For any questions contact trip host Nathan Minatta at nateminatta@gmail.com
Trip #1 May 12 - 18 - 6 days 5 nights on the catamaran - $3,300
Trip #2 May 22 - 30 - 8 days 7 nights on the catamaran - $4,300
Every year towards the end of May when the Sea of Cortez starts to heat up and the fishing turns on, we run a Liveaboard spearfishing trip. We fly into La Paz where we board a 40 foot catamaran and begin our journey north into some areas that are only reachable by long range boats. It’s the trip of a lifetime and for the last 3 years it has sold out.
This year we’ll be running 2 trips back to back since there’s been so much demand. The first liveaboard is a shorter and more affordable version of the second.
Book online now!
The Boat:
You will live on a gorgeous 45 foot catamaran that comfortably sleeps 8 guests and a crew member who is waiting on your every need. There are four rooms with AC that sleep 2 people per room and each room has its own bathroom. If you would like to book the whole room so you do not have to share with anyone you can do so. Anyone who chooses to book a room to themselves will have to reserve 2 spots but at a discounted rate.
We will be towing a panga and a smaller tender so we can break up the divers and give everyone equal opportunity in the water.
The Trip:
All you do is...well...up to you. You can hang out on the boat, or you can dive all day. What you don't do is cook, clean, or drive.
Whatever your dietary needs are, the crew will accommodate. The food is Michelin star quality so prepare to be blown away.
Once we're on the boat we head north where the diving gets more and more remote. We will have a game plan for the diving but we keep it flexible so that we can always stay on the fish.
Target Reef Species:
We're timing this trip to have your best shot at everything. Late May is when most of the snapper are up in the shallows to spawn so the reef diving is about as good as it gets. The main reef species we like to target are cubera snapper, barred pargo (coconaco), leopard grouper (cabrilla), and gulf grouper.
Target Pelagic Species:
May is around the tail end of yellowtail and the beginning of Amberjack so you'll have opportunities at them both. Every year is different so it just depends on how the season is progressing in regards to which pelagics are most likely to be seen. 2 years ago we had incredible yellowtail action, and last year it was nonstop amberjack. One of the most abundant fish species we come across and probably best tasting are the Huachinango or the pelagic Red Snappers. These fish tend to congregate in big schools around pinnacles and can sometimes come all the way to the surface. We will be going by a couple areas that a notorious for big yellowfin tuna. These are a difficult specie to target in the sea of cortez but they will definitely be there. This is the beginning of wahoo season so they are also on the list but the farther north we go the harder they are to find. Your best chances for wahoo are going to be at the beginning and end of the trip when we are the farthest south. If you are interested in diving for wahoo, we suggest adding a day or two at Palapas Ventana at the end of your trip as this will be your best opportunity for Wahoo. The first year one of our divers landed a 50lb wahoo.
Most of the people who sign up for this trip are mainly focused on diving and spearfishing but there are plenty of things to do outside of that. In the years past when the weather doesn't cooperate for diving we would boat out to some of the islands to hike and explore areas where there is no human footprint. There's paddleboards, cyrstal clear water, and white sand beaches. Even for the non diver this trip is a dream but the diving is so incredible that most of us focus solely on that and it still feels like theres not enough time to explore all there is to offer.
Book online now!
How to book:
A deposit of $800 is required to lock in your spot
Half of the trip total is due Jan 12 - 4 months from the trip start
Full amount due March 12 - 2 months from the trip start
If you would like to cancel your trip or you are unable to make a payment, your spot will be put up for sale or placed on the waitlist. If someone is able to take your spot and pay the full amount of your trip, you will be reimbursed.
Schedule:
Trip 1
May 12 Board the Catamaran - be at Cantamaran at 2 PM
May 13 Spearfish
May 14 Spearfish
May 15 Spearfish
May 16 Spearfish
May 17 Early dive then unload in La Paz and shuttle to Palapas Ventana
May 18 Breakfast and shuttle to the airport
5 nights on CAT
1 night at PV
Trip 2
May 22 Board the Catamaran - be at Cantamaran at 2 PM
May 23 Spearfish
May 24 Spearfish
May 25 Spearfish
May 26 Spearfish
May 27 Spearfish
May 28 Spearfish
May 29 Early dive then unload in La Paz and shuttle to Palapas Ventana
May 30 Breakfast and shuttle to the airport
7 nights on CAT
1 night at PV
Travel:
Best route for travel is to fly into La Paz. From there it's about a 45 minute ride to Palapas Ventana.
There are direct flights from San Diego but they tend to cost more than flying out of Tijuana. Normally we have someone drive us down to the border and use the
CBX border crossing to enter the TJ airport. It's very fast and streamlined. The CBX is connected to the TJ airport so we basically walk across the border and then fly out. Another option is to fly into Cabo and catch a bus to La Paz.
Not Included:
Airfare, fishing license, tips, booze
for tips we recommend $300 for the kitchen, cleaning, maintenance, captains, and guides.