A Southern Migration: From the Channel Islands to Baja California
Enter a time machine: see the SoCal coast as it is and as it was while making time-warping discoveries. Depart Los Angeles’s bustling port for the nearby Channel Islands to witness intact wildness, complete with thriving endemic species, mere nautical miles from a sprawling metropolis. Sail south, going behind the scenes at a world-class vineyard and dining at a private lunch at a boutique vineyard in the world-renowned Valle de Guadalupe. Meet the residents of Isla Natividad, an incredibly successful co-op within the Vizcaino Biosphere, and learn the inspiring story of their sustainable fishing practices. And throughout, keep an eye to the horizon for migrating whales.
Highlights
• Discover the incredible biodiversity of Channel Islands National Park, home to over 2,000 species including 145 endemics
• In El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve, we explore Mexico's largest protected area. It is where resident snd migratory songbirds inhabit the arid landscape, dotted with sentinel cacti, adjacent to the Pacific where elephant seals quarrel on remote islands, seabirds wheel overhead and dolphins cut the ocean's surface.
• Hike across the ever-shifting sand dunes of Isla Magdalena and count the 40 species of birds that inhabit this area
• Watch the sunrise over the iconic El Arco de Cabo San Lucas
• Snorkel in Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park, the only hard coral reef in North America, with over 220 species of fish
Arrive in Los Angeles by early afternoon. Transfer to the port to embark National Geographic Venture.
Arrival Time: Arrive before 3:00 p.m. local time.
Arrival City: Los Angeles, California
Meals Included: Dinner
Not far from the city lights, these islands are a world away, home to incredibly diverse and endemic flora and fauna. Spend the day kayaking, hiking one of the many trails, or simply relaxing ashore. Learn the fascinating prehistory of these islands from our naturalists.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Vineyards and culinary marvels await in one of the world’s hottest up-and-coming wine regions. See what the hype is all about as we visit a family-run vineyard for a private tour, tasting, and lunch.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Explore Bahía de San Quintín and surrounding islands—home to 400+ species of plants, animals, and birds, including 23 seabird species. The bay is located along the Pacific Flyway migration route and sees more than 25,000 birds pass through in the winter.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Explore El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve and its plentiful wildlife, sailing to Islas San Benito, home to thousands of breeding elephant seals, and on to Isla Natividad to learn of the community’s exemplary protection of the fragile ecosystems of the reserve. We are at sea the following day searching for a wide variety of marine life, including the largest animal on Earth, the blue whale, listening to naturalist talks, and learning photography tips and tricks.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Isla Magdalena and the bay of the same name are irresistible treats for the nature lover. Come to know this island while hiking the ever-shifting, wind-sculpted dunes on our cross-island transit to Sand Dollar Beach. Watch for coyote tracks in the soft dunes and spot migratory shorebirds. Many—including western sandpipers, whimbrels, willets, Wilson’s and black-bellied plovers, and marbled godwits—are concluding their southbound journeys here. Observe astounding flora, like the endemic and sideways-growing creeping devil, a columnar cactus thick with spines packed together to protect against herbivores and the relentless sun. This evening, as we exit the bay, be on the lookout for beaked dolphins and, with luck, a humpback whale.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cruise past Friars Rocks and visit the historic town center of San José del Cabo before cruising Gorda Banks seamount or La Fortuna, renowned gathering places for whales, dolphins, and other marine life.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Snorkel the pristine reefs of Cabo Pulmo National Park and chat with locals about their advocacy to protect this unique place. With luck, swim with sea lions before relaxing ashore.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Disembark in La Paz and transfer to Los Cabos airport for flights home.
Departure Time: Depart after 2:00 p.m. local time.
Departure City: San Jose del Cabo, Mexico
Meals Included: Breakfast
Itineraries are subject to change.
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Category 5 Suite
Vessel Type: Expedition Ship
Passenger Capacity: 100
Built: 2017
National Geographic Venture is a purpose-built expedition vessel designed to follow the seasons and uncover the wild beauty of North America’s west coast and Baja California. A sister ship to National Geographic Quest, she was constructed at the renowned Nichols Brothers shipyard in the Pacific Northwest, continuing a legacy of shipbuilding excellence that began with Sea Bird and Sea Lion in the 1970s. Carrying 100 guests in 50 comfortable cabins, Venture offers the perfect balance of modern amenities and expedition-ready design, with a shallow draught that allows for access to hidden coves, narrow inlets, and wildlife-rich waters.
On board, guests enjoy spacious public areas including a lounge with bar and presentation space, a dining room with open seating, a Global Gallery, fitness centre, and a furnished sundeck. A mudroom with lockers keeps expedition gear handy, while the open Bridge invites guests to learn from the Captain and crew. With twin Zodiac platforms for efficient embarkation, Venture is ideally suited for spontaneous wildlife encounters and exploration by paddleboard or kayak. Her design, informed by over 50 years of expedition expertise, ensures an immersive, flexible, and unforgettable experience at sea.
Special Offers
SUITE EXCLUSIVES
Spacious living areas and incredible views immerse you in the beauty of your marine surroundings. Our new Suite Exclusives package helps make your voyage all the more memorable.
10% OFF BACK-TO-BACK VOYAGES
Save 10% on consecutive departures, applicable on voyage fares only and not valid on extensions or airfare. Valid for new bookings only, subject to availability, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
SAVE 5% TRAVELING AS A GROUP
Save 5% when traveling as a group of eight or more people. Valid on voyage fares only and not applicable on extensions or airfare. Deposit, final payments, and cancellation policies for group travel vary from our regular policies. Valid for new bookings only, subject to availability, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
CELEBRATE LIFE'S MILESTONES
Celebrate a milestone with a group of eight or more and enjoy a special amenity package including: 5% savings on voyage fares, custom group photo, US$150 shipboard credit for the group, and other special gifts. Milestone celebration to be communicated at time of booking.
BRINGING THE KIDS
We believe sharing an expedition with your kids or grandkids is a life-enhancing experience. So take $715 off for each child under the age of 18.
COMBINING OFFERS
Combine now and save!
Certain offers may be combinable, up to two savings opportunities, except where noted otherwise. For example, travel with a group of 8 or more on back-to-back expeditions, and take advantage of both savings.
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
