Isla Isabel Scuba Diving

Join our team of marine scientists and naturalists on an epic scuba diving adventure to explore and document marine life at Isla Isabel National Park. This unique island in the Pacific coast of Mexico is a marine preserve home to an extraordinary marine biodiversity.
Along this premier diving location you will enjoy amazing underwater sceneries
and unforgettable encounters with marine life like giant manta rays, reef sharks, big schools of jacks and yellowtails, groupers, snappers, eels, anemones and corals in a pristine environment. On land, you will enjoy hiking the trails of the island and learning about its natural and geological history as you commune and live among huge colonies of sea birds like frigates, blue and red footed boobie birds, tropic birds and other wildlife.
Some 22 miles off the coast of Boca de Camichín, a small fishing village right where the waters of the Río Santiago meet the Pacific Ocean in the coast of Nayarit, lies Isla Isabel or “Isabela”, a rather small but magnificent volcanic island with an area of no more than 200 hectares and an altitude of 140 meters above sea level, with a crater lake in the middle. Known as the “Mexican Galapagos”, this island is home to a great biodiversity and it was declared as a National Park by the mexican government in 1980, due to its relevance as a refuge for marine birds and the ecological processes it supports for biodiversity as a whole.
Isabel Island is possibly Pacific coast of Mexico’s best kept secret and one of the best diving spots in Mexico, including pristine habitats for recreational and scientific scuba diving, underwater photography, snorkeling, bird watching and hiking! Get ready to experience the real island living and the best underwater exploration as we take you on this multi-day expedition for the ultimate marine adventure!
Day 1. Departure from Mazatlán to Boca de Camichín, Nayarit.
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12:00 PM Pickup service at your hotel lobby (exact time according to your hotel location).
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12:30 PM Ground transportation on A/C Van or SUB southbound to Boca de Camichín in the neighbor state of Nayarit (about 3.5 hrs). Lunch, snacks and drinks included on the road!
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4:00 PM Arrival to Boca de Camichín and Welcome hosted by the Mata Family, our friends and authorized local services providers. On a tropical hut by the wetlands, our friend and partner Roberto Mata along with our Master Scuba Diver Trainer and crew will brief you about the expedition itinerary, security measures, regulations and introduction to Isabel island ecology and natural history. After this, you will settle and leave your luggage at your assigned shared dormitory on a rustical lodge just located at the waters edge of the wetlands.
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6:00 PM Dinner time and Ice breaker! Enjoy a delicious sea food dinner right at the waters edge and mingle with the crew and participants along with a nice cold soft drink or beer! Nite nite!
Day 2. Bound to Isabel Island
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6:30 AM Breakfast! Wake up, smell the coffee and enjoy a refreshing breakfast before departure.
- 8:00 AM Boat departures from Boca de Camichin bound to Isabel Island. On our way to the island, our crew will be documenting marine megafauna sightings like dolphins, whales and sea turtles! Learn about navigation and marine life survey techniques.
- 11:00 AM Arrival to Isabel Island! disembark on the beach of this majestic island and let the adventure begin! After leaving your luggage and personal stuff on your assigned camping ground, you will get ready for your first dive of the day!
- 12:00 PM Dive No. 1 (location assigned according to local conditions)
- 2:00 PM Back to camp for lunch and some relax time!
- 4:00 PM Dive No. 2 (location assigned according to local conditions)
- 5:30 PM Back to camp and get ready for a light hike to the west coast of the island for a magnificent sunset! Anyone said tea or coffee?
- 7:30 PM Dive No. 3 (first night dive | location assigned according to local conditions)
- 9:00 PM Dinner at camp! Enjoy sharing the adventures of the day wit your co-expeditioners and crew! Play cards or board games or simply relax watching the stars before a good night sleep.
Day 3. Experience the Island
- 6:30 AM Breakfast! wake up on your first morning on the island! smell the coffee and enjoy a nice breakfast before your first dive of the day!
- 8:00 AM Dive No. 4 (location assigned according to local conditions)
- 10:00 AM Back to the island for some free time to explore. Options include swimming at the beach, boat ride for sightseeing, photo-hike or relax at the camp.
