Overview
Explore Baja California’s Pacific Coast and the Gulf of California in search of dolphins, sea lions, and as many as four different varieties of whales. Board local pangas and enter pristine lagoons for up-close encounters with California gray whale mothers and their newborn calves. Witness an undersea wonderland, serene desert dunes, and the most beautiful sunsets on Earth. Hike through towering cacti and up striking desert canyons or take a slow photo stroll along the shore. Every day is different and rewarding, with opportunities to indulge in active or relaxing pursuits.
Trip Highlights
- Board local pangas to encounter California gray whales and their newborn calves up close in lagoons, and witness breaching humpbacks from the bow of our ship, or on Zodiac excursions
- Hike desert islands and sculpted sand dunes, and look for a variety of wildlife
- Snorkel with sea lions in Los Islotes (conditions permitting) and amid the pristine coral reefs of Cabo Pulmo National Park
- In La Paz, enjoy a special outdoor dinner featuring local cuisine, music, and dance, as well as an opportunity to view and purchase work by local artisans
- With National Geographic Global Explorers, our exclusive family program, kids and teens will learn about this vibrant part of the world—from migrating gray whales to desert plant species
Itinerary
Arrive in Loreto by early afternoon for transfer to San Carlos. Embark National Geographic Venture in the evening, anchored off the coast of Isla Santa Margarita.
Arrival Time: Arrive before 2:30 p.m. local time.
Arrival City: Loreto, Mexico
Meals Included: Dinner
Awake this morning in Bahía de Almejas where we will board local pangas and enter the lagoons for encounters with gray whale mothers and calves. Whales tend to be very active here, seemingly oblivious to our presence, and sometimes curious and playful. Later head to shore at Isla Magdalena to explore ever-shifting sand dunes on a cross-island walk to pristine beaches. Bird-watching can be excellent here with abundant seabirds in action.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, transfer by motorcoach to Puerto López Mateos to spend the full day observing, and, with luck, interacting with these majestic creatures. Together with savvy local Mexican fishermen we have known for years, we board boats to view the numerous mother-calf pairs that thrive in this sheltering region. Enjoy lunch at a traditional restaurant before returning to the ship in late afternoon.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Kickstart your day with morning stretches hosted by your onboard wellness specialist on the sun deck. After breakfast, enjoy opportunities to explore and better understand the ecosystems that make up and power this diverse region. This afternoon, we sail out through La Entrada as we leave Bahía Magdalena behind. Traveling south along the coast of the peninsula, there is a chance of seeing a wide variety of marine life, including the largest animal on Earth, the blue whale. Hear naturalist talks and learn photography basics.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ease into the day with a majestic sunrise over the iconic Friars Rocks at Land's End. We spend the rest of the morning searching the seas of the Gorda Banks seamount, a renowned gathering place for whales, especially humpbacks, dolphins, and other sea life. Following lunch, we set out to snorkel the pristine reefs of Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park, one of the most successful national marine parks in the world, and chat with locals about their advocacy to protect this unique place.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Conditions permitting, we'll awake this morning off the rocky island of Los Islotes, where we don flippers, a mask, and snorkel (which we provide) and swim with curious sea lions. Then we reposition to the colorful city of La Paz to garner insight into the culture of Mexico, soak in the vibrant street art, and stroll the lively Malecón. Dinner is an unforgettable cultural experience, complete with local cuisine, dancing, and folklore.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The Gulf of California is home to great biological diversity, and with some luck, sightings of whales, dolphins, and other sea life are among the highlights of our journey. Our plan is flexible as we explore some of the uninhabited islands sprinkled across these waters. Our Captain and Expedition Leader collaborate to choose the perfect combination of activities for the day. We may go ashore at Isla San Francisco, where a sweeping arc of white-sand beach fringes waters perfect for kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding. Or perhaps we'll visit Bahía de Los Muertos to snorkel among the coral.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Disembark in Loreto after breakfast and transfer to the city center. Schedules permitting, take the opportunity to visit the first mission in Baja California, as well as the nearby museum, to learn more about what makes this town so special. After lunch, transfer to Loreto Airport for flights home.
Departure Time: Depart after 1:00 p.m. local time.
Departure City: Loreto, Mexico
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
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Cost Includes
- Excursions, hotels, and airport transfers, as indicated in the itinerary
- Selection of exploration tools curated to your destination, such as Zodiacs and glass-bottom boats, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, snorkeling equipment (including wetsuits, masks, and fins), and other state-of-the-art gear
- Guidance and company of our leading expedition staff
- All meals as indicated in the itinerary, both aboard and onshore. Meals are inspired by regional cuisine and locally sourced where possible.
- Hors d’oeuvres inspired by regional cuisine and locally sourced where possible
- 24-hour access to snacks, premium coffees and teas, non-alcoholic beverages, and filtered water
- Beer, wine, cocktails, and spirits aboard all ships, with the exception of Sun Goddess and Oberoi Philae. We are also pleased to offer a selection of super premium wines and liquors available for purchase.
- Beer and wine with meals aboard Oberoi Philae and Sun Goddess. Additional alcoholic beverages are available for purchase.
- Crew gratuities aboard National Geographic Endurance, National Geographic Resolution, National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Orion, Sea Cloud, Sea Cloud II, Lord of the Glens, Oberoi Philae, Sun Goddess, and The Jahan.
- Laundry services aboard Oberoi Philae and Sun Goddess.
- Complimentary Starlink-enabled Wi-Fi internet is available to all guests aboard our Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic fleet, enabling email, messaging, and social media. Enhanced and Premium internet packages are available for purchase, which may enable video chat, web browsing, and streaming (connectivity permitting).
- Complimentary Wi-Fi internet is available to all guests aboard Sea Cloud, Sea Cloud II, Lord of the Glens, Oberoi Philae, Sun Goddess, and The Jahan (connectivity permitting).
- Presentations on your destination by expedition staff and expert guest speakers
- Complimentary reusable water bottle to fill at onboard water refill stations
- The services of a physician, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, or paramedic where available
- Morning stretch classes and 24-hour access to exercise equipment where available
- 24-hour access to lounges, observation decks, library stocked with regionally relevant literature, and other shared spaces
- Complimentary Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic parka or jacket on select Arctic and Antarctic voyages
- Assistance by the onboard National Geographic Photography Expert (National Geographic Endurance, National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Orion, National Geographic Resolution) and Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic certified photo instructor (all ships)
- Access to the OM System Photo Gear Locker with the latest gear to try out on loan (aboard our Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic fleet)
- Park and site entrance fees, special access permits, and port taxes
Cost Excludes
- Airfare (except flights when indicated as included), pre- and post-expedition extensions, additional hotel nights, and private transfers (except when indicated as included)
- Travel protection plans and passport, visa, and immigration fees
- Laundry, spa treatments, scuba diving, and phone services (except when indicated as included)
- Enhanced and premium Wi-Fi plans, which may enable video chat, web browsing, and streaming (connectivity permitting)
- Crew gratuities aboard National Geographic Endeavour II, National Geographic Islander II, National Geographic Venture, National Geographic Quest, National Geographic Sea Bird, National Geographic Sea Lion, and Delfin II
- Unused services or items included in our programs are non-refundable.
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