Sea of Cortez South (Adventure) (8 Days / 7 Nights - 5 Dives)
Trip highlights: dolphins, manta rays, whales, schooling fish & big pelagics, non diving activities, onboard experts on photography, onboard experts on wildlife and natural history
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Locations are flexible, depending on where the aerial support finds the mobulas and orcas. Often the best area is the triangle near La Paz between Espiritu Santo, Carpenter Rock (on the west side of Cerralvo), and Las Ventanas on Baja California
Day 1
Guests meet at the Nautilus dive center in Cabo San Lucas at 4 pm for any rental equipment. There will then be a complimentary underwater photography workshop on backscatter in preparation for the incredible photo opportunities you are going to have over the next few days. At 7:30 pm you will board the Nautilus Gallant Lady. There will then be a boat briefing of the features, facilities and safety measures on board. Enjoy a delicious dinner then settle into your cabin as the boat gets underway for Cabo Pulmo.
Days 2-7
This is a special cruise with the primary focus of snorkelling and freediving with enormous schools of mobula rays, thousands strong, as they migrate across the Sea of Cortez, and the orcas (killer whales) that follow to prey on them. Mobulas are typically 5-7 feet across, and males leap far out of the water. You will also encounter them at night as they swarm around the boat lights in shallow protected bays. The orcas are an amazing sight too as they can grow up to 30 ft / 9m long and swim at 35 mph / 50 kmh.
Spotting planes will support the cruise for 3 days to assist with finding the biggest groups of mobula rays. Guests will be divided in to 2 groups at a time to use the high speed support boat to get them in the water at the optimal time. In the late afternoons, you take advantage of the kayaks and paddle boards, or take a beach hike.
The food served during your safari is a mix of Mexican and western style cuisine. A 'help yourself' continental breakfast features fresh baked goods, a fruit plate, homemade granola, cereals, yoghurt, toast, fresh orange or mango juice, and oatmeal. A plated cooked breakfast is also served and is a mix of buffet and cooked-to-order: eggs, cheese omelets, sausages, hash browns and toast. There is a great variety on offer for buffet lunch, from homemade Italian pizzas and fish tacos, to quesadillas and fish burgers. At dinner a nice array of both Mexican and American style meals will be served, plated, buffet or family style.
On the penultimate day of the tour you will have the opportunity to dive or snorkel at Cabo Pulmo World Heritage Biosphere Reserve, home to some of the fishiest waters around. Finish the day enjoying a delicious dinner under the stars as you sail again to Cabo San Lucas.
Day 8
Disembarkation time at Cabo San Lucas is usually at around 8:30 am. The operator will help you arrange taxi transfers back to your local hotel or airport after breakfast.
Magdalena Bay (8 Days / 7 Nights - 12 Dives)
Trip highlights: hammerhead sharks, shark action, dolphins, whales, seals/sea lions, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, off the beaten track
Dive sites and activities: Snorkelling, free-diving and scuba diving in Magdalena Bay, SS Independence and USS Seawolf.
Day 1
Guests meet at the Nautilus dive center in Cabo San Lucas to check-in and collect any rental equipment, from 9 am to 4 pm. Then you will board the Nautilus Gallant Lady in Cabo at 5:30 pm for a boat briefing of the features, facilities and safety measures on board. Enjoy a delicious lunch and dinner as you settle into your cabin and the boat gets underway for Magdalena Bay. The journey takes around 15 hours.
Days 2-7
During October and November, a magical event happens in the nutrient rich swirling blue waters off Magdalena Bay - the second largest sardine run in the world, where striped marlin gather to hunt on bait balls. This thrilling underwater action is spectacular. There is also an excellent chance of seeing California sea lions, dolphins, wahoo, pelicans, different species of gulls, boobies, frigate birds, shearwaters, and even the awe-inspiring albatross.
While it’s best to snorkel or free dive around the bait balls, there will be plenty of scuba diving opportunities on your week long trip with massive schools of fish, turtles and the wreck of a World War I submarine and the passenger steamship SS Independence. But wait, there is more! Humpback whales are on the move at this time of year and, if you are really lucky, we might even see orcas or blue whales!
The food served during your safari is a mix of Mexican and western style cuisine. A 'help yourself' continental breakfast features fresh baked goods, a fruit plate, homemade granola, cereals, yoghurt, toast, fresh orange or mango juice, and oatmeal. A plated cooked breakfast is also served and is a mix of buffet and cooked-to-order: eggs, cheese omelets, sausages, hash browns and toast. There is a great variety on offer for buffet lunch, from homemade Italian pizzas and fish tacos, to quesadillas and fish burgers. At dinner a nice array of both Mexican and American style meals will be served, plated, buffet or family style.
The yacht will begin its journey back to Cabo at around 3 pm on the penultimate day.
