Baja California: Observing the Whales of Magdalena Bay
Enjoy several days in the company of majestic gray whales in Baja California’s Magdalena Bay, one of the best places in the world to encounter gray whale mothers and their calves. On this compact trip, we explore aboard the only expedition ship in the region small and nimble enough to anchor inside the bay’s sheltered waters, giving you unparalleled access to this busy whale nursery. Set out in local pangas for up-close encounters with these curious cetaceans, kayak mangrove forests, hike desert islands, and look for pelicans and ospreys while soaking up the sun on pristine beaches.
Highlights
• Search for gigantic gray whale mothers and their calves in the nursery waters of Magdalena Bay, delighting in up-close encounters
• Kayak and paddleboard in stunning mangrove forests, or beachcomb along endless stretches of sand
• Go hiking and fat-tire biking across diverse landscapes—from windswept dunes to cactus forests—keeping an eye out for rambling coyotes and soaring eagles
• Scan the skies for myriad bird species, like diving pelicans and magnificent frigatebirds
• Extend your expedition with a history and whale-watching experience in Loreto, or explore culture and cuisine in Todos Santos and La Paz
Arrive in Loreto by early afternoon for the transfer to San Carlos, a small waterside town where the mountains meet the Gulf of California. Embark the ship this evening in time for cocktails and an introduction to the staff and crew. You may opt for a pre-voyage extension exploring the region’s culture and cuisine.
Arrival Time: Arrive before 2:30 p.m. local time.
Arrival City: Loreto, Mexico
Meals Included: Dinner
Below is a selection of locales you may visit during your expedition.
Bahía Almejas
The southernmost of the waters you’ll explore, Bahía Almejas, or Bay of Clams, is known for its many seabird species and its remarkably active gray whale populations. With luck, you’ll have the opportunity to view a large frigatebird colony before heading out on a whale-watching trip. Board small, open boats called pangas, operated by pangueros—expert local guides. The areas around Magdalena Bay are primarily supported by whale-watching and small-scale, artisanal fishing; the pangueros make their livings as fishermen outside the gray whale season and have a deep familiarity with these rich waters.
Isla Magdalena / Sand Dollar Beach
Explore ever-shifting sand dunes on a cross-island walk to one of the most pristine beaches in the Pacific. Take in the impressive desert plant life of this exotic terrain, home to five species of cacti. Tally treasures offered up by the ocean on the aptly named Sand Dollar Beach, and capture images of your discoveries with the help of your certified photo instructor.
Puerto Magdalena
Wake up anchored at this small fishing village, surrounded by the open Pacific to the west, Magdalena Bay to the east, mangroves to the north and mountains to the south. With a population of 85, Puerto Magdalena is the only inhabited area of Isla Magdalena. Meet a local resident and learn how his family has lived off the area since the 1800s—from lichen harvesting to managing an open-air cantina, where you’ll enjoy local bites and beverages. Time permitting, visit the desalinization plant that supplies fresh water to the community. Get active on a fat-tire bike ride or, conditions and tide permitting, a kayaking excursion through the mangroves in Man of War Cove.
Hull Canal
Take in the scenery and watch for pods of bow-riding dolphins as the ship navigates this winding canal. Within its narrow channels, bordered by mangroves and sand dunes and filled with abundant wildlife, join your keen-eyed naturalists on deck to spot species and hear expert commentary. Weather permitting, explore the vast mangrove system by kayak and Zodiac. Bird-watching can be excellent here, with various seabirds and shorebirds patrolling the beaches as they fatten up and prepare for long journeys to their summer breeding grounds. You might see anything from diving pelicans and wheeling cormorants to terns, great blue herons, ibis, whimbrels and willets.
Boca de Soledad
Settle in for unforgettable experiences in this tranquil lagoon. Each winter, during their long migration, gray whales travel south from their Arctic feeding grounds to breed and give birth to their calves in these sheltered waters. Venture out in local pangas to view the numerous mother-calf pairs that thrive in the region. With luck, enjoy up-close interactions with these curious creatures.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, disembark the ship and transfer to the Loreto airport for flights home or to Loreto's city center to begin your two-night history and whale-watching extension.
Departure Time: Depart after 1:00 p.m. local time.
Departure City: Loreto, Mexico
Meals Included: Breakfast
Itineraries are subject to change.
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Vessel Type: Comfortable Expedition
Length: 52 metres
Passenger Capacity: 62 (in twin cabins)
Built: 1982 / Refurbished 2015
Nimble, reliable, and built for discovery, National Geographic Sea Lion and National Geographic Sea Bird are twin expedition ships expertly crafted to explore the wild and remote coastlines of North and Central America. Designed with shallow draughts and a compact size, these U.S.-flagged vessels can access places that larger ships simply cannot—slipping into narrow channels teeming with whales, anchoring in secluded bays ideal for snorkelling and kayaking, and edging close to waterfalls and rugged landscapes. With only 62 guests on board each ship and a warm, welcoming crew of 30, the atmosphere remains informal and intimate, fostering a close-knit sense of shared adventure.
Both ships offer 31 outside cabins across three decks, along with inviting public spaces such as a lounge with a full-service bar, a library, and a partially covered sundeck with ample seating. Dining is enjoyed in a relaxed, single-seating arrangement with no assigned tables, and menus highlight sustainable and locally sourced ingredients wherever possible. Guests can make use of a fleet of Zodiacs, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards for immersive exploration, while an “open bridge” policy allows them to interact with the Captain and crew, learning about navigation first-hand. Often described as reminiscent of Cousteau’s Calypso, these ships embody the spirit of true expedition cruising with modern comfort and deep engagement with the natural world.
Optional tours and excursions available. Please contact us for more details.
Inclusions
• All accommodations, meals, and non-alcoholic beverages aboard ships
• Use of snorkeling equipment, wet suits, and kayaks (where available)
• Services of our expert expedition team and guest speakers
• Services of a ship physician on most voyages
• Certain hotels and meals ashore as indicated in the itinerary
• Round-trip transfers based on group flights
• Shore excursions, sightseeing, entrance fees, and special access permits
• Taxes, service charges, and tips (except for ship’s crew, at our guests’ discretion)
Exclusions
• Air transportation (except when we indicated in the itinerary, as included) Extensions
• Passport, visa, and immigration fees
• Travel Protection Plan
• Special and unique excursions such as scuba diving, flightseeing, etc. (where offered)
• Alcoholic beverages (alcohol is included on select ships)
• Items of personal nature
• Phone and Internet Service
• Laundry
• Gratuity for ship’s crew, at our guests’ discretion (crew tips are included on select ships)
Expedition
Our Associates Include
