Baja and the Sea of Cortez: In Search of the Great Whales – with Smithsonian Journeys

In alliance with Smithsonian Journeys.

This cruise is part of a collection of PONANT voyages that are specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers who want to engage with the world. In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, the listed price for these voyages includes transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each port of call that encourages guests to embrace the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the local environment and culture.

This 11-day voyage aboard Le Bellot to the peninsula of Baja California and the Sea of Cortez is an extraordinary opportunity to explore a part of the world that Jacques Cousteau famously called “the world's aquarium.” Few places on earth can rival the abundance and variety of marine life to be found on this itinerary: playful sea lions, dolphins, sea turtles, dozens of different species of fish, and above all, whales. Nor is the rich profusion of species confined to the sea. The ibis, cormorants, and great blue herons that inhabit the dense mangroves of the peninsula's Pacific Coast, as well as the pelicans, gulls, and boobies living in the Sea of Cortez—all these, and more, make for a birder’s paradise.

Setting sail from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, enjoy a relaxing day at sea as you cruise along the Pacific Coast of the peninsula to reach Bahia Tortugas about halfway between Cabo San Lucas and San Diego. The following morning, a drive across the rugged, arid landscape of the Vizcaino Desert brings you to Guerrero Negro, a breeding area for grey whales, where you will enjoy extraordinary whale watching aboard a local boat. After another day at sea, find yourself in Magdalena Bay, where the morning is spent in search of grey whales, humpbacks, and dolphins, and visiting Bird Island, while the afternoon is devoted to exploring on foot amid the amazing sand dunes of this unbelievably beautiful area.

Rounding the southern tip of the peninsula, Le Bellot enters the Sea of Cortez—the primary object of Cousteau's fascination—to call at Cabo Pulmo National Park, where you may do some more whale watching (with the possibility of sighting an orca) or snorkel on the park's extensive reef, estimated to be around 20,000 years old and home to an incredible variety of marine life. Holders of appropriate PADI certification may choose to SCUBA dive here.

Heading north, deeper into the Sea of Cortez, arrive at Loreto Bay, which was christened a National Park in 1996 and designated a UNESCO World Heritage site a decade later. Spend two days here, exploring a region that is home to more than 800 species of marine life. Possible activities include hikes ashore, swimming, snorkeling, and an overnight in port in the charming Mexican town of Loreto. Coronado Island, the focus of the second day in Loreto Bay, is known for its startlingly white beaches and marine-life-rich reefs, where those who snorkel or SCUBA dive encounter colorful parrot fish, angel fish, rainbow wrasses, and puffer fish.

The final two days of your voyage are spent in the area around La Paz, calling first at Pichilingue to spend time at Balandra Beach ("the most beautiful beach of Baja California"). An overnight in port in La Paz is followed by a day exploring the group of islands just north of the city—swimming with sea lions at Los Islotes or taking advantage of more opportunities for snorkeling and SCUBA diving.

Discover through images the scouting of our expert : Baja California, Mexico: the secret gem of the Sea of Cortez

Note: The above is a description of current plans for each day, but as with all cruises, the schedule and order of activities is subject to change depending on weather and sea conditions. The encounters with the wildlife described above illustrate possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed.