Baja Mexico: Sea of Cortez Discovery – Winter / Spring – Student Adventure!
Baja-Sur, Mexico
8 Days
Various (February-April)
Moderate Physical Activity
Scroll Down For The Itinerary
A week-long island adventure in the Sea of Cortez designed to teach students about marine ecology through exciting outdoor adventures and amazing animals encounters.
“What truly amazes me about the Gulf of California is how alive it is. Its islands— populated not by people but by seabirds, sea lions, and lovely, life-asserting desert plants—give an impression of wilderness far beyond the proximity of the U.S. and mainland Mexico. Despite serious over fishing for some species, the Gulf is largely a safe haven. For us it is a safe haven too, an easily accessed place to marvel at wild abundance, wide horizons, and intense desert beauty.” – Author & Scientist Carl Safina
Teachers and students, join us for an unforgettable Sea of Cortez marine biology spring break trip.. Snorkeling day trips combined with student centered research projects, and evening presentations will teach young adventurers about the ecology of the Sea of Cortez, and ways to protect the world’s waters no matter where on Earth they live.
Students will explore a variety of habitats from shallow bays, rocky reefs, coral reefs, and even open water. including amazing encounters with wild sea lions and whale sharks. Topside adventures include kayaking and various hiking. Hands on conservation projects such as coral reef restoration, REEF fish surveys will make students active participants in helping in the conservation of the Sea of Cortez.
Why the Sea of Cortez Marine Biology Spring Break Trip?
Just 7 million years ago, the Baja Peninsula began to separate from mainland Mexico. Sea water from the Pacific filled the low-lying basins to form the Gulf of California, or the Sea of Cortez. It is one of the youngest marine systems, but due to the constant sunlight, deep nutrient up welling, and mixing of tides and currents, it is an oasis for marine life, and one of the most biologically diverse places on Earth! There are over 900 species of fish, 30+ species of marine mammals, 170 species of shore and marine birds, and 1700 species of invertebrates.
Additional, a visit to La Paz, Mexico in February – April gives us the opportunity to have amazing interaction with Gray Whales at Magdalena Bay. Here, whales give birth before heading back to Alaska. The babies are like curious puppies coming right up to our boat so close that you might be able to touch (and kiss) them.
This is an educational adventure that most people only dream about. Your friends won’t believe your pictures.
Trip Highlights:
- Learn to snorkel and explore coral reefs, rocky reefs, and sandy bays.
- Dive in with 500 wild and playful wild sea lions.
- Experience beach-life while glamping on an uninhabited island.
- Kayak through sea caves and along rugged desert coast.
- Hike through pristine desert and learn about seemingly otherworldly creatures that have adapted to this extreme environment.
- Daily whale watching and dolphin spotting boat trips at sunset.
- See the sky full of billions of stars, unhindered by light pollution.
- SCUBA dive or Learn to SCUBA dive! (Additional Fee)
- Snorkel with whale sharks (season specific)
- Visit the Gray Whales of Magdalena Bay for an unbelievable whale watching experience.
Tour Map
Airport Los Cabos
Lunch Stop
Costa Baja Marina & Hyatt
Whale Sharks
Archaeology Site
Candelero Dive SIte
Jawfish Dive Site
camp
Sea lions
Puerto Adolfo Lopez Mateos
Your Tour Guides
Chabelo
Divemaster / Fun Baja Diving & Eco-Adventures, LaPaz, Mexico
Chabelo (Pronounced Chaah Bell-O) is a Divemaster for Fun Baja Diving & Eco-Adventures based out of La Paz. Chabelo has been instructing and leading SCUBA divers for 15 years with Fun Baja and instructing snorkeling and free-diving with Green Edventures for 8 years. Our guests consistently tell us how they appreciate the care and attention he gives to everyone in the group. Chabelo is funny, playful, and loves to share everything he knows about his backyard, the Sea of Cortez and his home, La Paz. Chabelo is talented at finding marine life so participants can see the most of the reef. He is also a sea lion whisperer. With him, you will see and interact with the sea lions in a very special way. Your friends won’t believe the pictures!
Elsy Olivares
Guide / Baja
Elsy (aka Alex) is a Marine Biologist from Michocan, Mexico. She is funny, energetic, and loves to share her knowledge of science with students. Students can easily relate to Elsy’s passion for all things saltwater, adventure, music, and her love of travel. She is a great role model for students, especially those interested in pursuing marine science degrees. Elsy is both educator and guide for our Sea of Cortez programs in partnership with Fun Baja, and tour leader for our Costa Rica student programs. Elsy holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Marine Biology, and a Master’s Degree in Marine Resources Management. She is the founding member of the Research and Conservation Program of the Yucatan (PICMMY). She is a PADI Rescue Diver.
Tour Itinerary
►Where Do We Stay?
- Night 1: Camp
- Night 2: Camp
- Night 3: Camp
- Night 4: Camp
- Night 5: Hotel near Puerto Lopez Mateos
- Night 6: Hotel in La Paz
- Night 7: Hotel in La Paz
►Day 1: Arrival to San Jose del Cabo, journey to Espiritu Santo Island.
Groups arrive from the US at Los Cabo Airport (SJD) between 11am-2pm. We’ll board the 15-passenger vans and drive 1.5 hours north toward La Paz with a stop for lunch in San Bartolo. After lunch we’ll continue north another 1.5 hours. In La Paz, we head toward the marina and the Fun Baja Dive Shop. Here, dive gear is issued and the boats are loaded for the journey to Espiritu Santo Island, your home for the next five nights! We will arrive at camp before dark, just in time for a fabulous dinner! The tents will already be set up and ready for you to move in.
