Ocean Safari: Whales, Mobulas, Orcas and more!
Journey into the wild heart of the Sea of Cortez
Discover one of the most biologically rich bodies of water on the planet. Welcome to the Sea of Cortez, where things get seriously wild.
Mobula rays in schools of thousands. Sometimes tens of thousands, leaping and flipping as far as the eye can see. And where the rays gather, orcas follow.
Mega-pods of dolphins — bottlenose, common, spinner — showing off like they know you’re watching. Sea lions that will have you laughing underwater. Whale sharks materialize out of the blue. Whales blow in the distance. No two days look the same out here. That’s the whole point.
You’ll travel by liveaboard through some of the best marine hotspots in the Sea of Cortez — UNESCO Isla Espíritu Santo, Las Ánimas, Isla Cerralvo, to name a few — with fast boats that take you to the heart of the action.
The biggest liveaboard advantage? You don’t play by the same rules. Day boats have to watch the clock and their fuel gauge — we don’t. If the orcas head two hours north, so do we. Unlimited range and no curfew, with hot showers, cold drinks, and freshly prepared food waiting for you on board.
The trip is built around your time in the water: snorkeling and freediving is at the heart of it, with kayaking and paddleboarding rounding out the days. For those who want to go deeper, there’s usually room for certified divers to do a handful of scuba dives — including a night dive.
Ocean Safari: Whales, Mobulas, Orcas and more!
Whales, mobulas, and orcas in Baja California
For wildlife, one of the most dynamic times to visit the Sea of Cortez is spring through late summer. The water warms, plankton blooms, and the big animals come to feed. It’s a chain reaction — and you get a front-row seat.
Dolphins & sea lions? The most constant companions on any expedition here — appearing almost daily, racing the bow, leaping alongside the boat, and endlessly entertaining in the water. Resident year-round, they’re almost guaranteed to be part of your experience, whatever the season.
Mobula rays? One of nature’s great migration spectacles — and it happens right here. From spring through early summer, tens of thousands move through the channel, sometimes filling the water as far as the eye can see. And where the rays gather, orcas follow.
Orcas? Highly intelligent, deeply social, and extraordinarily powerful apex predators. The Sea of Cortez is home to multiple family pods traveling in tight-knit groups, known to hunt mobula rays, fish, and other marine mammals. Watching a coordinated hunt unfold in real time is one of the most raw and extraordinary things the ocean can offer. Here one morning, gone by noon, which only adds to the wonder of a sighting.
Whales? The Sea of Cortez has those covered, too. Humpbacks and blue whales — the largest animals ever to have lived on Earth — are present early in the season. Bryde’s whales through the warmer months. Whale sharks drift through in late spring, utterly unbothered. Sperm whales, fin whales, pilot whales — turning up on their own unpredictable schedule.
Can we guarantee sightings?
Honestly? No — and with decades of experience in these waters, we’d never pretend otherwise. What we can do is put you in the right place at the right time, with guides and captains who know these waters inside out. We note animal movements, follow the conditions, and make smart calls in real time. The rest is up to nature. No feeding schedules, no glass panels, no guarantees. These are wild animals in a wild ocean.
Respectful marine life encounters
Expert naturalist guides lead all wildlife experiences and operate in full compliance with Mexican marine wildlife regulations — ensuring every encounter is safe, respectful, and deeply memorable.
Observation airplane
From January to October, our marine biologist conducts aerial surveys over the Sea of Cortez to support science and conservation efforts.
Possible wildlife sightings:
- Mega pods of dolphins
- Orcas
- Mobula rays
- California sea lions
- Whale sharks (occasional)
- Fin, sperm, pilot & Bryde’s whales (occasional)
- Humpback & blue whales (spring)
- Seabirds & more
- Huge schools of fish
Every day on the water is a new adventure
Our expert guides and captains know the Sea of Cortez like the back of their hand. Each morning, they’ll set the course based on the best hotspots, favorite haunts of the animals, and conditions. No two days look the same, and that’s exactly how it should be.
Snorkeling and freediving are at the heart of it all, whenever possible, jump in and experience the wildlife up close. The opportunities for encounters here are unlike anywhere else on Earth. For those who want to go deeper, scuba diving can be arranged in advance, if you’re already certified — usually three to four dives over the course of the trip, including a night dive.
