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.
Our eye in the sky
We collaborate with a year-round research plane over the Sea of Cortez, providing scientists with real-time wildlife observations to support conservation efforts.
Possible wildlife sightings:
- Mega pods of dolphins
- Orcas
- Mobula rays
- California sea lions
- Whale sharks
- 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, so when conditions allow, you can jump in and get closer to the wildlife. 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
- 7 nights’ accommodation on a liveaboard
- Scheduled group transfers
- All core activities & necessary equipment (excluding scuba gear rental)
- All meals and snacks
- Non-alcoholic drinks
- Naturalist guides and expert crew
- Scuba gear rental
- Nitrox
- Alcoholic beverages and bar
- Gift shop items
- Internet access
- Crew gratuities
- Port fee (US$ 35 pp payable in cash onboard)
Your Sea of Cortez ocean safari itinerary
Our Nautilus owned SeeCreatures is located near the harbour in downtown Cabo San Lucas and is your home away from home. We encourage you to fly in early and allow us to arrange for some local diving.
Your trip includes a complimentary photo lesson at 1:00pm. Our photo pros will coach you on how to get that perfect underwater image, help set up, service or repair your camera gear, and assist with camera rentals.
You are welcome to drop your bags off and check-in whenever it’s most convenient. We ask that you please check-in at SeeCreatures Cabo by 4:30pm latest for your complimentary coach transfer to La Paz, where our hosties will be waiting on the back deck for you with trays of margaritas and champagne.
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.
Baja Expeditions has been doing this for 48 years, and our crew is comprised of pioneering old timers who know these waters, and its wildlife, better than anyone.
Our crew and naturalist/observer specialize in finding marine animals and are the very best in the business. They have one goal in mind: to maximize your encounters with the animals.
You might have heard that the best place to find the mobulas is in the triangle between Espiritu Santo, Carpenter Rock on the west side of Cerralvo, and Las Ventanas on Baja. Our sailing yacht and high speed RHIB changes the calculus on this completely. We are finding animals like never before and will take you to where a mama blue whale and calf might be waiting for you, or humpback whales, whale sharks, cow nose rays, and hundreds of dolphins. Be patient, as it might take ten splashes for the mobulas to allow snorkelers and freedivers into the middle of the pack, but you’ll be rewarded with truly spectacular encounters.
If Mobulas are close to the Mango Wind, your day will start very early. At around 6:00 am you will have the chance to snorkel with the mobulas before they start to disperse with the sunlight. You will return for breakfast onboard the Mango Wind and then jump back in the panga to look for any critters. You will return to the Mango Wind in the afternoon for some relaxation time and dinner.
If Mobulas and other creatures’ reports are far from the Mango Wind location, you will jump in the panga for a long day of adventures. Depending on the encounters, you will return during the afternoon for lunch, and a relaxing evening and dinner.
The highlight of any trip is if we spot the black fins of orcas slicing through the water. All interactions are conducted in compliance with the laws and regulations of Mexico. For our diving friends, bring your dive gear, and we will be sure to get you some splashes on local dive sites.
Morning breakfast. Disembark at 8:30 am in La Paz and complimentary transfer back to either SeeCreatures Cabo San Lucas or SJD Airport.
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
Will we see orcas on these trips?
Maybe. We hope so. The iconic creature on these adventures is the orca, also known as the killer whale. The sight of those sleek black dorsal fins slicing through the water when the orcas make an appearance is truly unforgettable. With a combined experience of over 80 years between Baja Expeditions and Nautilus, we have had the privilege of respectfully interacting with these magnificent creatures, from the chilly waters of Alaska to Roca Partida and Socorro Island further south. Any interaction is always done in full compliance with the laws of Mexico.
Are orcas guaranteed?
No. We are confident that you will have great encounters with schools of mobula rays, California sea lions, mega pods of bottlenose dolphins, and much more. Along the way, you may also encounter sperm whales, fin whales, pseudorcas, pilot whales, Risso’s dolphins, and the super-acrobatic spinner dolphins. Whale sharks are spotted on almost every trip. When reports of exciting wildlife activity come in, we will make every effort to position ourselves in the best possible location to maximize your experience
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.
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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