Whales, Snorkeling, and Sea Kayaking aboard the Westward
Baja: Exploring the Sea of Cortez
Overview
Set in the brilliant turquoise waters of the Sea of Cortez, our adventure brings you up close to the wonders of Baja. With a classic 86-foot wooden ship as our base and kayaks on board, you'll explore between La Paz and Loreto, enjoying incredible experiences by land and sea. Sea kayak along the beaches of Isla Espíritu Santo, snorkel with playful sea lions, and track sperm whales and blue whales—the largest creatures to roam the earth—in the “Blue Triangle.” Anchoring each night in a secluded bay, you'll enjoy gorgeous sunsets, savor incredible gourmet meals fresh from the land and sea, and watch the magic of the starlit desert sky.
We offer two separate itineraries, each with a special added attraction. The 9-day itinerary is timed for December-January, at the end of the rainy season, when long-dormant plants flush bright green and migratory birds arrive to feast during this brief period of abundance. We'll swim and snorkel with whale sharks—the largest fish in the world!—and enjoy the serene Sea of Cortez. We'll snorkel through warm, clear waters along the steep rocky shores and over the shallow reefs that teem with life.
On the 11- and 12-day departures, you'll travel over the peninsula to Bahía Magdalena or Laguna San Ignacio for a 3-day adventure of up-close encounters among the gray whales who come to these peaceful, warm-water lagoons each year to breed and give birth to their young. Imagine looking eye-to-eye with these magnificent creatures! These journeys are timed in January-March, when gray whale calves are curious and playful, often swimming right next to our boats. We'll also have the opportunity to spend a half-day swim and snorkel with whale sharks. No matter which itinerary you choose, you're in for the experience of a lifetime!
Arrive: San José del Cabo, Mexico (depending on itinerary)
Depart: Loreto, Mexico (depending on itinerary)
Highlights
- Learn about Baja's ecosystem from your expert on-board naturalist guide
- Snorkel with sea lions, kayak in remote bays, explore Isla Espíritu Santo, walk island trails
Itinerary
Note: This trip is not exclusive to, nor operated by, Wilderness Travel, who acts solely as an agent in booking your reservation with the operator. Please download the Rate Sheet in the Dates & Pricing section to see the full pricing details and contact our Cruise Collection Specialists to check availability.
Bahía Magdalena and Laguna San Ignacio (depending on season) are two famed lagoons where gray whales give birth and rear their young each winter. The bays are well protected and offer a calm basin for the whales. They sometimes approach our pangas (skiffs), and it's a thrill to see these gentle giants at close range. At your beachfront hotel (or safari-style camp, depending on itinerary), relax with a cold drink and watch a spectacular Baja sunset.
Board the Westward in the La Paz marina and head across the Sea of Cortez to UNESCO protected Isla Espíritu Santo National Park, a wilderness of deserted white-sand beaches, secluded coves, rugged multi-colored cliffs, and thickly vegetated arroyos (dry canyons) spiked with a colorful array of cactus species. Wildlife includes sea turtles, friendly sea lions, and an underwater kaleidoscope of colorful tropical fish. Jump into your kayak for wonderful paddling, and in the evenings back on board, dine on the chef's culinary creations and gaze at star-filled skies.
As we cruise north, we explore along meandering shorelines, dropping anchor to enjoy unique island and peninsula sites on land and in the water. We'll hike island trails that host endemic cactus, and one stop may be Los Islotes, where we can snorkel with resident California sea lions who tempt us into a game of underwater tag. Each day is filled with adventure, from snorkeling above rocky reefs teeming with fish to watching schools of mobula rays or dolphins leaping above the water's surface. Along the way, we'll pass through the "Blue Triangle," an important area for wintering blue whales as well as sperm and humpback whales. Depart on Day 11 via Loreto.
Day 1: Arrive in Loreto
Days 2-3: Whale watching at Bahía Magdalena (January and February departures) or Laguna San Ignacio (March and April departures).
Days 4-10: Explore the Sea of Cortez aboard our Baja expedition vessel
Day 11: Enjoy a half-day swim with whale sharks
Day 12: Depart from La Paz
Days 2-3: Whale watching at Bahía Magdalena (January and February departures) or Laguna San Ignacio (March and April departures).
