San Carlos Mexico

Drive-and-Dive Weekend Vacation

Dive San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico

3 Day / 2 Night Trips Throughout The Year

Where is the best diving in Mexico? Join THE DIVE SHOP at one of the top seven dive locations in the world. The diving and marine life in this region are famous. The diversity of marine life is phenomenal. DIVE SITES include Isla San Pedro Nolasco where you can dive with sea lions; Punta San Pedro the Sea Mount at San Carlos; Window Rock and dozens of other top sites.

Dive the Santos Degollado Wreck!

Mexico has sunk a ship in the San Carlos area as an artificial reef and a wreck that is designed for divers and even viewable for snorkelers.  The former USS Gladiator (AM-319) is a decommissioned Auk class minesweeper that served in WWII and the Korean War.  She was decommissioned in 1955 and later sold to Mexico in 1972.  Mexico put her in service and renamed her the ARM Santos Degollado (P106).  Her length is about 220ft, beam 32ft, and is 40ft tall.

 

The Dive Shop is proud to announce some special trips for 2024!

  • “Holiday Trips” on Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day weekends featuring 3 days of 2 tank diving with 2 days of diving at San Pedro Island (weather permitting) and 1 day of local diving. We will be staying at the NEW Casa Maria Boutique Hotel! See pricing page for special pricing.
  • “Wreck Diving The Santos Degollado” Explore and earn your PADI Wreck Specialty in San Carlos. Aug 22-25, 2024.  Trip includes 2 days of 3 tank local diving, and 1 day of 2 tank local diving with 4 dives on the wreck.
  • “Women’s Dive Day” weekend July 12-14, 2024.  Women’s Dive Day weekend is open to all divers.  This is a great opportunity to make new dive buddies and friends.  This trip will also feature a 3 tank dive to San Pedro Island on Saturday (weather permitting).
  • “3 Dives at San Pedro Island” Sept. 13-15, 2024.  The Dive Shop has scheduled a 3 tank dive at San Pedro Island (weather permitting) on Saturday, and 2 tanks locally on Sunday.
  • “Optional extra day of diving” on Columbus Day and Veteran’s Day weekend.  Add an extra day of 2 tank local diving on Monday.  See the pricing page for details.

NOT INCLUDED

  • Rental gear
  • Transportation
  • Price of training dives for continued education certifications

Minors - under 18 years old

At least one parent/guardian must be at the beach or on the boat with any and all minors in their care. Even if you are not diving, You must pay rider/ snorkeler fee

DUE TO LOWER INSTRUCTOR TO STUDENT RATIO THERE MAY BE A $65 FEE ADDED TO THE CERTIFICATION TRIP FOR 10 & 11 YEAR OLDS.

Forms

EVERYONE
Gary’s Boat Release.pdf  Download
10079: Travel & Excursion Release  Download
CERTIFIED DIVERS
10086: Liability Release/Non-agency Form  Download
**Single Parents/Non-Legal Guardians of Minors**
Parental Permission for International Travel  Download

Costs*

  • Diver:  Hotel & Boat – $464
  • Diver:  Boat Only (no hotel) – $289
  • OW Student Diver:  Hotel, Boat, Instruction, & Certification Card – $564
  • OW Student Diver:  Boat, Instruction, & Certification Card Only (no hotel) – $389
  • AOW & Specialty Student Diver:  Hotel & Boat – $464. (Instruction $40 per dive. Certification Card – $50.)
  • Snorkeler:  Hotel & Boat – $424
  • Snorkeler:  Boat Only (no hotel) – $249
  • Non-Diver:  Hotel Only – $175

*Prices are per person, based on double occupancy.

(Add $50 to all Diver prices for 3 tank island weekend trips)

(Subtract $115 per person for each additional person in a room for 2 nights, maximum of 4 in a room.)
(Add $170 for single occupancy for 2 nights)

Holiday 3-Day Packages

Exciting 3 day weekend packages for Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day are available. Includes two dives each on Saturday and Sunday at San Pedro Nolasco Island (weather permitting) and two “local” dives on Monday.

