Baja Ultimate Whales
Tour Introduction
This exhilarating nine day tour consists of a three night cruise onboard the Nautilus Lady Gallant, followed by a stay at a luxury camp on the shores of San Ignacio Lagoon where you’ll have the chance to come face to face with grey whales.
Experience San Ignacio Lagoon on the Pacific Ocean side of the peninsula, as well as the bountiful Sea of Cortez, along Baja California’s eastern coastline. This tour begins in the Los Cabos region of Baja California Sur, right at its southern tip, before travelling up to the city of La Paz, where you will board the Nautilus Lady Gallant for a 3 day cruise. The waters of the Gulf of California (or Sea of Cortez) is one of the most rich and diverse marine ecosystems on earth. These nutrient waters help to sustain almost 900 species of fish, which in turn support a wide array of cetacean species. Blue, grey, humpback, sperm, pilot, Baird’s beaked and Bryde’s whales all show themselves from time to time, some more confidently than others. Superpods of common dolphins – sometimes numbering over a thousand – hunt down huge baitballs of schooling fish, along with bottlenose, Pacific white-sided and spotted dolphins.
From your luxury vessel, venture out by small boat to seek out migratory whales, or to swim and snorkel with sea lions or even whale sharks, the planet’s largest fish. On the northern end of the beautiful Isla Espiritu Santo lies the small islet of Los Islotes, home to a colony of California sea lions. Their playful nature and underwater grace makes for an astonishingly spectacular swim, snorkel or diving experience.
From La Paz fly up to San Ignacio Lagoon Camp, an idyllic base from which to enjoy this remote location and true Baja wilderness. Laguna San Ignacio is a critically important site for grey whales to congregate, with mothers coming to give birth in early spring. These calves are nursed for their first few months within the calm and warm waters of the lagoon, allowing for potential sightings of exceptionally young individuals on your many small boat trips included in your stay. Most surprisingly however, is how some grey whales over the years, have become increasingly comfortable in the presence of humans and their boats, so much so that they now approach boats, spy hopping beside your vessel and creating a most breathtaking encounter with such a large, gentle mammal.
For marine wildlife, this itinerary packs a punch.
Full Itinerary
Arrive at Los Cabos International Airport. Met at the airport and a private transfer to Casa Bella Hotel in Cabo San Lucas.
Staying at Casa Bella Hotel. Includes Breakfast.
This morning you have the option to join a complimentary photo workshop at 9:30 AM, in the See Creatures HQ, nextdoor to your hotel. At 11am you'll depart on a five hour whale watching Ocean Safari. Enjoy lunch on board your whale watching vessel. Then a 4 PM transfer to La Paz. This is typically a two hour 20 minute drive up north.
Staying at Marea La Paz. Includes All Meals.
Today begins with an early breakfast, and weather permitting, we will head out to swim with whale sharks. There is a chance that this activity will have to be postponed if there’s a strong northerly wind blowing. Either way, we will head up to Espiritu Santo for lunch and spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach in this UNESCO World Heritage Park, swim with sea lions or go for a hike. In the late afternoon, we will board our 116-foot expedition yacht for cocktail hour, sunset, dinner, and sail north towards Loreto to search for magnificent blue whales.
Staying at Nautilus Gallant Lady. Includes All Meals.
The exact itinerary will depend on the weather, but our primary objective is to take you out on local pangas to observe mama and baby blue whales. They are in the area south of the rattle for several months every winter, and it is an awe-inspiring experience when these largest of all whales choose to approach our skiffs for an encounter. Over the next couple of days, we will also keep an eye out for large pods of dolphins, finback whales, mobula rays, and whatever other whales might be in the area which might include orcas, sperm whales, false killer whales, and more. The Sea of Cortez is teeming with animals at this time of year, and our crew will be vigilant in maximizing your experience. As well as, beach excursions, hiking opportunities, kayaking, and generally having a really great time.
