Mar 8 - Mar 19, 2026 Depart: San Diego, California, USA
Return: Cabo San Lucas, Baja California, MX
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Departing from San Diego, California
Arriving to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Join our exclusive 12-day whale watching tour to witness up to a dozen whale species, including gray, blue, fin, sperm, and humpback whales, along with various dolphin species along Baja California’s Pacific coast. Extend your adventure into the biodiverse waters of the Sea of Cortez, where even more whales and marine wildlife thrive. Discover offshore islands perfect for birding and photography, and snorkel among vibrant tropical reef fish.
This tour is exclusively chartered by Naturetrek.
12-day Itinerary
San Diego to Cabo San Lucas
San Diego
Travel to San Diego, CA. Check-in and board Searcher at Fisherman’s Landing between 3:00–7:00 PM. Return by 7:30 PM for the 8:00 PM captain’s orientation. Departure at 10:00 PM.
Ensenada going South
Stop in Ensenada in the morning for Mexican Customs and Immigration Clearance. Spend the day observing wildlife at sea aboard Searcher.
Islas San Benito
Anchor at Islas San Benito with skiff transportation ashore for walking and wildlife observation. Hike to an old lighthouse and observe elephant seals in breeding season, jousting males, nursing pups, and resting females offer excellent wildlife photography. We’ll observe nesting birds such as osprey and ravens, along with unique desert plants. Whale watch while aboard Searcher for remainder of the day.
Laguna San Ignacio
Anchor among the gray whales and make this famous lagoon your home for two days. Whale watch from smaller boats, called pangas, and see the whales up close. Watch mothers care for their calves and marvel at the power and grace of breaching and spy-hopping whales. Explore pristine beaches for shells, blooming plants, and tidal animals, and observe feeding birds in the mangrove channels.
Offshore Bahía Magdalena
Spend the day at sea aboard Searcher, observing different whale species, herds of common dolphins, sea turtles, and pelagic seabirds with the scenic Baja California coastline as a stunning backdrop for wildlife photography.
Offshore Cabo San Lucas
Welcome to Sea of Cortez! Whale watch where humpback whales gather while aboard Searcher for the morning. Humpback whales are very acrobatic, spectacular to observe, and great for photography. In the afternoon stop at a beach nearby for birding and a snorkel session. NOTE: If the Whale Shark Encounter at Bahia La Paz is available, the remainder of the itinerary may occur in a different order.
La Paz/Los Islotes
Arrive to La Paz area to observe the area’s whale sharks and participate in the optional Whale Shark Encounter. 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 whale watch offshore for blue, fin, or other whales.
Isla San José
Skiff rides and snorkeling at Isla San José/Los Islotes. Visit one of Baja California’s premier islands with giant cardón and barrel cacti and stunning scenery. Go ashore for a botanical walk in a vast arroyo, snorkel in clear waters, and whale watch for blue whales, fin whales, and other whales.
Mainland
Morning walk and snorkeling session in mainland. Whale watch while aboard Searcher for remainder of the day.
Isla San Francisco
We’ll stop at this small island with a beautiful sandy beach to explore sand dune community and snorkel in an area where Cortez Garden eels are found. This island has beautiful desert plants, and an early morning walk is an enjoyable option. Bird life is abundant too.
Again, we’ll spend time aboard Searcher for the afternoon whale watching in this productive area while we’re headed South.
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.
Tour Notes
MEALS INCLUDED: All meals (and beverages) from breakfast on Day 2 through breakfast on Day 12.
TRAVEL NOT INCLUDED: Ground and air transport to San Diego (Fisherman’s Landing where Searcher is docked) on Day 1 and return from Cabo San Lucas on Day 12.
SAFETY NOTE: Because safety is our primary concern, we reserve the right to restrict passenger activities, if necessary. Please watch instructional boarding videos in the Searcher Safety link for information on necessary physical abilities for this tour.
SNORKEL/SWIMMING NOTE: There are both beach- and skiff-entry locations on the itinerary. Please see Searcher Safety for videos to illustrate both. The Whale Shark Encounter is an optional snorkel/swimming activity. Please review the details here: Whale Shark Encounter.
Itineraries and schedules subject to change based on weather conditions, wildlife opportunities, Captain’s discretion, and the uncertainties operating within foreign preserve guidelines.
Tour Documents
Important Tour Documents-
Baja Wildlife InformationChecklists:
Extras:
