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| Baja Whales & Wildlife Cruise to Lands End 8-Day Itinerary |
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Baja Whales & Wildlife Cruise8-Day Itinerary - La Paz to Lands End
Join us aboard the 80' M/Y Don Jose as we explore the Sea of Cortez from La Paz all the way to the tip of Baja,. This is the world's second most biodiverse sea, providing feeding, breeding and birthing grounds for 1/3 of the world's species of whales and dolphins. See the worlds largest animal, the Blue whale, along with giant Finback, Gray, Humpback, and Sperm whales, plus pods of dolphins numbering in the hundreds! Thrill to sights of gray whales surfing in the waves of the Baja Pacific coast and humpback whales breaching to the skies. Get even closer to these gentle giants with an optional, one-day extension to see the gray whales in Magdalena Bay.
Snorkel nose-to-whiskers with graceful sea lions and their pups -- just like the Galapagos -- at
Los Islotes near Espiritu Santo Island. Explore Los Frailes and snorkel in Cabo
Pulmo Marine Park, a beautiful protected coral reef loaded with marine wildlife. Visit “La Isla Cerralvo,” the southernmost island of the Gulf, where
you can hike or kayak around its amazing, unexplored landscapes.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are freshly prepared
by our onboard cooks. Each evening, you'll also enjoy our famous Don
Jose-style happy hour as you watch the sunset. This is the perfect "next cruise" after the Galapagos, or a great alternative to it!
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in La Paz, MexicoArrive at the airport in La Paz, use your taxi voucher for the transfer to the Marina Don Jose to board the yacht after 3:00PM. Spend the night on the Don Jose, docked at the Marina. After checking in at the Marina, spend some time exploring the colorful city of La Paz, with its charming promenade and many fine restaurants and shops. Dinner is on your own. (No meals)
Days 2 - 6 La Paz to the tip of Baja
Our itinerary during these days is flexible in order to take
advantage of unexpected natural history opportunities, but may follow
this or a similar schedule.
On days two through six, we will cruise out into the Sea of
Cortez, also known as the Gulf of California. Declared a UNESCO World
Heritage Site in 2005, it ranks as the second most diverse marine body
in the world. One-third of all the world’s whale and dolphin species
either live or migrate here. One of our stops will be a visit to Los
Islotes, near Espiritu Santo Island, where you will have the
opportunity to snorkel with sea lions and bird watch. Frigate birds and
brown boobies reside on the cliffs above the rookery. After our
adventure with the sea lions, we'll motor south, anchoring near Los
Frailes, where you may want to explore one of the hiking trails. Next,
we'll continue cruising south, looking for whales between Los Frailes
and Punta Gorda, where mainly humpback whales are spotted. Later, we'll
cruise to Cabo San Lucas, where we'll spend the night.
Along the way, we'll look for whales, birds and other marine life
in the Pacific Ocean, off of the tip of Cabo. During this cruise,
humpback, gray, and finback whales and also dolphins can be spotted as
we pass by. (B/L/D daily)
Day 7 Return to La PazSavor the last moments of this incredible getaway this morning, and then it's time to say goodbye. Return to La Paz by mid-afternoon. After checking into the Hotel Marina, the remainder of the day is at leisure, with time to relax or explore La Paz. Dinner is on your own this evening. For dessert, we suggest you visit La Fuente, an ice cream shop across from the Malecon, where you can enjoy your icy treat while watching the sunset. (B/L)
Day 8 La Paz to your home cityDepart to your home city. (No meals)
This is a general itinerary and subject to change without prior notice.
Optional 1-Day Extention:Magdalena Bay Whale Camp
Now, you can add a full-day extension to see the
gray whales even closer. In the warm and protected waters of Magdalena
Bay, gray whale calves remain in close contact with their mothers while
they grow large enough to migrate north. The surreal landscape here
provides a dramatic background as these noble creatures allow us to
watch them roll, breach and tend to their young.
Day 8 La Pazto to Magdalena Bay and return
Depart by land early on the morning of Day 8 for the four-hour van ride to Magdalena Bay, with lunch en route or at camp. Once you arrive at the Bay, a short boat ride delivers you
to the whale viewing area. Here you will observe the whales —who are
often found close enough to touch— from skiffs. You may also find time
to walk on sand dunes along miles of unspoiled beaches before returning
to La Paz to spend the night. (L)
Day 9 Return from La Paz to your home city
Depart to your home city. (No meals)
This is a general itinerary and subject to change without prior notice.
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