Today we head to the Pacific Coast.

We will depart the hotel in La Paz at 7 a.m., stopping for a bathroom break about 1.5 hours into the trip north. The transfer is 3 hours from La Paz to Puerto Lopez Mateos depending on the port where the whale activity is the most abundant. 

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. 

The group will go whale watching in the morning and again after lunch. Overnight in Puerto Lopez Mateos (2-star bungalows, double occupancy). 

Meals: BLD

After breakfast we will begin our journey back to La Paz with a stop for fish tacos for lunch on the Malecon. 

Before embarking on our ride to the island, we will check in at the dive shop, complete forms and get fitted with gear.

Late afternoon our journey beings to the wild and unspoiled nature where we will spend four nights camping on the island which is also a World Heritage Site and Marine Reserve. The boat ride to the camp is about 1.5 hours and along the way we might see whales, mega pods of dolphins, jumping mobula rays and guaranteed beautiful scenery as you pass by the red and pink volcanic cliffs of the island. 

As we pull into the bay of our camp, you will see the tents set up, the sunset shining off of the canyons and the excitement of knowing that this slice of heaven on a beach is your home for a few nights. 

Dinner at camp. 

Meals BLD

Wake to the sound of water lapping on the beach. Enjoy hot coffee while your breakfast is being prepared. Walk the shoreline and enjoy the peace of the island. 

Morning:

Snorkel School in Ensenada Grande Bay. This shallow area is like a pool for us to teach some snorkeling skills and to make sure that your gear is working properly. After a short instruction, we move to a shallow hard coral reef to explore the fish and invertebrates that live there.

Afternoon

We hike at El Cardonal. El Cardonal is a bay that is south of our camp with access to a .75 mile hiking trail that goes to the other side of the island. Along the way, your guide will identify plants and tell you about island geology.  In the later afternoon we go out looking for big stuff like whales and dolphins before heading back to camp. The Sea of Cortez is home to one-third of the world's marine mammals so the chances are good that we will find something.

Evening:

Learn about and sample tequila 

Meals: BLD

Wake to another morning in paradise. Today's activities will be determined by wind, weather, and interest. Typically, we have the following:

Morning Snorkeling:

There are a variety of snorkeling sites that can provide us the opportunity to see a lot with very little effort. There are caves and cracks to explore along the shoreline where inverts like soft corals, barnacles cling and blennies hide. Also shallow rocky and coral reefs that taper to about 20 ft where mixed schools of surgeonfish, goatfish and grunts cruz. 

Return to camp for a hot lunch.

Afternoon Kayaking:

We use sit on top kayaks to explore the coast in a relaxing paddle. Espiritu Santo Island is a volcanic island and the geology provides a beautiful scene of red cliffs on blue water. Get close to the shore to see Sally Lightfoot crabs, brown pelicans, cormorants and gulls. 

Evening:

Dinner at camp

Presentation: Fish ID

Meals: BLD

Today you play with aquatic dogs!!

This activity is sure to be a highlight of the week - and your life! Juvenile sea lions will dart past you, play chicken and blow bubbles. They might climb on your back, nibble on your snorkel or tug on your fins. Just like puppies, sea lions are a delight to interact with. Be careful not to smile too much, because your mask will fill with water. 

The afternoon activity will be determined by the participants’ interests. There are dozens of other snorkeling sites and places to hike. 

Evening:

Dinner

Free time and relaxing

Meals: BLD

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 marine park. Once we find a whale shark, the boat captain will position you in the whale shark’s path. When your dive master says go, jump in and follow the whale shark for as long as you can keep up. It is a humbling experience to be by such a large gentle 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.

Picnic lunch on the boat.

Return to La Paz about 2:30 or 3pm. Move into hotel in La Paz.

Evening presentation & project with local artist.

Dinner in La Paz.

Meals: BLD

Our team hates the last day just as much as you will. Saying goodbye to a group 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.

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

Meals: Breakfast