Eco Itinerary : Adventure Along the Baja

Islands and Lagoons of Baja's Pacific Coast
10 Days /9 Nights

A total immersion in natural wonder, biology and beauty...take an Adventure Along the Baja!

Over the next 10 days you will experience nature above and below the seas surface, with hikes along desert shores, quiet kayaking in secluded island coves, face to face encounters with "friendly gray whales" and snorkel or dive adventures with sea lions and through beautiful kelp forests.

Experience the Baja...Immerse Yourself in Nature!

Day to Day Itinerary:

Day 1: San Diego Boarding / Departure
After a brief stop in Ensenada to clear customs into Mexico we head out across the Bahia Ensenada enroute to Todos Santos Islands.

Todos Santos Island is home to fantastic birding, sea lion and harbor seal viewing opportunities! From the deck of Horizon you will take in the sights and sounds of small island living, while being serenaded by the local animals. Pull out your cameras as the photographic opportunities are fantastic.

After departing Todos Santos we will start southward initially close to the Baja coastline, but as the day progresses land will fade into the distance and you will notice the change from near coastal birds and mammals to the offshore species.

Pelagic Birding, whale watching and relaxation are the main course for today. Get to know your fellow adventurers and enjoy the beauty of a day at sea. But keep your camera and binoculars close as you never know what will be just over the next swell!

Day 2: Ensenada / Sea Day
After a quick stop in Ensenada to gain our official entrance into Mexico, we are off for a day at sea, enoying the beauty of pelagic sea birds while on the constant lookout for the blows of whales and the playful ballet of pods of dolphin.

Day 3: Isla Cedros or Islas San Benito
You'll spend the next two days exploring two of Baja's desert island oases above and below the waterline! Morning hikes to experience desert island birds, botany, sea lion rookeries, elephant seal colonies and spectacular views of the Pacific from breathtaking cliffs, mountain tops and deserted beaches. Afternoons will be spent snorkelling, kayaking and diving from the mothership or simply relaxing with a good book. You can do as much...or as little as you'd like.


Days 4 – 5: Laguna San Ignacio
Laguna San Ignacio is one of the largest breeding and calving grounds of the Pacific gray whale and each winter these whales make the 12,000 mile round-trip trek to its protected waters. You will have the opportunity to experience very unique face to face “friendly” encounters with these whales. The friendly behavior displayed by these whales is magical and experience to never be forgotten!

But Laguna San Ignacio offers more than whales..it is a life magnet attracting dozens of bird species, aquatic and terrestrial. Trips to the mangrove forests will highlight the bird life with up to 30 different species being seen in one tour! Plus, if weather and tides allow, we may be able to offer kayak tours into these mangrove forests canals and channels. A quiet kayak into these areas is the best way to truly appreciate all that the lagoon has to offer.

Nights spent in the lagoon are another experience in itself as whales swim within feet of MV Horizon. You will be able to hear the blows of the whales from all directions!

Day 6: Bahia Magdalena
Bahia Magdalena is the largest natural bay on the Baja peninsula and is home to dozens of species of birds, mammals, fish and desert plants.  During our stay here you may witness gray whales from the mothership and if they are in close proximity to our anchorage you will be able to venture out in our skiffs for up close encounters.

Bahia Magdalena's mangrove forests are a place of wonder, with more birds here than the mangrove's of Laguna San Ignacio.  Enjoy a quiet kayak through the canals, pull up on a quiet beach but most of all enjoy the beauty of your surroundings.

Day 7: Gorda Bank and Los Frailes
Cabo San Lucas, "Land's End" rock formation are some of the worlds most unique. The end of Baja will come into view mid morning and as we approach we will make a close pass for photographic opportunities.

Humpback whales are the call to action today with amazing views of their aerial acrobatics. You’ll have the opportunity to hear the underwater songs through MV Horizon’s hydrophone and if conditions permit we will let you into the water to hear the songs first hand! Gorda Banks is also a life magnet with pelagic fish species and rays in abundance. Keep your cameras handy!

The evening will be spent anchored nearshore viewing the stars and sharing the weeks experiences.

Day 8: Isla San Jose
Day 9: Los Islotes / Espiritu Santo
Day 10: Cabo San Lucas
We arrive into Cabo just after breakfast and will arrainge your shuttle to the airport or local accommodations.

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