Welcome to our April newsletter edition.

After meeting with several local fishing and diving experts, we have come to the conclusion that we have to dive Isla San Ildefonso. Consensus has it that this is the place where you will find shark, manta and other large pelagics. Starting this autumn we will be planning several 3 day trips to the island. See more information below on the planned trips.

Also in this issue is a description of one of our new accommodation partners, Villa Claire Delores. We have some stellar summer packages with the Villa Claire Casitas, including bed, breakfast, lunch and two tank dives for $89pp per night.

Finally, we are planning ahead and preparing for some adventure dives for September of this year. Dates and information can be found below. Needless to say, this will be some diving you may not want to miss out on!

Scubaventures coming this Autumn

Isla San Ildefonso, that name, for a very select few, evokes great memories of diving and fishing off of a remote island in the Sea of Cortez. Yes, we know, Cortez Explorers have never done this before, however this is the new us! Taking our experience gained from Camel Safaris in Egypt and the remote diving in places such as Sudan, Thailand and Yemen, we are undertaking a set of "Scubaventures" for those with that spirit of adventure in them.

We will use the Palomita as our dive vessel, endeavoring to make 4 or 5 dives in 2 days to the island. The trips involve camping, either under grass shelters, locally called a Palapa, or in tents (to stave off the wind more than any other element). It is a chance to experience a night sky where the closest electric light to pollute the air may well be 30 miles in any direction. We depend on the weather to dictate much of the diving, and so we will be planning the trips primarily in the least windy season, September through October.

This is your chance to do something a little out of the ordinary. So few people have dived here that we just do not know what to expect, dive to dive. We have gleaned useful information off of the only people to have been out there, and so we too will experience some of these dives for the first time too! Let me tell you, there is nothing like adventure diving.

We endeavor got get in two boat dives each day, as well a shore or night dive, if people are interested. The diving is intermediate to advance around the island, however snorkelers can also have a wonderful time out there. A maximum of 6 divers per trip provides for an intimate setting of diving and companionship.

If you are interested then contact us today to book a Cortez Scubaventure you will not want to forget!.

September Adventure Specials!

September? In April? Yep, we plan early around here! Listen up, for a select few dates in September we will be offering adventure diving days on our dive boat, the Palomita. With 40% discounts on dive trips you will get some stellar dive in. So, you may ask, what is the catch? Simple, we get to choose where we dive. We are going to be exploring new dive sites in and around the Mulege area, every dive will be different and challenging. The following spots are going to go fast:

• September 5th, 6th & 7th
• September 12th, 13th & 14th
• September 19th, 20th & 21th

Okay, Finally, Those Sealions & Other Stuff...

Okay, a quick update. We have now been diving with the Sealions on Santa Inez Norte for two months now. I think Mick has names at least two of them, and they are now becoming very used to both snorkelers and divers alike. Still, snorkelers get the close up shots, but it is only time before they become even more curious about those big bubble-making machines.

They are one of our most popular things to do for family groups as both diver and non-divers alike can enjoy these magical animals. This bull on the left, is becoming quite the sweetheart, imagine being in the water with him - amazing!

Mick has been out now for four consecutive days to dive/snorkel with the Sealions. The interactions are getting closer, easier and much more fun. A client from the UK, Peter has promised to send some pictures he took on April 11th of these magnificent animals. So Peter, when you read this, please remember to pass the pictures on, and we can share them with everyone in our next issue!

Water temperatures are continuing to rise, the upper snorkeling temps are in the mid 70s and the first thermocline is still around 30 feet. Diving with a farmer john is recommended, but those hardy enough can use a surf suit shorties now. Another 4 weeks and it will be shortie time for even the most timid of divers in Mulege!

Visibility is fluctuating with the water temperature and the still prevailing northerly winds. Most days you can expect 40 to 60 feet at depth. The fishermen are enjoying yellowtail right now, and we often are getting tuna jumping on the flat sea. Some of the pictures, above, depict how calm it really is!

A personal note from Mick:

"Please, if I owe you an email, forgive me, but I am inundated with work here with the diving and snorkelling, not to mention the 1001 other things that I am trying to do, but still find I neglect. Thanks one and all. Debbie, GOOD LUCK on your PADI Instructor Exam next month. Let me know, please, how you fare".