At a glance
- Duration:
- 8 Days
- Start/End:
- San Carlos to Loreto, Mexico
- From:
- $6,481
- Time of Year:
- January - March
On this 8-day Baja California: Among the Great Whales cruise aboard the 100-passenger National Geographic Venture, explore Baja California’s pristine coastlines and living sea in search of dolphins, sea lions, and as many as five different varieties of whales.
Board local pangas and enter sheltered lagoons for up-close encounters with California gray whale mothers and their newborn calves. Witness an undersea wonderland, serene desert isles, 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.
With its pristine coastlines and vivid sea life, Baja California offers spectacular untamed wilderness. Sail aboard the nimble National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions fleet into the biodiverse waters of the Gulf of California, home to more than a third of the world’s marine life. Led by local experts, naturalists and photographers, you’ll have thrilling opportunities for up-close encounters with gray whales and their curious calves on panga excursions in Magdalena Bay. Spend days discovering vibrant marine life as you snorkel among playful sea lions off the island of Los Islotes or watch a pod of dolphins zip by your Zodiac. Then head ashore to hike amid shifting sand dunes and fascinating flora, from lush mesquite trees to monumental cardón cacti. Discover this awe-inspiring region—blissfully remote yet close to home.
Baja California: Among the Great Whales Highlights
- Enter gray whale birthing lagoons for up-close encounters with gray whale mother-calf pairs
- Embark on regular marine safaris in search of dolphins, sea lions, and up to six species of whales
- Snorkel amidst the vibrant sea life, including playful sea lions at Los Islotes
- Hike desert isles, including Espíritu Santo Archipelago National Park, and witness the variety of flora and fauna thriving in this region
- Spot myriad bird species including diving pelicans, magnificent frigatebirds, and brown and blue-footed boobies
- 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
Baja California: Among the Great Whales Details
Day-to-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Loreto / San Carlos / Embark Ship
Arrive in Loreto, a picturesque gulfside town dotted with Spanish colonial architecture. Transfer to the National Geographic Venture to set sail at sunset.
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2: Bahía de Almejas / Rehusa Channel / Isla Magdalena
Awake this morning in Bahía de Almejas, where you’ll 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 humans’ 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
Day 3: Boca de Soledad
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, 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
Day 4: Bahía Magdalena / Cruising
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, sail out through La Entrada as you 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
Day 5: Gorda Banks and Cabo Pulmo
Ease into the day with a majestic sunrise over the iconic Friars Rocks at Land’s End. 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, 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
Day 6: Los Islotes and La Paz
Conditions permitting, wake this morning off the rocky island of Los Islotes and don flippers, a mask and snorkel (which are provided) to swim with curious sea lions. Then the ship repositions 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
Day 7: Exploring the Gulf of California
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 your journey. Plans are flexible as you explore some of the uninhabited islands sprinkled across these waters. Your Captain and Expedition Leader collaborate to choose the perfect combination of activities for the day. You might 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 you’ll visit Bahía de Los Muertos to snorkel among the coral.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Loreto / Disembark Ship
After breakfast, disembark the ship and transfer to the Loreto airport for flights home or to Loreto’s city center to begin a two-night history and whale-watching extension.
Meals Included: Breakfast
