Central America >
Sea of Cortez Islands & Magdalena Bay
Whale Watching Combo
 
8 days / 7 nights
The rugged peninsula of Baja California extends some 800 miles
South of California Norte terminating at Cabo San Lucas. Along
the Western shore of the peninsula vast surf pounded sand beaches
stretch as far as the eye can see, protecting the calving lagoons
of the Grey whales. In stark contrast to the coastal dunes and
open Pacific Ocean, the eastern shore of Baja is full of quiet
bays and tepid clear waters. The Baja peninsula shelters this
beautiful sea that has been the subject of numerous novels including
John Steinbeck’s “Log from the Sea of Cortez”.
This water is home to a small population of Blue Whales during
the winter months, and although they spend their time in open
deep waters they are frequently sighted from our camps. In addition,
commonly sighted marine mammals include: False Killerwhales, Humpback
Whales and Common and Bottlenose Dolphins.
While off the water, activities will include ample time to snorkel
and walk the desert, always full of photographic opportunities.
Baja's Pacific coast on the other hand is home to a series of
lagoons sheltered from the open sea by a barrier of desert islands.
The sandy barrier islands protect the lagoons from oceanic currents,
creating a fascinating environment of twisting mangrove-lined
estuaries, chaotic sand dunes and blooming desert plants. Every
February and March, hundreds of gray whales travel over 5000 miles
from the Bering Strait to mate and bear their young in these protected
waters. You can experience the whales and their newly-born calves
surfacing just a few feet away from a motorized skiff, and if
you're lucky, reach out and caress this extraordinary mammal.
The following one-day excursion focuses on whale watching from
22-foot skiffs in a remote part of the lagoon accessible only
by water. The skiff takes you out to the deeper waters of the
bay, where "friendlies" swim up and nudge the hulls.
Breaching, spy-hopping and fluking, the whales will captivate
your attention with their behavior.
In addition to whales, the lagoon is home to dolphins, sea lions,
pelicans, and thousands of shorebirds. Your guide will introduce
you to the desert plants, birds and other wildlife of Bajas' lagoons.
This is a great add-on to your Sea of Cortez kayak tour and we
offer guaranteed whale sightings.
Excursion includes van transportation from Loreto, 2 hours whale
watching by boat, snacks, lunch and naturalist guide. You'll bring
home a lifetime of memories
itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Loreto airport. You'll be greeted by our ground service
and transported to the hotel. Check into pre-assigned rooms. Pre-trip
meeting at the hotel later in evening (ground service and hotel
rooms included in trip cost).
Day 2
In the morning we'll meet for breakfast then you'll board our
van and ride to the launch site. We'll teach you the basics of
paddling and thoroughly review safety setting out procedures before
launching kayaks. Paddle to our first night's campsite.
Days 3-5
Our days begin with spectacular sunrises and end with delightfully
cool evenings. We'll spend our mornings kayaking to a new campsite.
After lunch there is plenty of time to snorkel, hike, swim or
relax with a good book. Evenings find us feasting on delicious
fresh food and enjoying margaritas as the sun sets on the horizon.
Day 6
After a final lunch, we break camp and paddle to our take-out
site around 2 p.m. Load van and proceed to Loreto. Check into
hotel. No host farewell group dinner at a favorite local restaurant.
Day 7
Today’s one-day excursion focuses on whale watching from
22-foot skiffs in a remote part of the lagoon accessible only
by water. The skiff takes you out to the deeper waters of the
bay, where "friendlies" swim up and nudge the hulls.
Breaching, spy-hopping and fluking, the whales will captivate
your attention with their behavior. We’ll transfer you back
to Loreto for another
Day 8
Our ground service will provide transportation to the airport
for your flight to Los Angeles and connecting flights homeward.
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