Baja Whale & Whale Shark Safari
FEBRUARY 1-8, 2025 • Starting at $3,793
Prepare for the expedition of a lifetime in Mexico’s Baja California. While we usually preach respectful distance when observing wildlife, Baja’s marine life is uniquely curious, playful and ready to engage. Each winter gray whales travel south to give birth and nurse in the safety of Baja’s turquoise lagoons. It is here where a rare phenomenon occurs: the mothers (as interested in people watching as we are in whale watching) present their calves to gentle sea-farers, ready to accept pats, kisses and head rubs as joyfully as the average golden retriever. Not only will you search out these majestic behemoths, you’ll learn to surf, swim with sea lions, and snorkle with equally large and awe-inspiring whale sharks. Both gray whales and whale sharks can grow to 40 feet in length!
Did we mention the fresh and flavorful Baja cuisine? Settle in for lunch at a beachside cantina and take a cooking class from a chef in Todos Sandos. Glamp on the pristine beaches of famed Isla Espiritu Santo where you can kayak, paddle board, bird watch and more! The island and surrounding Sea of Cortez is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with 891 species of fish, 39% of the world’s total marine mammal species, a third of the world’s marine cetacean species. What are you waiting for? Let’s go!
Expedition Supports: Mission Blue
Activity Highlights:
Luxury Glamping and cocktails on Isla Espiritu
Interacting with and photographing Gray Whales in the lagoons of Magdalena Bay
Snorkeling with Whale Sharks in the Bay of La Paz
Surfing lessons at Playa Los Cerritos
Mexican cooking class with local chef (dancing known to follow)
Kayaking and standup paddle boarding in the crystal blue Sea of Cortez
Swimming with sea lions
Visits to two UNESCO World Heritage sites
FEBRUARY 1-8, 2025 • Starting at $3,793
Prepare for the expedition of a lifetime in Mexico’s Baja California. While we usually preach respectful distance when observing wildlife, Baja’s marine life is uniquely curious, playful and ready to engage. Each winter gray whales travel south to give birth and nurse in the safety of Baja’s turquoise lagoons. It is here where a rare phenomenon occurs: the mothers (as interested in people watching as we are in whale watching) present their calves to gentle sea-farers, ready to accept pats, kisses and head rubs as joyfully as the average golden retriever. Not only will you search out these majestic behemoths, you’ll learn to surf, swim with sea lions, and snorkle with equally large and awe-inspiring whale sharks. Both gray whales and whale sharks can grow to 40 feet in length!
Did we mention the fresh and flavorful Baja cuisine? Settle in for lunch at a beachside cantina and take a cooking class from a chef in Todos Sandos. Glamp on the pristine beaches of famed Isla Espiritu Santo where you can kayak, paddle board, bird watch and more! The island and surrounding Sea of Cortez is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with 891 species of fish, 39% of the world’s total marine mammal species, a third of the world’s marine cetacean species. What are you waiting for? Let’s go!
Expedition Supports: Mission Blue
Activity Highlights:
Luxury Glamping and cocktails on Isla Espiritu
Interacting with and photographing Gray Whales in the lagoons of Magdalena Bay
Snorkeling with Whale Sharks in the Bay of La Paz
Surfing lessons at Playa Los Cerritos
Mexican cooking class with local chef (dancing known to follow)
Kayaking and standup paddle boarding in the crystal blue Sea of Cortez
Swimming with sea lions
Visits to two UNESCO World Heritage sites
FEBRUARY 1-8, 2025 • Starting at $3,793
Prepare for the expedition of a lifetime in Mexico’s Baja California. While we usually preach respectful distance when observing wildlife, Baja’s marine life is uniquely curious, playful and ready to engage. Each winter gray whales travel south to give birth and nurse in the safety of Baja’s turquoise lagoons. It is here where a rare phenomenon occurs: the mothers (as interested in people watching as we are in whale watching) present their calves to gentle sea-farers, ready to accept pats, kisses and head rubs as joyfully as the average golden retriever. Not only will you search out these majestic behemoths, you’ll learn to surf, swim with sea lions, and snorkle with equally large and awe-inspiring whale sharks. Both gray whales and whale sharks can grow to 40 feet in length!
Did we mention the fresh and flavorful Baja cuisine? Settle in for lunch at a beachside cantina and take a cooking class from a chef in Todos Sandos. Glamp on the pristine beaches of famed Isla Espiritu Santo where you can kayak, paddle board, bird watch and more! The island and surrounding Sea of Cortez is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with 891 species of fish, 39% of the world’s total marine mammal species, a third of the world’s marine cetacean species. What are you waiting for? Let’s go!
Expedition Supports: Mission Blue
Activity Highlights:
Luxury Glamping and cocktails on Isla Espiritu
Interacting with and photographing Gray Whales in the lagoons of Magdalena Bay
Snorkeling with Whale Sharks in the Bay of La Paz
Surfing lessons at Playa Los Cerritos
Mexican cooking class with local chef (dancing known to follow)
Kayaking and standup paddle boarding in the crystal blue Sea of Cortez
Swimming with sea lions
Visits to two UNESCO World Heritage sites
DETAILS
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February 1-8 2025
8 days, 7 nights
Ethical Roamers (yep, that’s you!) meet in Los Cabos.Airport Code: SJD
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Transfers to and from Los Cabos International Airport (SJD)
Transfers between all activity locations
2 nights in Todos Santos at a sustainability minded hotel. Your accommodation is 100% free of single-use plastics, 75% powered by solar, and carbon emissions are offset through Neutral Together and Tomorrow’s Air.
