Baja Ultimate Whale Safari 2025

Dive Trip with Photo Support

Join us in February 2025 and discover some of Mexico’s biggest marine mammals. This unforgettable adventure is perfectly catered for both divers and non-divers alike!

February 12 - 19, 2025

Trip Leader: Dan Bishop

7 Nights:

$5,245 per person, double occupancy

$1,475 single occupancy upgrade (at San Igancio Bay luxury camp only)

Other dates available, contact us for details

Why Join This Trip?

Complete adventure itinerary that allows you to discover some of Mexico’s biggest marine mammals.
Opportunity to swim with whale sharks at El Mogete in La Paz.
Opportunity to dive and snorkel with sea lions at Los Islotes in Espiritu Santo Island
Small group so guests can experience intimate interactions with whales and other marine life
Experience lavish accommodation aboard the Nautilus Gallant Lady, and extravagant luxury tents in San Ignacio Bay
Fully refundable deposit until 18 months from departure. Take advantage of our Flight Package.

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Trip Overview

Experience the ultimate adventure with the Baja Ultimate Whale Safari, where you'll have the opportunity to encounter some of Mexico's largest marine creatures in both the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean. Your adventure begins with an ocean safari in the Sea of Cortez, where you'll search for majestic humpback whales off the coast of San Jose del Cabo and snorkel with the whale sharks (the largest fish in the ocean) in La Paz. You'll also get to dive or snorkel with playful sea lions off Isla Espiritu Santo before boarding the luxurious Nautilus Gallant Lady, complete with a spotter plane overhead, to search for blue whales. While the blue whales are the stars of the show, you'll also encounter other amazing marine wildlife such as fin whales, humpback whales, super pods of dolphins, and if you're lucky, even sperm whales.

After three nights in the Sea of Cortez, your adventure continues with a private charter flight to San Ignacio Lagoon where you'll spend two full days getting up close and personal with the friendly gray whales. This lagoon is one of the last remaining sanctuaries for the reproduction and calving of gray whales, and it's the only place in the world gray whales come right up to your boat and seek your affection! Your accommodations are in a luxurious tent with ensuite bathrooms and hot and cold showers, akin to a pop-up boutique hotel.

On the final day of your whale adventure, you'll have one last encounter with the gray whales to bid them farewell before boarding a private charter flight back to San Jose del Cabo.

Click here to read about Tim Yeo's 2023 whale trip to San Ignacio.

Check out these amazing videos to learn more!

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Marine Life to Photograph

The biodiversity in the Sea of Cortez is incredible. The sea life we witness on the surface from the boat, dinghies or snorkeling is fantastic. There's potential to see dolphins, sea lions, pilot, humpback, blue, fin, sei, orca, and sperm whales. Also, flying mobula rays, blue and brown-footed boobies, cormorants, frigate birds, and the endemic yellow-footed gull.

Topside Conditions in February/March

La Paz and Loreto typically have pleasant weather with average temperatures ranging from 63°F (17°C) to 79°F (26°C) during the day and 50°F (10°C) to 59°F (15°C) at night. February and March are also considered the dry season with low chances of rain.

San Ignacio, also offers cooler temperatures in February and March. The average temperature during the day ranges from 67°F (19°C) to 73°F (23°C) while the nighttime temperature can drop to 50°F (10°C). It's also a dry season with minimal rainfall.

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Inclusions

1-nights accommodation at the Marea Boutique Hotel in La Paz, double occupancy
3-nights accommodation aboard the Nautilus Gallant Lady, double occupancy
3-nights luxury accommodation in San Ignacio Bay, double occupancy
5-hour whale watching day trip around Cabo
1/2 day whale shark snorkeling in La Paz
1/2 day sea lion snorkeling in La Paz (certified divers have the option to dive)
2 full days searching for blue whales in Loreto National Park
2 full days of grey whale encounters in San Ignacio Bay
All meals, from lunch on day 1 to breakfast on day 8
All road transfers between venues during the trip
Private group charter flights between San Ignacio Bay and Cabo
Airplane spotter to assist with whale sightings
Educational presentations from local experts

Exclusions

Transfers between SJD and trip start point.
$35 USD port/park fees payable in cash on arrival
[MANDATORY] Trip insurance with medical evacuation cover
Crew gratuities
Alcoholic beverages

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Trip Type

This trip is a DIVE TRIP WITH PHOTO SUPPORT. It will be led by an experienced photographer who is available to provide ad hoc guidance on all elements of your photography, as needed. While this trip will provide an abundance of photo opportunities, there are no planned tutorials or instructional workshops. If you would like more formal photography instruction, check out our Photography Workshops. Our Dive Trips with Photo Support are a great option for photographers and non-photographers, alike.

