A Remarkable Journey

This special Baja photo expedition is one of our most exciting and comprehensive cruise to Baja and offers the unique opportunity to explore — and photograph — the gray whale lagoons along Baja’s Pacific Coast and the richness of the vast Sea of Cortez. Linger with the grays up close at water level from our Zodiacs, then with the luxury of a flexible itinerary we’ll island hop across the Sea of Cortez. During your Baja Mexico cruise you will discover Baja’s wild shores and desert islands are a photographer’s paradise — a place where awesome wildlife and scenic landscapes meet. Our Photo Leaders take an almost personal pride in introducing guests to its uninhabited islands, cactus forests, whales and dolphins, astonishing seabird colonies, expansive sand dunes and some of the world’s most memorable sunsets. Benefit from coaching in the field; back onboard, enjoy an array of presentations on the natural history of Baja and on the creative and technical aspects of capturing its beauty with your camera.

Among the Great Whales

Each winter gray whales migrate south from their arctic feeding grounds to breed and rear their young in Baja California’s and Mexico's sheltered lagoons, making it one of North America’s premier whale watching sites.

During our Baja Mexico cruise in the breeding lagoons of Bahia Magdalena, we venture among them in Zodiac landing craft. This gives us a water-level perspective for whale watching that is a rare privilege in the natural world. And it positions us perfectly for the increasingly common friendly encounters with these mammals that we’ve shared with our guests.

Our Baja Mexico cruise expedition also offers Naturalist-guided walks on uninhabited desert islands, swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking in the Sea of Cortez. The itinerary remains flexible to make the most of whale watching and wildlife sightings.

Whales, dolphins, sea lions, birds such as blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds, huge cardon cacti, mangroves and sand dunes are among the wonders you’ll experience.

Exploring in the Sea of Cortez

Day to Day Itinerary

DAY 1 — Los Angeles/ La Paz/Embark
Fly from Los Angeles to La Paz and embark the ship in the heart of old La Paz. (D)
   
DAY 2 — Islas Los Islotes and Espirtu Santo
At Isla Los Islotes, experience the delight of snorkeling with curious sea lions – one of life’s great pleasures. With a deeply indented shoreline and dramatically eroded cliff faces, Isla Espiritu Santo is perhaps the most beautiful island in the Sea of Cortez. Spend a leisurely afternoon here, perfect for snorkeling, kayaking or relaxing on deck. In the evening head ashore for a beach barbecue under the desert sky. (B, L, D)
   
DAY 3 — Isla Santa Catalina
ISLA SANTA CATALINA This morning search the waters south of Isla Carmen, an area that has proven to be one of the best for finding whales, and often bottlenose and common dolphins. In the afternoon we’ll visit Isla Santa Catalina, famous for its giant barrel cactus and cardon forest. The protected bay of our anchorage is also an excellent site for snorkeling. With a full afternoon here there is time for swimming, snorkeling, hiking and kayaking. (B, L, D)
   
DAY 4 — Exploring the Sea of Cortez
We let nature be our guide during our last full day in the Sea of Cortez and travel on a flexible itinerary. There are numerous islands to explore in the Bahia Loreto Marine Reserve, and it is also a rich area for whales and dolphins. We may spend part of the morning searching for marine life, and then anchor at an island such as Carmen, where there is a mountainous shoreline to explore by kayak, arroyos that beckon us to explore inland, and bays of turquoise waters for snorkeling. (B, L, D)
   
DAY 5 — La Paz/Disembark/Los Angeles
This morning disembark at La Paz and transfer to the airport for the flight to Los Angeles. (B)

Journeys in the Sea of Cortez

We invite you to celebrate the holiday season in an extraordinary way when you sail on our Sea of Cortez cruise this December. There will be a host of activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, hiking, Zodiac cruises, or just relaxing on deck. If there are reports of whales near by, we will cruise out for a search. During the night, our “floating lodge” will be under way and the next morning you will awake in another unique and beautiful part of the Sea of Cortez.

In December, temperatures are typically in the 70s, the sky is clear blue from sunrise to sunset and while on our Sea of Cortez cruise, you will experience an ocean that is teeming with life, with platoons of pelicans, dolphins surfacing and the antics of rays and boobies! This is an extraordinary place — it’s dramatic, full of life with endless possibilities to walk, swim, snorkel and kayak.

Day to Day Itinerary

DAY 1 — US/Los Cabos or La Paz/Embark at La Paz
Fly to Los Cabos and transfer to La Paz, where we'll board the ship and sail into the Sea of Cortez in the late afternoon. (D)
   
DAY 2 — Isla San Jose
Isla San Jose has a highly varied mixture of habitats. You’ll take Zodiac cruises and kayaks into mangrove channels in search of shorebirds and waders. Nearby are ancient shell mounds, or middens, that reveal traces of former occupation by the Guaicura Indians. (B,L,D)
   
DAY 3 — Isla Ildefonso
Isla Ildefonso is a small and rugged island that is home to many nesting seabirds, including blue-footed and brown boobies. You will have the opportunity to take a zodiac cruise along the shoreline to closer observe the birdlife. Marine life also awaits our discovery, by way of snorkeling we can reveal this colorful underwater world. (B,L,D)
   
DAY 4 — Isla Santa Catalina
This morning we search for marine life in the waters around Isla Danzante, another rich area for dolphins. In the afternoon, we visit Isla Santa Catalina for walks among huge cacti, snorkeling in the clear waters of our anchorage along the rugged shoreline. (B,L,D)
   
DAY 5 — Isla San Francisco
Isla San Francisco and its natural harbor, a calm crescent-shaped bay, will allow us to consider activities such as Zodiac cruising, kayaking or relaxing on the beach. Walks ashore allow us a different perspective in exploring the island and always provide spectacular views. (B,L,D)
   
DAY 6 — Exploring the Sea of Cortez
The shores surrounding the sea of Cortez have many beautiful bays where there are beaches for swimming and long, gently sloping arroyos for walks inland. This time of year cacti may be in flower and wildflowers in bloom. No matter where you explore, you will have an opportunity for one last vigorous paddle in the kayaks. (B,L,D)
   
DAY 7 — Islas Los Islotes and Espiritu Santo
With deeply indented shorelines and dramatically eroded cliff faces, Islas Los Islotes and Espiritu Santo are two of the most beautiful islands in the Sea of Cortez. Here you will be able to swim and snorkel in the turquoise waters, perhaps with some curious sea lions. Zodiac rides, rare bird sightings, the possibility of spotting an endemic black rabbit, or simply some relaxing beachcombing are all possibilities today. Dinner this evening will be a beach barbeque and campfire under the star-filled desert sky.(B,L,D)
   
DAY 8 — La Paz/Disembark/La Paz or Los Cabos/US
After breakfast, disembark in La Paz and tansfer to the airport for your flights back home. (B)

 

Where the Desert Meets the Sea

Come explore Baja California with us this spring. We’ll show you the best that Baja has to offer and take advantage of the consistently calm waters — ideal for swimming and snorkeling. In April, air temperatures are warm but not too hot and the occasional spring rains bring forth colorful cactus blossoms.

Whale and dolphin watch from the deck of the intimate, 62-guest expedition ship National Geographic Sea Lion and at water level from nimble Zodiacs. Best bets are fin, sperm and Bryde’s, but other possibilities include the great blue whale. Hike miles of uninhabited beaches and desert. Observe myriad seabirds. Kayak in pristine waters, snorkel among reef fish and enjoy the serenity of a sunset beach barbecue. This unique journey is designed with no set itinerary, adding a stimulating sense of adventure to each day.