Baja Ultimate Whale Safari 2025

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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.

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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Recommended Scuba Gear

• 5mm wetsuit. Like the Waterproof W8 for Men or Waterproof W8 for Women - Browse Wetsuits at Bluewater Photo
• Strong fins. Check out the Mares X-Stream Dive Fins a stylish combination with the Poseidon one Shoe
• Dive Computer. The Shearwater Tern Wrist Dive Computer is our choice!
• Travel BCD. The Mares Bolt BCD is a top choice. Read our Best Travel BCD Article
• Travel regulator. We suggest  Aqualung Leg3nd MBS with Octopus Dive Regulator 

  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. Contact Us for more information.

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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 & Spa