2 nights in a luxury glamping camp on Isla Espiritu Santo
Interacting with and photographing Gray Whales in the lagoons of Magdalena Bay
Swimming with sea lions at the famed sea lion colony of Los Islotes
Snorkeling with whale sharks in the Bay of La Paz
Surfing lessons at beautiful Playa Los Cerritos
Hiking along the rugged, pristine Pacific coastline
Mexican cooking class with local chef (dancing known to follow).
Bird watching and drinks for sunset happy hour at your glamping camp
Visits to two UNESCO World Heritage sites
Charming Todos Santos, artists’ colony, surfing hotspot and agricultural center; opportunities to enjoy meals at many of the towns great eateries
Opportunity to explore La Paz, Mexican state of Baja California Sur’s capital
24/7 Expedition Leader
Bilingual naturalist guide who is a certified Wilderness First Responder and NOM 9 graduate
All adventures and related equipment as indicated in the itinerary
Entrance fees and permits
Meals
Welcome Dinner
All meals from Day 2 through breakfast on final day
Daily happy hour at Camp Cecil de la Isla
Optional Add-Ons
Single room occupancy and private glamping tent: +$750
Sea Sickness Bands: $5
Not Included
Airfare to and from Los Cabos (SJD)
Solo accommodations. All rooms are double occupancy unless otherwise stated.
Travel insurance
Gratuities
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Los Cabos is the name for the two cities of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.
This trip is carbon neutral
No single-use plastics are used
All organic waste is composted and all eligible materials are recycled
All hotels are double occupancy. Contact us to inquire about single occupancy upgrade availability.
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$600 deposit
$3999 Total
Single room upgrade invoiced separately when requested and available.
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Deposits are non-refundable. We use these deposits not only to reserve your space on the log, but also to improve cash flow for the local businesses we support. Any additional payments may be refunded when canceled more than 90 days prior to the expedition date. Deposits may be transferred once to another trip departing within 12 months and incur a $100 rebooking fee.
Read the complete booking terms and conditions.
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Proof of travel insurance is required to protect you and your investment in the expedition.
If you prefer not to purchase travel insurance, please sign our opt-out waiver.
ITINERARY PREVIEW
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ARRIVE IN LOS CABOS (SJD)
Arrive in Los Cabos to meet your Fair Travel leader and local expedition crew before journeying to Todos Santos, a beach town with laid-back vibes. On the way you’ll take in excellent views of the Pacific coast to the West and the Sierra de la Laguna mountain range to the East.Savor the flavors of Baja California with your fellow explorers at a gourmet taco dinner and be briefed on the days to come.
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TODO SANTOS
Start the day off with a surfing lesson. Eat lunch at a beachside cantina. And top it all off with a dinner, made by your own hands during a Mexican cooking class.
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ISLA ESPIRITU SANTO
Travel through the desert landscape to the Sea of Cortez where you’ll find the island of Espíritu Santo, an important marine conservation site, national park, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and UNSECO World Heritage Site.
Become one with nature, camping on the sands of this extraordinary island. After the sun sets, settle into your luxury glamping tent, and fall asleep to the sound of crashing waves under the ever-watching stars.
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ISLA ESPIRITU SANTO
Enjoy a fabulous day on the island, exploring the bays, inlets, lava cliffs and wildlife. The Sea of Cortez is regarded as one of the best sea kayaking destinations in the world. You can also paddle board, snorkel, and swim in it’s aquamarine waters. You’re even likely encounter a playful sea lion on your swim!
Did we mention the island’s 891 fish species make it a “total bird magnet?!” Bird Watching is a rewarding pass time here: The island is home to rookeries for Blue-footed Boobies and Great Blue Herons. At sunset you may spot Brown Pelicans, Yellow-footed Gulls, Caspian Terns, Franklin’s Gulls, Bonaparte’s Gulls, Least Terns, Herring Gulls, and Snowy Plovers as they fish for their suppers.
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LA PAZ
Return from the island to swim with whale sharks, the world’s largest fish. These gentle Goliaths can grow up to 40 feet in length.
While they have an estimated lifespan of about 70 years, whale sharks are Endangered. Thanks to new regulations and interagency cooperation, boat strikes in La Paz are down 90% and whale sharks now have the space they deserve. Don’t worry, your respectful swim won’t bother them and you won’t be on the menu; whale sharks are filter feeders (ie they eat plankton).
After your swim, you’ll have the afternoon off to explore the city.
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MAGDALENA BAY
Eat a formidable breakfast and depart for a 4 hour drive to Magdalena Bay, one of the largest and most important wetlands ecosystems in North America.
Spend the afternoon whale watching with a specially trained local fisherman. At this time of year, the bay is the prime calving ground for the gray whale, and it is possible to see – and often pet - a large number of whales, including mothers and calves.
After a long day, retire to a simple hotel for a well-earned rest.
Note: The whales must approach the boat on their own and invite your touch. Luckily, they are often described as joyful, humorous, and curious. They enjoy people watching!
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MAGDALENA BAY
Enjoy 3 more hours of whale watching as we hope for more interactive encounters.
Head back to the “Land’s End” (Cabo) taking lunch on the way. Enjoy one last meal with your fellow ethical roamers.
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DEPART FROM LOS CABOS
Say goodbye to your new friends, or perhaps stick together for the next leg of your Mexican adventure!