Staying at Nautilus Gallant Lady. Includes All Meals.
Staying at Nautilus Gallant Lady. Includes All Meals.
Today starts with breakfast and disembarking your expedition yacht at the Marea hotel. After disembarking, we will provide a transfer directly to the La Paz airport for a one hour and 40-minute flight directly to the airstrip at San Ignacio lagoon.
Upon arrival at camp, our staff will meet you at the airstrip with welcoming smiles, glasses of champagne and hot apple cider, and a boat ride to camp for snacks and welcome aboard briefing. There will not be time to get out on the water for a whale encounter this afternoon. We invite you to relax and enjoy camp, join us for cocktail hour, and watch the sunset around one of our fire pits. Dinner and a presentation by one of our naturalists.
Staying at San Ignacio Lagoon Camp. Includes All Meals.
Your choice to get up early for breakfast and enjoy your first whale watching encounter of the day when the park opens at 8 AM, or take advantage of your vacation and sleep in for a later breakfast and head over for whale watching later in the morning when you’re ready. As long as the weather cooperates, you’ll have the option of three whale watch encounters, plus all the activities offered at camp, such as kayaking, paddleboarding, hiking in the desert, and stargazing under the amazing Mexican night sky. As always, there will be cocktail hour, sunset viewing, fire pit gathering, dinner, and more presentations by our naturalists.
Staying at San Ignacio Lagoon Camp. Includes All Meals.
Staying at San Ignacio Lagoon Camp. Includes All Meals.
Today is our last day. We will start with breakfast and one final whale watching boat tour before flying back to Los Cabos International Airport.
Includes No Meals.
Tour Accommodation
Casa Bella Hotel
Overview
Casa Bella Boutique Hotel is located in Cabo San Lucas, on the tip of the beautiful peninsula of Baja California Sur. The hotel is built around a central courtyard, with lush foliage and exotic plantings, providing the comfort of an oasis given its central location within Cabo San Lucas. The small hotel is just minutes away by foot from the marina and a great choice of restaurants and bars.
Casa Bella provides a convenient accommodation option for those travelling out to the San Ignacio Lagoon Camp for our whale watching tours. The hotel is situated next door to the See Creatures diving centre, which serves as your early morning rendezvous point, before connecting with your private charter flight.
Rooms are tastefully decorated with traditional textiles and artwork, and there is a small swimming pool. The small size of this boutique hotel along with its delightfully welcoming staff help to provide a homely feel to the place.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Room types types come in the following: Superior King, Standard Double, Superior Queen, Standard Queen, Junior Suite, Junior Triple, Suite Queen and Suite King.
All rooms have a shower and some include a bath tub. There is WiFi throughout the property and air-conditioning units in all off the rooms.
Local Wildlife
Grey whale, humpback whale, orca (over twenty cetacean species in total), manta ray, mobula ray, California sea lion, whale shark, five marine turtle species, marlin, dorado, tuna, numerous shark, ray and tropical fish species.
Coyote, fox, raccoon, bobcat, puma, ringtail.
Numerous species of reptiles, including 18 species of rattlesnake.
Optional Activities
Diving, snorkelling, whale watching, fishing, camping, biking, hiking, horseback riding.
Marea La Paz
Overview
Marea La Paz boasts a premium location within the Baja Californian city of La Paz, central yet right on the seafront. The boutique hotel has its own private stretch of beach and a pier – handy for those getting picked up by whale watching or diving boats.
The Bahia Restaurant and Bar have unobstructed sea views, focusing on Mexican cuisine, with an emphasis on authentic Baja dishes. Excursions can be booked through the hotel, whether paddleboarding through mangroves, swimming with whale sharks or sea lions, or heading out on a whale watching trip in the Gulf of California. From the hotel, you can take a walk or cycle along the beach front boardwalk, enjoying the sunset or sampling other local restaurants and bars. All rooms have a private terrace with exquisite views of the Sea of Cortez, while there is a ‘Palapa’ on the rooftop – a sort of outdoor kitchen and living space, for communal use. Antique Mexican furniture, original works of art and intricate handmade details all add to the flavour of the hotel.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Bar and restaurant (with outdoor terrace and covered patio areas), unlimited Wi-Fi access throughout the hotel, complimentary L'Occitane toiletries. The Palapa area on the top floor (open to all guests) has a fully equipped kitchen, spacious dining room and living area. Private pier and stretch of beach.
