The Sea of Cortez
* Subject to availability.
Highlights
- Outings and shore visits in Zodiac® inflatables with a team of experienced naturalist guides.
- An expedition cruise, to discover the fabulous biodiversity of the Sea of Cortez, “the world’s largest aquarium” according to Jacques-Yves Cousteau.
- UNESCO World Heritage sites: the islands and protected zones of the Gulf of California (also known as the Sea of Cortez), La Antigua de Guatemala and its colonial architecture from Puerto Quetzal in Guatemala.
- The landscapes: reliefs of red volcanic rock plunging into the turquoise water with the desert as the backdrop in the Sea of Cortez, dazzling white sandy beaches in Huatulco (shore excursion for sale).
- The wildlife: California sea lions, dolphins, sea turtles, tuna, barracuda, rays, pelicans, countless species of fish and sea birds.
- Bathing and swimming with sea lions at Los Islotes.
- Possibility of diving and/or snorkelling with an experienced instructor on board.
- Staterooms & Suites
- LE SOLEAL
- Port of call & excursions
- Formalities
- Scuba diving in Cortez sea
- Theme
- Important information
- Pre/Post & Overlands
Staterooms & Suites
Superior Stateroom $7,140 Available Deluxe Stateroom $8,850 Not Available Prestige Deck 4 $8,560 Available Prestige Deck 5 $8,960 Available Prestige Deck 6 $9,400 Available Deluxe Suite $13,010 Available Prestige Deck 5 Suite $17,570 Available Prestige Deck 6 Suite $18,420 Available Owner's Suite $24,690 Available
LE SOLEAL
LE SOLEAL
Designed in 2013 and loyal to the PONANT spirit, Le Soléal like her sisterships embodies the subtle alliance between luxury, intimacy and wellbeing which is Ponant’s signature. The elegance of her exterior and interior lines and her intimate size (only 132 staterooms and suites)make this a rare and innovative yacht on the cruise market.
Interior Design
With her fluid lines and a modern colour scheme combining natural wood with shades of grey and white, Le Soléal presents references to a nautical theme.
Port of call & excursions
San Diego
Embarkation 10/09/2019 from 16H00 to 17H00 . Departure 10/09/2019 at 18H00 .To the south of California, close to the border with Mexico, San Diego enjoys a privileged natural environment on the shores of the Pacific. One of the largest fleets of US Navy vessels is stationed in this strategic port. The sunny climate and the beautiful sandy beaches compete for visitors’ attention with the picturesque historic districts such as the Gaslamp Quarter, always lit up at dusk by gas lamps, a real journey back in time. Do not miss Balboa Park and its museums as well as San Diego Zoo, one of the most beautiful zoos in the world, home to a large number of endangered species. But the show also continues on the surrounding beaches where it is not uncommon to come across sealions!
11 September 2019▸12 September 2019 – At sea
Arrival 11/09/2019. Departure 12/09/2019.During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observer marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
14 September 2019 – Coronado Island
Arrival 14/09/2019. Departure 14/09/2019.
14 September 2019 – Danzante Island
Arrival 14/09/2019. Departure 14/09/2019.
15 September 2019 – Monserrat Island
Arrival 15/09/2019. Departure 15/09/2019.
15 September 2019 – Puerto Agua Verde
Arrival 15/09/2019. Departure 15/09/2019.
16 September 2019 – Punta Colorada, Isla San Jose
Arrival 16/09/2019. Departure 16/09/2019.
16 September 2019 – Bahia Amortajada, Isla San Jose
Arrival 16/09/2019. Departure 16/09/2019.
17 September 2019 – Los Islotes
Arrival 17/09/2019. Departure 17/09/2019.
17 September 2019 – Isla Partida
Arrival 17/09/2019. Departure 17/09/2019.
17 September 2019 – Espíritu Santo Island
Arrival 17/09/2019. Departure 17/09/2019.
18 September 2019 – Cerralvo Island
Arrival 18/09/2019. Departure 18/09/2019.
19 September 2019▸20 September 2019 – At sea
Arrival 19/09/2019. Departure 20/09/2019.During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observer marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
21 September 2019 – Huatulco (Santa María Huatulco)
Arrival 21/09/2019. Departure 21/09/2019.A seaside resort on the Mexican Pacific coast in the southern State of Oaxaca, the Huatulco region is made up of nine turquoise bays. Youﾒll be spoilt for choice with no less than 36 beaches, four of which are ecological preserves. In addition to the beautiful bays and beaches, you can explore and shop in the small communities of the Huatulco area, such as La Crucecita, Santa Cruz or old Santa Maria Huatulco (the district's municipality).
22 September 2019 – At sea
Arrival 22/09/2019. Departure 22/09/2019.During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observer marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
Puerto Quetzal
Disembarkation 23/09/2019 at 06H00 .Located on the Pacific coast, 100 kilometres south of the capital, the city of Puerto Quetzal is the largest port in the country. Close to the city, the ravishing little old city of Antigua, is a former colonial capital listed as World Heritage by UNESCO. You’ll admire the wealth of its historical monuments.
