were friendly, helpful and accommodating.
Recommended for
Crew, food
21 Nov, 2022

8.8 Fabulous
Christian S
Germany

High expectations have been exceeded
I came to La Paz with high expectations and they have been exceeded! The boat and the crew are amazing and diving with Sea Lions is so much fun.
Recommended for
Great Crew. A boat perfectly made for divers. Amazing sea life on this trip.
28 Oct, 2024

10 Exceptional
Samuel P
United States

We will book M/V Valentina again!
This was my first liveaboard dive trip so I wasn’t sure what to expect. (Spoiler: before disembarking I was already planning to book another trip on M/V Valentina for Isla Socorro!) Before we left port I got to meet Enrique, the owner of the vessel, and his assistant Fernanda, who jokingly called herself ‘The Robber.’ Before we arrived at the boat my girlfriend told me to keep my expectations low, based on her first liveaboard experience in the Red Sea a couple of years ago. We were both pleasantly surprised again and again by our experiences over the next five days and nights. The seven boat crew members and three divemasters who got underway with us made our entire experience onboard absolutely wonderful. There were 20 guest divers; 10 from South Korea diving with side-mounted tanks, and 10 of us recreational divers from across North America, Europe, and Japan. Three all-you-can-eat meals plus snacks were served daily in the air conditioned salon which seated all 20 guests at 2 tables. Every day started with coffee and a light continental breakfast available before dive #1, followed by a full hot breakfast, then dive #2. After that there was a snack before dive #3, and then a full lunch. Lunch time was usually an hour and then we’d go out for dive #4, followed by about an hour of free time to shower and get ready for a delicious dinner. Each night’s dinner had a different theme, and one was held outdoors on the top deck. Alcohol was always available in the evenings from a well stocked bar, but BYOB is allowed as well. Every day ended with a good night's sleep on comfortable mattresses in a spacious, individually air conditioned cabin. We had a full or queen size bed as the bottom bunk, and a twin on top. A freshwater sink and mirror were next to our closet for hanging clothes and a dedicated life jacket cabinet. I was surprised to find abundant storage space for luggage under our bunk: almost 5’ wide by 4’ deep by ~18” high. Our bathroom had a dedicated shower with enough headroom for a person several inches taller than 6'4”, and a household-style flush toilet instead of a standard marine toilet that requires manual pumping to flush and rinse the bowl. The diving setup was efficient and safe at all times. As a non-practicing PADI divemaster and cylinder inspector, I’ve seen shortcuts taken on other dive boats but not on M/V Valentina. Every equipment setup, adjustment, minor repair, and tank refill that I witnessed was done properly and safely. Each diver had a dedicated tank for the trip which was refilled in their assigned seat on the bench. I used a 100 cu. ft. tank and brought my own O2 tester for diving Nitrox, but the DMs also had two Quickstick testers and an air pressure gauge available on the center island in the dive prep area. Ingress down into the Zodiacs for each dive was only allowed when two crew members were below to assist with a safe transition. Egress from Zodiac back to the liveaboard was always done with a crew member manual assisting from above while two crew members held the inflatable boat close to the ship. What impressed me most was how many hats the boat crew and divemasters wore. They were always up and ready to go before the guests were awakened by the 6AM bell, and they were still performing shipboard duties as guests went to bed. I never figured out who expertly made our beds and refreshed our towels every day during a morning dive, but he did a great job. The divemasters who showed us families of sea lions on the surface and nudibranchs under water would also refill drinks during lunch and serve dessert after dinner. The two small boat handlers who ferried divers back & forth to each dive site would also sometimes clear dirty dishes after meals in between their sessions as Zodiac captains. The Steward, Engineer, and even the Captain would all gather on deck to handle lines from the returning Zodiacs full of divers. Nobody working on that vessel had just one job. Unusually w
Recommended for
Staff. Service. Space in cabins / bathrooms.
15 Oct, 2026

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

9.6 Exceptional
kut K
Spain

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

10 Exceptional
Rainer S
Germany

Big fish and steep walls in the Pacific
Manta rays, impressive drop-offs, dolphins and a whale shark encounter - all in all, a great diving experience. The Revillagigedo Islands (Socorro) give the impression of unspoilt nature - a jewel in the Pacific.
Recommended for
spectacular diving. great atmosphere on board. good cuisine.
25 Apr, 2026

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