ISLA ISABEL NATIONAL PARK | SCUBA DIVING EXPEDITION in Campamento Isla Isabel, Nay., México

Onca Explorations

30 reviews

Dec 15 - 18, 2022

Group size: 1 - 10

ISLA ISABEL NATIONAL PARK | SCUBA DIVING EXPEDITION

Campamento Isla Isabel, Nay., México

$NaN

Dec 15 - 18, 2022

Group size: 1 - 10

Join our team of marine scientists and naturalists on this annual gateaway to explore and document the marine life of Isla Isabel National Park. This peculiar archipielago in the Mexican Pacific is teeming with life year round. Its extraordinary biodiveristy makes it a truly natural laboratoty for ecological studies.

Under the sea you will enjoy amazing marine scenery and possible encounters with large swirling schools of Jacks, giant mantas, sea turtles and a myriad of colorful tropical fish and invertebrates that inhabit the rocky reefs and corals. On land, get lost in fascinanting trails around the island in search of the best island scenarios and learn about ots geology and natural history in communion with thousands of sea birds that call this island home.

Departures from Mazatlan, ground transportation to Santiago Ixcuintla-Boca de Camichín and boat transfer to the island.

$750.00 USD PER PERSON

BOOK BEFORE NOVEMBER 30TH FOR 10% OFF!

CODE: ISABEL2022

LIMITED SPACED AVAILABLE: 10 EXPLORERS!

This expedition is suitable for certified divers only, minimum OWD but Advanced is preferred.

You are not a Scuba Diver? you have company? Free diving is your cup of tea?

Ask for our special rates for non-divers, companion or freedivers!

DIURNAL DIVES: 5

The reefs and banks around Isabel Island host a great biodiversity and underwater sceneries, from shallow reefs to amaziong volcanic formations and accidents that offer unique experiences and importan marine life agregations.

NOCTURNAL DIVES: 2

At night, the submarine scenario shows its more colorful and active face. The same reefs and banks we dove during daylight, become a delightful assemble of diverse fauna and offers a unioque opportunity to experience bioluminescence and the magic of the oceans dark solitude.

Although small, with barely 84 hectares, 2 kilometers long and 800 meters wide, Isla Isabel´s geographic accidents invites to explore and discover its natural and geological history. Isolation from continent it is not excuse to have a comfortable campling site, as well as abundant and delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as snacks and refreshments, all prepared with love and dedication by our local hosts.

Transportation
Land transportation from Mazatlan to Santiago Ixcuintla for an overnight and then to Boca de Camichín. Boat transfer to the island!
Professional guides
Our expedition leaders are experienced marine scientists as well as RAID dive instructors.
Entrance fees
Isla Isabel National Park visitor fee
Scuba Gear
Complete scuba gear rental included in your price. You can bring your own gear as well!
Immersions
7 in total= 5 diurnal + 2 nocturnal
Lodging
I night at hotel in Santiago + 2 nights camping at Isabel Island
All meals
3 breakfast + 3 lunch + 3 dinner
Snacks + refreshments
Granola bars, fruit, cookies + soft drinks, coffee or tea
Extra activities
Hiking, snorkeling, birdwatching
Tips and gratutities
Guides, captains, cook and drivers.

Day 1
Day 1
Let´s Vamonos!
We depart from Mazatlan around 13:00 hrs on a van bound to Santiago Ixcuintla, Nayarit (aprox 3.5 hrs)

Arrival at Santiago around 5 pm to rest on a hotel (shared occupation). If you not wish to sharer a room with another explorer please ask for our single occupancy rate.

During dinner we will introduce part of the team and a briefing on our adventure.

Meeting point for departure: WalMart parking lot at Marina.

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Day 2
Day 2
Bound to Isabel!

After early breakfast at the hotel´s restaurant we will hit the road to Boca de Camichín (aprox 30 min) where we will meet our hosts, the Mata family. From this town we will depart on fiberglass speed boats bound to Isabel Island after visiting the Oyster farms and other local projects within the Marismas Nacionales Biosphere Reserve.

During our 1.5 to 2 hr boat trip to the island there are big chances of finding humpback whales, dolphins and even whale sharks!!

