Loreto,
Mexico & the Sea of Cortez
June 25-30 , 2009
Roundtrip air from DFW
5 nights Desert Inn hotel - double occupancy
4 days of 2 tank diving (each day we do 2 dives, beverages and snacks on the boat)
$1498/per person
What will we see?
Sitting off of Loreto's coastline are five dramatic looking islands; Isla Carmen, Isla Coronado, Isla Danzante, Isla Monserrate and Isla Catalina, which are all part of the Loreto National Marine Park. This great 100-mile long stretch of sea that hugs Baja's peninsula in the Sea of Cortez, is refuge to a diversity of marine life and home to over 800 species of fish, unique only to the Sea of Cortez.
The Sea of Cortez has long been known for its schools of dolphins, whale pods, sea turtles and sea lion harems, and of course, there is always the chance of meeting with the giant manta rays, hammerhead sharks and seasonal whale sharks. Brilliantly colored sea fans, black coral and invertebrate life blanket the rocky structures and at night the reefs open up into a rainbow of color.
The diving terrain consists of rocky bottoms, jutting walls, undercuts, overhangs, sprawling reef systems and several wreck sites. The water temperature is approximately 80°F-84°F in the summer. Visibility ranges from 50ft to 100ft+. Besides the local species of tropical fish, large game fish such as, Dorado, Jacks, Roosterfish and Yellow Fin tuna will frequent the area during certain times of the year.
Additional costs:
Taxi from/to airport ($8-10 each way)
Meals
Tip for dive guides ($20)
Equipment rental if necessary (BC & regulator $50 for 4 days diving)
Additional dives if interested (night dive???)
Possible baggage fees
Other things to do:
Golf: Just south of the Whales Inn Resort in Loreto, located on the beautiful Nopolo Sports Center property, lies the challenging 18-hole Championship Golf Course. Designed by renowned architects Mario Shjetman Danton and Pedro Guereca, the course features numerous sand traps and two beautiful lakes that create obstacles to put any golfers skill to a real test. The course travels along the Sea of Cortez coastline, captivating one while naturally blending into the surrounding desert and the Sierra de la Giganta mountains.
Cuisine: Loreto’s cuisine is a combination of Northern cooking, seafood and the recipes brought over by the missionaries resulting in wonderful fish and meat dishes. Specialties include ceviche, lobster, seafood dishes and fish tacos as well as fajitas, fillet steaks and the very famous chocolata clams "tatemadas".
Ecotourism: Just outside of Loreto on a 25 mile twisting dirt road that leads high into the La Giganta Mountain range sits some of Loreto's most fascinating history. The drive up is an adventure in itself and the view is breathtaking. The road winds around small streams, Indian petroglyphs, occasional wild burro herds and other endemic flora and fauna. Mission San Javier sits nestled within olive orchards planted by the Jesuits. Behind the mission is one 300 yr. old giant olive tree that looks like something a hobbit would live in, and is surrealistically twisted & tangled within itself.
The church, considered one of the most beautiful and well preserved of the Californias, was built with stone taken from quarry from the bed of the brook of Santo Domingo 20km southeast. Its original baroque appearance has been well preserved. The interior has a golden altarpiece with five oleos, brought from Mexico City in 32 boxes. There are two statues, one of San Francisco Javier and another of 'Our Lady of Guadalupe' along with a crucifix which are from the 18th century. It has 3 bells, 2 of them are dated 1761 and the other 1803. The site was originally inhabited by the Cochimies. Father Francisco Maria Piccolo visited the place in 1699 and began construction of a chapel. Father Juan de Ugarte, one of the most esteemed missionaries of the conquest, took charge of the mission in 1701. The construction of the church of San Javier was begun in 1744 and was finished in 1759.
Mission San Javier Tour begins at Dolphin Dive Center in Loreto where a comfortable van will take you and your party 38km into the beautiful Sierra Giganta Mountains. The trip runs aprox 6 hours. Along the way, you will visit ancient Petroglyphs that are estimated to be at least 3000 years old. You will also see San Matias, a location where the original natives worked and the Rancho Viejo ruins which was the original site of the mission.
Price is based per person, double occupancy and is subject to change. Space held with a $1000 deposit. $1499 per person, double occupancy.
by Banon Ellison
