Explore the Sea of Cortez & Magdalena Bay Among Baja's Blue & Gray Whales
A close encounter with whales in their natural habitat is one of the world's great wildlife adventures. And there's no more exhilarating place for it than Mexico's Baja Peninsula, where gray whales shelter in protected Pacific lagoons to mate, give birth and nurture their young before migrating to their summer feeding grounds in Alaska. Across the Sierra de la Giganta Mountains on the other side of the peninsula, even bigger blue whales cruise the Sea of Cortez—the largest animals on Earth. From our small-ship base in Magdalena Bay, we explore by Zodiac, hoping to see gray whale mothers with calves, and to witness lively activity like breaching and spy-hopping. Whales may even approach us within arm's reach! The region holds other natural wonders, too, from sand dunes and scores of seabirds to lush mangroves that invite eye-level investigation by kayak. Search for more elusive blue whales in Loreto National Marine Park, on a diverse expedition that is Mexico's ultimate whale adventure!
Trip Highlights
- Commune with Gray WhalesSpend in-depth time with giant gray whales that migrate to the warm waters of Baja's Pacific lagoons each winter—in the world's best place to see them up close!
- Seek out Blue WhalesSail along both coasts of the Baja Peninsula to watch for whales—visiting Magdalena Bay for gray whales and the Sea of Cortez in search of blue whales, Earth's largest animal
- Stay Aboard an Expedition ShipStay aboard the National Geographic Sea Lion, our floating adventure platform for exploring the coastal ecosystems of mangroves, sand dunes and sheltered seas
See More of Baja & Its Whales on This Comprehensive Expedition Cruise
Traveling aboard an agile expedition ship—equipped with all sorts of exploratory equipment for closer encounters, including motorized skiffs and kayaks—affords the mobility to explore both sides of the Baja Peninsula on a single adventure into the magnificent swimming grounds of both blue and gray whales.
- Make Five Separate Excursions to Watch Gray Whales
Typically, we'll spend two hours on each whale-watching excursion (times are strictly regulated by marine reserve regulations), for a total of five gray whale encounters during our seven-day trip. - An Exclusive Expedition in Search of Blue Whales
In addition to our five gray whale outings, we make a special small-boat journey in the Loreto Marine Reserve in search of blue whales, Earth's largest animals! Look for their 22-foot-tall columnar blows, and possibly spot a huge fluke when one of these 100-foot-long leviathans casts its tail into the air. - Explore Both Sides of Baja—Pacific Lagoons & the Sea of Cortez
The waters of the east and west sides of the Baja, divided by a ribbon of desert and rugged mountains, harbor extraordinary marvels specific to their geography. This comprehensive expedition explores both the protected Sea of Cortez and the whale-rich waters of Magdalena Bay, and all the interior desert wonders in between. - Our Small Groups Mean More Intimate Encounters with Whales
Traveling in small boats with small groups, we can get closer to whales and have more personalized interactions with our Expedition Leaders, including plenty of opportunities for conversation about the whales’ habitat and behavior. - Explore in Depth via Excursion Craft & Specialized Equipment
The ship’s fleet of tandem and single kayaks facilitates intimate exploration of scenic coastlines with proximity to nesting birds. Observe the underwater world of Magdalena Bay via HD video shot by our undersea specialist who shares footage from each day's dives on the plasma screens in the ship's lounge. Listen to whale communications via hydrophone, and observe the whales below the surface in real time via a bow-mounted camera that sends a live feed to the onboard screens. - Travel with Experienced Expedition Leaders—Plus the Best Local Guides
The Nat Hab Expedition Leaders who guide this trip have years of experience leading nature adventures in Mexico, with special training and resources from WWF scientists. As an added benefit, top local guides also join us, ensuring insider insights and enhancing attentive personal service. See Expedition Leader bios with traveler comments regarding the quality of our leaders. - Our Quality-Value Guarantee Ensures Your Outstanding Whale Watching Adventure
With Natural Habitat Adventures, you receive our exclusive guarantee that clearly states that we will meet the high expectations we set forth in our promotional materials. To our knowledge, this is the most ambitious guarantee made by any adventure travel company. Read our important promise. - Feel Good About the Way You Travel
We all care about the planet, and you can travel with us knowing that the carbon emissions from your trip are 100% offset. Natural Habitat Adventures is the world’s first carbon-neutral travel company and a global industry leader in sustainable practices. - Natural Habitat Adventures Is World Wildlife Fund’s Travel Partner
Because of our commitment to environmentally friendly travel, as well as the exceptional quality of our small-group nature adventures, World Wildlife Fund, the world’s leading environmental conservation organization, has named Natural Habitat its worldwide travel partner—a designation that makes us exceedingly proud!
