Quino el Guardian
Unique dive itineraries including citizen science trips exploring Mexico’s exhilarating Pacific coast
per person
per day
Overview
- Embark on adventurous citizen science expeditions on Mexico’s renowned Pacific coast
- Learn from onboard experts in marine biology, conservation, and more
- Fantastic value for money, packing in more dives than other boats in the region
- Take part in animal identification, tagging, monitoring, and much, much more
Quino El Guardian allows passionate divers to embark on the trip of a lifetime - visiting some of Mexico’s most sought after dive destinations alongside marine biologists in an effort to better understand and protect these incredible marine environments. Equipped with a dive deck cum laboratory, a dining area and lecture room, and tons of expert knowledge on board, Quino El Guardian delivers unmissable itineraries at incredible value-for-money. Dive with humpbacks, dolphins, mantas, and more, take part in night-time shark observation, and relax with complimentary beer, wine and top-deck barbecues.
Upcoming trips
Cabins
- If you are a solo traveller, we aim to allocate shared cabins on a same-sex basis.
- Non-shareable cabins can not be shared with another single traveler outside your party. A single occupancy surcharge will be applied.
Amenities
Boat
Dive facilities
- If you are a solo traveller, we aim to allocate shared cabins on a same-sex basis.
- Non-shareable cabins can not be shared with another single traveler outside your party. A single occupancy surcharge will be applied.
Vessel
Vessel information
Starting life as a humble fishing vessel, Quino El Guardian was refitted specifically for adventurous research expeditions in 2015, with the mission to “protect our oceans, one diver at a time”. With the sole purpose of offering exciting citizen science opportunities to divers of all levels, this vessel does away with unnecessary frills on the surface, but packs in plenty of extra thrills beneath the waves. On each of Quino El Guardian’s unique and highly engaging itineraries, guests will dive alongside the onboard team of marine biologists, conservationists and industry experts, helping them in their research on sharks and mantas.
Operated by Mexico Liveaboards, Quino El Guardian features the same high standards of service as its sibling vessel, Rocio Del Mar - from the delicious food and remote locations, to the amazing and enthusiastic crew. This vessel offers unique expeditions and diving charters to the Sea of Cortez, as well as Clipperton, Benito and Socorro Islands - all at incredible value for money, packing in more diving than many other boats in the area.
Onboard Quino el Guardian
The 27-metre Quino El Guardian comfortably accommodates 16 passengers in five cabins, with additional space for two of the group leaders in the crew quarters. Meals are served in the dining room, starting with an American-style breakfast and ending with homemade soups, salads and local fresh dishes. Al fresco dining and barbecues can also be arranged, and snacks, refreshing beverages, and local beers and wines are all included. The dining area also comes equipped with a projector and a drop-down screen for group presentations. Guests can also make use of a saloon furnished with comfortable sofas, TV, computer table set up, and a small library of books and DVD’s. Plus, a large shaded sundeck complete with loungers provides the perfect spot for relaxing between dives.
Diving from Quino el Guardian
This vessel’s huge, well-organised dive deck comes complete with numerous storage boxes and rinsing tanks, as well as rinse showers and convenient lavatories. Underwater photographers are well taken care of with a spacious camera table, equipped with plenty of power outlets. All diving is done from two inflatable pangas, each equipped with a sturdy ladder and easily accessible from the dive platform. Equipment rental, nitrox fills and even nitrox courses can be provided at an additional cost. Whilst on board, guests will dive with an in-house scientific team of marine biologists, conservationists and industry experts, both learning from them and assisting with their research.
Top tips
- All certified divers can join this vessel’s amazing itineraries - they only ask that you be comfortable in the water.
- Don't forget to pack extra cash for onboard expenses like gear rental, nitrox, and gratuities.
- Keep a camera handy between dives - whales, dolphins, mantas, and whale sharks can sometimes be spotted on the surface.
- Guests are free to take part in as much, or as little, citizen science as they wish.
Conservation
Quino El Guardian’s citizen science trips include a marine biologist specialising in subjects such as manta rays, sharks, humpback whales, marine mammals, marine ecology, pelagics, reef ecology, invertebrate ecology, diving science and medicine, and more. Activities include animal identification, tagging, fish and animal counts, census monitoring, human and climate impact studies, etc. Much of the information that is collected is included in papers and presentations to governments and NGOs to help with the conservation of these areas and animals. In addition, this information is provided to websites to educate lay persons helping to further conservation awareness.
The Mexico Liveaboards fleet is also proud to support community projects for marine conservation in Mexico through an alliance with COBI - a Mexican non-profit organisation aiming to mitigate the unsustainable use of marine resources and the subsequent degradation of marine ecosystems.
