Mexico: whale watching, swimming with dolphins& whale sharks in Baja
Swimming with dolphins
Marlins
Seals
Whale sharks
Mobulas


November 29 - December 6, 2023
December 24 - December 31, 2023
  • 8 days
  • Humpback whales, dolphins, seals, marlins and whale sharks
  • level of difficulty: easy
  • 3350 EUR
Highlights
Baja California (Baja California) is an elongated peninsula in Mexico, bordered on one side by the Pacific Ocean and on the other by the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California). The place is amazing, unlike almost anything else in the world: snow-white dunes, mesmerizing desert landscapes, huge perennial cacti surrounded by rocks. This little paradise has retained its pristine nature and attracts travelers from all over the world every year.
There's another important feature that attracts adventurers: of course, our favorite giants: whales. Southern California is one of the best places in the world for whale watching!
However, as you know, our main goal is underwater encounters with marine animals. That's why we started exploring the place, communicating with local fishermen who (like no one better) know the local waters. It turned out that here you can swim with huge schools of mantas, meet a whale shark, watch a marlin underwater hunt. We can confidently say that this region exceeded our expectations!
  • 1
    Humpback Whale Watching
    What makes the coast of Southern California special is that this is where humpback whale migration routes from Alaska pass, here the chances of meeting groups of 6-7 or more whales are extremely high, and whale songs can be heard here. If you are lucky, at this time you can also see blue whales, gray whales and Bryde's striped whales. And if you are exceptionally lucky, you may even see orcas!
  • 2
    Swim with dolphins and seals
    Swimming with free-ranging dolphins and harbor seals is an incredible experience! They often come in huge groups and when we enter the water they stop to play with us. Underwater they come very close, whistle something in dolphin language, and the seals swim very close to our faces and look right into our souls (eyes).
  • 3
    Swimming with the Mobulas
    Nowhere else have we seen such large flocks of mobuli! These beautiful creatures slowly flutter in a huge flock (sometimes several hundred individuals) as if a wall from the depths to the surface of the ocean, and we swim with them at the same pace and contemplate. It's not uncommon for them to jump out of the water and flop loudly against the surface of the ocean - we call them ocean birds:)
  • 4
    Swim with whale sharks
    ruly amazing land - the ocean here is full of wonders! Another giant that everyone should meet on their way is the whale shark. The largest fish in the world - incredibly beautiful and absolutely safe!
  • 5
    Whale sharks
    The biggest fish in the world - incredibly beautiful and absolutely safe to swim with!
  • 6
    We'll live in an authentic fishing village by the ocean
    Puerto San Carlos is a tiny town of fishermen: stay in a cozy and colorful hotel, try Mexican food and seafood, communicate with locals (you should learn a few words of Spanish beforehand, because almost no one speaks English), and enjoy the incredible sunrises and sunsets in the ocean!
  • 7
    Cactuses
    Have you ever seen cactuses in the fog? Silhouettes of huge perennial cactuses in a thick for look very exciting! We will also look for the Dragon Fruit-juicy exotic fruit, which ripens on wild cacti at this time of year.
  • 8
    Bird bazaars
    Imagine: thousands of pelicans, gulls, frigates and herons in one place! Flocks of birds take off, dive for fish as bombs, and then peacefully brush each other's feathers on the beach and bask in the sun. So at that time you walk along the sandy islet and look at them from a distance of outstretched arm. And there is nobody around!
  • 9
    Snow-white dunes
    The dunes are another highlight of the place: snow-white sands and dunes, and endless desert and Martian scenery. Bring bright outfits, colourful photos guaranteed!
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Mexico City, the capital of Mexico. Check-in. Rest.
Day 2
After breakfast we will take a guided tour of the historic center of Mexico City: we will visit Constitution Square, the Palace of Fine Arts, Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral and other famous buildings!
In the afternoon we will go to the pyramids in the ghost town of Teotihuacan, that is about 2000 years old. In Aztec it means "the place where the Gods touch the earth". We will visit the territory of this archaeological complex and see the famous Pyramids of Sun and Moon!
In the evening we'll have dinner in one of the local restaurants and go to rest. Tomorrow we will fly to the ocean coast and have a long drive to our village.
Day 3
Morning flight from Mexico City to La Paz. We will eat at a local restaurant and drive to our fishing village of San Carlos (about 3.5 hours). On the way we will stop by cactuses, look for pitaya and take pictures! In the evening check in to the hotel, briefing. Tomorrow early in the morning we are going to have our first day in the ocean - we need a good rest:)
Day 4 - 8
Into the ocean in search of whales and other underwater animals!The ocean here is very rich: humpback whales, dolphins, mobulas, seals and marlins! Even killer whales and blue whales! Every day we will go out to the ocean at sunrise and come back closer to sunset: we don't want to miss a second:)
At the evening on day 8 we leave for La Paz, check in to the hotel. Tomorrow we have another amazing day in the ocean!
Day 9
Today we are going to swim with whale sharks! Every year from the middle of October whale sharks come to the shores of La Paz!
Unfortunately, it is not possible to determine the exact start date of the season, as it is different every year. In case there are no sharks in the waters, we have a B- plan:) Let's go swimming with seals: there are hundreds of them, they are very communicative, and they are eager to get in front of your cameras!
After a busy day, we'll have a dinner at one of the local restaurants on the coast.
Day 10
Flight back home
Price: 3'350 EUR
03 - 12 November, 2022
11 - 20 November, 2022
19 - 28 November, 2022
November 29 - December 8, 2022
  • Included:
    • Boat, swimming with whales (5 days in the ocean)
    • Team Trip Guide
    • Boat crew
    • Breakfasts at hotel
    • Snacks on the boat during the day in the ocean
    • Accommodations (double occupancy), transfers
    • Day trip in Mexico City
    • Whale shark swimming in La Paz (or seals)
  • Not included:
    • International flights, flight Mexico-La Paz and back
    • Snorkeling equipment (mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit can be rented)
    • Health insurance
    • Additional excursions
    • Single occupancy fee
  • Additional information
    • The ocean water temperature is about 20 degrees
    • Air temperature is about 23 degrees.
    • Currency: Mexican Peso
    • Sockets: North American Type A and B
  • To-pack list
    • Passport, printed airline tickets
    • Sunscreen
    • Sunglasses
    • Headwear
    • Flippers, mask, snorkel, wetsuit 3-5mm
    • Windbreaker coat
    • Warm clothes
    • Swimsuit
    • Towel
    • Gopro/camera
It's easy to book with us!
  • 1
    Contact us
    However you like: email info@whale-expeditions.com, using Facebook/Instagram or fill the application form below
  • 2
    We will call you back
    Or write a message. We will answer all your questions, explain all the details and discuss your personal wishes
  • 3
    Deposit payment
    When you are ready to book the trip, we would ask you to pay the deposit, usually it's 50% of the price. You can pay the rest later, the last payment day is 60 days before expedition starts.
  • 4
    Done!
    You got your space on the trip, it's time to buy the plane tickets!
Your journey starts here!
Just give us some info and we'll contact you shortly.
Contacts
info@whale-expeditions.com