Between time in the water, you can kayak and paddleboard, or join guided nature walks and beach visits to explore the dramatic island landscapes up close. And if you’d rather spend an afternoon stretched out on the sun-deck with a cold drink and a good book — that’s a perfectly valid plan too.
Highlights include:
- Daily ocean safaris
- Kayaking
- Snorkeling & freediving
- Paddleboarding
- Scuba diving (3-4 dives)
- Beach & nature walks
Your home at sea.
Your liveaboard is your home for the week — where you eat, sleep, and recharge between adventures. All the daily action happens from smaller, fast support boats designed to get you quickly to the wildlife hotspots, while the mothership handles everything else: comfort, food, and a good night’s rest.
While you sleep, the ship repositions — so every morning you wake up somewhere new, ready for whatever the Sea of Cortez has in store.
Whether you prefer an intimate sailing catamaran, a spacious expedition liveaboard, or a boutique luxury yacht — there’s a perfect vessel for every adventure.
Whichever you choose, warm hospitality, an experienced crew, and incredible wildlife come as standard.
A 45 ft Leopard catamaran, for up to 6 guests, built for both performance and comfort. All three cabins feature en suite bathrooms, hot showers, and individually controlled air conditioning.
A comfortable lounge and dining area gives everyone space to relax between adventures, and a tender is always on hand for easy access to shore and marine life hotspots.
Stable, sleek, and a genuine pleasure to sail — when the sails go up the Sea of Cortez opens up in a way that’s hard to put into words.
Explore the Mango Wind
The Nautilus UnderSea is a 105-foot vessel that is strong, tough, and immensely seaworthy — with a charm and energy all its own. She accommodates up to 19 guests across 9 en-suite staterooms and suites, including one ADA-compatible cabin. All cabins have private bathrooms, hot showers, and individually controlled air conditioning.
The layout is remarkably functional, with one of the largest activity decks of any vessel in the fleet, a spacious water-level platform, and a unique al fresco lounge on the upper deck — a great spot to take in the scenery with a drink in hand. The sun deck, complete with loungers and a freshwater hot tub, is the perfect place to decompress between adventures. If you’re looking for a liveaboard that’s comfortable, lively, and buzzing with energy, this is your boat.
Explore the Nautilus UnderSea- 7 nights’ accommodation on your chosen liveaboard
- Scheduled group transfers
- All core activities
- 3–4 scuba dives (must be arranged in advance)
- All meals and snacks
- Non-alcoholic drinks
- Naturalist guides and expert crew
- Snorkeling and scuba gear rental
- Nitrox
- Alcoholic beverages and bar
- Gift shop purchases
- Internet access
- Crew gratuities
- Port fee (US$ 35 pp payable in cash onboard)
Your Sea of Cortez ocean safari itinerary
Check in at SeeCreatures Cabo. Drop your bags anytime, but please check in by 4:30pm for your complimentary coach transfer to La Paz to your ship, where our hosties will be waiting for you on the back deck with trays of margaritas and champagne, followed by dinner and departure for the Sea of Cortez.
This trip is predominantly focused on snorkelling and freediving, however if you would like to dive we have rental gear available at SeeCreatures before boarding, or you can bring your own gear.
Your day might start with an ocean safari, a dive, or a snorkel. Our crew knows these waters well, and they have one goal: to maximize your encounters with the wildlife. The Sea of Cortez is vast, so spotting marine life takes patience. When we find something, we approach respectfully — our naturalists and captains assess whether in-water encounters are appropriate, and if conditions are right, you’ll slip in to experience the animals up close.
No two days look the same. Some days you might hop in and out of the water half a dozen times; others, we’ll spend hours searching before the perfect moment presents itself. That’s the nature of a wildlife safari.
After lunch on deck, we head back out for the afternoon. The support boat runs as late as anyone wants, right up until dusk, so you’ll have plenty of time in the water. The ship is always close by — take a break whenever you want. Kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are also available.
Certified scuba divers can get in three to four dives at local sites over the course of the trip.
Breakfast on board, then disembark in La Paz at 8 am. Complimentary transfer to either SeeCreatures Cabo San Lucas or San José del Cabo Airport (SJD) — approximately 3 hours depending on traffic. We recommend booking flights for 1:00 pm or later.
Add a Cabo Pulmo adventure to your boarding day — morning pick-up at your hotel, a two-tank dive day in this UNESCO World Heritage Site and national park, and onward transfer to your boat in La Paz.
