Baja California: Journey into the Sea of Cortez

Bahia de Loreto National Park, Islands of La Paz and Gordo Bank
8 Days / 7 Nights

The Sea of Cortez, one of our planets natural wonders and seasonal home to the most diverse populations of whales in the world, a desert oases and your journey to natural immersion.

Your family oriented Sea of Cortez experience will allow you an active nature based experience lead by our ship board naturalist and vessel staff. Kayaking along a desert island shore, hiking a quiet trail, snorkeling among playful sea lions, the powerful exhaled breathe of a whale across a glassy sea or the observance of hundreds of frenzied sea birds feeding upon a school of baitfish.

Immerse Yourself in Nature...Immerse Yourself in the Sea of Cortez!

Day to Day Itinerary:

Day 1: Embark from La Paz, Baja California Sur
Board MV Horizon late afternoon, get settled, and then enjoy dinner aboard while meeting your shipmates. After dinner stroll into town or enjoy the quiet of the marina. We'll depart shortly after midnight for points north.

Day 2: Isla San Jose
With it's myriad calm coves and abundant whales your day will be spent with binoculars in hand, kayak and snorkel equipment at the ready. When not searching for whales you will have the opportunity to explore quiet desert island shorelines via kayak or if you want to see what is below the Sea, don your snorkel or dive gear and take a dip with our dive staff for a trip into the aquatic world!

Days 3 - 4: Bay of Loreto National Park
Your journey will take you north into the Sea of Cortez with the opportunity to explore the Parque Nacional Bahia de Loreto for unsurpassed scenic and biological beauty. Stops may include Bahia Agua Verde or any combination of the national parks islands for nature hikes, beach walks and snorkeling.

Blue, sperm and fin whales, along with pods of common and bottlenosed dolphin frequent the waters of the bay. Endless bird schools feeding on baitfish, sharks lazily finning on the surface and sunsets that will stir the soul will keep you visually stimulated while MV Horizon's staff leads you into the biological wonder of the central Sea of Cortez.

Day 5: Isla Catalina
The classic Sea of Cortez desert oasis will be your point of exploration today as we will venture to points terrestrial and aquatic giving you the opportunity to explore Isla Catalina with MV Horizon's naturalist and staff.

Cardon and giant barrel cactus are the forests you will traverse while exploring the geology of Isla Catalina, which is also home to the endemic rattleless rattlesnake a rare but beautiful find!

Aquatic activities will fill your afternoon snokeling and kayaking in quiet coves taking in the best of Baja!

Day 6: Los Islotes / Isla Partida
Kayaking and snorkeling amongst playfully inquisitive sea lions of Los Islotes will be followed by an afternoon of beach combing, kayaking and snorkeling in the deeply indented coves of Isla Partida or Espiritu Santo.

Tonight we'll share the beach for a barbeque sharing the experiences of the week with your shipmates, captains and MV Horizon staff. An early evening of stargazing into the planetarium of outer space will punctuate the evening.

Day 7: The Humpback Whales of the Gordo Bank


Day 8: Cabo San Lucas / Disembark
After an early morning with humpback whales on Gorda Bank, you'll arrive back to Cabo San Lucas with visions of whales, desert scenery, graceful sea birds and playful sea lions dancing through your head. After arrival we'll transfer you to your local accommodations or airport for your flight home.

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