Captain's Blog

Howdy whalewatchers,

We offered two trips in pangas (Mexican skiffs) this morning and they were a great success! Passengers were able to closely observe, photograph and interact with gray whales. The weather is fine and we’re hoping it stays that way for for the afternoon runs.

Capt Aaron and Team Searcher

Howdy whalewatchers,

Even though we had some wind this afternoon, we were able to get a trip out this afternoon for some whalewatching. Passengers that went out had some contact with a gray whale.

Then we had a larger single gray whale hang out with us next to the boat all the way until dark. For many, that was a highlight.

Capt Aaron and Team Searcher

Howdy whalewatchers!

Today we spent the day at West San Benito island. The visibility was great and so passengers could see for many miles from the walking trails and the historic lighthouse that the island is famous for.

Rob Nawojchik guides Searcher passengers around the elephant seal haul-out areas on scenic Isla San Benito.

As for wildlife, there were Guadalupe fur seals and elephant seals to observe. There are still a few male elephant seals, along with the mothers and pups, on the island.

We’re headed south to be in Laguna San Ignacio for the next two days.

Capt Aaron and Team Searcher

Howdy whalewatchers:

We departed a chilly San Diego and headed south to Baja California, Mexico.

Our first morning we spent a little time at Islas Todos Santos where we saw black oystercatchers, brown pelicans, double-crested cormorants, blue-wing teal and peregrine falcon. After we left the island we headed south in windy conditions. But with wind brings the soaring pelagic birds! We have seen Laysan and black-footed albatross, many different phases of Northern fulmars, Cassin’s auklets, and black-vented and pink-footed shearwaters.

Breaching gray whale and Searcher @ Grant Serpell

We have also seen a couple of northbound gray whales. Researchers have sent us a census of gray whales in Laguna San Ignacio for February 21: 157 singles, 21 mothers & calves for a total of 199 whales.

We are headed now for Isla San Benito!

Capt Aaron and Team Searcher

Hello whalewatchers,

Our final day started with a great sunrise, then passengers enjoyed a walk on this great little island with a good view from the ridge. There is also a beautiful sandy beach and clear water, so a final snorkel session was available. We then headed south looking for whales. And then anchored up for our final dinner. Chef Charley and Dan prepared yellowfin tuna with a red pepper coulis sauce that everyone raved about.

We had our trip’s end briefing and reflected on the last 11 days and all the great things we witnessed.

Everyone had lots of compliments on our great naturalists Paul Jones and Marc Webber! It is always great to have them aboard.

Capt Art and Team Searcher

Hello whalewatchers,

What a great morning at Isla Santa Catalina! The arroyo is green as the plants have leafed out from fall rains. Read all about the majestic cardón cactus here: Spotlight: Cardón cactus.

Everyone enjoyed the walk with the highlight being two endemic rattleless rattlesnake viewed from the trail.

There were “Captain’s Crazy Coastal Cruises” offered for those interested, and a snorkel session with great visibility and 68 degree water.

More later, Capt Art and Team Searcher

Hello whalewatchers,

We headed over towards the peninsula this afternoon hoping to find a blue whale, and we found four! We followed one for a couple of hours that fluked occasionally. Everyone joined that special club of observing a Baja blue whale.

We ended the day with a spectacular sunset and our traditional back deck BBQ dinner with margaritas.

We are headed south tonight for our last day.

Capt Art and Team Searcher

Good morning, whalewatchers:

There was a a beautiful sunrise on the cliffs at Punta Colorado, Isla San Jose this morning. It’s always a great way to start the day. Our photo is of good friend and naturalist, Paul Jones, enjoying his favorite morning beverage with his favorite place on Earth in the background–Baja California!

Passengers enjoyed a nice arroyo walk on the island as well. We have good ocean conditions today with calm winds and smooth seas, so we’ll be on the watch for seabirds, whales, dolphins, and more this afternoon.

More later,

Capt Art and Team Searcher

Hello whalewatchers!

We started our day in Bahía La Paz. Jesus from Chicalera Tours, the local business owner with proper permits to offer snorkeling in the Whale Shark observation zone, met us at Searcher. Everyone had a great trip with plenty of opportunities to view a whale shark.

We left there and travelled north in the bay looking for wildlife and came across a group of bottlenose dolphin.

We visited one of the bays at Isla partida for its gorgeous scenery.  We saw blue-footed boobies, osprey and a peregrine falcon in the bay. Then we arrived to  Islas Los Islotes for a skiff ride closer to the shore looking at boobies and sea lions. A snorkel session with the sea lions is next!

Our skiffs at Los Islotes, watching wildlife.

Team Searcher

Hello whalewatchers!

We enjoyed spectacular humpback whale watching today around the Gorda Banks area. There were lots of whales and lots of acrobatics that make humpbacks famous–plenty of breaching, flipper flapping and tail lobbing. It was one of those days we hope to have on these trips.

Humpback breach @Nigel Carter

We are headed to Los Frailes for a beach walk and snorkel for the first time this trip.

Headed north tonight.

Team Searcher