Upon our arrival to the Island we will go directly for our first immersion and then lunch and settle the camp. We will enjoy sunset at a secluded beach sippin coffee or tea after an amazing day! Dinner and rest!

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Day 3
Day 3
Bubbling in paradise!
2 diurnal immersions

Optional hiking to lake crater and Las Monas beach.

Snorkel at Playa Las Monas (optional)

1 nocturnal dive

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

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Day 4
Day 4
Bye bye paradise!
2 diurnal dives

Free time to enjoy the beach or relax

Back to Boca de Camichín

Seafood lunch and cold Pacificos! at Boca de Camichín.

Back to Mazatlán (around 4 hrs)

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Day 1

Let´s Vamonos!

We depart from Mazatlan around 13:00 hrs on a van bound to Santiago Ixcuintla, Nayarit (aprox 3.5 hrs)

Arrival at Santiago around 5 pm to rest on a hotel (shared occupation). If you not wish to sharer a room with another explorer please ask for our single occupancy rate.

During dinner we will introduce part of the team and a briefing on our adventure.

Meeting point for departure: WalMart parking lot at Marina.

30 reviews

Our ecotours and expeditions are specially designed to enhance your connection with nature and to inspire you to love and protect our living planet. Our one of a kind travel experiences combine elements of exploration, science, experiential learning and cultural exchange, with sustainable tourism activities, for you to witness and experience profound connections with wildlife. While we explore, we learn, we educate, and we document to promote awareness about the value and threats to biodiversity.

We could not have been happier with our experience. We did not see a humpback whale, but we heard them singing with the underwater microphone and then had an unexpected experience when we got to see a Bryde's whale instead. Larger than the humpback! It is always a gamble you will not see anything especially late in the season, but on this day, we did! Crew was wonderful and made our trip one we won't forget.

By Alicia M for WHALE WATCHING ADVENTURE IN MAZATLAN | @ONCAEXPLORA on Mar 31, 2023

Our guide Oscar did a great job organizing this trip and accompanied us during the tour. The local guide Don Santos was able to find all of the birds (including the Tufted Jays) that we wanted to see and more. The cabin is rustic but comfortable and quiet. We were happy to meet Don Santos' family at their home in El Palmito where his wife prepared and served us our meals. Overall recommended for those who would like to make the trip to see the Tufted Jays while lettings others take care of the logistics, while also supporting the people and community that are working to protect this vital habitat. Thanks to everyone involved!

By Michael J for TUFTED JAY PRESERVE | BIRDWATCHING (2 Days | 1 Night) on Mar 30, 2023

Ciro was absolutely fantastic as our guide! We saw so many humpback whales including moms with calves and several breaches. They were very respectful of the whales while piloting the boat too. Couldn’t have asked for a better experience in Mazatlán at the end of whale watching season!

By Adam B for WHALE WATCHING ADVENTURE IN MAZATLAN | @ONCAEXPLORA on Mar 17, 2023

We enjoyed the excursion, the staff were wonderful and shared a lot of very interesting facts. We were disappointed we didn’t see any whales, however, we understand our date was pretty late in the season. We’ll try again with ONCA in the future.

By Celeste S for WHALE WATCHING ADVENTURE IN MAZATLAN | @ONCAEXPLORA on Mar 11, 2023

This was such a great experience and definitely a highlight of our week in Mazatlán. Communication was excellent throughout the booking process as I had to make a couple of changes to our original reservation. Oscar was our guide and it's evident how passionate he is about oceanography and marine research. He is extremely well educated in these topics and his passion was contagious. We saw a massive pod of about 50 dolphins! Then, after looking and looking for the whales for some time, we made a quick haul about 4 miles offshore and found a pod of 6. It was so spectacular to see them up so close! The rough boat ride (it was quite windy that day) was totally worth it. We stayed with them for quite some time and I never got the sense that Oscar and the other gentleman on the boat with him were just trying to check off a box and get back to the marina. Super, super cool. I loved that you go out on a smaller boat because that means fewer people. There were only 8-10 customers on the boat. Our family of 6 sat up front, another couple sat on the bench in front of the captain, and 2 people in the back. I loved being in the front, although the smaller boat experience may not be for those who get seasick easily, especially if the water is rough that day. So just know that going in. It didn't bother me one bit, but I know it does for some. Highly recommend this company! Go for it!