Searcher Team

Searcher Owner and Captain: Art Taylor

"It's the trip of a lifetime"

Art Taylor has owned Searcher since 1982 and has been guiding vessels in Baja’s waters for over 30 years. He is intensely dedicated to the people and wildlife conservation of Baja California and receives immense enjoyment sharing that with his passengers.

Searcher Owner and Office Manager: Celia Condit

"Join us to encounter the beauty of Baja's whales and wildlife."

Celia Condit came to the tour-operator business through work as a naturalist aboard a variety of boats, all heading south to Baja’s waters. She joined her husband Art in the venture of Searcher Natural History Tours and tends to the shore-based aspects of the business.

Searcher crew gets you close to the action.

Captain Art, Jeremy, Captain Kenny, Captain Cole, Captain Aaron; and Chefs Steve and Charles

Our crew is specially selected for their knowledge of the Baja California waters and its inhabitants. They are licensed captains, experienced skiff operators, and trained in safety maneuvers. We hire a professional cooking team to prepare and serve meals that are often described as gourmet.

Who are Searcher naturalists?

Two professional marine life naturalists will join you on your tour. Their backgrounds vary — researchers, rangers, science writers, biologists, university professors, and nature photographers.

What they share in common is that they are marine life experts, conversant in marine mammals, birds, habitats, and ecology and knowledgable about the little-visited islands and their unique blooming cacti, plants, reptiles, birds, and fishes and invertebrates in the snorkeling spots. But maybe most importantly, they are personable and eager to share their love of Baja’s wild places with others.

Leading a beach walk © Richard Crossen

In the evenings naturalists may show an illustrated program previewing the wildlife to be seen the next day and sharing insights on what was already seen.

Rob's evening program © Richard Crossen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can be sure they are scouring the seas for marine life, identifying birds from the skiffs, hiking the trails, snorkeling the coves, combing the beach, sharing the best of Baja with you!

 

Julie Kondor

Julie Kondor
Julie is most at home on or by the ocean, closest to her ocean friends!

Todd McGrath

Todd McGrath
Todd is an unbelievable pelagic bird expert who also knows his marine mammals and all things pelagic!


Lee Morgan

Lee Morgan
Birds, whales, seals, and nature photography are some of Lee's specialties. Combined with his friendly personality, this makes him a terrific leader on our tours.

Tom Jefferson

Tom Jefferson
Tom studies marine mammals, including conservation for the criticially endangered vaquita, Sea of Cortez porpoise. His id guide has a prominent place in Searcher's library!


Terry Hunefeld

Terry Hunefeld
Terry will be your enthusiastic pelagic birding guide. He is always looking over the next swell for that rarity!

Rafe Payne

Rafe Payne
Dr Rafe Payne, "Baja Rafe," has been guiding students and ecotourists through the wilds of Baja for over 30 years!


Marc Webber

Marc Webber
Marc is an accomplished biologist, but most people appreciate his humorous style  and caring attitude for wildlife. His id guide has a prominent place in Searcher's library!

Peter Gaede

Peter Gaede
Peter is a natural scientist--an illustrator and educator with a special interest in birds. He makes a subject come alive in a sketchbook.


Patti Schick

Patti Schick
Patti´s strengths are science writing (especially about marine life), marine mammal field research, and tying that together through ecotourism.

Paul Jones

Paul Jones
Paul has been leading trips aboard Searcher for many years. People love his easy and comprehensive interpretation of whales, birds, and their ecology.


Frank Balthis

Frank Balthis
Frank sees the world of whales and wildlife especially through the lens of a camera. His goal is to educate through photography.

Rob Nawojchik

Rob Nawojchik
Anyone who has travelled with Rob knows he is truly excited about the biology of marine mammals, fishes, and coral reefs!