Baja – Marine Wildlife Adventure

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Signature Journey

6 Days / 5 Nights

$4,195 Adult / $3,995 Child

Swim with whale sharks, snorkel with sea lions & help protect sea turtles in this Baja ocean adventure.

The Experience

Named “the Aquarium of the World” by Jacques Cousteau, the tranquil waters around La Paz on the southern Baja peninsula are home to 39% of the world’s marine mammals. Add to that a climate that boasts sunny days year round and some of Mexico’s most progressive culinary trends and you have a destination that is unrivaled in natural beauty and culture.

Over the course of 6 days, embark on a true wildlife adventure. Swim with whale sharks, scout for whales, snorkel alongside sea lion colonies and lend a hand to an organization helping to protect sea turtles. Spend two nights camping under the stars on the amazing Isla Espiritu Santo before heading to the artsy village of Todos Santos where we’ll have an authentic Mexican cooking class, surfing lessons and time to relax in our high-end villas overlooking the ocean.

A Family-Inspired Ocean & Wildlife Expedition

The perfect trip for families looking to travel close to home. A 6-day journey of truly epic proportions that will take you from the Sea of Cortez to the Pacific Ocean!

Our Impact

The turquoise waters of the Sea of Cortez and the neighboring Pacific Ocean are home to an abundance of sea life that is unmatched in this part of the world. We’ll explore all of this by kayak, paddle board, surfboard and snorkel, but also take time to meet with three organizations working to protect this landscape and its unique wildlife. Lend a hand collecting real time data on sea turtles with a local sea turtle conservation group one day and meet up with Mar Libre, a volunteer group dedicated to cleaning the mangroves and reefs of Baja California. Together, these experiences will provide a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the impactful environmental work being done in Baja.

Where You’ll Stay

Start your trip at the charming 4-star Hotel Catedral in the seaside town of La Paz. A contemporary boutique hotel in the historic city center, you’ll feel like you’ve taken a step back in time as the church bells ring across the street. Take in the sites and sounds of the city from the roof deck, swim in the rooftop pool or simply relax by the hotel’s iconic cocktail bar.

We’ll then venture out by boat to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Isla Espiritu Santo. A marine park that covers 48,000 hectares will be your backyard as we spend two nights camping under the stars. Keep in mind this is not the camping you may be imagining. Our dome tents include comfortable mattresses, a chef that dreams up our meals and mixes drinks and a view that is unrivaled.

The last two nights will be spent in the vibrant coastal oasis of Todos Santos. Your home will be Los Colibris Casitas, a boutique hotel sitting in the hills overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Each of the casas and casitas has magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean, a freshwater estuary and a palm grove oasis to the front, and the Sierra de la Laguna mountains to the side and back.

Itinerary Overview

Land in San Jose del Cabo and transfer 2.5 hours north to La Paz on the Sea of Cortez. Settle into your hotel and head into town for a delicous welcome dinner. The next two days will be spent exploring the National Marine Park surrounding Isla Espiritu Santo. Head out snorkeling alongside a sea lion community, stand up paddle board, kayak and meet with an organization protecting sea turtles.

On Day 4, spend a morning swimming with whale sharks before venturing to the pueblo magico town of Todos Santos to settle into our hotel before a gourmet taco dinner together. Choose to embark on a surf lesson the following morning or venture into the artsy village of Todos Santos. In the afternoon, enjoy some free time exploring Todos Santos followed by a memorable cooking class in the evening. Head to the airport on Day 6 for flights home.

Your Expert Local Guide

Discover Corps’ expert family of guides around the world are by your side throughout the journey. Please note that the actual guide may vary from date-to-date.

Bernardo Cruz Monfort

Equipped with a degree in Biology from Mexico’s most prestigious university, UNAM, Bernardo first came to Baja California in 1999 to conduct a survey of geese in Magdalena Bay for a Mexican NGO. He immediately fell in love with the area, and continued his career as a biologist with various organizations in Mexico. While he loved that work, he wanted to be more immersed in nature more of the time so he switched to guiding in Baja California Sur, where he quickly became one of the most respected guides in the state. Bernardo spends most of his free time mountain biking or running. 

Traveler’s Journal

La Paz absolutely blew us away. It’s an off-the-beaten path destination with some of the most amazing marine life I have ever seen. For goodness sakes, we swam next to whale sharks! Camping on Isla Espiritu Santo was an experience we will always look back on – not one moment disappointed us! Truly the perfect getaway right in our backyard.

Elissa D.

Encinitas, CA

Read More Discover Corps Reviews

Rating: 5/5 stars

Dates and Prices

Our trips are inclusive of all activities, lodging, transport and meals to make your experience hassle-free.

$4,195 Adult

$3,995 Child

  • Double Occupancy Price. Children’s pricing applies to travelers 16 years old and younger sharing a room with an adult
  • Single Room Supplement = $795. You are required to pay this SRS fee if we are unable to find you a suitable roommate.

What’s Included:

  • 3 nights accommodation in 4-star boutique hotels and 2 nights at an island camp
  • All transportation including roundtrip airport transfer
  • All meals from welcome dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on final day
  • Happy hour and drinks with dinner on the island & margaritas with cooking class
  • All adventure activities and related equipment as indicated in the itinerary
  • Bilingual naturalist guides who are certified Wilderness First Responders, NOM-9 graduates and Leave No Trace certified
  • $50,000 emergency medical evacuation insurance
  • Trip literature and pre-departure support from Discover Corps
  • 24-hour Discover Corps emergency hotline

What’s Not Included:

  • Tips for the Discover Corps guide and driver
  • International airfare

*Weather and wildlife can be unpredictible. Windy weather conditions could close the port and inhibit our reaching the island by boat. In the unlikely event that we anticipate poor weather leading up to the trip, we will modify the itinerary to accommodate. The whale shark season is open between November and April though it’s subject to close by the government based on local whale shark numbers at any given time. Discover Corps will make adjustments and provide alternative activities should this occur without notice.

Dates

Our intimate, small-group departures consist of like-minded travelers. Don’t see a date that works? Want to make it private? Schedule a personal travel consultation and we’ll make it happen.

2024 Dates

March 30-April 04, 2024

November 24-29, 2024

November 30-December 5, 2024

December 14-19, 2024

December 21-26, 2024

2025 Dates

January 11-16, 2025

January 25-30, 2025

February 12-17, 2025

February 22-27, 2025

March 8-13, 2025

March 22-27, 2025

March 29-April 3, 2025

April 5-10, 2025

November 22-27, 2025

November 29-December 4, 2025

December 13-18, 2025

December 20-25, 2025

December 27-January 1, 2026

Alumni & Family Discounts, Monthly Payment Plans, and More

Repeat travelers and groups are eligible for discounts. Looking for a payment plan to help manage your trip? Learn more here.

Customized Private Trips

Let us create a custom trip for your group. Learn more about custom group travel.