Formalities
The information below is current but subject to change at any time without advance notice from government authorities. Please consult your respective government agencies for visa and health information.
Warning about the use of drones: the use of drones aboard PONANT ships, whether they are sailing at sea, at a port of call or anchored, is strictly forbidden. The use of drones on land in the Arctic and Antarctic regions is also strictly forbidden by international polar regulations. In other regions, it may be possible to use drones on land if permission has been obtained from the relevant authorities of each country and each region travelled through, as well as a pilot’s licence that should be obtained from your home country. Passengers are responsible for obtaining these permits; they should be able to present them at all times. Passengers who do not obtain these authorisations expose themselves to the risk of legal proceedings.
Passport valid for at least six (6) months beyond the completion of your trip. Passport must contain at least two completely clear, blank, unused visa pages for each visa required, not including any amendment pages. Visa pages with stains or ink from other pages in the passport are not usable. Guests who deviate from the scheduled embarkation or disembarkation port should research the foreign entry requirements for the port country. Due to government regulations, regrettably, Ponant will have to deny boarding to any guest who fails to obtain the appropriate travel documentation for this trip.
USA : Visa may be required. Please contact USA consulate website for details.
In order to participate in diving sessions, guests must have with them a medical certificate less than 1 year old and their up to date dive book.
Scuba diving in Cortez sea
Scuba diving in Cortez sea
Cruise San Diego-Puerto Quetzal
From September 10st to September 23rd, 2019
Scuba diving
Your dives will be led by your instructor. He will take care of your safety and that all goes smoothly.
On some diving sites, as in natural reserves or if the local regulations require it, a local guide will escort the diving.
Thanks to check below.
PORTS OF CALL | FOR CERTIFIED DIVERS | DISCOVER SCUBA DIVING |
Cabo San Lucas | YES | NO |
Coronado Island | YES | NO |
Danzante Island | YES | NO |
Monserrat Island | YES | NO |
Puerto Agua Verde | YES | NO |
San José Island | YES | NO |
Los Islotes | YES | NO |
Cerralvo Island | YES | NO |
Huatulco | YES | NO |
The minimum level required for scuba diving on this cruise is 2 stars CMAS or the Advanced Open Water Diver Padi. Divers must have done at least 1 dive within the 12 months preceding the voyage.
What is a confirmed diver?
A confirmed diver is 2 stars CMAS certified diver, or the Advanced Open Water Diver (PADI).
The certification card, the diving log book and a recent medical certificate (less than 12 months) must be presented at the beginning of the cruise to our diving instructor.
How does it work?
The instructor can dive with 4 confirmed divers at a time, according to their certification. The instructor reserves the right to check divers’ ability for maximum safety.
The depth that can be reached will depend of the certification of the divers:
- For the 2 stars CMAS, or Advanced Open Water Divers, the maximum depth will be 25 meters.
- If 2 divers with the above certifications want to dive together, they will have a briefing before the dive. They will have to dive with a diving computer. The maximum depth will be 20 meters.
Duration of the dives
The diving activity lasts from 2 to 3 hours, which includes the journey to the diving site and the diving. This duration is given as an indication and may vary according to the site, the level of divers, weather conditions and the number of participants.
For experienced divers, the duration of dives varies between 35 and 60 minutes depending on the site, the diver’s experience and consumption. As we will dive in remote place, the dives will be done without decompression stop. A safety stop of 3 minutes at 5 meters will be mandatory at the end of each dive.
Supplied equipment
- Diving wetsuit
- Stabilizing jacket
- Fins
- Mask
- Snorkel
- Regulator with octopus and pressure gauge
- Diving computer
Rates
Price per person
- Certified dive:
- Exploration (1 dive): €80
- Excellence Package (3 dives): €225
- Passion Package (6 dives): €420
- Master Package (10 dives) : €650
Fauna of the Cortez Sea
The fauna and flora of the Sea of Cortez are very varied. During the various dives, divers will be able to observe different species of benthic and pelagic fauna, as well as endemic fixed fauna. However, we can’t guarantee you an observation of all these species.
Theme
TROPICAL EXPEDITION
Discover the unique concept of PONANT tropical expedition cruises: explore the world’s extreme regions while enjoying luxurious comfort and service.
A luxury expedition voyage
Choosing a PONANT expedition cruise means choosing a state of mind: the alliance of elegance and authenticity, of exploration and comfort, of adventure and refinement… The comfort of your ship and your stateroom, personalised and attentive service, refined gastronomy: a very special atmosphere that we take great care to maintain. In the heart of the archipelagos of Oceania or the atolls of the Indian Ocean, along the wild coastlines of Central America or Australia, our luxurious services will ensure that your expedition cruise is an unforgettable experience.
