FAQ

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: Upon arrival at San Jose Del Cabo airport (SJD), you will be greeted at the airport and transferred to our marina (M/V VALENTINA dock) complimentary. Shared transportation from SJD airport to Valentina is scheduled at 12:00, 14:00 and 18:00 from Terminal 1 and at 12:30, 14:30 and 18:30 from Terminal 2. If you are already staying in the area, feel free to make your own way to the Marina named “Puerto Los Cabos” by 17:00. Puerto Los Cabos Marina: Blvd. Mar de Cortes s/n entre glorieta 2 y glorieta 3 col. La Playita San Jose del Cabo BCS CP 23403 TEL: + 52-612-176-4172 ( Lorenzo ) or +52- 612-151-1107 ( Office ) All guests must be on board by 18:00 on all itineraries so the Valentina can depart at 21:00. DEPARTURE / CHECK-OUT Check out is around 10:00 am on the last day of the trip. The crew will transport you to San Jose Del Cabo airport complimentary. Shared shuttle from Valentina to SJD airport is scheduled at 10:00 and 12:00 (noon). If you are staying at a hotel, you are responsible for your own transportation. Check out time is subject to change depending on the weather and diving conditions.

ARRIVAL / CHECK-IN Upon arrival at La Paz airport (LAP), you will be greeted at the airport by “VALENTINA” and will be transferred to our marina (M/V VALENTINA dock) complimentary (combined). If you arrive at San Jose Del Cabo airport (SJD), you are responsible for your own transportation to La Paz. Driving hours will be about 2.5 hours to 3.5 hours. Or we can arrange prepaid transfer at US$ 300 per van. Ask for details. If you stay at hotel in La Paz prior to the trip start, please come to our dock. Boarding starts at 17:00 and baggage drop is available from 9:00 am. All guests must be on board by 21:00 so M/V Valentina can depart for its first night anchorage with the first dive on the following morning. MUELLE FISCAL: PASEO ALVARO OBREGON, SN., CENTRO, LA PAZ,B.C.S.,MEXICO TEL: + 52-612-176-4172 ( Lorenzo) or +52- 612-151-1107 ( Office ) You can check in at 17:00 and before 18:00. DEPARTURE / CHECK-OUT Check out starts around 4:00 pm on the last day of the trip after 1 to 2 dives. After 1 to 2 dives, the crew will transport you to your hotel in La Paz complimentary (combined). If you return to Los Cabos area, you are responsible for your own transfer. Or we can arrange prepaid transfer at US$ 300 per van. Ask for details. Check out time is subject to change depending on the weather and diving conditions.

ARRIVAL / CHECK-IN Upon arrival at La Paz airport (LAP), you will be greeted at the airport by “VALENTINA” and will be transferred to our marina (M/V VALENTINA dock) complimentary (combined). If you arrive at San Jose Del Cabo airport (SJD), you are responsible for your own transportation to La Paz. Driving hours will be about 2.5 hours to 3.5 hours. Or we can arrange prepaid transfer at US$ 300 per van. Ask for details. If you stay at hotel in La Paz prior to the trip start, please come to our dock by own way. Boarding starts at 17:00 and baggage drop is available from at 09:00 am. All guests must be on board by 18:00 so M/V Valentina can depart for its first night anchorage with the first dive in the following morning. MUELLE FISCAL: PASEO ALVARO OBREGON, SN., CENTRO, LA PAZ,B.C.S.,MEXICO TEL: + 52-612-176-4172 ( Lorenzo) or +52- 612-151-1107 (Office) You can check in at 17:00 and before 18:00. DEPARTURE / CHECK-OUT Check out starts around 18:00 on the last day of the trip after 1 to 2 dives. The crew will transport you to your hotel in La Paz complimentary.

Dinner on the arrival date is included only Socorro trip.

Your passport must be effective until returning home and you must have a return airline ticket to travel to Mexico. It is traveler’s responsibility to ensure they have the proper documentation. Please check with the appropriate consulate to ensure that you have the proper documentation by traveler’s responsibility.

Qualified and experienced 3 or 4 dive instructors (guides) on boat, speaking English, Spanish, Japanese and Korean.

Nitrox is available with an additional charge as long as the diver is Nitrox certified. Use of Nitrox 20USD/per day. As for large tank which is 100ft³ (approx13.2L) tank with Nitrox would be 40USD/day Note: Large tank is limited availability.

