trip specifics

price

Cousteau's Aquarium of the World Baja California cruise offers exclusive expedition cruising in the marine life-rich waters explored by Jacques Cousteau. Uncover the area of Cabo Pulmo, where the French oceanographer led numerous expeditions. Snorkel in the jewel of Isla Cerralvo, known for its hard coral reef and multitude of marine life like snappers, sharks, manta rays, marlin, tuna, sea turtles and whale sharks.

Explore beautiful Isla Espiritu Santo by kayak, hike among towering desert cacti, discover the centuries-old mission town of Loreto and try your hand at paddleboarding in a calm bay. This unique itinerary is active yet maintains an explorer's pace for whale watching and other marine life encounters.

Day 1 - Embark San José del Cabo, Baja California

You’ll be met at the Los Cabos International Airport and transferred to the ship's hospitality area in San José del Cabo. This afternoon, the Captain and crew welcome you aboard the Safari Voyager before setting sail for a sunset cruise, cocktails and dinner.

Accommodations: Safari Voyager
Included Meals: dinner

Day 2 - Cabo Pulmo & Isla Cerralvo

Kick off your week at Cabo Pulmo National Park—a snorkeler’s jewel and home to a multitude of marine life, large groupers and snappers, sharks, mantas, marlin, tuna and sea turtles—for a chance to snorkel, kayak and explore by skiff in this living coral reef. French Oceanographer Jacques Cousteau led numerous expeditions in the area of Isla Cerralvo. An exploratory hike on a desert mountain and water sports in a setting of steep bluffs and sandy beaches make it an exciting first day.

Accommodations: Safari Voyager
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 - La Paz

Whale sharks, the largest known species of fish in the ocean, are known to frequent the Bahía de La Paz. Keep watch for the "footprint" of these gentle giants along the water’s tranquil surface. Conditions permitting, you may luck out with a chance to don your snorkel gear and swim alongside this colossal and mysterious creature. An afternoon in centuries-old La Paz offers free time for shopping, a museum visit and a stroll along the miles-long malecón.

Accommodations: Safari Voyager
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Marine Mammal Search & Bahia Agua Verde

The gulf’s rich ecosystem is the perfect environment for a marine life search. With binoculars in hand, keep your eyes peeled for pods of dolphins, blue, fin, sei, orca and sperm whales as they spout and dive in the surrounding waters. Blue-footed boobies, brown pelicans, cormorants and gulls also make this area their home, and on shore you may catch a glimpse of a Costa’s hummingbird or ash-throated flycatchers. At Bahía Agua Verde, clear waters are bordered by sparse craggy mountains hemmed in green. Experience the “real Baja” on a skiff excursion, visiting a local ranchero family, bird watching and exploring the arroyo on a burro ride. Scenic vistas, crystalline waters and unmatched camaraderie fill your day.

Accommodations: Safari Voyager
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Loreto & Isla Carmen

Situated on the edge of the Loreto National Marine Park—created to protect the rich biodiversity of the area—sits Loreto, founded in 1697 as the first Spanish settlement on the Baja California Peninsula. A bounty of arts and crafts shops line the streets and plazas of this leisurely seaside village, and a guided walking tour reveals its history. Shop for local art and visit Loreto's historical buildings and mission. Enjoy an afternoon identifying animal tracks, seeking endemic wildlife or snorkeling in the desert landscape of Isla Carmen.

Accommodations: Safari Voyager
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Whale Watching

The gulf’s rich ecosystem is the perfect environment for a marine life search. With binoculars in hand, keep your eyes peeled for pods of dolphins, blue, fin, sei, orca and sperm whales as they spout and dive in the surrounding waters. Blue-footed boobies, brown pelicans, cormorants and gulls also make this area their home and on shore you may catch a glimpse of a Costa’s hummingbird or an ash-throated flycatcher. Drop anchor in a hidden cove straight out of a movie set for another chance to kayak, snorkel and beachcomb, or take an inland hike ashore.