On either side of the liveaboard, you can also add day trips or scuba courses with SeeCreatures Cabo: local two-tank dives in Cabo San Lucas, more diving at Cabo Pulmo or Gordo Banks, plus advanced courses, nitrox, and beyond.
Ocean Safari: Whales, Mobulas, Orcas and more!
All prices are in US dollars
What To Bring
What do I need to pack?
Personal toiletries. Dive gear (or travel light and use our rental gear!) Summer wear, noting that nights can sometimes be chilly which makes a sweater or fleece jacket a good addition. Sunscreen (reef-safe sunscreen will be available onboard with our compliments). Towels and bed linen are provided onboard.
What wetsuit should I bring?
The Sea of Cortez is warming up. In May it is in the mid-70°F (21°C) range, and it just gets warmer from there. We recommend a 5mm wetsuit and a hooded vest, or a 7mm wetsuit and a hooded vest.
What dive gear should I bring?
This trip is predominantly focused on snorkeling and freediving, however if you would like to dive you will need to bring your own gear. High quality rentals are also available from SeeCreatures, including regulators, BCD, computer, mask, wetsuit, booties and fins. The park authorities prohibit divers from carrying a knife. Every diver should have their own Nautilus LifeLine but we will loan you one of ours if you haven’t bought yours yet!
What kind of safety gear do you provide divers?
Nautilus LifeLines, DiveAlerts and SMB safety sausages.
Can I bring my own alcohol onboard?
Sorry, but NO. We carry a great selection of signature drinks, single malts, microbrew beer and a varied wine list, all at very reasonable prices.
What To Expect
What to expect during ocean safaris?
The Sea of Cortez is big, so spotting marine life can take time. When we spot something, we approach respectfully and our experienced naturalists and captains assess whether in-water encounters are appropriate. Some days you might hop in and out of the water six times. Other days, we might spend hours exploring before the perfect moment presents itself. It can be a day full of wildlife encounters or a relatively chill day with fewer animals to spot—that’s the nature of wildlife safaris.
Will we see orcas on these trips?
Spring to fall is prime orca season here in the Sea of Cortez, and we have regular sightings during those months. That said, orcas are travelers, they can cover 100km a day, so one day they’re right here and the next they could be hundreds of kilometers away. Some weeks we see them constantly, other weeks they’re more elusive.
Can we swim with orcas?
If we encounter them and conditions align, yes. As of August 2025, Mexico’s environmental authority (SEMARNAT) introduced the country’s first regulations for orca encounters. These rules apply to a specific zone covering La Ventana Bay and the Cerralvo Channel, and we have permitted pangas to operate there. Swimming is allowed only when orcas are feeding on small prey such as fish, rays, mobulas, or turtles, not when hunting larger prey, transiting, or resting. Surface swimming only. Our naturalists and captains read their behavior and make the call. If we encounter orcas beyond this zone, we follow the same ethical approach: respectful distance, no chasing, animals dictate the terms. Their well being over photo opportunities, always.
When will we be able to get in the water?
Most snorkelling and freediving will be done either from our pangas or even from the large water level platform at the stern (that’s the back end) of your sailing yacht. You can count on a couple of evening snorkels in a quiet bay with mobulas. But you can spend as much time as you want in the water.
Travel Details
Do I need a passport and/or visa?
All guests must have a passport valid six months from entry. Visas are required from certain countries, please check your specific requirements online. All non-Mexican guests will require an FMM tourist visa.
Do I need dive and travel interruption insurance?
Guests are required to have medical evacuation insurance from a recognized provider before participating in any of our activities. Click here to purchase coverage. We highly recommend this provider because they are very dependable, reliable, and their policies are reasonably priced. Other providers may not offer the same level of reliability. We also highly recommend the optional purchase of trip interruption insurance, which covers everything from cancelled flights, weather-related delays, lost baggage, and reimbursement if another guest has a medical issue that affects your trip. If you decline coverage, please know that we do not issue credit refunds for anything that’s beyond our immediate control.
Do I need dive medical insurance?
YES. Dive and evacuation insurance is mandatory.
What airport do I fly into?
SJD Los Cabos International for both commercial airlines and private aircraft.
When should I fly in?
These trips are planned around the guests having the option of flying in and going straight to SeeCreatures to check in and then board the ship later that day. We recommend flying in several days early to take full advantage of our hospitality and all the neat stuff that we offer as pre-trip extensions.
How do I get from SJD into town?