Day 8
Disembarkation time at Cabo San Lucas is usually at around 8:30 am. The operator will help you arrange taxi transfers back to your local hotel or airport after breakfast.
Magdalena Bay (7 Days / 6 Nights - 10 Dives)
Trip highlights: hammerhead sharks, shark action, dolphins, whales, seals/sea lions, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, off the beaten track
Dive sites and activities: Snorkelling, free-diving and scuba diving in Magdalena Bay, SS Independence and USS Seawolf.
Day 1
Guests meet at the Nautilus dive center in Cabo San Lucas to check-in and collect any rental equipment, from 9 am to 4 pm. Then you will board the Nautilus Gallant Lady in Cabo at 5:30 pm for a boat briefing of the features, facilities and safety measures on board. Enjoy a delicious lunch and dinner as you settle into your cabin and the boat gets underway for Magdalena Bay. The journey takes around 15 hours.
Days 2-6
During October and November, a magical event happens in the nutrient rich swirling blue waters off Magdalena Bay - the second largest sardine run in the world, where striped marlin gather to hunt on bait balls. This thrilling underwater action is spectacular. There is also an excellent chance of seeing California sea lions, dolphins, wahoo, pelicans, different species of gulls, boobies, frigate birds, shearwaters, and even the awe-inspiring albatross.
While it’s best to snorkel or free dive around the bait balls, there will be plenty of scuba diving opportunities on your week long trip with massive schools of fish, turtles and the wreck of a World War I submarine and the passenger steamship SS Independence. But wait, there is more! Humpback whales are on the move at this time of year and, if you are really lucky, we might even see orcas or blue whales!
The food served during your safari is a mix of Mexican and western style cuisine. A 'help yourself' continental breakfast features fresh baked goods, a fruit plate, homemade granola, cereals, yoghurt, toast, fresh orange or mango juice, and oatmeal. A plated cooked breakfast is also served and is a mix of buffet and cooked-to-order: eggs, cheese omelets, sausages, hash browns and toast. There is a great variety on offer for buffet lunch, from homemade Italian pizzas and fish tacos, to quesadillas and fish burgers. At dinner a nice array of both Mexican and American style meals will be served, plated, buffet or family style.
The yacht will begin its journey back to Cabo at around 3 pm on the penultimate day.
Day 7
Disembarkation time at Cabo San Lucas is usually at around 8:30 am. The operator will help you arrange taxi transfers back to your local hotel or airport after breakfast.
Sea of Cortez South (6 Days / 5 Nights - 16 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, shark action, dolphins, manta rays, whales, seals/sea lions, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Cerralvo Island, Las Animas, La Reina, El Bajo, Espiritu Santo, Los Islotes, Salvatierra wreck, Fang Ming, San Jose. Kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming, hike into the hills, whatever you want. Backscatter Imaging workshop at SeeCreatures.
Day 1
You should meet at the Nautilus dive center in Cabo San Lucas when you arrive in town to make sure you are all set for the cruise. We encourage you to take advantage of our complimentary Backscatter Imaging workshop when you check in. Cocktail hour starts as soon as you board the Nautilus Gallant Lady early evening. And as soon as we have completed provisioning, cleaning and any last minute engineering, we will soon be underway for a lovely dinner on our way to the Sea of Cortez.
Days 2-5
The safari will include 4 dives per day, combining the very best of the southern Sea of Cortez. The sea is a diver’s paradise, and with its unique ecosystem and the overall natural beauty, it has earned UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Mid-May to July is a very special time with large aggregations of mobula rays. And when there are lots of mobulas, there are orcas!! There is a good probability that guests will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to snorkel with an orca. Mid-May and June is also peak season for the really big female whale sharks. You will also see large pods of dolphins, turtles, different shark and whale species, hammerhead sharks around El Bajo and Los Animas, sea lions at Los Islotes, giant mantas at La Reina, shipwrecks and night dives, huge schools of fish and vibrant marine life. Spotter planes are on-hand to enhance your adventure.
The food served during your safari is a mix of Mexican and western style cuisine. A continental breakfast at 7:15 am features fresh baked goods, a fruit plate, homemade granola, cereals, yoghurt, toast, fresh orange or mango juice, and oatmeal. A cooked breakfast is usually served after the first dive and is a mix of buffet and cooked-to-order: eggs, cheese omelets, sausages, hash browns and toast. There is a great variety on offer for lunch, from homemade Italian pizzas and fish tacos, to quesadillas and fish burgers. At dinner a nice array of both Mexican and American style meals will be served, plated or buffet style.
On the penultimate day of the tour the boat will start its way back to the mainland.
Day 6
Arrive back in Cabo San Lucas in time to enjoy a final breakfast onboard, before being transferred back to your local hotel or airport in Cabo. Guests can fly out in the afternoon.
