Divers Inn

Sea of Cortez, Mexico

If you’re heading to the Sea of Cortez, the team at Divers Inn are who we call first. They really stand out for their small group trips and their focus on getting you to the less-trodden sites. We particularly love them for longer, multi-day excursions to places like Isla Espíritu Santo, where the water often turns an impossible turquoise, and you can practically taste the salt in the air. Divers Inn excels at making you feel like you're diving with friends, not just a tour operator. Their boats are comfortable, not flashy, and the crew genuinely loves the ocean. We’ve had some incredible encounters with playful sea lions near Los Islotes with them, the kind where they dart right past your mask, their whiskers tickling the water next to your face. They're PADI pros, so expect solid instruction if you’re looking to advance your cert, but their real strength is guiding. They know the Sea of Cortez like their own backyard, from the best spots for mobula rays during the plankton blooms to quiet coves perfect for spotting elusive nudibranchs. If you want to avoid the crowds and dive on your own terms, Divers Inn is our top recommendation.