Learn more about what's included in this trip type.

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Trip Schedule

This is a sample itinerary, subject to weather and other conditions.

Day 1 - Arrive into San Jose del Cab and Ocean Safari
Guests flying into SJD will be picked up by group transport and meet the rest of the group at See Creatures Cabo. Get straight out on the water with a 5-hr ocean safari, including lunch. Afterwards a luxury coach transfers you to La Paz for hotel check-in and dinner.
Day 2 - Whale Sharks, Sea Lions, and Nautilus Gallant Lady
Breakfast at the hotel. Swimming with whale sharks in the morning and Espiritu Santo Island adventures with sea lions in the afternoon. Guests with a diving certification can scuba dive with the sea lions if they wish. Lunch on the water or beachfront. Mangrove exploration, kayaking, and shore hikes also available. Late afternoon, board the Gallant Lady expedition yacht. Cocktail hour and dinner on the Nautilus Gallant Lady. Briefing. Set sail for the Mechudo Corridor.
Days 3 - 4 - Explore the Mechudo Corridor with the help of a spotter plane
The Mechudo Corridor is alive with whales! Whale watching and exploration as far north as Loreto National Park. Blue and fin whales, plus humpbacks and often mega pods of dolphins. We’ll also be on the lookout for orcas and sperm
whales. The airplane spotter will guide the boat to the hottest action. Where possible, guests can swim with dolphins and various marine life, and enjoy the whales from the boat.
Day 5 - Transfer to San Ignacio Lagoon via Private Flight
Morning private aircraft charter flight to San Ignacio Lagoon. You will be greeted with a tray of champagne after your 1 hour 55-minute flight to camp and if you want, head out right away for your first whale encounters. You’ll be on the water with the friendliest whales on the planet.
Days 6 - 7 - Gray Whales and more Gray Whales - Encounters and Interactions
Your choice of three whale encounter sessions a day (weather and park capacity control permitting) or enjoy being in camp. Hiking, walking, mountain bikes, bird watching, or visit the dazzling white salt flats. Evening presentations by a naturalist.
Day 8 - Gray Whales and Transfer to San Jose del Cabo
Early breakfast—one last morning of gray whale encounters and then a private aircraft charter back to San Jose del Cabo, arriving early evening.

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About the Nautilus Gallant Lady Liveaboard

Nautilus Gallant Lady is a 116-foot yacht that accommodates just 12 guests in 6 large suites. This beautiful ship combines the luxury of a Broward motor yacht with a thoughtful liveaboard dive boat design. The Lady is available for private charters in the Sea of Cortez, as well as scheduled trips to Bahía de los Ángeles whale sharks or Cabo Pulmo marine park and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Superior Suite (LEFT) & Premium Suite (RIGHT)

Nautilus Gallant Lady Cabin Details

Superior Suites - Inde, Dofleini, Rosario, Nautilus & Swell
2 superior suites are located on the main deck and 3 are located on the lower deck. 4 of the suites can be configured with either a California king bed or two doubles, and each suite has a private ensuite bathroom with a shower. All suites have individually controlled A/C.
Premium Suite - Emerald
This spacious premium suite is on the lower deck and can be configured with either a California king bed or 2 doubles. It has its own private ensuite bathroom with a full-size bathtub.

Check this page to see more details and customer reviews on the Nautilus Gallant Lady Liveaboard.

Check out this amazing video from Nautilus Dive Adventures.

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San Ignacio Bay Luxury Tents

These glamorous fully-equipped luxury tents are incrediby spacious. Each tent offers adjustable twin beds or one king bed, a beautiful sitting area with couches and chairs, a dresser, and a large bathroom with twin vanities. Plus a full ensuite bathroom with hot and cold running water, internet access. 24-hour AC power, and of course, a chandelier over the bed.

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About the Trip Leader

Dan is a passionate underwater photographer based in northern Virginia. He did his first dive at age 14 and has been an avid photographer for more than 25 years. Dan started out as a skydiving photographer and videographer, and then took that passion underwater. Since then, he has spent as much time underwater as possible, often with one or both of his daughters. Dan loves sharing his photography knowledge with others and is experienced with both wide angle and macro photography.

