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Holiday Journeys in the Sea of Cortez

We invite you to celebrate the holiday season in an extraordinary way when you sail on our Sea of Cortez cruise this December. There will be a host of activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, hiking, Zodiac cruises, or just relaxing on deck. If there are reports of whales near by, we will cruise out for a search. 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.

In December, temperatures are typically in the 70s, the sky is clear blue from sunrise to sunset and while on our Sea of Cortez cruise, you will experience an ocean that is teeming with life, with platoons of pelicans, dolphins surfacing and the antics of rays and boobies! This is an extraordinary place — it’s dramatic, full of life with endless possibilities to walk, swim, snorkel and kayak.

Day 1 - US/Los Cabos or La Paz/Embark at La Paz

You begin your expedition by flying into Los Cabos or La Paz. You will be met at the airport and driven to the ship where you can embark. Once you have settled into your room, enjoy a welcome cocktail hour followed by dinner. The ship sets sail in the late afternoon, at which time you just may find yourself leaning against the deck, drink in hand, marveling at a spectacular Baja sunset.

Accommodations: M/V Sea Bird
Included Meals: dinner

Day 2 - Isla San Jose

Isla San Jose has a highly varied mixture of habitats. Take Zodiac cruises and kayaks into mangrove channels in search of shorebirds and waders. Nearby are ancient shell mounds, or middens, that reveal traces of former occupation by the Guaicura Indians.

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

Day 3 - Isla Ildefonso

Isla Ildefonso is a small and rugged island that is home to many nesting seabirds, including blue-footed and brown boobies. You will have the opportunity to take a zodiac cruise along the shoreline to closer observe the birdlife. Marine life also awaits our discovery, by way of snorkeling we can reveal this colorful underwater world.

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

Day 4 - Isla Santa Catalina

This morning we search for marine life in the waters around Isla Danzante, another rich area for dolphins. In the afternoon, we visit Isla Santa Catalina for walks among huge cacti, snorkeling in the clear waters of our anchorage along the rugged shoreline.

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

Day 5 - Isla San Francisco

Isla San Francisco and its natural harbor, a calm crescent-shaped bay, will allow us to consider activities such as Zodiac cruising, kayaking or relaxing on the beach. Walks ashore allow us a different perspective in exploring the island and always provide spectacular views.

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

Day 6 - Exploring the Sea of Cortez

The shores surrounding the sea of Cortez have many beautiful bays where there are beaches for swimming and long, gently sloping arroyos for walks inland. This time of year cacti may be in flower and wildflowers in bloom. No matter where you explore, you will have an opportunity for one last vigorous paddle in the kayaks.

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

Day 7 - Los Islotes and Isla Espiritu Santo

With deeply indented shorelines and dramatically eroded cliff faces, Los Islotes and Isla Espiritu Santo are two of the most beautiful islands in the Sea of Cortez. Here you will be able to swim and snorkel in the turquoise waters, perhaps with some curious sea lions. Zodiac rides, rare bird sightings, the possibility of spotting an endemic black rabbit, or simply some relaxing beachcombing are all possibilities today. Dinner this evening will be a beach barbeque and campfire under the star-filled desert sky.

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

Day 8 - La Paz/Disembark Ship/Return U.S

After breakfast on board the ship, disembark and have time to explore La Paz before lunch and 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.

Payment and Cancellation Policy: Please see AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions.

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.


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.

For additional information and reservations, please contact us:

800-728-2875 | 530-583-1775 | fax 530-583-1711 | travel@AdventureSmithExplorations.com