World Wildlife Fund

Among the Great Whales: Baja California/Sea of Cortez

Aboard the Sea Bird

From $4,990 per person, based on double occupancy. Solo occupancy rates from $7,640.

Trip Overview

Kayak, swim and snorkel in Gulf of California waters and hike along remote islets. Cruise in Zodiac landing craft through the breeding lagoons of Mexico's Bahia Magdalena in search of dolphins, whales, sea lions and countless species of sea birds.

Trip Itinerary

Saturday, January 22, 2011: Los Angeles / La Paz, Mexico / Embark
Upon arrival in La Paz, drive along the Malecon and embark (D)

Sunday, January 23: Exploring the Sea of Cortez
With the luxury of a flexible plan, search for whales among the islands of the southern Sea of Cortez, an area that has proven to be one of the best for finding whales, and often common and bottlenose dolphins. Explore the many uninhabited islands such as Isla San Jose or Isla Santa Catalina to walk among a forest of huge cacti and observe diverse birdlife. Swim or snorkel with king angelfish, butterfly fish, damselfish and beautiful parrotfish. (B,L,D)

Monday, January 24: Islas Los Islotes / Espiritu Santo
At Los Islotes, don flippers and a mask and snorkel with curious sea lions. Take the afternoon to swim, kayak or hike at Espiritu Santo, with its deeply indented shorelines and dramatically eroded cliff faces. Brown pelicans, gulls, wandering tattlers, great blue herons and boobies are all part of the landscape. Finish the day with a beach barbecue complete with campfire and a star-filled sky. (B,L,D)

Tuesday, January 25: Gorda Banks / Los Cabos
The morning is spent at the Gorda Banks seamount, a gathering place for whales and dolphins. Humpback whales are often sighted here at this time of year, and you may see tail lobbing, flipper slapping and breaching. In the afternoon, cruise past spectacular Friars Rocks at Land’s End. For those who wish, we will arrange a visit to the historic town center of San Jose del Cabo. (B,L,D)

Wednesday, January 26 through Friday, January 28: Bahia Magdalena
Navigate through an immense system of protected coves and channels, surrounded by a fringe of mangrove at one edge of a vast windswept plain. Each winter, during their long migration, gray whales travel south from their Arctic feeding grounds to breed and raise their calves in these sheltered waters. Observe migrating whales from the ship and at water level from Zodiacs. Discover dense mangroves by kayak and watch for magnificent frigate birds, pelicans, cormorants, terns, great blue herons, ibis and willets. (B,L,D daily)

Saturday, January 29: San Carlos / Disembark / La Paz / Los Angeles
Disembark after breakfast in San Carlos and drive across the peninsula to La Paz for flights home. (B)