small ship adventure cruises®Baja California
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small ship adventure cruises®
6 day / 5 night —
Roundtrip San Carlos, Mexico
From: $4,040
On this 6-day Whales of Magdalena Bay itinerary, spend several extraordinary days in the company of majestic gray whales in Mexico’s Bahía Magdalena, one of the best places in the world to witness interactions between gray whale mothers and their curious calves.
Explore the bay aboard our nimble expedition ship, and set out in local pangas for up-close encounters. Kayak mangrove forests and hike desert islands, look for pelicans and ospreys, and soak up the sun on pristine beaches.
Each expedition is crafted to offer you the most in-depth experience of Baja California possible and maximize your time in the company of California gray whales. Flexibility is a hallmark of our expeditions, and we will change course or linger in our expedition landing craft to take advantage of amazing birds and marine life sightings. Extraordinary adventure is a guarantee.
Arrive in Loreto by early afternoon for transfer to San Carlos. Embark ship in the evening, anchored off the coast of Isla Santa Margarita.
Meals Included: Dinner
Our day starts in the southernmost waters of Bahía de Almejas. We make a special stop to view, with luck, a large frigatebird colony on Isla Santa Margarita before heading out on our first whale-watching trip. The whales here in the bay tend to be very active, seemingly oblivious to our presence, so settle in for some great experiences. We explore the area and the Rehusa Channel via local pangas. During lunch, the ship repositions to Isla Magdalena, and later we head to shore to explore the ever-shifting sand dunes on a cross-island walk to one of the most pristine beaches in the Pacific. Take a stroll and tally the treasure found on what we affectionately call “sand dollar beach.”
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Spend the morning transiting the scenic, winding Hull Canal. Within its narrow channels, bordered by mangroves and sand dunes and filled with abundant wildlife, we join our keen-eyed naturalists on deck to spot species and hear expert commentary. Weather permitting, we explore the vast mangrove system via kayak and Zodiac. 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. Among the species we might see are diving pelicans, wheeling cormorants, terns, great blue herons, ibis, whimbrels, and willets. This afternoon, we set out to explore the whale-rich waters of Boca de Soledad.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Each winter, during their long migration, gray whales travel south from their Arctic feeding grounds to breed and give birth to their calves in these sheltered waters, often called “Grand Central” for California gray whales. We spend two full days observing and, with luck, interacting with these majestic creatures. Together with savvy local fishermen we have known for years, we venture out in Zodiacs to view the numerous mother-calf pairs that thrive in this sheltering region. We also have an opportunity to explore the beaches, and if our guests feel up to it, pedal across the sands riding fat-tire bikes.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, disembark our ship and transfer to Loreto’s city center. Choose 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 the quaint shops and vibrant side streets. After lunch, transfer to Loreto Airport for flights home.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
| Dates | Ship | Cat. 1 | Cat. 2 | Cat. 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 16, 2024 | NG Sea Bird | $4,291 | $5,312 | $6,145 |
| Jan 18, 2024 | NG Sea Lion | $4,120 | $5,100 | $5,900 |
| Jan 21, 2024 | NG Sea Bird | $4,247 | $5,257 | $6,082 |
| Jan 23, 2024 | NG Sea Lion | $4,120 | $5,100 | $5,900 |
| Jan 26, 2024 | NG Sea Bird | $4,161 | $5,151 | $5,959 |
| Jan 28, 2024 | NG Sea Lion | $4,120 | $5,100 | $5,900 |
| Jan 31, 2024 | NG Sea Bird | $4,247 | $5,257 | $6,082 |
| Feb 2, 2024 | NG Sea Lion | $4,120 | $5,100 | $5,900 |
| Feb 5, 2024 | NG Sea Bird | $4,247 | $5,257 | $6,082 |
| Feb 7, 2024 | NG Sea Lion | $4,162 | $5,152 | $5,960 |
| Feb 10, 2024 | NG Sea Bird | $4,291 | $5,312 | $6,145 |
| Feb 12, 2024 | NG Sea Lion | $4,120 | $5,100 | $5,900 |
| Feb 15, 2024 | NG Sea Bird | $4,336 | $5,368 | $6,210 |
| Feb 17, 2024 | NG Sea Lion | $4,204 | $5,204 | $6,020 |
| Feb 20, 2024 | NG Sea Bird | $4,247 | $5,257 | $6,082 |
| Feb 22, 2024 | NG Sea Lion | $4,120 | $5,100 | $5,900 |
| Feb 25, 2024 | NG Sea Bird | $4,161 | $5,151 | $5,959 |
| Feb 27, 2024 | NG Sea Lion | $4,120 | $5,100 | $5,900 |
| Mar 1, 2024 | NG Sea Bird | $4,161 | $5,151 | $5,959 |
| Mar 3, 2024 | NG Sea Lion | $4,120 | $5,100 | $5,900 |
| Mar 6, 2024 | NG Sea Bird | $4,080 | $5,151 | $5,959 |
| Mar 8, 2024 | NG Sea Lion | $4,040 | $5,100 | $5,900 |
| Mar 11, 2024 | NG Sea Bird | $4,080 | $5,151 | $5,959 |
| Mar 13, 2024 | NG Sea Lion | $4,040 | $5,100 | $5,900 |
| Mar 16, 2024 | NG Sea Bird | $4,164 | $5,257 | $6,082 |
| Mar 18, 2024 | NG Sea Lion | $4,040 | $5,100 | $5,900 |
National Geographic Sea Bird is a tried and true expedition ship that plies the waters of Baja California and the Sea of Cortez. With a shallow draft and small size, she can easily reach places inaccessible to larger ships. She can venture into fast-moving channels where whales come to feed, transit a series of locks in the Pacific Northwest, nose up to waterfalls in secluded coves, and sail into protected anchorages in small bays perfect for snorkeling and kayaking.
More information on the National Geographic Sea Bird …
Tags: national geographic sea bird
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