  • Diver:  Hotel & Boat – $789
  • Diver:  Boat Only (no hotel) – $439
  • OW Student Diver:  Hotel, Boat, Instruction, & Certification Card – $889
  • OW Student Diver:  Boat, Instruction, & Certification Card Only (no hotel) – $539
  • AOW & Specialty Student Diver:  Hotel & Boat – $789. (Instruction $40 per dive. Certification Card – $50.)
  • Snorkeler:  Hotel & Boat – $735
  • Snorkeler:  Boat Only (no hotel) – $385
  • Non-Diver:  Hotel Only – $350

(Subtract $260 per person for each additional person in a room for 3 nights, maximum of 4 in a room.)
(Add $255 for single occupancy for 3 nights)

PADI Wreck Specialty weekend

3 night package includes 2 days of 3 tank local dives, 1 day of 2 tank local diving, with 4 dives on the wreck. Aug. 22 – 25, 2024.

  • Diver:  Hotel & Boat – $729
  • Diver:  Boat Only (no hotel) – $469
  • OW Student Diver:  Hotel, Boat, Instruction, & Certification Card – $829
  • OW Student Diver:  Boat, Instruction, & Certification Card Only (no hotel) – $569
  • Wreck, AOW, and other Specialty Student Diver:  Hotel & Boat – $729. (Instruction $40 per dive. Certification Card – $50.)
  • Snorkeler:  Hotel & Boat – $645
  • Snorkeler:  Boat Only (no hotel) – $385
  • Non-Diver:  Hotel Only – $260

(Subtract $170 per person for each additional person in a room for 3 nights, maximum of 4 in a room.)
(Add $255 for single occupancy for 3 nights)

Optional add-ons

  • Diver extra day w/ hotel – $224
  • Diver extra day no hotel – $137
  • Snorkeler extra day w/ hotel $200
  • Snorkeler extra day no hotel $113
  • Hotel only extra day $87

(Subtract $57 per person for each additional person in a room for 1 night, maximum of 4 in a room.)
(Add $85 for single occupancy for 1 night)

Accommodations

Marinaterra or Sawari Hotels

Your accommodations in Mexico will be either at the comfortable and convenient Hotel Marinaterra or the new Hotel Sawari. Both hotels are full-service hotels with pools, restaurants, bars, gyms, parking, and 24-hour security.

The hotels are near the marina and within walking distance (about two blocks) to your dive boat. Several restaurants and grocery stores also are a block or two walk.

Dive Boats

The Dive Shop proudly uses the boats of Gary’s Dive Shop in San Carlos, the Cortez Explorer and Cortez Sun.  Their crews provide excellent service and will assemble your gear and switch tanks after dives.  After diving they provide freshly cooked fish tacos, quesadillas, and more for lunch before heading back to dock.  All you have to do is relax and enjoy the trip.

Diving

Diver

4 dives with 1 day of 2-tank boat dives to San Pedro Island on Saturday, and 1 day of 2 tank local boat diving Sunday. (weather permitting)

Open Water Student

5 dives with 1 beach dive Friday, 1 day of 2-tank boat dives to San Pedro Island on Saturday, and 1 day of 2 tank local boat diving Sunday. (weather permitting)(Price of PIC included)

Snorkeler

2 days on the boat. (weather permitting)

EXTRA DAY

1 day 2-tank local boat dives. (weather permitting)

2024 Dates:

  • November 29 – December 1

2025 Dates:

  • January 18 – 20

Minimum of 8 people or the trip cancels

Directions

Transportation to Mexico is not included in the cost, but we always organize a caravan and arrange car pools at our trip meeting the Monday prior to the trip to assist you in crossing the border and to make sure you are in the company with fellow divers for the drive to San Carlos. The entire route is a four-lane divided highway. You will need a Passport to re-enter the U.S.

View the google map to for directions.

Cancellation Policy:

  • 15 Days Prior Transfer only

  • 8-14 days prior deposit forfeited

  • 7 days prior all monies forfeited

Minor Policy – under 18 years old

At least one parent/guardian must be at the beach or on the boat with any and all minors in their care. Even if you are not diving, you must the pay rider/ snorkeler fee.

Single Supplement Policy

If you are a single diver, The Dive Shop will try to room you with another person of the same sex.  But if a room mate can not be found, you will need to pay the single supplement surcharge for the trip.

PASSPORT REQUIRED


Mexican Auto Insurance

COST

Starting at:

$464

per person

  • $100 DEPOSIT REQUIRED

  • INCLUDES

  • 3 days / 2 nights hotel
  • 2 days of 2-tank boat dives

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Download Directions
Online Mexico Visa Processing

Call 520-326-DIVE for more information.

THE DIVE SHOP IS A PADI FIVE STAR INSTRUCTOR DEVELOPMENT CENTER

The PADI System of diver education is based on progressive training that introduces skills, safety-related information and local environmental knowledge to student divers in stages. PADI courses are student-centered and provide maximum practice and realistic application.