There is no internet service available on board. Around Socorro islands is not in the coverage area due to a regulation of the Marine Park. When the boat is near city or land, we will get access, but other than that, the connectivity is quite low. There is another option in Land to purchase prepaid SIM called "Amigo". Please refer to the link for detail. This is a service provided by the provider. Please make sure to check on the latest information with them directly. http://www.telcel.com/personas/telefonia/amigo/tarifas-y-opciones#!amigo-sin-limite In case of emergency, our captain has a satellite phone to communicate with land.

The standard valve is Y type. DIN adjustor is also available on board.

Tanks, weights and weight belts are provided. Certification card DAN or other dive accident insurance card Diving log book (strongly encouraged) Mask * Snorkel * Fins (full foot and Strap fin) * Buoyancy Control Device * Regulator w/alternate air source * Submersible pressure and depth gauges * Dive computer (required) * Dive light * Tank Marker Lights (for night dives) Full wetsuit or shorty – 3 mm to 5 mm * Safety sausage (SMB) * Reef hook (if you need) Rental equipment is available on board. Please let us know at least 10days prior to your departure to ensure on-time preparation. The following items are the diver’s responsibility. NOTICE DURING COVID-19 CRISIS; for everyone’s safety and health, face masks are recommended in public areas other than during dive operations. Please bring a supply of masks and a bag in which to store them. Personal toiletries. Dive gear (or travel light and use our rental gear!) Summer wear, noting that nights can sometimes be chilly which makes a sweater or fleece jacket a good addition. Sunscreen (reef-safe sunscreen will be available onboard with our compliments). Towels and bed linen are provided onboard

It depends on the season. Water temperatures are in the mid-80°F range, with 100+ ft visibility. At the end of November, temperatures start cooling and visibility goes down. We recommend a 5mm wetsuit and a hooded vest is always a smart addition to your dive kit.

All cabins have private toilet and shower booth. Air condition/ hair-dryer / shampoo / conditioner and body soap

All of the cabins have an adapter for any type of socket. Electric power is 110V and 60 cycles. We recommend you to bring a transformer if necessary.

* CASH ONLY**

We do night diving with Mobula rays near Esplit Island, uninhabited island, during the trip. It is called a “Night Mobula diving program that attracts 20-40 Mobula rays gather around lighting, Amazing! Another spectacular scene is to see them leaping from the water, sometime three or four mobula rays reaching a height of 9 approximate 9feet /3m or more above the water.

Crew gratuities are not included in your trip fee. The crew members work very hard to provide the best possible service for you. If you are happy with the service, please provide gratuities on the last day. An envelope will be handed to you or placed in your room with service survey. The gratuities will be shared equally among the crew. For your reference, 10% of the trip rate (US$300-400) per trip per person would be appreciated.

Nitrox Course: $150 - This includes all necessary equipment (tanks, use of oxygen analyzer, use of course materials, instructor, and check out dives). Certification will be from a International certification agency (PADI). After certificated, fill charge is US$ 10 per dive day. ** CASH ONLY**

Valentina accepts only USD Cash.

Whether it’s your anniversary, birthday, honeymoon, wedding or you are celebrating a logged dive, please let us know so the crew can celebrate your occasion together. Please advise the reservation center prior to traveling so the crew is notified in advance.

Blend of Western, Mexican, Asian Cuisine are prepared on board. All meal consists of vegetables, rice, pasta, soup, fish, beef, Sashimi(raw fish), Tacos, ceviche ets. We set up a special Mexican BBQ dinner on the last day of the trip. Beers and Soft drinks are included in your tour price. Complimentary glass of wine is served at dinner. Please list on the application form any dietary (vegetarian food, allergic food) needs you have.

YES - with reasonable advance notice, we are pleased to accommodate vegetarian, vegan, lactose intolerance, gluten-free, low sugar, quasi-kosher and quasi-halal. We are likely unable to accommodate more esoteric special dietary requests

Yes, please bring shoes that you can use on board (only for inside).

Yes. Guests can bring their own drinks. Also we carry a great selection of signature drinks, single malts, microbrew beer and a varied wine list, all at very reasonable prices.

Yes. It is possible as long as you follow our trip schedule (Max dive time/ Max depths) and respect No Deco Diving / No Solo Diving. Please bring your own harness. Air Extra Tank for side mount = US$15 per day

In case you miss any flights or not be able to make it to Valentina on schedule, Please call at + +52 1 (612) 12 02615 , WHATAPP is available. Mr. Enrique Castillo under FUN BAJA operation center. Or at +52 1 612(183)2075 (Ms. Naho) Email:reservation@funbaja.com

Nautilus LifeLines, DiveAlerts and SMB safety sausages.

