Baja California, where the desert meets the sea
Hermosillo to Los Cabos, Mexico
Aboard Sea Bird and Sea Lion
Come explore Baja with us this spring or early summer - during the lush months of April, May, June and early July. This is an ideal time for an expedition among these islands. Conditions are excellent - consistently calm and warm waters make for ideal swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving (scuba available on Sea Voyager only). Aboard our intimate ship, fully equipped with Zodiacs, kayaks and a convenient swimming platform on the stern, we’ll emphasize time in the water! But time on land will be wonderful too: air temperatures are warm but not oppressively hot and spring rains bring forth colorful cactus blossoms.
Day 1
Hermosillo - Guaymas - Embark Ship
Fly to Hermosillo, Mexico. Drive directly to our ship in Guaymas and set sail on the Sea of Cortez.
Days 2-7
Exploring the Sea of Cortez
This expedition is designed to take advantage of the best wildlife and exploring opportunities in the area. We will keep ourselves open to the possibilities. Our routing will include the islands listed below, although the order may vary:
Islas San Esteban and San Pedro Martir
In the morning land on Isla San Esteban for a walk up a desert wash, to search for desert birds and the endemic pinto chuckwalla - a fat, harmless desert lizard. In the afternoon visit Isla San Pedro Martir, a 1,000-foot-high guano-covered island that is home to thousands of seabirds. At this time of year blue-footed boobies, red-billed tropicbirds, pelicans and frigatebirds are all found here. A Zodiac cruise gives us close views of the birds and throngs of sea lions along the shoreline, and kayaks allow for personal explorations.
Canal de Ballenas and Isla Angel de la Guarda
In Canal de Ballenas it may be possible to see many species of whales and dolphins. Fin, sperm, and orca whales, bottlenose and common dolphin are among the species found in these waters. Later we land on Isla Angel de la Guarda for hikes among elephant trees and cardon cactus, and another opportunity for kayaking along a remote island shoreline.
Isla Rasa
In the spring one of the great wildlife spectacles of the Sea of Cortez is in full swing at Isla Rasa - the nesting of thousands of Heermann’s gulls and elegant and royal terns. This population of seabirds has been closely studied for many years, and we will go ashore to meet the researchers and unobtrusively observe the nesting, feeding and territorial behavior of these three species.
Isla San Marcos
At Isla San Marcos there is a beautiful cove for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving (available only aboard the Sea Voyager), and kayaking, and a broad arroyo leading into the interior, with intriguing desert plants and good opportunities for bird watching. In the afternoon we are again in rich whale waters, near the mouth of Bahia Concepcion where we stand a good chance of sighting several species of whales, particularly fin or sperm.
Isla Santa Catalina
This morning we’ll search for whales in the waters south of Isla Carmen, an area that has proven to be one of the best for finding blue whales, and often bottlenose and common dolphins. In the afternoon we visit Isla Santa Catalina, famous for its giant barrel cactus and rattleless rattlesnake. The protected bay of our anchorage is also an excellent site for snorkeling. With a full afternoon here there is time for swimming, scuba diving (Sea Voyager only), snorkeling, hiking and kayaking.
Islas Los Islotes and Espiritu Santo
At Isla Los Islotes, snorkelers have one of life’s great opportunities - swimming with graceful, curious sea lions. With a deeply indented shoreline and dramatically eroded cliff faces, Isla Espiritu Santo is perhaps the most beautiful island in the Sea of Cortez. We have a leisurely afternoon for swimming, scuba diving (Sea Voyager only), snorkeling, kayaking, and in the evening a beach barbecue under the desert sky.
Day 8
La Paz - Disembark Ship - Los Cabos
This morning after breakfast we disembark in La Paz and drive to Los Cabos Airport for flights back home. On our way we stop in the lovely little town of Todos Santos, which has become a haven for artists in recent years.
