12-day Itinerary: San Diego to Cabo San Lucas
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San Diego
Travel to San Diego. Board Searcher at Fisherman’s Landing by 8 p.m. for passenger orientation. Depart at 10 p.m.[/five_sixth]
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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.[/five_sixth]
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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.[/five_sixth_last]
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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.[/five_sixth_last][one_sixth padding=”15px”]
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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.[/five_sixth_last]
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Offshore Cabo San Lucas
Cruise to Gorda Banks where humpback whales gather. Humpback whales are very acrobatic–spectacular to observe, photograph, and listen to with our underwater microphone.[/five_sixth_last]
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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.[/five_sixth_last]
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Isla Santa Catalina
This island is famous for the 12-foot “wavy” barrel cactus and other desert 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.
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Bahia Agua Verde
We’ll stop at this beautiful bay on the peninsula to birdwatch ashore then snorkel among sea fans and rocky reef inhabitants. Then there’s time to whalewatch offshore for blue, fin, or other whales[/five_sixth_last]
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Isla San Jose/Islas Los Islotes
Make a stop at one of Baja’s best locations for mangroves, birds and scenery. 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. Then there’s time to whalewatch offshore for blue, fin, or other whales.[/five_sixth_last]
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Cabo San Lucas
Disembark Searcher in Cabo San Lucas early morning. Transfer to Los Cabos (also called San Jose del Cabo) airport for return flight connections or downtown for hotel stay in Cabo San Lucas or San Jose del Cabo (recommended) on your own. Arrange for a flight out after 12 noon.[/five_sixth_last]
