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Baja Mexico Cruise Review: Spirit of Endeavour

Whales & Wildlife - December 20, 2003

Living in Los Angeles of course Mexico is no stranger to us however; we had never explored the Sea of Cortez. The only way to do this is on a ship and the Cruise West Christmas Cruise fit right into our plans. We have two cabins, one for our teenage kids, both AA category with outside doors on the passageway for easy access to viewing sea life.

Cabo San Lucas

Day 1 We arrived a day early in Cabo San Lucas, we have been before and it is a very fun vibrant beach town. We took a taxi from San Jose Airport about $70 into Cabo San Lucas and stayed at the top rated Hotel Finisterra. We had a gorgeous, very large room in the new section overlooking the pool and beach beyond. We explored Cabo and had a grand time. Noontime on the day of our cruise,  Cruise West was at the hotel as pre arranged to pick us up. They transferred us to the Plaza Parisio, a new three-story mall in the center of town. At the entrance was the hospitality suite for Cruise West. We checked in, they took our luggage, we picked up maps and bottles of water and off we were exploring more of downtown Cabo with instructions to return at 4pm.     

Very expectantly we returned to meet up with our cruise mates. Very happy to see other teens and a wide range of ages. We later discovered we had from 12 years to 86 years on the ship. We were transferred to the Marina and welcomed by the Captain as we arrived at the ship. We were escorted to our cabins by young crewmembers full of enthusiasm. Our luggage was already in our cabin and that meant a good start to this exploration.

Spirit of Endeavour.

We unpacked, ran up to Social Hour for information and meeting everyone. At this point we were issued our own wetsuits, goggles, fins and a wonderful mesh bag to keep them in. We had been on the ship maybe two hours and we all had our own snorkel equipment, oh boy!!. 

We sailed out of the Cabo San Lucas inner harbor past the famous Los Arcos Rock around the horn and into the Sea of Cortez as the lights of civilization were slowly left behind. 

Bonanza Beach

Day 2 Bonanza Beach – Three miles of sparkling sand, totally deserted beach on the southeast shore of Isla Espiritu Santo. By 8am the ship dropped anchor, by 9am we were on the DIB (Demaree Inflatable Boats) and on the beach, along with our snorkeling bag, kayaks, beach chairs and our exploration leaders. This is where the desert meets the sea in quite an incredible combination of vistas. Our kids went on a high level Nature Hike with Paulino one of our Exploration Leaders who grew up near La Paz. He was so knowledgeable on the sea life, wildlife and plant life. If our teenagers enjoyed hiking in the desert learning about cacti and nature we knew they were doing something right. I later went on a less active Nature Walk and also thoroughly enjoyed the education.

We returned in the DIB’s to the ship for a BBQ dinner on the deck while looking at the sea and feeling we were alone in the world, our own yacht in middle of paradise. 

Dolphins off the bow.

Day 3 Searching for whales and wildlife – We were on a mission this morning. If the sea life were there we would find it. December is to early for Whales in great numbers in the Sea of Cortez, Jan, Feb, March is the time to go. We knew that so our expectations were not great. The water was a little rough this morning and of concern to some people. We saw dolphins playing portside in the morning and whale spouts off the bow. The Captain made the decision that the water was not going to get any smoother and he should take shelter in a bay where we could again spend a beach day. No complaints from anyone. Hikes and kayaking made for a fun day. The colors and variety of shells on these beaches is amazing. Upon beachcombing and on our hikes we are finding bones, fossils, and remains of many small creatures. These are deserted beaches and this is the first cruise of the season, it is like no man has gone before. However, being the nature conscious group that we are, we are told to collect anything we want but not to take it off the beach. It stays where it belongs.