Accommodations: Safari Voyager
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Los Islotes & Isla Espíritu Santo

Rise up for an early morning snorkel at Los Islotes, a protrusion of rock rising sharply from the sea. Bravely slip into a wetsuit to snorkel with the curious and playful sea lion pups, or observe the colony from the boat and skiff. Formed by a volcanic crater—and one of the most beautiful islands in Baja—the Island of the Holy Spirit offers some of the best kayaking in the world. There’ll be ample time ashore today for beachcombing along the shell-strewn shore; hiking inland among exotic desert cacti; and kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling and skiffing in one of the island’s idyllic wild bays. After tonight’s special Farewell Dinner, your Expedition Leader recaps the week’s adventure with a slideshow.

Accommodations: Safari Voyager
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - Disembark San José del Cabo, Baja California

After breakfast, your weeklong adventure ends in San José del Cabo. A transfer to the Los Cabos airport is provided.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast



Extend Your Trip: As either a pre- or post- Sea of Cortes cruise extension, we offer the Intimate Insider exploration of Baja California. This extension is a 7-day land adventure that will treat you like a pampered guest but make you feel like a local.

Itinerary Notes: Use the itinerary as a guide only. Itineraries may be altered due to weather, wildlife, National Park regulation or at the captain's discretion. The ability to be flexible makes this type of small ship cruising unique.

Included: All onboard meals; premium spirits, wine, and beer; exclusive roundtrip transfers and baggage handling between Los Cabos airport and yacht; taxes and port fees; entry fees to national parks/preserves; all from-the-boat adventure activities and equipment; yoga classes and a complimentary massage.

Exclusions: Round-trip airfare from your hometown to San José del Cabo, Mexico; passport and visa expenses; baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (strongly recommended); excess baggage charges and any telecommunications charges; and gratuities.

Room Configurations: Any stateroom (except single) may be sold as a single for 175% of the double-occupancy rate. Triple accommodations are available in the Jr. Commodore Suites; inquire with AdventureSmith for pricing details.

Families & Children: Families with children under the age of 12 should consider select "Kids in Nature" cruises (marked Family dates) or book a private yacht charter for the whole family. It is the parents' or guardians' responsibility to supervise children at all times. Kids in Nature special departures have additional kid-friendly programs and offer a savings of 25% off the published rate for kids 12 years of age and under. Children under 18 years old traveling with a third party of legal age (grandparent, aunt/uncle, etc) require a special consent document by Mexican Migration Law.

Arrival & Departure: The Cousteau's Aquarium of the World cruise begins and ends in San José del Cabo, Baja California. If arriving on departure day, flights into Los Cabos International Airport should arrive no later than 4:30pm. Disembarkation is after breakfast on the last day at 9:00am. Flights out of Los Cabos should depart no earlier than 12:00 noon.

Payment & Cancellation: A deposit of $1500 per person is required to secure a 2013 reservation. For 2014 and beyond, the deposit is $750 per person. A Reservation Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Cancellations are subject to the following per-person fees, based on number of days prior to departure:
91 days or more - 50% of initial deposit
90 to 61 days - Forfeiture of full deposit
60 to 46 days - 50% of gross fare
45 to 31 days - 75% of gross fare
30 to 0 days - 100% of gross fare

Terms & Conditions: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation.

Travel Insurance: We highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with travel insurance. Please note that you must purchase your travel insurance policy within 14 days of booking your trip for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions. Click the link below for a selection of policies from our partners at Travelex.



Qualifications: Cousteau's Aquarium of the World Baja Cruise will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good health and leads an active life. Daily excursions from the boat will be made in skiffs. Trip members will take excursions to specific areas for wildlife observation. Hiking time for most landings will be a couple of hours round-trip with lots of time to stop to study, photograph and enjoy the flora and fauna. Some landings are dry but many are "wet," requiring cautious footing on slippery rocks. The boat staff will be on hand to assist.


return to top of page

AdventureSmith Explorations

Travel Specialists  |  Contact Us