- 12:00 PM Dive No. 5 (location assigned according to local conditions)
- 2:00 PM Back to Camp for Lunch!
- 4:00 PM Dive No. 6 (location assigned according to local conditions)
- 5:30 PM Back to the island for more land exploration: visit the beach at Las Monas and research station where scientists are performing research on blue footed boobie birds, go on a photo hike to the crater lake or simply relax at the beach or camp.
- 7:30 PM Dive No. 7 (second night dive | location assigned according to local conditions)
- 9:00 PM Dinner at camp! Enjoy sharing the adventures of the day wit your co-expeditioners and crew! Play cards or board games or simply relax watching the stars before a good night sleep.
Day 4: Island Farewell
- 6:30 AM Breakfast! wake up on your first morning on the island! smell the coffee and enjoy a nice breakfast before your first dive of the day!
- 8:00 AM Dive No. 8 (Your last dive on this adventure! location assigned according to local conditions)
- 10:00 AM Back to the island for your last hiking, swimming or activity of your preference, while our crew and hosts start to upload equipment and luggage for departure.
- 12:00 PM Leaving Isabel Island bound to Boca de Camichin. This time boats will go full speed back to land!
- 2:00 PM Arrival to Boca de Camichín.
- 2:30 PM Farewell Lunch and toast!
- 4:30 PM Departure to Mazatlan. Ground Transportation.
- 8:00 PM Arrival to Mazatlan. Drop off at your hotel or meeting location. SEE YOU NEXT TIME!

- Visit one of the best diving spots in the Mexican Pacific! Abundant marine life and pristine environments makes this the ultimate marine adventure! If you’re looking for something truly off the beaten track, look no further!
- Discover and learn about the islands natural and geological history along with our team of marine scientists, explorers and naturalists and take part on efforts to document marine life for conservation projects!
- Our boats provide a great platform to ensure a more intimate encounter with marine life and awesome photography opportunities.
- Small groups and personal attention by our highly qualified crew allow for individual discussions about sea life as well as the islands ecology, as well as its conservation status and needs.
- Proceeds from this tour support marine life monitoring and conservation programs.
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$1,299 USD
Per person
November 7-10 | sold out!
Next Expedition Available | June 2020
Duration: 4 Days | 3 nights
Departures: From Mazatlán bound to Boca de Camichín, Nayarit at 11:00 AM on Thursday, November 7th
Returns: From Boca de Camichín to Mazatlán at around 8:00 PM on Sunday, November 10th.
Included in your adventure:
- Ground Transportation A/C Van Mazatlán-Boca de Camichín-Mazatlán.
- Water Transportation on Open Fiberglass Outboard Boats to Isla Isabel.
- Highly qualified bilingual expedition leaders (Marine scientist & naturalist + Master Scuba Diver Trainer & Paramedic + Local Guides).
- Scuba diving equipment (BCD, Regulator, Octopus, Console, Weights & Tanks. Not included: Mask, Fins and Wetsuit -must bring your own-).
- Entrance Fee to Isabel Island National Park.
- 1 Night lodging in rustic cabin by the wetlands at Boca de Camichín (shared room)
- 2 Nights lodging in camping tents with sleeping bag and/or mat at Isabel Island.
- 3 breakfast, 3 lunches & 3 dinners.
- Night presentations by your hosts about Isabel Island natural history & marine life research, monitoring & conservation in Mexico.
- Optional activities like hiking, bird watching & snorkeling.
- Refreshments & snacks throughout the expedition.
- Official Expedition T-Shirt.
NOT INCLUDED: Tips for captains, cooks and guides.
RESTRICTIONS
- LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE FOR 10 DIVERS
- IT IS REQUIRED THAT ALL PARTICIPANTS ARE CERTIFIED SCUBA DIVERS
- (Open Water Level, Advanced preferred).
- We also strongly suggest all participants are covered with a Personal Accident and/or Travel Insurance.
Level of activity: Moderate
More info?
Send us a WhatsApp at +1 (52) 669.116.03.01
Or Email us at oncareserva@gmail.com
This post is also available in: Spanish