Excellent Odds
A spotter plane and expert naturalists ensure phenomenal marine encounters.
This eight day, land and liveaboard holiday to Baja California effortlessly combines a raft of unforgettable wildlife experiences.
Spend three nights aboard an expedition yacht, snorkelling, diving and kayaking alongside the abundant marine life of the Sea of Cortez, before flying to an isolated camp on the shores of San Ignacio Lagoon. Here, spend days in the privileged company of one of the last significant remaining grey whale populations – a wildlife experience like no other.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
Whales Galore
Observe grey, humpback, blue and fin-back whales fluking, spy hopping and breaching.
Isla Espiritu Santo
Swim with sea lions off the shores of this beautiful UNESCO island.
Nomadic Accommodation
From a 116 foot expedition yacht to an oceanside, pop-up luxury camp.
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Day 1
Los Cabos to La Paz (Marea Boutique Hotel)
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Day 2
La Paz to Mechudo Corridor (Nautilus Gallant Lady)
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Days 3 - 4
At Sea (Nautilus Gallant Lady)
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Day 5
Loreto National Park to La Paz to San Ignacio Lagoon (Lagoon Camping)
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Days 6 - 7
San Ignacio Lagoon (Lagoon Camping)
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Day 8
San Ignacio Lagoon to Los Cabos
Day 1
Los Cabos to La Paz (Marea Boutique Hotel)
Arrive at Los Cabos airport and transfer to the El Ganzo hotel to embark on a five hour whale watching expedition with lunch onboard. Transfer to La Paz to overnight.
Day 2
La Paz to Mechudo Corridor (Nautilus Gallant Lady)
Weather permitting, board boats and head out to swim with whale sharks. After lunch, relax on the beaches of Espiritu Santo Island and spend the afternoon snorkelling with sea lions. Board your 116-foot expedition yacht and travel north towards Loreto to begin exploring the Mechudo Corridor.
Days 3 - 4
At Sea (Nautilus Gallant Lady)
Spend two days at sea meeting with smaller boats for whale encounters within the Loreto National Park.
Day 5
Loreto National Park to La Paz to San Ignacio Lagoon (Lagoon Camping)
Return to La Paz for an afternoon private charter flight to San Ignacio Lagoon. Transfer to your camp.
Days 6 - 7
San Ignacio Lagoon (Lagoon Camping)
Rise early to allow for two whale encounters each day or take a leisurely start with just one afternoon encounter. Plenty of time for lunch and relaxation around the camp, as well as kayaking, paddle boarding or desert walks. Spend evenings round the fire with fine dining, cocktails and naturalist presentations.
Day 8
San Ignacio Lagoon to Los Cabos
Final day of whale encounters before your flight back to Los Cabos and onward travels.
More Details
Rooms with a View
The accommodation in this holiday couldn’t be better placed to facilitate the remarkable wildlife experiences. Nautilus Gallant Lady is a 12 berth, 116 foot yacht offering a comfortable ocean base from which to kayak and paddle board in search of wildlife, moving to smaller panga boats for daily whale encounters. At San Ignacio Lagoon, the spacious canvas accommodation sits between the ocean and desert, providing everything you need for a comfortable stay, including an ensuite bathroom. Fire pits, fine dining and a bar and lounge tent – the perfect combination for atmospheric evenings beneath the stars.
Marine Life of Baja
Baja California has the second longest peninsula in the world at over 1,200 kilometres, and offers some of the most concentrated and diverse wildlife. Swim with whale shark and snorkel or kayak with pods of dolphin and even orca, while turtles and stingray can also be seen. Whale species found in these waters include grey, humpback, blue and fin-back. Cruising above the waterline, spot some of the 300 plus bird species including magnificent frigate birds, blue footed boobies and double-crested cormorants.
San Ignacio Whale Interactions
For generations, between the months of January and April, grey whales have journeyed some 5,000 miles to the warm shallows of San Ignacio Lagoon to mate and give birth. Since the first whale encounter in 1972, this remarkable annual meeting of humans and whales continues. From small panga boats, visitors are treated to front row seats as the whales breach, fluke and spy hop, often swimming alongside the boats, making direct eye contact with its passengers. While we cannot encourage and promote touching the whales, any interaction is entirely on their terms and it does indeed appear that they choose and even seek out that human connection. Whatever the reasons, it is a truly magical and special window into the natural world.
How does this holiday make a positive impact?
- Relevant SDGs
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Founded almost 50 years ago, our partners Baja Expeditions are leading the way in pioneering eco-adventures in Baja California. Former fishermen are employed as panga captains and are leased additional boats for just $1 a year. Providing training and affordable resources encourages a passion and respect for local whale populations, ensuring new advocates for tourism and conservation.
“Timo” Means, founder of Baja Expeditions, played a critical role in saving Espiritu Santo Island from commercial exploitation. After intense pressures grew from real estate developers wishing to create a resort casino, Means and a team of tenacious Mexican businessmen managed to save this remarkable island. They donated it to the nation for all to enjoy and continue to preserve; the island is now a National Park and UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.
Conservation is a cornerstone of our partners business and a donation from your holiday will go towards supporting the marine life of Baja California, in particular the white sharks and giant manta rays of Islas Guadalupe and Socorro.
Learn more about the UN's 17 sustainability goals
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A note on price
Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.
This Itinerary
Price
From $5,799 Per person
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