At a glance
- Duration:
- 15 Days
- Start/End:
- San Carlos to Loreto
- From:
- $12,610
- Time of Year:
- March - April
On this 15-day Baja California: A Remarkable Journey cruise aboard the 100-passenger National Geographic Venture, venture into the gray whale birthing lagoons on the Pacific side of the Baja California Peninsula to get up close with these gentle giants. Then, spend over a week in the Gulf of California exploring waters teeming with whales, pods of dolphins, and leaping rays.
The wild islands here offer the chance to hike desert arroyos through forests of cacti to revel in the beauty of untamed nature. Revel in Mexico’s coastal waters with daily activities that immerse you in the region including Zodiac cruises, kayaking, and snorkeling.
A Remarkable Journey Highlights
- Experience pristine desert landscapes and abundant wildlife
- Board local pangas to get up-close views of gray whale mothers and their growing calves as they prepare for their journey back to Arctic feeding grounds
- Kayak clear blue waters to search for wildlife, including magnificent frigatebirds, and investigate the intricacies of the shoreline
- Snorkel amid large schools of vibrantly colored fish and swim among playful sea lions
- Visit the island of San Pedro Mártir to witness clouds of nesting seabirds, crowds of lounging sea lions, and expanses of sea where huge pods of dolphins gather
- 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: A Remarkable Journey Details
Day 1: Loreto / San Carlos / Embark Ship
Arrive in Loreto by early afternoon for transfer to San Carlos. Embark National Geographic Venture in the evening.
Meals Included: Dinner
Days 2: Bahía Magdalena
Explore the ever-shifting sand dunes of Isla Magdalena on a cross-island walk to one of the most pristine beaches in the Pacific. Bird-watching can be excellent here, with abundant seabirds in action and shorebirds patrolling the beaches as they fatten up and prepare for long journeys to Arctic breeding grounds.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days 3-4: Laguna San Ignacio
Laguna San Ignacio is a large bay and favored haunt of the gray whales in Baja California. The ship anchors at the mouth of this remote and important area. We explore the lagoon via local pangas with expert local guides.
For some reason, the whales here seem to be friendlier than they are elsewhere. It is not unusual for mothers and calves to approach our boats, the calves often playing hide and seek–sometimes even welcoming a touch or a friendly chin scratch.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: At Sea
Enjoy the ship’s amenities, attend expert-led talks, and watch for a wide variety of marine life, including the largest animal on Earth, the blue whale, as we travel south along the Pacific coast of the peninsula.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6-14: Islands of the Gulf of California
Cruise past the spectacular Friars Rocks at Land’s End. For those who wish, we can arrange a visit to the historic town center of San José del Cabo. Isla San Pedro Mártir, Los Islotes, Isla San Francisco—these are some of the melodious names of islands scattered throughout this beautiful sea. After decades of exploration here, we are still discovering new places and experiencing exciting events: Bow-riding bottlenose dolphins, sperm whales near our ship, or a pod of fin whales feeding around a convergence zone. The best areas for whale watching remain consistent—the waters south of Isla del Carmen, Canal de Ballenas up north, and near the mouth of Bahía Concepción. Whether on the bridge of the ship, on Zodiacs, or kayaks, we are in prime position to observe them all.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15: Loreto / Disembark Ship
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.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
| Dates | Direction | Cat. 1 | Cat. 2 | Cat. 3 | Cat. 4 | Cat. 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday, March 4, 2024 | San Carlos to Loreto | $13,257 | $15,783 | $16,845 | $18,793 | $20,680 |
| Monday, March 18, 2024 | Loreto to San Carlos | $13,122 | $15,622 | $16,673 | $18,602 | $20,469 |
| Monday, April 1, 2024 | San Carlos to Loreto | $12,610 | $14,760 | $15,770 | $17,590 | $19,350 |
| Tuesday, March 4, 2025 | San Carlos to Loreto | $13,790 | $16,422 | $17,542 | $19,558 | $21,532 |
| Tuesday, March 18, 2025 | Loreto to San Carlos | $13,510 | $16,086 | $17,164 | $19,166 | $21,098 |
| Tuesday, April 1, 2025 | San Carlos to Loreto | $12,726 | $14,896 | $15,918 | $17,752 | $19,530 |
Dates and rates are effective the date the information was updated on this site. Dates and rates may have changed by the cruise line prior to an update here. Contact Sunstone Tours & Cruises for the latest dates & rates.
Prices are per person, double occupancy.
Prices subject to change
Included
- All meals and non-alcoholic beverages*
- Your bar tab and all crew gratuities are included in the voyage price on all National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Endurance, and National Geographic Orion voyages.
- Your bar tab and WiFi** are included in the voyage price on all National Geographic Islander or National Geographic Endeavour II voyages.
- Cappuccinos, lattes & filtered water
- 24-hour coffee, tea & soda on demand (soda not included on Lord of the Glens)
- Hors d’oeuvres & snacks during Recap
- Fitness center or exercise equipment, depending on the ship
- Fully stocked library, and other gracious public spaces
- The guidance and company of our expedition staff
- The services of a physician on certain ships/destinations
- Sightseeing & entrance fees
- Special access permits, park fees, port taxes
- Transfers to and from group flights
- The expertise of the expedition staff
- All excursions
- Zodiac & kayak explorations
- Snorkeling, including wetsuits, masks, fins & snorkel where relevant
- Presentations and guest speakers in the lounge
*Alcoholic beverages are included on the National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Orion, National Geographic Endurance, Sea Cloud, and Lord of the Glens; certain super-premium brands are not included.
** Travel aboard any National Geographic Islander or National Geographic Endeavour II voyage and we will cover your bar tab; certain premium brands not included. Free WiFi, up to one hour a day per person aboard any National Geographic Islander and National Geographic Endeavour II departure.
Not Included
- International and internal airfare
- Additional hotel nights
- Private transfers
- Travel Protection Plan
- Passport, visa, and immigration fees
- Expedition extensions
- Pre- and post-expedition Gratuities
- Alcoholic beverages (except aboard Sea Cloud, Lord of the Glens, National Geographic Orion, National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Endurance, National Geographic Islander and National Geographic Endeavour II); certain super-premium brands not included
- Spa treatments
- Aboard ship Gratuities (except aboard Sea Cloud, National Geographic Orion, National Geographic Endurance & National Geographic Explorer)
- Scuba diving
- Laundry
- Internet and phone
- Gift shop items and any other items of personal nature
- Cappuccinos and lattes are not available on the Delfin II
National Geographic Venture
The 100-passenger National Geographic Venture is the perfect ship to explore the same remote locations Lindblad Expeditions has sought out for decades while setting a new standard in comfort and style.
