Morning:
Participants will learn basic snorkeling skills and then free-diving techniques in the shallow bay of Ensenada Grande.

Afternoon:
Participants will use their snorkeling skills to explore the rocky shoreline at Las Cuevas and their free-diving skills to see garden eels in the sandy flats at 25ft.

Evening Presentation:
Survival of the Finnest: Fish are the most abundant vertebrate animals which dominate nearly every habitat in the hydrosphere. Why are they so successful?

Morning:
The Cross Island Hike is a 2.5 to 3 hour round trip hike which is relatively flat with a few boulders to scramble up or slide down. It terminates at the opposite side of Isla Partida and reveals stunning views of the eastern side of the island.

Afternoon:
Escape the heat and jump into the cool water at Isla El Candelero. This tiny island is a great spot to get up close to birds like cormorants, gulls, and pelicans; as this island serves as a small rookery.

Evening Presentation:
Gulf of California: Introduction to an ocean oasis: 40 minute slide show presentation that introduces students to oceanography and the physical processes which formed the Gulf of California and the biotic and abiotic factors that make it one of the most biological diverse marine systems on the planet.

 Wake up to the peaceful sounds of water lapping on the beach and the cool ocean air. Students will meet in the dining tent for hot breakfast and an assortment of fruit and cereals.

Morning: 

We board the boat for an 30 min ride to Los Isolates Sea Lion Colony. This sea lion colony has has divers and snorkelers swimming with the residents for over 30 years and there is a reason why people keep coming back. Participants will jump into the wild world of these "underwater dogs." Each experience is different, but it's highly likely to have playful juveniles come up to you performing entertaining acrobatics - their natural behaviors.  We learn about sea lion's adaptations and threats to the local sea lions and those world wide.

Afternoon: 

We return to camp for lunch. Afterwards, we will go on a topside activity such as sea kayaking or nature hike depending on the weather conditions and the schedule from the previous day.

Evening: Dinner at camp and an evening presentation on the Empty Ocean: Human caused environmental issues threatening biodiversity of the global ocean.

Meals: BLD

Morning: Depart camp after breakfast and on the way to La Paz we look for whale sharks who migrate to the Bay of La Paz each year.

We have a two hour slot allocated to us by the national marine park. Once we find a whale shark, the boat captain will position you in the whale shark’s path. When you dive master says go, jump in and follow the whale shark for as long as you can keep up. They move fast! It is a humbling experience to be by such a large creature. Whale sharks are the largest fish in the world. They can reach up to 60 ft in length. These gentle giants eat plankton, the smallest members of the marine food chain.

Afternoon: We enjoy a picnic lunch on the boat.  We return to La Paz about 3pm.  We move into our hotel for the next two nights.

Evening: Dinner in La Paz.

Meals: BLD

Morning: After an early breakfast at the hotel we depart to Magdalena Bay. It is approximately 2-3 hour drive depending on which part of the bay the whales are most active. We will embark on a 3-hour boat ride into the breeding lagoon to see the gray whales. What is so special about these whales is that some of them are curious about us too and will come right to the boat. You might get a chance to look into the eye of a whale or feel its breath on your skin. Or, you may be lucky enough to touch a whale! The feeling of being close to these creatures is amazing and life-changing. You will learn about their migration, adaptations and why the lagoons in Mexico are protected for them. 

Afternoon.  We return to shore to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. After, we make our way back to La Paz around 5 or 6pm.

Evening: Dinner in La Paz and souvenir shopping.

Meals: BLD

Our team hates the last day just as much as you will. Saying goodbye to groups is hard because we had a chance to share a place we love with you, and know that we are lucky to have become friends with you because of the Sea of Cortez. Hopefully you have fallen in love with the wild ocean, and that you will go home inspired to protect it.

Morning: After breakfast the vans will depart the hotel and drive 2.5 hours to the Los Cabos Airport for your flight back home. 

Meals: B