The Galapagos of the North - Northern Sea of Cortes

Just south of California lies an inland sea that is rightfully labeled one of the richest marine environments on the globe. Bordered by what appears to a an unyielding desert, like in the Sea of Cortes and in Baja California flourishes. Over 3,000 plant species have been identified in the desert, some of which grow nowhere else on earth, and in the sea, over 6,000 animal species have been identified. From the 100-foot-long blue whale to the quiet beauty of bountiful reefs, the Sea of Cortes is, in a word, indescribable.

Follow the wind over the waters to the shores of Isla Espiritu Santo where white sand beaches lie untouched in the desert sun. Swin with sea lions and watch Moorish idols and butterfly fish as you cool off on a snorkeling adventure. Wander among cardon catus and palo adan trees with your Naturalist, then set off on a whale watching excursion to Bahia Magdalena, wintering grounds for dozens of gray whales. And from the deck of your yacht, watch for pods of dolphins, fin, sperm and pilot whales.

The Sea of Cortes is nature's wonderland. Surround yourself in the surprising abundance of this desert-sea.

Itinerary:

Day 1 Arrive in Loreto
You will be met at the airport and taken on a tour of the local area before boarding the Safari Quest

Day 2 Kayak Adventures
We’ll hug the shores of the Baja Peninsula, then drop anchor while the skiff and kayaks are lowered. Your crew assists during an on-the-water excursion into a small river that flows into the Sea of Cortés. Our Expedition Leader guides us along the riverbanks where plants and animals take advantage of a steady source of water. Return to the yacht for an afternoon spent relaxing and searching for sea lions and whales.

Days 3-5 Whale Watching and the Midriff Islands
We’ll spend our days watching whales and dolphins, visiting islands in the Biosphere Reserve, hiking with our Expedition Leader in the desert, and swimming, sailing, and snorkeling in turquoise waters. During the late spring months, we’ll observe the largest rookery of Heerman’s Gulls and Elegant Terns in the world.

Day 6 Santa Rosalia
We’ll continue our exploration of the Sea of Cortés as we cruise south along the Baja coast. We may stop for beach combing or kayaking this morning, then, we’ll stop in historic Santa Rosalia to explore the town. Re-board the yacht and we’ll continue south to a quiet, scenic anchorage

Days 7-9 Wilderness and Water Sports
These three days will be a perfect combination of relaxation and adventure. We’ll beachcomb and hike, discover the landscapes, flora, and fauna of both the peninsula and the islands, and simply enjoy the scenic beauty around us. We’ll spend time with massive pods of dolphins, riding beside them in our skiff as they leap and spiral out of the water. We’ll enjoy barbeques on deck and hot tubbing under the stars. And the only interruption to your siesta will be due to whales spouting off the bow.

Day 10 Disembark, Loreto
After breakfast this morning we’ll bid you a fond “adios,” and you will be transferred to the airport for connections home.

What's Included:

• Meet/greet services and transfer
• Exclusive shore excursions
• All meals aboard yacht.
• Premium wine, beer and liquor
• Kayaking, and small-boat exploration
• Onboard professional naturalist or escort
• All taxes, port charges and fees.

What's Not Included:

• Airfare to and from your home city
• Super-premium wine, beer and liquor
• Discretionary greatuities to vessel's crew, typically 5-10% of fare, and to local tour guides or drivers, suggested at $2-$5 per guest
• Travel insurance

Call Toll Free: (888) 815-5428 or Inquire Today!

All rates are per person, double occupancy. Port charges, Government taxes and fees are additional. Limited availability and based on minimum fares for select departure dates. Other dates may be higher. These rates are for new, individual bookings only. Not responsible for last minute changes of price or itinerary by cruise line, or any errors or omissions in the content of this site. Some restrictions and cancellation penalties may apply.