Baja California: Whales and Wild Baja!

Baja's Pacific Islands, Laguna San Ignacio and Sea of Cortez
12 Days / 11 Nights

Baja California, the uterance stirs visions of desert beauty and oceanic splendor. Now you can experience Baja, or more aptly, Immerse Yourself in Baja on a journey that will stimulate and educate while providing you an active vacation that is as fantastic for individuals and families.

Join MV Horizon for a journey that will find you hiking desert islands, snorkeling with pinnipeds, coming face to face with whales, observing nomadic sea birds and getting immersed in nature in an intimate enviroment lead by our ship board naturalist and vessel staff.

Immerse Yourself in Nature...Immerse Yourself in Baja!

Day to Day Itinerary:

Day 1: Embark in San Diego /Ensenada / Day at Sea

After boarding MV Horizon we will cast off the lines and head south to Ensenada for our official entrance into Mexico and then you are off for the adventure of a lifetime!

Today is a day to introduce yourself to your ship mates and while absorbing the fresh salt air. There is nothing like the wind in your face as the miles slide by under MV Horizon's keel.

MV Horizon's captains and naturalist will be on the lookout for all species of offshore animals including: California gray, blue, minke, sperm and humpback whales. Large pods of common dolphin, Pacific whitesided dolphin and Risso’s dolphin are frequently encountered this time of the year as well. Shearwaters, petrals, albatross, terns, kittiwake and auklets along with multiple species of gull are quite often seen offshore in large numbersl.

Days 2 - 3: Islas San Benito and Isla Cedros
The next two days you will have the opportunity to explore Islas San Benito and Isla Cedros, two of Baja’s amazing offshore desert oases. To experience the terrestrial you can join naturalist lead hikes, taking in desert island ecology, California sea lion and northern elephant seal colonies along with Pacific island birding!

Aquatic experiences will include the opportunity to explore the sea while scuba diving, snorkeling or kayaking in beautiful kelp forests with California sea lions and Guadalupe fur seals. Unique to this section of Baja, temperate and sub tropical fish species intermingle. This experience should not be missed for the ocean lover in all of us!

Day 4: Sea Day: Offshore Pelagic Birding and Whale Watching

Today will be spent cruising offshore as you head south over hundreds of miles of pristine ocean. Our focus today will be birds and cetaceans - keep you cameras and binoculars handy!

If you are an aspiring ornithologist our staff will help you identify the many species of birds that live their lives offshore. Plus, we will keep on the lookout for the whales that traverse Baja’s offshore waters on their annual migrations. Blues, fin, sperm, humpback, minke and gray whales along with tremendous pods of common dolphin will be your aquatic focus.

Days 5 - 6: Laguna San Ignacio

The next two days you will experience the World Heritage Site - Laguna San Ignacio the cornerstone of the Whales and Wild Baja itinerary.This amazing location is one of the largest breeding and calving grounds of the Pacific gray whale. Each winter these mammals make the 12,000 mile round-trip trek in order to give birth in this areas warm, protected waters.

We are honored to be allowed in among the whales and during our time in San Ignacio you will have the opportunity to experience face to face “friendly” encounters with these whales. The friendly behavior displayed by gray whales is unique, magical and experience to never be forgotten!



Day 7: Whaling Offshore Bahia Magdalena and Southern Baja

You will spend your day heading south on the lookout for rorquals of all varieties. As the weather slowly starts to warm this will be a fantastic day to spend relaxing among friends while observing the shift to avian species of warmer climates. Boobies and magnificent frigate birds are quite often seen as we move toward the Tropic of Cancer.

Day 8: Gorda Banks and Los Frailes

Humpback whales, the vision of aerial grace and vocal extravagence. A portion of today will be spent at the humpback whale gathering area, Gorda Banks. You have seen the aerial acrobatics and heard the exquisite vocalizations of these entriguing whales on the television, but to experience it first hand at water level brings it all into focus.

You will have the opportunity to go ashore at Los Frailes to enjoy the beauty of a southern Baja beach and to birdwatch.

Days 9 - 10: Islands North of La Paz and Bay of Loreto National Park

Your journey will take you north into the Sea of Cortez with the opportunity to explore Isla San Jose and Catalina and ultimately into 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 11: Los Islotes / Isla Espiritu Santo / 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 12: Cabo San Lucas/ Disembark

You'll arrive in Cabo San Lucas with visions of whales, desert scenery, graceful sea birds and playful sea lions dancing through your head. After breakfast we'll transfer you to your local accommodations or airport for your flight home.

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