Swanee Reef: One Last Dive in the Sea of Cortez
Martin Gomez Oct 05, 2026
Dive #2 – Swanee Reef: One Last Dive in the Sea of Cortez
After returning from the Fang Ming, there was only one dive left on our itinerary.
Swanee Reef.
Our final dive of the trip.
By now, everyone knew the routine. Tanks were ready, equipment was in place, and we prepared ourselves one more time to enter the warm waters of the Sea of Cortez.
But our last dive wasn't going to let us finish the week without a little challenge.
Sardines on the Run
Almost immediately, there was plenty of action around the reef.
Large schools of sardines moved together through the water, constantly changing direction as if they were a single living organism.
But they weren't alone.
Tuna were hunting them.
Suddenly, the sardines would change direction as tuna rushed toward the school looking for an opportunity to feed.
It was a wonderful example of the natural food chain unfolding directly in front of us.
There was no choreography.
No predictable pattern.
Just predators and prey doing what they have been doing in the ocean for millions of years.
And we had front-row seats.
Looking for Seahorses
We also had another mission at Swanee Reef.
Find a seahorse.
We slowed down and carefully searched the reef, looking among the marine growth and smaller structures where one might be hiding.
Finding a seahorse requires patience.
You can look directly at one and still not see it.
Their camouflage is remarkable.
Unfortunately, despite our efforts, the seahorses remained hidden from us that day.
Once again, the Sea of Cortez reminded us that seeing a particular animal is never guaranteed.
But we didn't have much time to be disappointed.
Because the current had another plan for us.
Our Final Challenge
As we continued the dive, the current became strong.
Crossing over the upper portion of the reef became much more challenging than we had expected.
You could feel the water pushing against you with every kick.
This was no longer simply a relaxing final dive.
We had to work together.
With a little assistance, good communication and some extra effort, we were able to make our way across the top of the reef despite the current.
It was challenging.
But in a strange way, it was also a fitting ending to the week.
After days of diving in different environments and conditions, our final dive asked us to use our skills, stay together and adapt to what the ocean gave us.
Eventually, we reached the other side.
And then came the realization:
This was it.
Our final dive aboard the Valentina was coming to an end.
One Last Look Underwater
Before beginning our ascent, there was time for one last look around.
The reef below us.
Schools of fish moving through the water.
Sardines trying to stay together.
Tuna hunting around them.
Our dive buddies nearby.
And the blue water of the Sea of Cortez surrounding everything.
During the week, we had gone underwater again and again knowing another dive would follow.
This time was different.
There would be no next tank.
No next briefing.
No bell announcing another dive.
When we reached the surface, our diving expedition aboard the Valentina would be complete.
So perhaps we stayed underwater mentally for just a few seconds longer, trying to save one final image of the Sea of Cortez before beginning our ascent.
Day 6 – Dive #2 Log
Dive Site: Swanee Reef
Large schools of sardines
Tuna actively hunting the sardine schools
Searching the reef for seahorses
Strong current
A challenging crossing over the top of the reef
Teamwork and assistance to safely work through the current
Our final dive aboard the Valentina
And with that, our last dive was over.
Six days earlier, we had arrived in La Paz carrying suitcases, dive bags and expectations about what we might find in the Sea of Cortez.
Now we were returning with something much better:
memories.
Sea lions looking into our masks.
Barracudas surrounding us in perfect formation.
Mobulas flying through the darkness.
A sea turtle resting on a shipwreck.
Tuna chasing sardines.
Warm blue water.
Good food.
Old friends and new friends.
And a crew that had become part of our adventure.
We climbed aboard the Valentina one final time, began taking our equipment apart and watched as the boat prepared to head back toward La Paz.
The diving was finished.
But the trip wasn't quite over yet.