Local Wildlife
Pacific gray whale, blue whale, humpback whale, fin whale, multiple dolphin species, whale shark, sea lion, orca and sperm whale.
Osprey, egret
Optional Activities
Diving, hiking, paddleboarding, swimming with whale sharks/sea lions, snorkelling, whale watching, bird watching.
Nautilus Gallant Lady
Overview
A 116 ft yacht that accommodates a maximum of 12 guests in 6 large suites. The excellent Nautilus Gallant Lady combines the luxury of a yacht with a thoughtful design aimed towards divers and wildlife watchers. The yacht features a main lounge and dining room with wrap-around view, large water level platform, sky lounge, sun deck and even a crow’s nest. The vessel is modern and well equipped, With 1700 horsepower Caterpillar engines and hydraulic stabilizers.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Capacity
Length
Class
Cabins
6
Facilities
Hot tub, purpose-built dive deck, wheelhouse (open 24hrs to guests), sky lounge, sun deck, six suites (five superior suites and one premium suite), main lounge and dining room.
Local Wildlife
Blue whale, orca, grey whale, humpback whale, sperm whale, pilot whale, Baird's beaked whale, Bryde's whale, common bottlenose dolphin.
Whale shark, manta ray, mobula ray, bull shark, blue shark, silky shark, scalloped hammerhead.
California sea lion, blue-footed booby, brown pelican, osprey.
San Ignacio Lagoon Camp
Overview
Every winter, grey whales gather around San Ignacio Lagoon, halfway up the Baja California’s west coast, to give birth to and then nurse their calves into the spring. What is unique is the way in which these whales interact with the small tourist boats that head out to sea in search of them. The whales come up to the boats on their own accord and spend time right next to the vessel, looking passengers directly in the eye and even welcoming human touch. Some passengers recall the experience as a ‘life-changing’ one. This is sure to be a momentous and eternally-memorable interaction for anyone. The camp is a 1hr 50 minute flight from Cabo San Lucas to the private airstrip at San Ignacio Lagoon.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Internet connectivity, 24-hour electricity, hot and cold running water, fire pit, bar and lounge tent with a selection of alcoholic beverages available and fine dining options.
Choice of Glamping Tents or Luxury Tents. Luxury tents have more space and include a living space. Both Glamping and Luxury Tents have an en suite bathroom with a shower, a proper bed and fine linen.
Local Wildlife
Grey whale, humpback whale, orca (over twenty cetacean species in total), manta ray, mobula ray, California sea lion, whale shark, five marine turtle species, marlin, dorado, tuna, numerous shark, ray and tropical fish species.
Coyote, fox, raccoon, bobcat, puma, ringtail.
Numerous species of reptiles, including 18 species of rattlesnake.
Optional Activities
Whale watching, boat tours, fishing, snorkelling, diving, evening presentations by the naturalist, mountain biking.
Route Map
Departure Dates
Tour Dates
Adult Price
Single Supp
Travel Information
Are International Flights Included?
No. Please contact us for a quote if required.
Flight Info:
Domestic charter flight included.
Best Visited:
January to March
Are you ATOL Registered?
Yes. This means we are legally able to book your international flights in conjunction with your ground arrangements so you can book with us with complete confidence. Read more about our ATOL license here.
John Melton
Area Specialist
If you have any questions regarding this Tour, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
Absolutely loved it. I would recommend it to anyone. John Melton was always extremely helpful and answered all of my questions quickly and efficiently. Thank you John, it was very much appreciated.
