Baja Peninsula Expedition V
Depart from San Diego by van
March 30th, 7days, $900
Spend three days whale watching.
Drive to Bahia de Los Angeles on the Sea of Cortez.
Spend a day fishing or snorkeling
Return by van to San Diego April 5th

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Baja Peninsula Expedition V
San Ignacio Lagoon, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Dates: March 30 - April 5
Cost:  $900 USD

ITINERARY V

Friday March 30:
6:00 am Group will meet on Shelter Island in San Diego across from Humphrey’s Half Moon Inn to pack vans. Accommodations and parking are available at this location.  Two 15-passenger vans will take us South to explore the Trans Peninsular Highway of Baja California.  Our scenic coastal drive will take us through Ensenada and San Quintin where we can stretch our legs and eat delicious fish tacos.  The highway will take us across the peninsula through the picturesque high desert, where we will pass amazing volcanic rock outcroppings and view the desert in bloom. In just a quick walk up a sandy arroyo, we can see cave paintings. We arrive that evening in the charming village of San Ignacio. This palm-filled oasis is centered around a 17^th century mission that towers over the plaza. Tour the mission and cave art museum before we dine at Rene’s restaurant on your favorite home cooked Mexican meal. Settle into your comfortable accommodations at the Casa Leree, a blue adobe colonial near the plaza.

Saturday March 31:
We will rise early for a hot breakfast before a short drive to Laguna San Ignacio for a morning of Gray Whale interactions that you will not soon forget.  Antonio’s Ecotours will take us out in one of their durable pangas for an exciting boat ride through the productive lagoon where we will see many species of birds, dolphins and gray whales spouting and spy-hopping in the distance.  Upon reaching the gray whale observation channel, you will come face to face with mother gray whales and their curious calves for up-close interactions that will plaster a smile on your face and leave a photographic imprint in your mind.  We will later return to base camp to unpack and talk over the day’s adventures.  The afternoon will be free to explore the lagoon where you can snorkel, kayak, fish or watch the abundant bird life before settling in for a delicious Mexican family-style meal served by Antonio’s wife Yaqui. She usually makes chicken, beef or fish burritos with homemade tortillas and beans (Vegetarian options by request).

Sunday April 1:
Breakfast and coffee before loading into the pangas for another exciting excursion to the gray whale observation area to assure yourself that yesterday’s experience was not a dream but one of nature’s greatest realities.  You will observe the unique behaviors of these friendly giants that cannot be experienced anywhere else in the world.  This is the time of year the males have headed north and the females and their calves are still around.  We have had some amazing experiences with these sociable whales in the past.  Be ready to get wet either from the spray of the waves or from the spout of a whale’s blowhole!

We will return to base camp for lunch and another afternoon of open activities around the lagoon.

Snorkel in the shallows of the lagoon or explore the bird life of the mangrove forest to work up an appetite for another amazing home-cooked meal around the dinner table while sharing more of your adventures and photos from the day.  Schedule is subject to change due to winds and weather in the lagoon.

Monday April 2:
Wake up to the Pacific Ocean flowing into the lagoon at the foot of your cabana. After breakfast, we will jump in the pangas for another experience with these “friendly” whales. It is amazing to be able to observe their behaviors from such close proximity. Only in the past 15 years have these graceful giants exhibited such a close connection with pangas and people. Amazing to think that they were previously hunted to near-extinction in these same waters.

When we return, Yaqui will cook up another amazing meal for our dinner.

Tuesday April 3:
Early breakfast and coffee prior to packing up the vans for a journey across the peninsula to the Sea of Cortez.  We will arrive at the Vermillion Sea Field Station in Bahia de Los Angeles by noon where we can settle in for a quick lunch before exploring the clear and productive life in the Sea of Cortez.  There will also be time to check out the town, visit the museum, or hike up the hillside for a view of the bay.  Choose from one of our favorite restaurants in town or stick around the field station for a burrito with your guides.  We will set up comfortable cots to sleep out under the brilliant stars of Baja and dream of all the adventures of the week.

Wednesday April 4:
After breakfast, pangas arrive for a snorkeling and fishing excursion to the offshore islands. The rocky reef supports a diverse collection of fish and invertebrates. We will have lunch on a remote beach and soak in the Sea of Cortez. When we return to the Vermillion Sea Field Station there will be time for siestas or margaritas before dinner prepared with the catch of the day. Explore the nightlife of Bahia or settle in for the night to prepare for the next day’s drive home.

Thursday April 5:
Eat breakfast and take one last morning plunge into the Sea of Cortez before packing up the vans for the trip back to San Diego, stopping for lunch along the way.  We will cross the border by 7 pm and get you back to you vehicles on Shelter Island.

What to Bring:

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***Passport or certified copy of birth certificate

***$22 for tourist visa

Please pack light in a carry-on size duffel bag preferably.

Everything is provided for you; Marine Biologists, experienced drivers and guides, accommodations, food, boat trips to the Whale Observation Area.

Bring some extra money for shopping, dinner on the last night, and if time and conditions allow, you could take an additional trip out to see the Gray Whales. If you have your own snorkeling equipment, bring it.

If you would like to snorkel, let us know so we can get you the gear.

It does get cold at night, so dress appropriately. Make sure you have warm blankets or sleeping bags.

It is important to be responsible for your own wellness. Please make sure that you are well hydrated. We will bring plenty of filtered water.

We plan to provide you with an incredible experience to the best of our abilities.