View more of Dan's work here: DanBishopPhotography.com

Click here to email Dan

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Flight Information

Guests should fly in and out of San Jose del Cabo International Airport (SJD), and make their way to SeeCreatures Cabo Dive Shop, arriving no later than 10am.

If you choose to arrive the day before, we recommend staying at the Casa Bella Hotel in Cabo. Conveniently located next door to See Creatures Cabo which is the starting point for the trip. If you make other arrangements, please meet the group at See Creatures Cabo no later than 10am on February 12.

Other hotel options very close by are Hotel Tesoro and Marina View Villas, both close to shops and restaurants and within 5-minutes walk of SeaCreatures.

If you prefer a beachfront resort, we recommend the Solmar Resort and Playa Grande Resort. They are sister resorts and only a 15-minute walk / 5-minute drive away.

On the last day of the trip, the charter flight will arrive back in SJD at around 12:30pm. It’s easy to fly home that same afternoon but we recommend booking your flight at 2:30pm or later. Guests will be transferred from the private terminal directly over to terminal one or two at the main airport when the flight gets in.

IMPORTANT: The charter flight from San Ignacio to SJD is on a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan. These are 13-passenger airplanes with a strict baggage allowance of 22 pounds (10kg) per person. We ask that you please use soft-sided bags. We understand that you’ll likely be travelling with more luggage on this trip. Our recommendation is to pack a smaller pack to take with you to the lagoon and leave your larger luggage with us for safekeeping in La Paz. We will move your luggage back to Cabo San Lucas to meet your return flight.

Flight Package

Our group trips attract guests from all over the globe and many of our customers prefer to book their own flights to take advantage of mileage points or credit card discounts. For these reasons, flights are not included in our group trip packages.

However, we are more than happy to work with you to find the best travel itinerary for your trip and will gladly give suggestions and advice, even if you make the final booking. We will check through your travel reservations at any time to ensure they fit with the trip schedule and can give recommendations on transit hotels and day tours where needed.

If you would like us to book flights, hotels, and transfers for your domestic and/or international travel on your behalf, we are also happy to arrange this. Please be advised that there is a 10% fee for this service to cover our booking and administration costs.

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Payment Schedule

Deposit: $1,000 per person to confirm your spot

2nd Payment: $2,000 due May 1, 2024

Balance due: December 1, 2024

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WANT TO EXTEND YOUR TRIP?

We can help with that! See more of Mexico before or after your trip with Bluewater in Baja. Flying all that way merits a multi-destination vacation! La Paz is an amazing destination nearby that offers a range of additional unique experiences. Here are some examples of packages we can add on to your trip reservation:

*Rates are subject to change at any time; please contact us for the most updated pricing.

7 Nights at the 5 Star Costa Baja Resort & Spa

Price: Starting at $2,087 per person based upon double occupancy.

The Hotel CostaBaja Resort & Spa is the first and only luxury hotel & spa in the city of La Paz. This boutique hotel offers a selection of ocean, mountain, and marina views. North of the hotel is Espiritu Santo Island, where you will find the greatest marine life in the world and the best sport fishing within Baja Sur.

7 nights in a king or twin room
Full buffet breakfasts
5 days of 3 tank dives
Lunches & drinks on the boat
National park permit fees
Roundtrip Cabo transfers
Free WiFi: Yes
Swimming Pool: Yes

Costa Baja Resort La Paz

Costa Baja Resort & Spa

7 Nights at the 3 Star La Concha Beach Resort

Price: Starting at $1,803 per person based upon double occupancy.

A beach resort offering a peaceful and mellow atmosphere on the Sea of Cortez. Over a hundred sea view rooms are featured in La Concha Beach Resort. Located in front of the ocean and with a full view of the beach and pool, the accommodations include essential details to luxury amenities.

7 nights in a king or twin sea view room
Full American breakfasts
5 days of 3 tank dives
Lunches & drinks on the boat
National park permit fees
Roundtrip Cabo transfers
Free WiFi: Yes
Swimming Pool: Yes

La Concha Beach Resort La Paz

La Concha Beach Resort

7 Nights at the 4 Star Hotel Catedral

Price: Starting at $1,670 per person based upon double occupancy.

Hotel Catedral La Paz is a new concept of accommodation to suit the needs of today's travelers. It is part of the historic center of the city, surrounded by major attractions next to Our Cathedral Lady of La Paz. With its sophisticated contemporary modernist architecture, Hotel Catedral La Paz focuses on every detail to offer its guests an excellent service and quality, both in the rooms and its gourmet restaurant.