Sea of Cortez South (8 Days / 7 Nights - 24 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, shark action, dolphins, manta rays, whales, seals/sea lions, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: La Paz, Bahia de Los Angeles, Las Animas, San Pedro Martir, La Reina, Espiritu Santo, San Franciscito, Loreto. Spotter planes, snorkel with whale sharks, beachcombing.
Day 1
You should drop into the Nautilus dive center in Cabo San Lucas when you arrive in town to make sure you are all set for the cruise. There is a coach journey provided to La Paz, then board the Nautilus Gallant Lady and get ready for diving the next day.
Days 2-7
The safari will include 6 dives per day, combining the very best of the southern Sea of Cortez, and spotter planes are on-hand to enhance your adventure. The sea is a diver’s paradise, and with its unique ecosystem and the overall natural beauty, it has earned UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Snorkel and swim with scores of whale sharks that aggregate in a quiet bay deep in the Sea of Cortez, located at the edge of massive upwellings of nutrient rich oceanic water - it’s crazy!! Giant finback whales and sperm whales can also be spotted.
Loreto is another gem that is seldom visited. The diving is great, the scenery is fantastic. Going ashore on the deserted white sand beaches is unforgettable. We will be sure to visit all our old favorites including Las Animas, the pinnacle of San Franciscito, Espiritu Santo and La Reyna. You will also see large pods of dolphins, turtles, and fingers crossed for hammerhead sharks!! Shoreside is really cool as well with the largest breeding population of blue footed boobies in the world, as well as the large populations of brown boobies and brown pelicans.
The food served during your safari is a mix of Mexican and western style cuisine. A continental breakfast at 7:15 am features fresh baked goods, a fruit plate, homemade granola, cereals, yoghurt, toast, fresh orange or mango juice, and oatmeal. A cooked breakfast is usually served after the first dive and is a mix of buffet and cooked-to-order: eggs, cheese omelets, sausages, hash browns and toast. There is a great variety on offer for lunch, from homemade Italian pizzas and fish tacos, to quesadillas and fish burgers. At dinner a nice array of both Mexican and American style meals will be served, plated or buffet style.
Day 8
Enjoy a final breakfast onboard before disembarking in La Paz and being transferred back to your local hotel or airport in Cabo. Guests can fly out in the afternoon.
Sea of Cortez South (Adventure) (11 Days / 10 Nights - 15 Dives)
Trip highlights: dolphins, manta rays, whales, schooling fish & big pelagics, non diving activities, onboard experts on photography, onboard experts on wildlife and natural history
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: La Paz, Las Animas, La Reina, El Bajo, Espiritu Santo, San Franciscito, Loreto, San Pedro Martir, Bahia de Los Angeles. Kayaking, going ashore, hiking in the desert, snorkelling, paddleboarding, whatever you want.
Day 1
These cruises usually depart from La Paz, although there are occasional exceptions. You have the option to fly directly into La Paz, or into San Jose de Los Cabos with a coach journey provided to La Paz late afternoon. Cocktail hour starts as soon as you board the Nautilus Gallant Lady! And as soon as we have completed provisioning, cleaning and any last minute engineering, we will be underway for a lovely dinner and safety briefing on our way to the Sea of Cortez.
Days 2-10
This diving safari combines the very best of the southern Sea of Cortez. The sea is a diver’s paradise and, with its unique ecosystem and the overall natural beauty, it has earned UNESCO World Heritage Site status. July and August provide a unique opportunity to overlap the seasons when we traditionally encounter the most orcas of the year in the southern Sea of Cortez, with large numbers of whale sharks gathering up north in Bahia de Los Angeles. You will also see large pods of dolphins, California sea lions, turtles, different shark and whale species, hammerhead sharks around El Bajo and Los Animas, giant mantas at La Reina, night dives, huge schools of fish and vibrant marine life. Spotter planes are on-hand to enhance your adventure.
The food served during your safari is a mix of Mexican and western style cuisine. A continental breakfast at 7:15 am features fresh baked goods, a fruit plate, homemade granola, cereals, yoghurt, toast, fresh orange or mango juice, and oatmeal. A cooked breakfast is usually served after the first dive and is a mix of buffet and cooked-to-order: eggs, cheese omelets, sausages, hash browns and toast. There is a great variety on offer for lunch, from homemade Italian pizzas and fish tacos, to quesadillas and fish burgers. At dinner a nice array of both Mexican and American style meals will be served, plated or buffet style.
Day 11
Enjoy a final breakfast onboard, before disembarking in La Paz and being transferred back to your local hotel or airport in Cabo. Guests can fly out in the afternoon.
Some trips use the port of Cabo San Lucas so check exact port details for your trip.
[Information is best estimate in ideal circumstances and subject to changes beyond our control. The itinerary is a guide only and may be adapted to best suit the weather, tides, currents, availability and other prevailing events. Price is for the cruise, not for an exact number of dives].
