Baja California: Grey Whales, the Sea of Cortez & Los Cabos

Today you explore the dramatic coast of Los Cabos, where two seas meet. You take a boat out around Land's End, the rocky tip of the Baja peninsula, gazing up at the dramatic granite sea-stacks and the iconic natural arch of El Arco, where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez, and visiting a colony of sea lions basking on the rocks, with the chance to spot whales and dolphins offshore in season. You relax on a beautiful beach or explore the coast, enjoying the spectacular meeting of desert and sea. The drama and beauty are captivating. As the day ends, you return to your hotel. This evening, savour fresh Baja seafood by the sea. Rest well, for tomorrow you journey north to the Pacific lagoons to meet the grey whales, the heart of this journey.

Today you journey north to the Pacific lagoons of Baja to meet the grey whales. You travel across the desert peninsula (with a short internal flight or scenic drive) to one of the sheltered Pacific lagoons, such as Magdalena Bay, where grey whales gather each winter to calve, and settle into your comfortable camp or lodge by the water. In the afternoon you may take your first boat trip out onto the lagoon, meeting the gentle grey whales at close range as they surface and spout, an exhilarating and moving first encounter. The anticipation and wonder are extraordinary. As the day ends, you settle into your lagoon camp under vast desert skies. This evening, savour a hearty meal and the sounds of the lagoon, whales spouting in the darkness. Rest well by the whale lagoon, ready for a full day with the grey whales tomorrow.

Today you spend an extraordinary day with the friendly grey whales of the lagoon. From small boats, you head out onto the sheltered lagoon to meet the grey whales at astonishingly close range, and remarkably the whales, including mothers with their curious calves, often approach the boats, rising gently alongside to be touched and to eye you with evident curiosity, one of the most moving wildlife encounters on earth. You spend the day in the company of these gentle giants, with expert naturalists sharing their extraordinary story. The intimacy and wonder are extraordinary. As the day ends, you return to your lagoon camp, moved by the encounter. This evening, savour a hearty meal beneath brilliant desert stars, sharing the wonder of the day. Rest well by the whale lagoon, ready to journey to the Sea of Cortez and its sea lions tomorrow.

Today you journey to La Paz on the Sea of Cortez, the aquarium of the world. You leave the Pacific lagoons and travel across the peninsula to La Paz, the relaxed capital of Baja California Sur, set on the beautiful Sea of Cortez, perhaps stopping at the charming oasis town of Todos Santos or amid the cactus-strewn desert along the way. You settle into your hotel on the palm-lined seafront, and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of this lovely bayside town and its beautiful malecon at sunset. The desert and sea are beautiful. As the day ends, you stroll the waterfront as the light turns golden over the bay. This evening, savour fresh seafood by the Sea of Cortez. Rest well in La Paz, ready to explore the teeming waters and playful sea lions of the Sea of Cortez tomorrow.

Today you explore the teeming Sea of Cortez by boat, snorkelling with playful sea lions. You take a boat out from La Paz into the beautiful Sea of Cortez, which Cousteau called the aquarium of the world, cruising to the island sea-lion colony of Los Islotes, where you slip into the clear water to snorkel among playful young sea lions that twist, dart and somersault around you with astonishing grace. Along the way you spot dolphins, mobula rays, seabirds and, in season, whales, and relax on a pristine island beach. The marine life and playfulness are spectacular. As the day ends, you return to La Paz. This evening, savour fresh seafood on the waterfront, reflecting on the wonders of the Sea of Cortez. Rest well in La Paz, ready to return south to Los Cabos tomorrow.

Today you journey south back to Los Cabos for a final relaxed day by the sea. You travel down the peninsula, perhaps pausing again at the artsy oasis town of Todos Santos with its galleries and beautiful Pacific beaches, and arrive in Los Cabos, checking in to your hotel. You spend the afternoon relaxing on a beautiful beach or by the pool, swimming and unwinding, or take an optional final wildlife outing, perhaps whale watching offshore in season or a snorkel trip. The desert, sea and relaxation are beautiful. As the day ends, you watch the sun set over the meeting of two seas. This evening, savour a final Baja seafood dinner, reflecting on the extraordinary wildlife journey you have made, the grey whales, the sea lions and the wild desert. Rest well, ready for your departure tomorrow, carrying vivid memories of Baja California.

After a final morning by the sea in Los Cabos, perhaps a last beach walk or a relaxed breakfast overlooking the water, you are transferred to Los Cabos International Airport for your onward departure. You leave having immersed yourself in the extraordinary wildlife and wild beauty of Baja California, close encounters with friendly grey whales in the Pacific lagoons, the teeming Sea of Cortez with its whales, dolphins and playful sea lions, the desert, cactus forests and oasis towns, and the dramatic sea-stacks and beaches of Los Cabos, all guided by expert naturalists. The images stay vivid long after you land, a grey whale rising beside the boat, the somersaulting sea lions, the giant cardon cacti, and the natural arch of El Arco where two seas meet. Baja California offers extraordinary wildlife and wild beauty in abundance, and you depart already dreaming of a return to this wild and beautiful corner of Mexico.