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Whale sharks in your face. Mantas circling above your head close enough to touch. Sea lions dive bombing and nipping at your fins. Hammerhead sharks. Morays, morays, morays. Jacks and barracudas schooling. Dolphins. Giant jawfish found nowhere else. 100+ vis. Bathtub warm water. Bright blue skies and calm blue seas. Exotic. Exciting. Jacques Coousteau called it "The World's Greatest Aquarium."And just a two-hour flight from Los Angeles.
It's La Paz!
Diving in La Paz may be the best-kept secret in the dive travel business. We have been there many times and always enjoyed it but the last three years we went in the Fall months and dove with James Curtiss' Cortez Club and were blown away by the service, the staff, and the diving!
In 2006 we spent a month there and never tired of the diving or the people. It's unanimous about La Paz: every dive is a surprise. One day we swam with pilot whales and another cruised with orcas. One day we tickled sea lions and another a pup tried to eat my lens. One day we had a baby whale shark bumping our boat while mantas and mobillas surfed the shallows beneath our fins. We saw marlin and sailfish and majestic sunsets and ate the best steaks in the world at a place called Buffalo's. We had a glorious time!
Come October, we are going back.
La Paz is the state's capital and the largest city south of Tijuana on the Baja Peninsula. Surrounded by barren desert, the city is set amid ancient laurel trees and coconut and date palms. Its waterfront promenade is one of Mexico's prettiest. A few blocks inland is the city's main square, the Jardín Velasco with its pink quartz gazebo, tile walkways and 19th century cathedral. La Paz is unspoiled, unhurried, charming. You can indulge in delicious local cuisine and dance until the wee hours, shop for authentic Mexican arts and crafts, kayak alongside friendly whales, and, of course, scuba dive.
Our host in La Paz is James Curtis, owner of The Cortez Club. The Cortez Club is everything a dive operation should be. The unsurpassed service is geared toward a hassle-free and relaxing dive experience. You will find all your equipment waiting for you on the boat in the morning, which will be moored at the private jetty. During the day, all your equipment will be set up for you, unless you wish to do it yourself. At the end of the day, just stroll up to our Sunset Bar to order your favorite drink, while your equipment is unloaded, rinsed in fresh water and stored, ready for the next day of spectacular diving.
The Cortez Club fleet includes 36-foot motor yacht, a custom-built rigid inflatable, and motorboats designed specifically for divers. More about the Cortez Club. More about the Cortez Club
The divemasters are courteous, considerate, and quite knowledgeable about the area and the marine life. They ensure that every dive is a great experience.
We will be staying at La Concha Beach Resort. La Concha a seaside hotel located on a secluded beach along La Paz Bay, a short five-minute drive from the picturesque city of La Paz. It's a laid-back, mellow spot, with a true warm and colorful Mexican ambience. The hotel's rooms are equipped with air conditioning, of course, a mini bar, cable TV, balcony and gorgeous ocean and sunset views. The on-site health spa is a good place to work out, get a facial or a massage. The restaurant, La Palmas, is one of the best in La Paz. The Cortez Club is on the premises, down the path a piece at the pier.
The CORTEZ CLUB Dive Centers Features:
Wednesday, Oct. 3 - Monday, Oct. 8
Wednesday, Oct. 10 - Monday, Oct. 15
Wednesday, Oct. 17 - Monday, Oct. 22
| Wed. Oct. 3 | Depart LAX Alaska Airlines Flight #206 11:55am Arrive LAP 3:08pm |
| Elapsed time 2 hours 15 minutes (There is a one-hour time difference between LA and La Paz) | |
| We will be met at the airport and transferred to La Concha Beach Resort for five nights and three days of diving | |
| Thu. Oct. 4 | 8:00am orientation at the Cortez Club, then 3 tank dives with refreshments and box lunch |
| Fri., Oct. 5 | 8:00am depart Cortez Club for 3 tank dives with refreshments and lunch |
| Sat. Oct. 6 | Whale Shark Encounter with spotter plane, followed by 2 tank dives. Refreshments and lunch provided |
| Sun. Oct. 7 | Free day to do as you please. Options: Scuba diving, ATVing, on-the-water sports, deep sea fishing, health spa indulgence, shopping, exploring, and nothing |
| Sun. evening | 7:00pm Adios Amigos Party at the Sunset Bar & Grill. Dancing and prizes |
| Mon. Oct. 8 | Depart LAP Alaska Airlines Flight #207 4:05pm Arrive LAX 5:30pm |
| Prices and itinerary subject to change. |
To be announced
Flight information, itinerary, and cost dependent upon airline ticket availability.
To be announced
Flight information, itinerary, and cost dependent upon airline ticket availability.
Per person double occupancy
Single supplement available
Gratuities not included
Itinerary and price subject to change
5 nights, 6 days accommodations at the La Concha Beach Resort
Ocean view room, double occupancy
3 days of 3-tank diving, Thursday, Friday and Saturday
Whale Shark Spotter plane
Box lunch, snacks and beverages on dive days
Boat guides, tanks, weights, belts
Roundtrip airfare from LAX
Airport transfers
Taxes
Adios Amigos Party at the Sunset Bar & Grill
Gift T-shirt
Friends of JoeLiburdi.com Prizes
What to do with the day? Explore historic museums and shop for authentic Mexican arts and crafts. Try your luck and experience in the legendary sportfishing for marlin, wahoo, tuna, dorado and more! Kayak alongside friendly dolphins and whales or beach comb in the tranquil bays of Espiritu Santo Island. Discover ancient cave paintings in distant canyons or venture into challenging mountain bike terrain. Go scuba diving again! Go ATVing. Or just relax and do nothing at all.
Hang up your reg and put on a helmet and enjoy a different thrilling experience. La Paz ATV's Adventure will take you on a guided three-hour ride along the beaches and dunes with beautiful views of desert and bay. The fee includes training, use of a new ATV Honda Rancher 350, helmet, goggles, insurance, and incredible fun.
Enjoy on-the-water sports at the Cortez Club. Choose from kayaking (singles, doubles and full ocean-going kayaks), sailing (Hobies and Prindles), windsurfing (Craft, Hi-fly and Pacific Wind), waverunners (Yamahas 750cc), and waterskiing (Mono, Wake board and standard). Instruction for sailing, windsurfing and waterskiing available
The Mosquito Fleet is the oldest sportfishing fleet in La Paz, serving Sea of Cortez fishermen since 1984. October is a great time to fish for dorado, marlin, yellow fin tuna and wahoo.