The Sea of Cortez is generally very calm. For anyone worried about seasickness we recommend the prophylactic use of the scopolamine patch. This is the perfect trip for someone who is worried about making the crossing to Socorro

Yes. It’s common sense to have good medical and evacuation insurance and we do require proof of coverage. Travel or trip insurance is different and highly recommended. This often covers flight delays or cancellations, trip interruption ie, another guest has a medical issue, severe weather and so on. Please check with your insurance provider on specifics. We do not provide refunds or credits in these types of situations if you decline to buy travel insurance.

Yes.

We have life boats, lifesaver rings, life jackets and emergency lights on board which are examined and certified by Harbors Bureau of Mexico annually. Our fire extinguishers are examined and certified by Harbors Bureau of Mexico annually. We hereby confirm that without the certificates, we are not allowed to operate our boat and we are fully compliant with it. We also have smoke detectors in each cabin and the engine room. Rest assured that we do everything possible to ensure the safety of our guests and if you have any further questions on the safety issues, we are more than happy to answer any of your queries.

Your experience doesn’t matter. If you are not yet a diver, we can arrange a “discover scuba” experience. If you are an experienced and self-reliant diver, you are welcome to head off on dives by yourself and do your own thing if you wish. Our divemasters are always available for whoever wants to dive with us.

You will have the opportunity to do up to 4 dives a day on our trips from July to December. Spring trips are more about snorkeling and animal experiences with limited diving opportunities.

Unfortunately, we have received recent reports of isolated incidents where guests have been charged taxes for bringing their camera housings into Mexico. This is a transgression of your rights as an international passenger and a violation of both Mexican and international law. The company is investigating this, and in the meantime, we would like to provide you with this information to help improve your experience at Mexican customs. Please download our Spanish document to present to the Customs Officials - for use ONLY in the event of issues pertaining to your camera housing at Mexico Customs. Please note that the letter is specific to camera housings and will not be relevant to any other items brought through customs. We hope the provided information helps you in your upcoming trip. Please feel free to contact us for additional information. Safe travels. As an international passenger, you are entitled to bring without paying taxes, two cameras or video recording devices, and their accessories. An underwater housing unit is a camera accessory which fits your camera and allows control and usage of the device while diving. As the housing can only be functional when used with your camera, it should be considered a part of your “two cameras with their accessories” luggage allowance

1. Do not worry about your camera housing if you have not been approached by a customs agent or officer about it. 2. Bring documentation for the camera and housing. (examples: manuals, receipts, technical information, etc.) 3. You are entitled to ask for information and for a transcription of your rights as an international passenger. 4. If you encounter a customs officer who does not consider your camera housing an accessory, remain calm and try to explain to the customs officer that your camera housing is merely an accessory, and therefore tax free under Mexican Customs Law. Provide your devices’ documentations and annuals. 5. Ask the custom agent or officer to please provide written explanation of the classification method used to classify your housing as something different than your camera’s accessory. 6. If you are not successful, you may ask to please speak to a supervisor. 7. If you feel your rights are being violated, you are entitled to file a complaint against the officer on site, just ask to be referred to someone within the Public Function Office (Secretaría de la Funcion Pública). We strongly recommend you remain calm and speak to Mexican authorities with respect. 8. If your attempts have been unsuccessful and you are asked to pay taxes, ask the officer in charge to please print a detailed account of the taxes you will be paying and the classification method they used to classify the goods that are being taxed. 9. Pay under protest - when paying, ask the cashier and customs officer to acknowledge in writing that you have paid under protest. 10. Contact guest services, we will do our best to assist you and try to resolve the inconvenience. Please download our Spanish document to present to the Customs Officials - for use ONLY in the event of issues pertaining to your camera housing at Mexico Customs. Please note that the letter is specific to camera housings and will not be relevant to any other items brought through customs. We hope the provided information helps you in your upcoming trip. Please feel free to contact us for additional information. Safe travels

Socorro Islands Socorro park fee: MXN(Pesos) 1,736 per person/per diving day *As of first January 2023 Chamber Fee: US$15 per person per trip Fuel Surcharge: US$10 per person per night Gratuity: 10 to 15% of the trip cost Sea of Cortez $5 per day per person (4days diving is $20, 5days diving is $25 …) La Paz & Cabo Pulmo $5 per day per person (4days diving is $20, 5days diving is $25 …) *Pricing is subject to change