The 95-foot long Searcher, built in 1970, is a US Coast Guard SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) and FCC (Federal Communications Commission) inspected and certified vessel. It carries two 475-horsepower Caterpillar diesel engines, two 60-kilowatt generators, and state-of-the-art electronics including GPS navigation and a satellite telephone. Searcher carries 1,500 gallons of fresh water and the ability to make fresh water during travel. We carry three alumimum skiffs aboard for shore excursions and wildlife viewing. Searcher is your comfortable home in Baja!
Searcher has 14 air-conditioned cabins–12 are double-occupancy and three are triple-occupancy–each with fresh-water sink, AC US-style electrical outlets, reading lights and a mirror. Each cabin has sleeping bunks and gear storage. Cabins are small yet adequate. We promise to keep you busy with wildlife on deck!
There are four bathrooms (“heads”) on the main deck, two with showers and two located near the observation deck in the stern. There are wildlife observation decks on the stern and bow with chairs and on the upper deck in front of the wheelhouse.
Our library in the salon is available for all to use. We have books about Baja’s whales and other marine mammals, plants, birds, travel narratives, fishes, checklists, and maps.
“First Call for Dinner!”
There is indoor seating for meals and the salon is also an indoor relaxation area. Beverages and snacks are available 24 hours per day, in addition to the three meals each day. We can offer a wide variety of special request meals and diets with prior notice. Meals are typically made from fresh meats, fish, and produce purchased in the US. We sometimes buy fresh fish from fishermen friends in Baja to serve. Meals are generally low in fat and high in taste and measure.
Searcher’s Tradition in Mexico
Searcher has been operating natural history tours to Baja for 40 years. We are proud to hold one of the few permits from Mexico which allows us to take tourists to a variety of national parks, marine reserves, biosphere reserves, and Pacific and Sea of Cortez islands reserved for wildlife. Our small group size (25 passengers maximum) ensures unparalleled opportunities for observing wildlife and quality time with crew and naturalists.
Videos showing skiff to Searcher boarding techniques
