Explore Baja! with Searcher Natural History Tours
12-day itinerary for San Diego to Cabo San Lucas
Day 1: San Diego
Travel to San Diego. Board Searcher at Fisherman's Landing by 8 p.m. for passenger
orientation. Depart 11 p.m.
Day 2: Islas Todos Santos
Stop at Ensenada harbor for Mexican Customs and Immigration clearance. Cruise
along Todos Santos islands to view nesting seabirds, rocky reef and cliff life,
and harbor seal adults and pups. Whalewatch during the afternoon for migrating
gray whales, dolphins, and seabirds aboard Searcher.
Day 3: Islas San Benito
Hike to an old lighthouse and observe elephant seals crowded in each cove. It's
breeding season and jousting males, nursing pups, and resting females make for
wonderful photography. We'll observe nesting birds, such as osprey and ravens,
and enjoy unique desert plants.
Day 4-5: Laguna San Ignacio
Here we anchor among the gray whales and make this famous lagoon our home for
two days. Whalewatch from smaller boats, called pangas, and see eye-to-eye with
the whales. Observe mothers care for their young and marvel at the power and
grace of breaching and spyhopping whales. Explore pristine beaches for shells,
blooming plants, and tidal animals and observe feeding birds in the mangrove
channels.
Day 6: Offshore Bahía Magdalena
Spend the day observing blue and humpback whales, herds of common dolphins,
sea turtles, and pelagic seabirds with the peninsula as a truly scenic
backdrop for photography.
Day 7: Cabo San Lucas & Los Frailes
Photograph beautiful Land's End rock formations, then cruise to Gorda
Banks where humpback whales gather. Humpback whales are very acrobatic--spectacular
to observe,
photograph, and listen to with our underwater microphone. We'll go ashore at
Los Frailes to walk along a beautiful beach and birdwatch.
Day 8: Isla San José
Searcher will arrive at the spectacular red sandstone cliffs of Punta
Colorado for photographing at sunrise. We'll take a skiff ride into a cave and
along the
cliffs for up-close views of nesting brown and blue-footed boobies, pelicans,
yellow-footed gulls, osprey and white-throated swifts. Then we'll take a desert
plant and bird walk through
an arroyo formed by the scenic red cliffs. After our hike, we can enjoy snorkeling
to view tropical fish in the reefs and sandy coves underwater. For the afternoon,
we'll
have plenty of time to whalewatch for blue, fin and sperm whales, as well as
the large pods of bottlenose dolphin that frequent this area.
Day 9: Isla Santa Catalina
This island is famous for the 12-foot "wavy" barrel cactus and other
dese rt plants that grow along the canyon, where an early morning walk is an
enjoyable option. Birdlife is abundant and we should see and hear cardinals,
Gila woodpeckers, ravens, and verdin. Also famous residents are the rare endemic
Santa Catalina rattleless rattlesnake and the abundant emerald-tailed lizards.
There will be snorkeling opportunities at this island, where the shallow reefs
are home to many species of fish, sea stars, sea fans, and more marine life.
Again we'll spend time aboard Searcher for the afternoon whalewatching in this
productive area.
Day 10: Bahia Agua Verde
We'll stop at this beautiful bay on the peninsula to birdwatch ashore
then snorkel among giant sea fans. Then there's time to whalewatch offshore
for blue, fin, or other whales.
Day 11: Nopol— and Islas Los Islotes
Birdwatch in the early morning at one of Baja's best locations. Then we
travel to Los Islotes, two islets and underwater rocky reefs used by sea lions
as haul-out sites. Skiff rides around the islets give great views of the sea
lions, fishes and invertebrates along the reefs, and nesting boobies and other
birds. Or dive in for some great snorkeling!
Day 12: Cabo San Lucas
Disembark Searcher in Cabo San Lucas at 8 a.m. Vans are available for transport
to Los Cabos (also called San Jose del Cabo) airport for return flight connections
or downtown for hotel stay in Cabo San Lucas on your own.
MEALS INCLUDED: All meals from breakfast on Day 2 through breakfast on Day 12.
TRAVEL NOT INCLUDED: To San Diego (Fisherman's Landing where Searcher is docked) on Day 1 and return from Cabo San Lucas on Day 12.
New Passport Requirements for Re-entering the US
Beginning with our 2007 tours, Searcher Natural History Tour participants will need a valid passport for travel to Baja California. A new State Department requires all travelers, including U.S. citizens, to and from the Americas, the Caribbean, and Bermuda to have a passport to enter or re-enter the United States. This is a change from prior travel requirements and will be applied to all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda effective 12/31/06.For details: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2225.html
Itineraries and schedules subject to change based on weather conditions,
captain's discretion, and the uncertainties operating within foreign preserve
guidelines.