►Day 2: Snorkeling in Ensenada Grande and Las Cuevas.
Morning:
Participants will learn basic snorkeling skills and then free-diving techniques in the shallow bay of Ensenada Grande.
Afternoon:
Participants will use their snorkeling skills to explore the rocky shoreline at Las Cuevas and their free-diving skills to see garden eels in the sandy flats at 25ft.
Evening Presentation:
Survival of the Finnest: Fish are the most abundant vertebrate animals which dominate nearly every habitat in the hydrosphere. Why are they so successful?
►Day 3: Cross Island Hike and Snorkeling at El Candelero Island
Morning:
The Cross Island Hike is a 2.5 to 3 hour round trip hike which is relatively flat with a few boulders to scramble up or slide down. It terminates at the opposite side of Isla Partida and reveals stunning views of the eastern side of the island.
Afternoon:
Escape the heat and jump into the cool water at Isla El Candelero. This tiny island is a great spot to get up close to birds like cormorants, gulls, and pelicans; as this island serves as a small rookery.
Evening Presentation:
Gulf of California: Introduction to an ocean oasis: 40 minute slide show presentation that introduces students to oceanography and the physical processes which formed the Gulf of California and the biotic and abiotic factors that make it one of the most biological diverse marine systems on the planet.
►Day 4: Sea Lions at Los Islotes
Morning:
Get up close and personal with our favorite underwater “dogs.” Named the friendliest sea lion colony in North America, Los Islotes is the best place to interact with them in their natural habitat. They dart past you, nibble on your fins, and get whisker-to-dive mask with you for great photos and videos, too.
Afternoon:
We return to Los Islotes to explore other habitats for those who want a little more time with the sea lions. SCUBA divers and DISCOVER SCUBA divers will have a chance do their dives at this time, too.
There are many different habitats around Los Islotes, we may visit several times. On the North side of the island is a shallow reef of hard and soft corals. The water is so clear that the sunlight brings out the natural colors of the corals and fishes. It is so easy to take photos here with even the most basic of cameras. At the arch, large boulders the size of cars, are piled on the bottom forming habitat for very large groupers, eels, and Amarillo Snappers. Bright Orange Cup corals, barnacles, tube worms, and other sessile inverts cling to the rocks. This site will be your favorite for the week, if not your favorite for life!
Evening Presentation:
Empty Ocean: Human caused environmental issues threatening biodiversity of the global ocean.
►Day 5: Whale Sharks & Journey to Lopez Mateos
Morning:
We’ll spend half a day searching for whale sharks in the Bay of La Paz where they are typically found in the plankton-rich waters. The boat will position you in the whale shark’s path. When you dive master says go, jump in and follow the whale shark for as long as you can keep up. It is a humbling experience to be by such a large creature. Whale sharks are the largest fish in the world. They can reach up to 60 ft in length. These gentle giants eat plankton, the smallest members of the marine food chain.
Afternoon:
We will drive 3 hours north, along the Pacific Coast to the town of Lopez Mateos and overnight here.
Evening:
Research projects.
►Day 6: Gray Whales of Magdalena Bay
Morning & Early Afternoon:
This is a whale watching trip like no other! Here, the gray whales come from Alaska to give birth and to mate in the shallow waters of Magdalena Bay. Our guides will take us into the lagoon in a 20ft panga (traditional fishing boat). You will learn about and see gray whales displaying a variety of behaviors in their natural habitat such as spy hopping, breaching and tail lobbing. The whales are accustomed to human visitors and are as curious as you are. They often come so close to the boat you can reach out and touch them. It is not uncommon for a 45ft mother whale to let her 15ft calf swim up to the boat to interact with cheerful tourists who are splashing the water for its attention. Your friends will not believe your pictures. If you are lucky, you may be able to get close enough to kiss a whale. It is important to note that each venture on the boat is different. These are wild animals and we do not chase or harass them to get close enough to touch. The probability is high that you will be able to interact with them, but can’t be guaranteed.
After lunch, we will drive back to La Paz.
Evening:
Research projects.
►Day 7: La Paz: Shopping and Cultural Day
Morning:
We will visit some of the cultural attractions of La Paz including the Whale Museum & Anthropology Museum. Then shopping for souvenirs along the malecon.
Afternoon:
Free time at the hotel and finish up research projects.
Evening:
We’ll gather once last time at Rancho Viejo Restaurant for a mouth watering dinner of their famous arrecherra style meat with fresh salsas and tortillas.
►Day 8: Departure Day
Morning:
We will meet in the hotel restaurant for a hearty breakfast for your big travel day. Depending of departure times and arrival times of the next group, your group may depart La Paz as early as 9am. You will journey by 15-passenger van to Los Cabos Airport. Flights depart after 4pm.
** Please note: The activities, lodging, guides, and schedule may change without notice as practical considerations arise during program development or onsite. **
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included:
- All activities listed on this page.
- Group ground transport from Los Cabos Airport.(SJD) or La Paz (LAP)
- Group meals from dinner on arrival day, to breakfast on departure day.
- All activities and lodging.
Excluded:
- Personal spending money.
- Airfare from your departure city to San Jose del Cabo Airport (SJD) or La Paz (LAP)
- Gratuity of $100.00 per person.
FAQs & Supplemental:
Payments
Price: $2395 plus airfare and gratuity
Installments: Yes. Payable until 30 days prior to travel.
Travel Documents:
Students will need a valid passport to travel to Mexico that is valid for the duration of the stay and has one blank page. Participants are also required to have a notarized form signed by both parents providing permission for minor children to travel.
Group Size: 16
All payments are non-refundable.
A passport is required for travel to Mexico.
Travel insurance is available and recommended.
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