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Please take a moment to read our Sea of Cortez FAQ's page designed to help answer a majority of the questions you may have regarding this trip.
Reaching
down into the Pacific Ocean, the unspoiled peninsula of Baja California curls
protectively around the Sea of Cortez. The wonderful secrets of Baja are as yet
known to relatively few people. Baja is a land of deserts, ancient Spanish
missions, remote beaches, superb seafood and long sun-filled days.
The
Sea of Cortez, studded with rugged islands surrounded by stunning, almost
deserted white sand beaches, is one of the biologically richest bodies of water
on our planet and has over 800 vertebrate species and 2,000 invertebrates. Here
hammerhead sharks school in groups of up to 200 or even an amazing 2,000,
colonies of sea lions live undisturbed and Whale Sharks come to mate, give birth
and make their winter home. Few divers have, as yet, had the opportunity to
discover for themselves the amazing, unusual and Sea of Cortez has to offer.
This unique destination provides excellent opportunities for those interested in marine wildlife, underwater photography or simply the chance to be amongst the first divers to explore a new destination. Open to the south, the Sea of Cortez feeds into the Pacific Ocean. The result is a unique and intriguing ecology and some wonderful scuba diving opportunities.
Described
by Jacques Cousteau as "one the richest seas of the world," it is classified as
one of the most fantastic scuba destinations. When diving in the Sea of Cortez,
be prepared to take many pictures with your underwater digital camera, as the
wildlife is abundant. You will see hammerhead sharks, sea lions, mantas, whale
sharks and more than 800 species of fish which, at times, school so densely that
they block out the sun.
The Town of LA PAZ
Perched
on the southeast edge of the district of Baja Sur, the small colonial town of La
Paz with its tree-lined boulevards and friendly people offers divers direct
access to the semi-tropical waters of the Sea of Cortez.
Here you will find a town of glorious landscapes and numerous bars and restaurants serving good seafood or spicy Mexican dishes that can be washed down with excellent local beer and tequila-based cocktails.
Splendidly clean and well cared for, La Paz’s rather ramshackle waterfront buildings are surrounded by palm trees and aloes. Scrub desert surrounds the town and in the distance tall mountain ranges form a sunwashed backdrop. From time to time the huge cacti, their ‘fingers’ pointing skywards, blossom with yellow and red flowers.
With the use of a hire car it is easy to explore the Pacific coast of Baja with its sleepy towns. For excellent restaurants and fabulous deserted beaches visit the small town of Todos Santos, usually visited only by Mexicans and more adventurous gringos.
Club Cantamar
In
1983, the Aguilar family moved to La Paz with the sole purpose of starting a
service oriented business.
Being a scuba diver since 1965, it was just the natural move for Fernando, beginning operations with a 22' Panga (Baja 1, still in operation), and an old 40 hp outboard engine, but with the Cantamar Project in mind as the family goal.
After several years of persistent dreaming and planning, construction started in 1994 with a boat ramp, a small office building and the compressors house with the tank filling station, which in turn gave place to the actual Hotel Cantamar Beach Resort & Marina, the family's dream come true.
The whole family is involved in marketing, administration and operations, along with 32 young men and women who collaborate making sure you get the best possible service.
The number of divers that can go on the trip is limited. Please let us know
as soon as possible if you would like to go. A deposit of $100 is needed to hold
a place on the trip for you. The remaining balance is due on July 25. If you have any questions about the trip you can reach us at the
Center at 516-796-6560.
Keep in mind that we will be offering some of our great Advanced Specialties courses during our trip. Our Advanced Open Water Diver program is a program designed to help you be the best you can. Certification is based on taking 4 of our Advanced Specialties and logging 24 dives. With the dives on this trip and the numerous club dives planned for Long Island, you should have no problem doing your logged dives to reach the needed 24. If you really want to be the best you can, plan to keep going after your Advanced towards your Master Diver Certification. This is the highest level of civilian certification. Master Diver Certification is awarded to divers who have logged 50 dives, completed 4 specialties and taken Rescue Diver.
Night Diver:
It is a whole new world at night underwater. See what it’s all about. You must
have Night Diver qualifications (which you get with this program) if you wish to
go on a club night dive.
Computer Diving: Have a computer and not sure how it works? Thinking about getting a computer? Then this is the program for you.
Underwater Photography: With a night in the pool, you’re ready to take the challenge of taking pictures in underwater. We are offering both 35 mm and digital underwater photography
Jeanne Tiedemann’s Travel Service - If can’t join us on one of our trips remember that Jeanne Tiedemann can set up a complete dive vacation to just about anyplace in the world. When it comes to a great vacation she is the expert with years of diving experience all over the world. Her expertise in dive travel are available to you at Tiedemann’s Diving Center. Just call for an appointment. Don’t forget this service is free. Special discounted dive packages and bulk airfares are available.