What to Expect on a Sea of Cortez Liveaboard — Your Complete Guide to Expedition Sailing

Thinking About a Liveaboard Expedition in the Sea of Cortez?

If you're considering a liveaboard diving or snorkeling trip in the Sea of Cortez, you probably have questions. What's the boat like? What will I eat? Do I need to be an experienced diver? What should I pack? As someone who has lived aboard a sailboat in these waters for years, here's everything you need to know about expedition sailing in Mexico's Gulf of California.

Life Aboard the Triplefin

The Triplefin is a 49-foot Norm Cross trimaran — wide, stable, and spacious compared to typical monohull sailboats. With a 26-foot beam, she doesn't heel or rock the way narrow boats do, which means less seasickness and more comfortable sleeping. We have three private double cabins (one in the main hull, one in each outrigger hull), a shared salon, a full galley, and expansive open deck space for lounging, whale watching, and drying gear. She's fully solar-powered with electric watermakers, so you'll always have fresh water for showers and the silent running means you can hear the whales breathe.

Food & Provisions

All meals are included and prepared on board. We eat plant-based, locally sourced food — fresh tortillas, tropical fruits, Mexican-inspired dishes, and plenty of it. We cook with a solar oven when conditions allow, which is a conversation piece in itself. We provision heavily before departure and carry enough food and water for the entire trip. Special dietary needs can be accommodated with advance notice. Expect to eat well — expedition sailing builds an appetite.

Do I Need Diving Experience?

Not at all. Most of our wildlife encounters happen while snorkeling — whale sharks, sea lions, reef fish, rays, and sea turtles are all accessible from the surface. We provide all snorkeling gear and Paul will teach you proper technique if you're new to it. For certified SCUBA divers, we have an onboard dive compressor and can incorporate tank diving into any itinerary. Free diving instruction is also available for those who want to go deeper without tanks.

What Should I Pack?

Pack light and soft — duffel bags work much better than hard suitcases on a sailboat. Essentials include reef-safe sunscreen, a wide-brim hat, light long-sleeve shirts for sun protection, a light fleece or jacket for cool evenings (especially November–March), water shoes or sandals, and a dry bag for electronics. We provide towels and linens. If you're a photographer, bring your underwater housing — Paul offers photography instruction throughout the trip and can advise on gear before you arrive.

A Typical Day on Expedition

There's no rigid schedule — that's the beauty of a small-boat expedition. A typical day might start with coffee on deck at sunrise, a morning snorkel at a reef or island, brunch underway as we sail to the next anchorage, an afternoon dive or island hike, and an evening of stargazing from the deck. We adapt constantly to weather, wildlife sightings, and group energy. If a pod of dolphins appears, we stop. If the sunset is painting the sky, we pour drinks and watch. This is expedition sailing, not a cruise ship itinerary.

How Is This Different from a Standard Tour?

Most Sea of Cortez tour boats carry 12–20+ passengers on motorized pangas or larger vessels. You visit the same spots on a fixed schedule with limited time in the water. On the Triplefin, you're one of just 2–6 guests with a PhD naturalist who has spent his career studying this ecosystem. We sail silently under sun and wind power, anchor in secluded coves other boats can't reach, and adjust the itinerary based on real-time wildlife intelligence and your interests. It's the difference between a tour and an expedition.

Ready to Go?

We depart from four ports: La Paz, Loreto, San Carlos, and Bahía Kino. Multi-day expeditions run 5–8 nights, with custom itineraries and private charters also available. Contact Paul at paulhamiltontbg@gmail.com or WhatsApp +1 520-647-1434 to start planning your expedition.

— Paul S. Hamilton, PhD | Naturalist & Expedition Leader, Triplefin Expeditions