Days 4-10: Explore the Sea of Cortez aboard our Baja expedition vessel
Day 11: Enjoy a half-day swim with whale sharks
Day 12: Depart from La Paz
Day 1: Arrive in La Paz or Loreto
Days 2-8: Explore the Sea of Cortez aboard our Baja expedition vessel. Depending on departure, you will enjoy a half-day swim with whale sharks on Day 2 or Day 8.
Day 9: Depart from Loreto or La Paz
Days 2-8: Explore the Sea of Cortez aboard our Baja expedition vessel. Depending on departure, you will enjoy a half-day swim with whale sharks on Day 2 or Day 8.
Day 9: Depart from Loreto or La Paz
Dates & Pricing
Payment & Cancel Schedule
At time of reservation: 20% of trip cost
100 days prior to departure: Balance
*Please note that this differs from our standard policy.
Cancellation & Transfer Schedule
Minimum fee: 50% of deposit
91-150 days prior to departure: 100% of deposit
90 days or less: 100% of trip cost
*Please note that this differs from our standard policy.
Included
Not Included
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 2 (Easy to Moderate) according to our trip grading system. The expedition vessel serves as our mobile base camp. We explore remote beaches and islands by day, then enjoy the comfort of the ship in the evening for good food, fine company, and a comfortable bunk.
With just a few hours of cruising each day, there is plenty of time for walking, wildlife watching, swimming, snorkeling, and sea kayaking, all in the company of an on-board naturalist who shares insights into the local botany and natural history. Because our Trip Leader is an accomplished diver, we can expand our opportunities for in-the-water snorkel explorations. The water is warm, but not tropically warm, so “shorty” wetsuits are recommended for those interested in snorkeling or swimming.
Winter in Baja tends to be cooler, with more chance of wind and some chance of rain. Water temperatures are in the mid-60s, and daytime highs are from the 60s to 80s. The weather in Magdalena Bay on the Pacific Coast during whale watching season does tend to be windy and chilly. Daytime highs may be in the 70s but with the wind, it may feel more like the 50s, so you will want to bring appropriate clothing.
Our meals are elegant, locally sourced, and artfully presented. Fresh ingredients come from local providers whenever possible, including organic farmers, and fish is bought directly from local fishers.
Every trip aboard a small ship can -- and should -- be slightly different. This is our planned itinerary, but if conditions and wildlife, whether on land or sea, present us with special opportunities, we'll alter our course and head that way to experience it. Our itineraries are leisurely -- we don't rush past hundreds of miles of beautiful coves and inlets to stay on schedule, and we don't travel at night. A flexible attitude and an openness to the unexpected keep the adventure alive on these voyages.
Client Testimonials
"This is an amazing tour and experience of Baja and the Sea of Cortez. We had more than one unique experience daily and guides enlightening us about what we were seeing and experiencing."
Carol B.
Novato, CA
"This was a magical trip with wonderful leaders and terrific fellow shipmates. i loved learning and seeing so much in this part of Baja. The whole experience has made me ever more mindful to look and listen carefully for all the sights and sounds of the sea, the land, the sky, and even under the sea."
Denny H.
Mercer Island, WA
"This was a WONDERFUL adventure, aboard a 1924 gentlemen's motor yacht, with a very competent crew—fabulous chef, very experienced and competent captain/owner, and engaging naturalist. We loved them all and thoroughly enjoyed the trip and the crew that brought it to life."
James S.
Carlisle, MA
"This is one of the best trips in the over 40 we have taken, and the 5th with Wilderness Travel, truly exceptional."
John D.
Philadelphia, PA
"This was the magical trip of a lifetime. We sailed on incredible blue-green water, hiked in forests of cactus, and touched sweet, young whales. I will never be the same."
Nina H.
Kensington, CA
"I got to touch a baby gray whale. Truly a once-in-a lifetime experience that I'll never forget."
Randy L.
Kensington, CA
"Everything was wonderful, but OMG, I did not expect to have 4-star dining at every meal. This made the trip over-the-top excellent."
Susan S.
Chicago, IL
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Book your trip today
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
Submit the form below to download itinerary
Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.