Baja California

26° 0′ N 111° 20′ W

A Grey whale breaches out of the water in Baja California Sur, Mexico
ExpeditionsUi Arrow rightBaja California: A Remarkable Journey

Baja California: A Remarkable Journey

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Highlights

A pod of long-beaked common dolphins, delphinus capensis, swiming in the Gulf of California, Baja California Sur, Mexico
  • Experience pristine desert landscapes and abundant wildlife

  • Board local pangas to get up-close views of gray whale mothers and their growing calves as they prepare for their journey back to Arctic feeding grounds

  • Kayak clear blue waters to search for wildlife, including magnificent frigatebirds, and investigate the intricacies of the shoreline

  • Snorkel amid large schools of vibrantly colored fish and swim among playful sea lions

  • Visit the island of San Pedro Mártir to witness clouds of nesting seabirds, crowds of lounging sea lions, and expanses of sea where huge pods of dolphins gather

Day by Day

Multiple routes available

Some departures follow a modified itinerary. Please refer to departure dates for exact routing of your departure.

Eastbound


Starts at

San Carlos, Mexico

Ends at

Loreto, Mexico

Download Itinerary

Day 1

Loreto / San Carlos / Embark Ship

Arrive in Loreto by early afternoon for transfer to San Carlos. Embark National Geographic Venture in the evening.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 1

Loreto / San Carlos / Embark Ship

Arrive in Loreto by early afternoon for transfer to San Carlos. Embark National Geographic Venture in the evening.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 2

Bahía Magdalena

Explore the ever-shifting sand dunes of Isla Magdalena on a cross-island walk to one of the most pristine beaches in the Pacific. Bird-watching can be excellent here, with abundant seabirds in action and shorebirds patrolling the beaches as they fatten up and prepare for long journeys to Arctic breeding grounds. 

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 2

Bahía Magdalena

Explore the ever-shifting sand dunes of Isla Magdalena on a cross-island walk to one of the most pristine beaches in the Pacific. Bird-watching can be excellent here, with abundant seabirds in action and shorebirds patrolling the beaches as they fatten up and prepare for long journeys to Arctic breeding grounds. 

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 3-4

Laguna San Ignacio

Laguna San Ignacio is a large bay and favored haunt of the gray whales in Baja California. The ship anchors at the mouth of this remote and important area. We explore the lagoon via local pangas with expert local guides.

For some reason, the whales here seem to be friendlier than they are elsewhere. It is not unusual for mothers and calves to approach our boats, the calves often playing hide and seek–sometimes even welcoming a touch or a friendly chin scratch.  

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 3-4

Laguna San Ignacio

Laguna San Ignacio is a large bay and favored haunt of the gray whales in Baja California. The ship anchors at the mouth of this remote and important area. We explore the lagoon via local pangas with expert local guides.

For some reason, the whales here seem to be friendlier than they are elsewhere. It is not unusual for mothers and calves to approach our boats, the calves often playing hide and seek–sometimes even welcoming a touch or a friendly chin scratch.  

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5

At Sea

Enjoy the ship's amenities, attend expert-led talks, and watch for a wide variety of marine life, including the largest animal on Earth, the blue whale, as we travel south along the Pacific coast of the peninsula. 

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5

At Sea

Enjoy the ship's amenities, attend expert-led talks, and watch for a wide variety of marine life, including the largest animal on Earth, the blue whale, as we travel south along the Pacific coast of the peninsula. 

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 6-14

Islands of the Gulf of California

Cruise past the spectacular Friars Rocks at Land's End. For those who wish, we can arrange a visit to the historic town center of San José del Cabo. Isla San Pedro Mártir, Los Islotes, Isla San Franciscothese are some of the melodious names of islands scattered throughout this beautiful sea. After decades of exploration here, we are still discovering new places and experiencing exciting events: Bow-riding bottlenose dolphins, sperm whales near our ship, or a pod of fin whales feeding around a convergence zone. The best areas for whale watching remain consistentthe waters south of Isla del Carmen, Canal de Ballenas up north, and near the mouth of Bahía Concepción. Whether on the bridge of the ship, on Zodiacs, or kayaks, we are in prime position to observe them all. 

