Exploring Baja’s Wonders: An 11-Day Sea of Cortez Adventure

Eleven days exploring the Sea of Cortez, also known as the Gulf of California, exceeded all expectations. We encountered unparalleled beauty, abundant sealife, and made a once-in-a-lifetime cosmic connection.

The Iconic Arc of Cabo

We kicked off our expedition by soaking up a legendary view of the stunning Cabo San Lucas Arch. The Arch popped in the golden sunlight as pelicans and frigatebirds soared; setting the stage for a truly unforgettable adventure through Baja and the Sea of Cortez.

Quoting Cousteau and Spotting Sealife

Jacques Cousteau famously called Isla Cerralvo “the aquarium of the world,” and we quickly discovered why. Our SCUBA and snorkeling adventures revealed a vibrant coral community teeming with diverse fish species, promising even greater wonders to come.

Deserted Diving on Island Encantada

The Island Encantada, while free of people, was booming with wildlife. Our clear water SCUBA session revealed octopi, reef fish, rays, and a gregarious group of bottlenose dolphins that put on quite a show.

The Planets Always Align

The rugged mountains, blissful skies, and ideal temperatures framed our visit to the San Javier Mission home to vineyards, orange groves, and 300-year-old olive trees. Our evening culminated with some serious skygazing – a once-in-400-years celestial alignment of six planets; something this cosmic called for us to bust out the telescopes.

A Whale Sighting and Other Wonders

At Isla San Lidefonso and Gull Rock we explored reefs and took in a show by another playful pod of bottlenosed dolphins. Then we hiked the Red Rock Canyon filled with towering cliffs etched in time. On the way back to our ship we spotted a solo gray whale. It would not be our last time connecting with these magnificent creatures.

Art, Lava, and a Lagoon Filled with Whales

We departed the French-founded mining town of Santa Rosaía, home to a beautiful church designed by George Eiffel himself, before 8 a.m. Our journey through a dormant volcano complex and across lava fields led us to a lagoon where we observed adult female gray whales feeding in the shallows.

Sightseeing and So Many Sealions

The Isla Esteban, the northernmost stop of our tour, offered exceptional hiking where we explored the interior of the volcanic island filled with a variety of cacti. Kayakers and divers happened upon even more sealife – and were greeted by the playful roar from a pride of sealions.

Going Big on Two Islands

At Isla San Marcos we were graced by the biggest living animal on earth, the mighty blue whale, drawn to the Sea of Cortez by the krill blooms. Isla Tortuga’s volcanic rock formations were a sight to behold – and underneath we saw a thriving habitat for invertebrate and reef fish.

One Last Call, One More Day for Reflecting

Our final day began with a sunrise wildlife watch and culminated with whale calls from off in the distance. We answered back and reminisced about our 11 days exploring the Sea of Cortez – a fitting end to a trip filled with so much beauty and sea life.