Aboard the Sea Bird

January 21 – 28, 2012

A mystical frontier of splendid coastlines and turquoise waters lies between Mexico’s mainland and the Baja California. The Gulf of California’s rocky shores and hundreds of miles of gently sloping beaches are home to coves, bays, lagoons and estuaries that sustain an extraordinary richness of marine life. In fact, this region is often dubbed the "Mexican Galapagos" because of so much diversity. 

• Travel with naturalists and expedition leaders through waters that are primary breeding, feeding and nursing grounds for countless migratory and resident marine species.
• Listen to whale communications via a hydrophone while observing them via a bow-mounted camera with live TV feed.
• Via Zodiac landing crafts, disembark on otherwise inaccessible shorelines.
• Take advantage of stellar swimming, snorkeling and kayaking opportunities.

Trip Itinerary

Saturday, January 21, 2012: Los Angeles / La Paz, Mexico / Embark
Upon arrival in La Paz, drive along the Malecon and embark. (D)

Sunday, January 22: 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 23: 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 24: 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 25 through Friday, January 27: 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 28: 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)

Please note: This itinerary is preliminary, based on our January 2011 trip, and is subject to change.