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 6-14

Islands of the Gulf of California

Cruise past the spectacular Friars Rocks at Land's End. For those who wish, we can arrange a visit to the historic town center of San José del Cabo. Isla San Pedro Mártir, Los Islotes, Isla San Franciscothese are some of the melodious names of islands scattered throughout this beautiful sea. After decades of exploration here, we are still discovering new places and experiencing exciting events: Bow-riding bottlenose dolphins, sperm whales near our ship, or a pod of fin whales feeding around a convergence zone. The best areas for whale watching remain consistentthe waters south of Isla del Carmen, Canal de Ballenas up north, and near the mouth of Bahía Concepción. Whether on the bridge of the ship, on Zodiacs, or kayaks, we are in prime position to observe them all. 

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15

Loreto / Disembark Ship

Disembark in Loreto after breakfast and transfer to the city center. Take the opportunity to visit the first mission in Baja California, as well as the nearby museum to learn more about what makes this town so special. Enjoy free time to explore quaint shops and vibrant side streets. After lunch transfer to Loreto Airport for flights home. 

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 15

Loreto / Disembark Ship

Disembark in Loreto after breakfast and transfer to the city center. Take the opportunity to visit the first mission in Baja California, as well as the nearby museum to learn more about what makes this town so special. Enjoy free time to explore quaint shops and vibrant side streets. After lunch transfer to Loreto Airport for flights home. 

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Download Itinerary

Dates & Rates

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Ships

Ship National Geographic Venture

National Geographic Venture

Guests

100

Cabins

50

American-flagged, she and her sister National Geographic Quest are ideal for discovering domestic waters

Following the build of National Geographic Quest at Nichols Brothers shipyard, her sister ship, the 100-guest National Geographic Venture, floated into the bay on Whidbey Island, becoming the fourth ship in the Lindblad fleet built at this storied Pacific Northwest shipyard. Like her sister ship National Geographic Quest, National Geographic Venture has dual boarding platforms, enabling our team to load two Zodiacs at once means guests get off ship quickly, to take advantage of wildlife sightings and maximize exploring time. Modern, cleaned-lined, with large expanses of glass to keep you connected to the extraordinary views, National Geographic Venture enables you to see, do and experience the best of her geographies.

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Over 50+ years of exploring, Lindblad Expeditions’ veteran staff and the quality companionship they provide has established the company’s reputation. From expedition leaders to naturalists, most hold advanced degrees and are established authorities in their fields. Some join a few expeditions each year to explore the same sites, some of them spending some time in the field away from rigorous academic work. And others lead expeditions all around the world—with many guests saying, “Where you’re going, we’re going,” and returning time after time to travel with them. Browse our team directory to discover the full cast of expedition staff.

Captain Andrew Cook with guests and Staff on the Bridge of National Geographic Venture, Baja California, Mexico

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Baja California 2023

2023 Voyages


Board small boats and venture into the gray whale birthing lagoons on the Pacific side of the Baja California Peninsula to get up close with these gentle giants. Then, spend over a week in the Gulf of California exploring waters teeming with whales, pods of dolphins, and leaping rays. The wild islands here offer the chance to hike desert arroyos through forests of cacti to revel in the beauty of untamed nature. Revel in Mexico's coastal waters with daily activities that immerse you in the region including Zodiac cruises, kayaking, and snorkeling.

From

$12,610

/ per person

Does not include flights

Book Now
duration
15 Days

View our brochure for more details

Baja California 2023

2023 Voyages

Talk to an Expedition Specialist

+1.800.397.3348

From

$12,610

/ per person

Book Now
duration
15 Days

View our brochure for more details

Baja California 2023

2023 Voyages

From

$12,610

/ per person

Book Now
duration
15 Days

View our brochure for more details

Baja California 2023

2023 Voyages