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Come explore Baja this spring during the lush months of April, May, June and early July. This is an ideal time for families and all to sail among these islands. Conditions are excellent - consistently calm and warm waters make for ideal swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. Our intimate ships, the Sea Bird, Sea Lion and Sea Voyager, accommodate 60 - 68 guests. They are fully equipped with Zodiacs, kayaks and a convenient swimming platform on the stern, we'll emphasize time in the water! But time on land will be wonderful too: air temperatures are warm but not oppressively hot and spring rains bring forth colorful cactus blossoms.

With over 20 years' experience in this region, we'll show you the best that Baja has to offer. See whales up close from the deck of our ship - best bets are fin, sperm and Bryde's, but other possibilities include blue and orca. Hike miles of uninhabited beaches and desert. Observe myriad seabirds. Kayak in pristine waters, scuba dive among reef fish and enjoy the serenity of a sunset beach barbecue.

The Sea of Cortez harbors over fifty remote islands, many with plants and animals that have evolved into distinct endemic species. Some in the scientific world refer to this region as "Mexico's Galapagos." This unique journey includes the seldom-visited Midriff Islands and is designed with no set itinerary, adding a stimulating sense of adventure to each day. Come join our spring season in Baja!

Day 1 - Los Angeles/Loreto/Embark

Depart Los Angeles and fly to Loreto, Baja California, Mexico and embark your vessel.

Accommodations: M/V Sea Bird
Included Meals: dinner

Days 2-7 - Exploring the Sea of Cortez

This expedition is designed to take advantage of the best wildlife and exploring opportunities in the area. We will keep ourselves open to the possibilities. Our routing will include the islands listed below, although the order may vary:


Islas San Esteban and San Pedro Martir In the morning land on Isla San Esteban for a walk up a desert wash, to search for desert birds and the endemic pinto chuckwalla a fat, harmless desert lizard. In the afternoon visit Isla San Pedro Martir, a 1,000-foot-high guano-covered island that is home to thousands of seabirds. At this time of year blue-footed boobies, red-billed tropic birds, pelicans and frigate birds are all found here. A Zodiac cruise gives us close views of the birds and throngs of sea lions along the shoreline, and kayaks allow for personal explorations.

Canal de Ballenas and Isla Angel de la Guarda In Canal de Ballenas it may be possible to see many species of whales and dolphins. Fin, sperm, and orca whales, bottlenose and common dolphin are among the species found in these waters. Later we land on Isla Angel de la Guarda for hikes among elephant trees and cardon cactus, and another opportunity for kayaking along a remote island shoreline.

Isla Rasa In the spring one of the great wildlife spectacles of the Sea of Cortez is in full swing at Isla Rasa the nesting of thousands of Heermann's gulls and elegant and royal terns. This population of seabirds has been closely studied for many years, and we will go ashore to meet the researchers and unobtrusively observe the nesting, feeding and territorial behavior of these three species.

Isla San Marcos At Isla San Marcos there is a beautiful cove for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and kayaking, and a broad arroyo leading into the interior, with intriguing desert plants and good opportunities for bird watching. In the afternoon we are again in rich whale waters, near the mouth of Bahia Concepcion where we stand a good chance of sighting several species of whales, particularly fin or sperm.

Isla Santa Catalina This morning we'll search for whales in the waters south of Isla Carmen, an area that has proven to be one of the best for finding blue whales, and often bottlenose and common dolphins. In the afternoon we visit Isla Santa Catalina, famous for its giant barrel cactus and rattleless rattlesnake. The protected bay of our anchorage is also an excellent site for snorkeling. With a full afternoon here there is time for swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, hiking and kayaking.

Islas Los Islotes and Espiritu Santo At Isla Los Islotes, snorkelers have one of life's great opportunities swimming with graceful, curious sea lions. With a deeply indented shoreline and dramatically eroded cliff faces, Isla Espiritu Santo is perhaps the most beautiful island in the Sea of Cortez. We have a leisurely afternoon for swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, and in the evening a beach barbecue under the desert sky.

Accommodations: M/V Sea Bird
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - Loreto/Disembark Ship/Return U.S.

This morning after breakfast we disembark in Loreto for flights back to the U.S.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast

Cost Includes: Ship-board accommodations, all meals, shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage; Leadership by experienced expedition staff; Presentations by noted naturalists and other experts; Zodiac cruising and transfers to and from the ship for shore excursions; Kayaks, wet suits and snorkeling equipment; Comprehensive pre-departure information kit.