PONANT, expedition cruise specialists
With almost 20 years of experience in the extreme regions, PONANT, the world’s number 1 polar cruise company, is also a real specialist in the planet’s most remote tropical regions. Our latest-generation fleet has the most modern technology to guarantee both your safety and respect for the regions visited. The size of our ships means we can get as close as possible to areas that are difficult to reach, offering a privileged access to preserved sites. Our flexibility enables us to adapt to the surprises inherent to these expedition itineraries.
Professional expedition teams, varied activities
After scouting missions in the field, our Expedition Leaders and their teams of naturalist guides design exceptional itineraries in the tropical regions. During the cruise, they organise daily outings and shore visits in Zodiac dinghies so as to get as close to nature as possible. They can reserve local means of transport (dugout canoes, bush taxis, local buses, etc.) in order to reach essential sites for hiking (volcanoes, nature reserves, etc.) or for visiting isolated villages. Indeed, the close relationships that our teams have been able to build with the local communities will enable you to share the life and ancestral customs of these peoples for a few hours. The naturalist guides also supervise snorkelling tours to discover the coral reef fauna. On board, the naturalist guides will share their knowledge during various conferences on fauna, the history of the great explorations, geology and climatology…
Important information
Expeditions programs include activities such as Zodiac® outings (sometimes with "wet landing"), moderate walks to more active hikes. All this accompanied by your expedition team of naturalist guides. Certain zodiac® outings will not allow for landings just cruising. Landings will depend on weather conditions, position of ice and winds and the state of the sea. These can force a change of plans at any time.
Travelling to polar/isolated regions is an exhilarating experience. The raw beauty and untouched wilderness offer an unusual chance to experience a place where there is little evidence of human presence. Inevitably, there are some consequences that come with such remoteness: please remember that you are far from modern hospitals with full medical facilities, thus evacuation is highly expensive. Without the necessary medical coverage, all expenses will have to be immediately paid from with your personal funds. We urge you to subscribe a full coverage insurance, choose your insurance company very carefully and be extremely vigilant and ensure your insurance is fully comprehensive.
Taking into consideration the unusual and exceptional character of expedition itineraries, the calls shown are an indication only. The final route will be confirmed by the Captain and Expedition Leader, who will take into account the touristic quality of the sites and above all, the safety of the passengers. Their decision will be subject to that of local authorities and/or the expert pilots present on board during the navigation in polar and /or isolated zones.
Dressing tips :
- Cotton comfrortable and light weight shorts/bermudas
- Light weight long trousers
- Long-sleeved breathable UPF50+ shirts
- Cotton short sleeves T-shirt
- Aquatic UV long-sleeve T-shirt for sun protection during snorkeling or swimming (except for the Amazon cruises where bathing is not allowed)
- Aquatic non-slip sandals (except for the Amazon cruises where bathing is not allowed)
- Windproof, waterproof and breathable outer layer
- Broad brimmed anti-UV hat with strap
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Waterproof backpack for camera
- Sunscreen and after-sun high index & insect repellent
- Binoculars
- Note: During your visits to some local communities, all guests will be required to dress respectfully. Ladies must have their shoulders and thighs covered. Gentlemen should have their shoulders covered also.
Feel free to visit the PONANT online shop which offers a selection of equipment and accessories adapted to our destinations at the following address: https://boutique.ponant.com
Benefits of the PONANT shop:
- expert advice to gear up
- a selection of technical equipment and accessories approved by our naturalists
- Duty Free prices
- delivery directly on board
Pre/Post & Overlands
-
Before your cruise
07/09/2019 – From the Grand Canyon to San Diego (3 nights)
For your comfort and serenity, this programme benefits from a PONANT accompaniment***.
The escort, mandated by the company, accompanies you and remains at your disposal during your stay.
His mission: offering you assistance and facilitating the organisation to ensure the full success of your stay.2270.01 $ ** -
After your cruise
23/09/2019 – La Antigua de Guatemala, outstanding colonial architecture (1 night)
590.00 $ **
23/09/2019 – Maya site of Tikal and Colonial La Antigua (2 nights)
For your comfort and serenity, this programme benefits from a PONANT accompaniment***.
The escort, mandated by the company, accompanies you and remains at your disposal during your stay.
His mission: offering you assistance and facilitating the organisation to ensure the full success of your stay.1310.00 $ **
** Prices per person, based on double occupancy
Attention: the prices listed at the time of your reservation can be different from those listed in the brochure. These prices can evolve based on availability and the real time rates of the airline companies selected.
Travellers are advised to check all the information with the authorities concerned prior to the departure date. Ponant advises Travellers to consult the country factsheets relating to the chosen destinations. Ponant specifically draws Travellers' attention to the fact that the information provided may change up until the departure date, and they are advised to consult that information up until the time of departure. CDP invites Travellers to adjust their behavior to the visited country, to exercise vigilance and to avoid carrying valuable objects during their travel.
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