Join us on board the Searcher for an unforgettable wildlife cruise as we explore the enchanting and abundant waters of the Sea of Cortez.
The Sea of Cortez has an incredible level of biodiversity with over 30 species of marine mammal seen here such as California sealion, common bottlenose dolphin, humpback, sperm and even blue whale. Approximately 900 species of fish have been recorded, including leaping mobula rays and the largest fish in the world, the whale shark. Osprey, brown pelican and blue-footed booby are just some of the birds that can be encountered as well.
We will navigate the enchanting and calm waters of the Sea of Cortez on board the Searcher. Accommodating just 24 passengers, it is one of the smaller boats to sail here, making it perfect for watching wildlife as it is nimble enough to keep up with movement of the animals, but it is also small enough to access secluded coves and islets. Led by Wildlife Worldwide Founder, Chris Breen, this tour spends seven nights on board, exploring the Sea of Cortez. There are also opportunities for snorkelling and nature walks on some of the scenic islands.
Typical Itinerary
Day1: Depart UK
Depart the UK on overnight international flights to Los Cabos on the Baja California peninsula (via Mexico City).
Day2: Arrive Baja California & board the Searcher
On arrival at Los Cabos, we are met and transferred to the harbour at Cabo San Lucas where we board the Seacher. This vessel will be our home for the next seven nights and in the afternoon we sail to Gorda Banks to hopefully observe humpback whales. These particular cetaceans are know for their acrobatics so there is a chance we will see an array of behaviours including breaching and fin slapping.
Accommodation: 7-nights on board the Searcher
Day3: Islas Los Islotes & Espiritu Santo
After breakfast, we begin the day’s excursion to Islas Los Islotes and Espiritu Santo. Los Islotes comprises of underwater rocky reefs and two islets that are regularly used by colonies of California sealions as haul-out sites. Skiff rides along the coastlines of the islets will provide excellent views of not only the sealions, but also nesting brown and blue-footed boobies.
In the afternoon, we visit the stunning island of Espiritu Santo. We head ashore for a short walk to enjoy the island's plants, reptiles and scenic vistas. Later, there is an opportunity to get in the sea and do some snorkelling to round off an exciting day.
Day4: Islas del Golfo Biosphere Reserve
This morning the Searcher will arrive at Islas San Jose in the Islas del Golfo Biosphere Reserve, where we take a walk through the island's arroyo (or gully) to admire the desert-adapted flora and birdlife that we come across. Following this, we take another skiff ride to explore the rugged and notched coastline which is dotted with caves and secluded coves. From the skiff we should have stunning views of yellow-footed gull, pelican, blue-footed booby, osprey and white-throated swifts. Alternatively, we may enjoy some more snorkelling to view some tropical fish.
For the rest of the day we will hope to do some cetacean watching as this particular area can offer good sightings of blue, fin and sperm whales as well as large pods of bottlenose dolphins.
Day5: Bay of Loreto National Marine Park
Today we explore the Bay of Loreto National Marine Park and Isla Santa Catalina. Botany is one of the main focuses for our morning walk on Isla Santa Catalina, along with any reptiles or birds that we come across as we pass through the island's canyon. Some of the birds that we might encounter include Gila woodpeckers, verdin and cardinals. However, a wonderful highlight that we could have this morning is spotting the rare and endemic Santa Catalina rattleless rattlesnake.
Once again, we spend the rest of day back on board the Searcher and out on deck trying to spot any whales or dolphins in the area.
Day6: Bahia Agua Verde
This morning the Searcher will stop at Bahia Agua Verde on the Baja Peninsula where we will do some birdwatching on shore and then some snorkelling to see a whole host of fish and maybe even species such as green sea turtle before stepping back on board. The rest of the day is dedicated to watching the wonderful and abundant cetacean species found in the Sea of Cortez at this time of year.
Day7: Whale shark encounter
The whale shark is the largest fish on Earth and today we hopefully have a chance to observe these marvellous denizens of the ocean. A comfortable, shaded panga boat will arrive to collect us for a tour at the entrance of Bahía La Paz, and we will then spend our time trying to find a whale shark.
Day8: Return to Islas del Golfo Biosphere Reserve & visit Isla Cerralvo
We make our back to the Islas del Golfo Biosphere Reserve, but this time the Searcher will anchor off the coast of the scenic Isla Cerralvo. We start with a walk on the island to see its flora and fauna. After stretching our legs, we can enjoy a spot of snorkelling, our last chance to get in the water and see the life that lives beneath the waves.
Just like the majority of our afternoons in the Sea of Cortez, we spend our time looking for whales, dolphins and other marine life. Possible species that we may encounter include blue, fin, humpback and sperm whales, bottlenose dolphins, Guadeloupe fur seal, leaping mobula rays and a plethora of seabirds.
Day9: Return to Cabo San Lucas & depart
This morning the Searcher returns to Cabo San Lucas where we disembark and transfer back to Los Cabos to board our return overnight flights back to the UK (via Mexico City).
Day10: Arrive UK
Key info
Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 10 daysfrom £5,295 pp
Duration and price excluding international flights: 8 daysfrom £4,295 pp
Single supplement:
On request – please contact us.
Trip type:
Voyage
Group size: 24
When to go: Jan-Apr
Group Departures: Please contact us for departure date details.
Included in the price/package:
7 nights on board Searcher
All meals on board
Transfers
All excursions and activities as mentioned in itinerary
Chris studied Geographical Sciences in Plymouth, however his first encounter with the wider world was in 1983, when he headed off to Zambia.
Under the tutelage of the late Norman Carr, the pioneer of walking safaris, he worked as a wildlife guide and managed a wilderness camp. On his return to the UK, he had a spell at a major tour operator before setting up Wildlife Worldwide in 1992.
Since then he has travelled the world in search of first-class wildlife experiences. He devised the Festival of Wildlife concept, which has spawned the Festival of Bears. An ardent conservationist, Chris has co-led each of these since their inception. He dedicates several weeks each year to communicating his irrepressible passion for nature to those who travel with him.
The Sea of Cortez (also known as the The Gulf of California) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that separates the Baja California Peninsula from the Mexican mainland. It is thought to be one of the most diverse seas on the planet with the widest variety of whales and dolphins, and nearly 900 species of fish.
Find Out More about {acc:title}
Where: West coast
Ideal for viewing: blue whale, fin whale, humpback whale, whaleshark, Bryde’s whale
Excellent for: Whale watching, Dolphin watching
This itinerary is available on the following
cruise vessel:
Operating in Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, the Searcher is a 28-metre vessel, skippered by a captain with over 30 years experience of sailing these waters. She has 14 air-conditioned cabins and is an ideal choice for exceptional whale watching opportunities and a quality natural history experience.
Find Out More about Searcher
