More Info Blue Water News Swim Home Facebook! Contact Us Payment Center Waivers T-Shirts/ Kayaks For Sale
BAJA WHALE CAMP AND SEA OF CORTEZ KAYAK/SNORKEL
A Desert to Sea Adventure Extraordiniare
January 28th-February 6th, 2012
ITINERARY
10 Day Baja Adventure
DAY ONE: ARRIVAL TO LA PAZ
Our Baja Adventure begins with the arrival of our group into La Paz, Baja California Sur.
After clearing customs, you will catch a cab to our hotel (we will reimburse you for the cab) and check in anytime after 3:00pm.
Our group will gather for dinner at 7:00pm with a more formal orientation in the morning (double occupancy rooms and dinner included).
DAY TWO: LA PAZ TO ESPIRITU SANTO ISLAND, SEA OF CORTEZ
After breakfast, you may rent any gear (wetsuits, snorkeling equipment, etc) that you may need for this chapter of our adventure.
A motorboat will then transfer us to our dramatically scenic island base camp in the beautiful Sea of Cortez.
Our camp is located on a large protected bay that is ideal for kayaking, beachcombing, snorkeling and swimming (wetsuits recommended).
Join a naturalist in the afternoon as we search the rocky shore for octopus, brittle sea stars, sea cucumbers and other invertebrates that the Sea of Cortez is so well known for. We will be camping in comfort with roomy tents, sun showers and porta pottys with a privacy tent
(accommodations and all meals included throughout trip).
DAY THREE: ESPIRITU SANTO ISLAND, SEA OF CORTEZ
Today you will have several options from exploring outer islands by sea kayak to viewing the underwater world using a mask and snorkel. Snorkeling is quite good with various species of damselfish, puffers and colorful angelfishes finding refuge in the rocky reef crevices. Join a naturalist on a swim over the rocky reef to learn about the strange behaviors of reef fish and invertebrates. Informal kayak instruction is available upon request from your ACA certified sea kayaking guide.
DAY FOUR: ESPIRITU SANTO ISLAND, SEA OF CORTEZ
Our support boat will take us to Los Islotes, a sea lion rookery where we can snorkel with these graceful animals, members of the pinniped (feathered foot) order. Using a mask and snorkel, observe the sea lions seemingly fly underwater using their strong front flippers to propel themselves. Other activities available at Espiritu Santo Island include fishing, naturalist-led hikes to explore the rocky inter tidal, hiking the rugged canyons, night paddling and solo time along the shores of our enchanting island.
DAY FIVE: ESPIRITU SANTO ISLAND TO LA PAZ
After lunch, we will say our farewells to the Sea of Cortez and travel by motorboat back to La Paz where a hot shower awaits you in our comfortable hotel. Your afternoon will be free to shop and explore La Paz before joining the group for dinner (double occupancy rooms and all meals included).
DAY SIX: LA PAZ TO WHALE CAMP, MAGDALENA BAY ~PACIFIC
After breakfast, we'll transfer by van across the rugged Baja Peninsula to Puerto San Carlos in Magdalena Bay where we'll take a short skiff ride to our whale camp, home for the next 3 nights. During a scenic 4 hour drive, towering cacti, huge boulders and brilliantly colored flowers dot the desert landscape. As we travel the short distance to camp, we may see the spouts of whales and other wildlife.
Our accommodations are cozy cabin-style tents with cots, sun showers and porta pottys with a privacy tent
DAY SEVEN: MAGDALENA BAY ~ WHALE WATCH
Our morning will be begin with a guided motorboat trip into Magdalena Bay to see California Gray Whales that winter in the calm, protected lagoons of Baja. Traveling over 5000 miles from their feeding grounds in Alaska, these remarkable animals will both mate and give birth in the Baja lagoons. An afternoon excursion to view the magnificent Gray whales is possible as well as other activities.
Perhaps you prefer to join a naturalist as we kayak through the intricate labyrinth of mangroves that edge Magdalena Bay. Mangroves provide critical habitat for an array of species including white pelicans, magnificent frigatebirds, little blue herons and cryptically colored invertebrates clinging to the submerged roots. Our group will gather in the afternoon for happy hour followed by a delicious meal provided by our Mexican hosts. An evening program on a natural history topic will follow.
DAY EIGHT: MAGDALENA BAY ~ WHALE WATCH
You will have several opportunities to visit the whales of Magdalena Bay on our final full day on Baja's Pacific side.
Your naturalist will offer a side trip to explore the pristine Pacific coastline on foot.
Beachcombing in Baja is extraordinary and we may find whales, sea turtles, strange sea creatures and an array of seashells washed ashore, each with a unique story. Another option is to stay back at base camp and relax with a book or work on your Spanish with our local cooks. You can anticipate another delicious meal,
happy hour and evening of camaraderie.
DAY NINE: MAGDALENA BAY ~ WHALE WATCH
After a final visit with the Whales of Magdalena Bay we'll have lunch then say our farewells to the Pacific and travel by van back to La Paz
where a hot shower awaits you in our comfortable hotel.
This evening we will gather for our last night in Baja and enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant
(double occupancy rooms and farewell dinner included).
DAY TEN: LA PAZ-HOME
In the morning, we will offer a group van to the La Paz airport or you may opt to catch a later taxi to the airport on your own
(group taxi and breakfast included).