Day 4 – Island Day – This morning we sail among islands around Isla San Jose, Isla San Francisco and Isla Coronado. There are no signs of roads or buildings on the shorelines, as most of these islands have no permanent inhabitants. . We watch a local fishing boat sail up to its palapa on shore. Huge amounts of birds, turkey vultures, seagulls following their path. I can’t help but laugh at the view in front of me as I realize if I were home I would be at the mall shopping for last minute holiday gifts. Being out in the ocean is like being a million miles away. This afternoon we take the DIB’s into shore. We explore the palapa where the fisherman earlier had been at work. 

Day 5 – Loreto – True Baja charm of the first permanent Spanish settlement in all of Baja. We pull up to the dock, which we have to share with the local fisherman and seagulls. . There is not another boat or tourist in sight. Spent the day in the charming town, returning to the ship for lunch and then exploring again. At 4pm we return to the charming 17th century mission for a private Wine and Cheese party in the mission courtyard. As much as we all love the beach days this little colonial village has captured our heart. A place I would love to return someday.

Sea Lion - Up Close and Personal.

Day 6 – SEA LIONS at Los Islotes – This is Christmas Day and there is no way to describe the memory we will have of snorkeling with hundreds of friendly huge Sea Lions. We definitely heard them before we saw them; the huge males lay on the rocks making the strangest sounds. Meriweather, our Exploration leader led our group into the water. She did twists and summersaults and the huge 500 pounds plus Sea Lions follow her lead and frolic along. One swam up to my mask, looking eye to eye and then turned and swam away. They want to play with you, the swim between your legs, touch your back or shoulder with their nose and swim away. An amazing experience. We took the DIBs out and motored back and forth around the rocks to watch these magnificent creatures slide in and out of the water, swim over to us do flips and swim away. A real highlight of the whole trip. 

Day 7 – La Paz the City of Peace. We dock this morning among the yachts and fishing boats on the peaceful waterfront malecon promenade, which wanders for several miles in either direction. Our location is within walking distance of everything. Many of our group depart for bike and hike tours. We opt for the Artisan tour visiting pottery and weaving factories as well as a tour of the city and major points of interest. This evening we are treated to a Fiesta at the Governors Mansion, which is out of town. Tapas, beer and dancing, it was a lot of fun.

Day 8 – We overnight in La Paz, we went out exploring the night in La Paz and getting back to the ship in the wee hours of the morning. La Paz has a very vibrant nightlife.

Today we are transferred to the airport and sadly on our way home.

Food – Ervin the Chef is a stand up comedian and the skinniest Chef I have ever seen. His food is excellent, well prepared, well presented, with a large choice and variety. I gained 10 pounds at his Christmas buffet alone. All meals are in a single sitting where everyone mingles at different tables. Very popular was the continental breakfast in the lounge each morning instead of a complete breakfast in the dinning room, which was available.

Cabins – Small, clean, comfortable. TV, VCR and telephone in each cabin. The deluxe cabins are beautiful and very spacious. 

The perfect end to a perfect trip.

Evenings – the crew provides Entertainment every night. Lectures on Sea of Cortez, wildlife, sea life, educational topics each night. We had a guest lecturer on Geology, which was interesting. There is a whole library of VCR’s, which my kids made use of, as well as a nice library. No casino or Las Vegas Shows on this ship. Many board games and enjoyable conversation of your fellow passengers seems to pass the evening hours. After days in the sun at the beach one gets to understand the meaning of siesta and we were in bed early every night.

We thoroughly enjoyed this cruise. It is a million miles away from nowhere and feeling like you are on your own private yacht. You could lie on the beach all day and do nothing or as we did take advantage of the stream of activities. Kayaking in the crystal clear blue water was a special treat. It felt so free to have the beach to ourselves, pampered by the staff and so many recreational opportunities available. The crew had books on fish that we would look at before putting on our mask to snorkel. . We would bring shells and things we found on the beach to the Exploration leaders and they would explain what we had found. Sea of Cortez is called the west coast Galapagos; there are so many unusual birds and sea life in the area. Different from any beach I have ever been on. Literally the desert means the ocean in Sea Of Cortez.