Cortez Explorers Newsletter - Yes we really do send some out!

For all those subscribed to our newsletters and members who have joined us - we apologize for being so tardy with our newsletters! Usually you cannot keep spam out of your mail boxes, for us it seems the opposite. We have been very busy with teaching all manor of courses. We have held our first IDC, which we are very proud of as well as the many new Open Water Divers we have introduced to the wonders of diving. We have worked to get a reliable boat that sports a nice, environmentally sound four-stroke engine and a four-stroke kicker. We have also been in the TV business, working with a Japanese camera crew on reality TV show. Our divers have been lucky to be around giant Humbolt Squid and got in the water with a Blue Whale and it's Calf. Okay the last one Mick only managed to see it from the surface, but he made a valiant effort to be in the water, the mother was just happier around the boat and not snorkelers!

Anyway, to the business of the day...

We will be closed from June 21st through the 28th.

Our compressor needs to be repaired and Mick needs to come up to LAX to pick up two of his daughters, so it seemed like the perfect time to kill two birds with one stone. We were going to try to stay open, however we are still searching for the second Dive Master for the center. Until then, it remains a one Instructor operation, meaning we do have to close for the week.

We are unaware of any groups booked in to dive that week, but we do want to make sure everyone on this list is covered. If you are coming down, please let us know and we will try to make alternate arrangements.

Summer Diving to Isla Tortuga and San Marcos

It is that time of year, when those pesky North Winds are dropping and we can make full day trips to some of the islands we cannot visit in the other 3/4s of the year. Isla Tortuga is our furthest destination, we take two pangas with us for safety reasons, and so we need to have these trips booked in advanced. It is a marvelous time on the final trip last year Mick saw, from the surface, Killer Whales (Orcas), many dolphin, a nice size Manta and amazing bird life. Under the water the viz was amazing, the rock formations off of the northern edge are a photographers paradise. They saw Barracuda, Turtle and Jacks as well as many other large pelagics not seen at our usual dive sites.

We need a minimum of 4 divers for this trip and we have to have advanced notice to arrange the second Panga and skipper. The cost of the trip is $180 per person for three dives and lunch, with the price dropping with more divers in tow. We have a max of 8 divers per trip. As this is more advanced diving, we also require at least one day prior for a shake-down dive, so we can get to know our divers, and they get to know our dive practices. The weather plays an important factor into diving Tortuga and so all people booking this trip have to be a little flexible.

Mick first dived Isla San Marcos earlier this year. He had taken a Japanese camera crew out there to help film a reality show, can you imagine? Mick and a reality show... Hehe. Anyway, they were so lucky in that a Blue Whale and it's Calf breached just off of the boat and stayed around. As mentioned earlier, Mick did try to get in the water, but the mother kept her distance. The diving off of San Marcos is also different to what we would usually do. The water temp is a little cooler, providing better viz than off of Punta Concepcion. It is also large enough to find lee shelter from the prevailing wind if needed. On the South side we are also looking into being able to camp on a low shoal - more on that to come.

Our cost for San Marcos is $130 for two dives, although the last couple of trips we have been able to squeeze in a third. We do not need as much notice for this trip, however as usual, please do not show up in the morning and expect space on the boat. This is still our downfall and we are trying to find a good local DM to help out - our trouble is we are fussy! So please book in advance.

News, for those not in town for a while... We have a Bank and ATM machine!

We would like to mention that we now have a bank and ATM as we are no longer accepting Credit Cards. This was a business decision born out of the need to not want to hike up our prices, yet credit card billing in Mexico has very high fees associated with the transactions. We are looking at other billing options for you and we will keep you advised.

And finally a shout out to Ronnie "upside-down" badger and Kate

Ronnie and Kate hung out last month in San Diego with Chris Solomon and myself (Matthew) - Although we had not met before, Chris had been at the dive center when Ron and Kate took their dive course - I had a cracking time drinking beer, talking of baja and learning how to make the best perogies and Poutine South of the Canadian boarder.

And with that I would like to say, "Good Night Canada"...