Not Included: Airfare to Mexico, excess baggage charges, taxes and port fees, gratuities to Naturalist Staff and crew, items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages, and insurance of any kind.

Single Travelers: Single cabins are available in Category 2 only. Singles willing to share are guaranteed the double rate in all categories.

Sea Kayaking: While every trip offers the opportunity to paddle right from the ship, some departures are designed for paddlers. Kayakers - from beginners to experienced - can enjoy these expeditions. Our sea kayaks are extremely stable, and with the assistance of our guides anyone can learn in a matter of minutes. For the experienced kayaker there will be daily opportunities for long, vigorous paddles (up to 4 hours), but it will also be possible to do leisurely explorations if you prefer. There will always be a Zodiac trailing behind, for safety as well as for picking up anyone who has decided they have had enough. And each day, in addition to the kayaking, there will be other activities, such as snorkeling, swimming, hiking, Zodiac cruises, or just relaxing on deck. During the night, our floating lodge will be under way and the next morning you will awake in another unique and beautiful part of the Sea of Cortez.

Most days the ship will drop the kayakers and then move off to an anchorage some miles away, leaving you to paddle in solitude as you explore the coastline or some remote stretch of the Baja peninsula. The ship's staff will have a lunch waiting on the beach, or in the air-conditioned lounge or dining room aboard the ship. When not kayaking, there will be snorkeling in the clear waters or hikes ashore. If there are reports of whales near by, we might cruise out for a search. Some evenings we will have a beach barbecue under the desert sky, other evenings dinner will be served onboard as we travel to the next destination. Alongside the rich diversity of each day's experience there will be several constants: you can be as active, or inactive as you wish, you will be able to nourish body and spirit, immersed in the wild beauty of Baja and the Sea of Cortez, and each evening you will enjoy the comforts of your floating lodge.

SCUBA Diving: the Sea Voyager is fully outfitted for scuba diving. We will offer scuba service during our May-July departures, please call for details.

Payment and Cancellation Policy: Please see AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. We highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with

Accommodations Aboard: Our twin expedition ships, M.V. Sea Lion and M.V. Sea Bird comfortably accommodates 70 guests in 37 outside cabins. All cabins face outside with windows or portlights (Lower Deck only). Each has private facilities, climate controls and ample space to hang and store clothing. Public Areas include a Lounge with bar and facilities for films, slide shows and lectures; Library; Sun Deck with chairs; Outside Deck area for viewing. Our open Bridge policy allows you to meet officers and crew. Meals are served in the Dining Room in one unhurried seating with fine views through panoramic windows. Breakfast is a wide selection buffet and lunch is often served family style. American chefs prepare wholesome and varied menus. Special Features: Zodiac landing craft, sea kayaks, snorkeling gear, wet suits, video microscope, hydrophone and Splash-Cam. An Undersea Specialist will be on board in Baja. A Video Chronicler will be on board all voyages.

Our expedition ship, M.V. Sea Voyager comfortably accommodates 60 guests in 31 spacious outside cabins. All cabins are above the waterline, with large picture windows. Each has lower berths, private facilities, climate controls and ample space to hang and store clothing. Public Areas include a glass-enclosed Lounge and full-service bar can be opened to sea breezes or closed and air-conditioned; Library; A canopied Sun Deck with chairs and wide-open Observation Deck area for viewing. Our "open Bridge" policy allows you to meet officers and crew. Meals are served in the Dining Room in one unhurried seating with fine views through panoramic windows. Breakfast is a wide selection buffet. Lunch is often served on the Sun Deck or in the Lounge. American chefs prepare wholesome and varied menus. Special Features: Zodiac landing craft, sea kayaks, snorkeling gear, wet suits, video microscope, hydrophone and Splash-Cam. An Undersea Specialist will be on board in Baja. A Video Chronicler will be on board all voyages.

Qualifications: This trip will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good health and leads an active life. Daily excursions from the boat will be made in Zodiacs. Trip members will take excursions to specific areas for wildlife observation. Hiking time for most landings will be a couple of hours roundtrip 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.

General Information: 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, extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation. We strongly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance through AdventureSmith Explorations. If purchased within 14 days of sign-up, the pre-existing condition exclusion is waived.

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Call today.

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