Sealine Cabo Transfers is our recommended provider of airport transfers to and from Cabo San Lucas. For booking, please email Martin at mmoreno@sealinecabotransfers.com We also recommend Miguel from Fara Nuevo as an alternative option. Email: mfc949@gmail.com Phone: +52 (624) 141 6254
Can you recommend a local hotel?
Yes. For sure. We have our favourite hotels that we recommend and we have arranged discounted rates for Nautilus and Baja Expeditions’s guests. For hotel recommendations, or any other pre-trips, questions, concerns, or comments, please contact our concierge’s directly: Phone: +1 (604) 241-1918 – Please ask for our concierges. WhatsApp: +52 (624) 129-9243 Email: concierge@nautilusdive.com
Before Departure
Where do we meet the boat?
We will meet at SeeCreatures Cabo San Lucas located at: Calle Miguel Hidalgo 10, Centro CSL. C.P. 23450, Cabo San Lucas, BCS. We will coach transfer everyone to La Paz where your boat will be waiting for you.
What time do we meet?
Please be back at SeeCreatures Cabo and ready for your transfer to La Paz by 4:30 pm latest.
Can you help me get dive certified before the trip?
Yes. We specialize in introducing as many people to scuba diving as possible. We offer a full array of diving courses at SeeCreatures.
Can I get nitrox certified?
Yes, we could do it. This is a one-day course at SeeCreatures.
Will I need to show my dive certification card before boarding?
YES.
Will I get seasick on this trip?
The Sea of Cortez is generally very calm. For anyone worried about seasickness, we recommend prophylactic use of the scopolamine “patch” as an anti-seasickness medication. The patch has revolutionized the dive boat industry and made going to sea practical for almost everyone. You will most likely not get seasick using the patch.
About Diving
How much experience do I need?
This trip is for everybody! This trip is primarily snorkeling and freediving. There is an opportunity to do night dives with the mobulas.
Is the diving from the big boat or skiffs?
We take a maximum of 12 guests on Nautilus Gallant Lady expeditions. All guests can comfortably fit on our 32-foot, high-speed ‘zodiak style’ skiff. With twin 250 hp engines, we are able to speed around in excess of 35 mph to get you in the right place at just the right time, onto the large squadrons of mobulas. We’ll go out for a few hours, splash in the water, come back, have lunch, and repeat in the afternoon!
How many dives will I do?
Please keep in mind, this is primarily a snorkeling and freediving trip. There will be an opportunity for 3-4 dives total during the trip, including a night dive. The majority of the trip will be spent in the water seeking the incredible experience the mobulas will bring us.
I am a diver, why would I want to go on a snorkeling trip?
While we are typically all about scuba diving, the best way to interact with the mobulas is by snorkeling or freediving.
Are the boats camera friendly?
YES, VERY! Ask about rental cameras and photo pro services.
Where is the closest decompression chamber?
The closest chambers are located in La Paz and Cabo San Lucas.
What happens if I need a medevac flight?
Medevac can be arranged with a boat transfer to shore.
Do you have an AED and medical kit onboard?
OF COURSE! All of our crew are trained in first aid and a number of our crew are trained first responders.
Don't Forget
What time do we arrive back in port?
Reminder that most Sea of Cortez trips board and return to La Paz with an included transfer to SeeCreatures Cabo San Lucas, or SJD Airport. We are usually back in port by 8 am. Disembarking by 8:30 am after breakfast. It’s a 2-1/2 hour transfer to SJD. For that reason we recommend booking your outward flight 2:00 pm or later.
Do you have a storm policy?
We highly recommend trip interruption insurance, which will cover you in this unlikely eventuality.
Can you accommodate special dietary requests?
Yes, with reasonable advance notice, we are pleased to accommodate vegetarian, vegan, lactose intolerant, gluten free, low sugar, quasi-kosher and quasi-halal. We are likely unable to accommodate other special dietary requests, or guests with severe allergic challenges.
What IS NOT included in the trip price?
Bar, gift shop, high-speed Internet connection, rentals, nitrox, crew gratuities. A $35 port fee must be paid on board in cash at the end of the trip.
Minimum Age
What is the minimum age for this trip?
12 years old. That said, the liveaboard environment suits some kids and teens better than others, and you know your family best. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out — we’d love to chat and help you decide if it’s the right fit.
Our pre trip information package covers everything from boarding instructions to what to pack and general trip details. Please review it carefully for the most up to date information about your upcoming adventure.
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