Cruise, Kayak & Hike among the Whales & Wildlife of Baja's Magdalena Bay
An encounter with Pacific gray whales in their natural habitat is one of the world's great wildlife adventures. And there is no more exhilarating place for it than Mexico's Baja Peninsula, where these gentle giants take shelter in protected lagoons to mate, give birth and nurture their young before migrating back to their summer feeding grounds in Alaska. Our focus is Magdalena Bay, one of the prime whale watching spots in Baja. From our small ship base, we venture among them in expedition landing craft, hoping to see mothers with calves and to witness lively activity such as breaching and spy-hopping. We'll visit multiple sites in the expansive bay to maximize our opportunities for interactions. And while whales are the highlight, this region is home to abundant natural wonders, from endless sand dunes and scores of seabirds to lush mangroves that invite eye-level exploring from our onboard fleet of kayaks.
Trip Highlights
- Commune with WhalesSpend in-depth time with giant gray whales that migrate from Alaska to the warm waters of Baja's Pacific lagoons each winter—in the world's best place to see them up close!
- See Both Sides of the BajaSail 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 elusive blue whales
- Stay on an Expedition ShipStay aboard National Geographic Sea Lion, our floating "base camp" and adventure platform for exploring the coastal ecosystem of mangroves, dunes and sheltered seas
See More of Baja from Nat Hab's Mobile Whale Base Camp!
Our Baja whale base camp lets you experience the whales’ world at close range during intimate encounters from small skiffs. Traveling aboard an agile expedition ship also affords us the mobility to explore both sides of the peninsula, including the magnificent swimming grounds of both blue and gray whales, on a single adventure.
- Make Five Separate Gray-Whale-Watching Excursions
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! Enjoy time on the water in hope of spotting their 22-foot-tall columnar blows, and maybe even a huge tail fluke when one of these 100-foot-long leviathans casts it to the air. - Explore Diverse Sides of the Baja Peninsula
The waters of the east and west sides of the Baja, divided by a peninsular ribbon of desert and rugged mountains, each harbor extraordinary marvels that are specific to their geography. Explore them both on this itinerary, experiencing the protected Sea of Cortez and the whale-rich waters of Magdalena Bay, and all the Baja wonders in between. - Our Small Groups Mean More Intimate Encounters with Whales
We explore the seas in small boats, with small groups. This lets us get closer to whales, and have more personalized interactions with our Expedition Leaders, including plenty of opportunities for conversation about the whales’ behavior and their habitat. - Explore in Depth via Excursion Craft & Specialized Equipment
The ship’s fleet of tandem and single kayaks facilitates intimate water-level exploration of scenic coastlines with close proximity to nesting birds. Complete snorkel gear, including wetsuits, is at your disposal so you can swim with sea lions and schools of baitfish and colorful reef fish. If you prefer to stay dry, observe the underwater world of the Sea of Cortez 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 underwater 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 NHA Expedition Leaders who guide this trip have more than 20 years’ experience leading nature adventures in Mexico. In addition, they receive special training and resources from WWF scientists. As an added benefit, top local guides also join us, ensuring the perfect mix of insider insights and 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!
