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Liveaboard – Ocean Safari: Whales, Mobulas, Orcas and more!
Liveaboard – Ocean Safari: Whales, Mobulas, Orcas and more!
Multiple pods of orcas (killer whales) visit the Sea of Cortez every spring and summer. Unlike almost anywhere else in the world, these magnificent apex predators often choose to interact with us. Orcas are present here year-round, but their numbers become more noticeable from January, with peak activity in July and August, when they are frequently encountered for up to 20 days each month. During the season, our team monitors two key hotspots—or “orca cafés,” as we call them—at Cerralvo Island and up north by Isla San Jose. Of course, orcas don’t just stay in one place and can appear throughout the region.
Special feature during the season: joyful, jumping mobula rays. Enormous schools of mobulas rays are resident from the end of March through early July. Getting in the water with a “fever” of 4 to 5 ft rays is a truly special experience.
Description
Liveaboard – Ocean Safari: Whales, Mobulas, Orcas and more!
Multiple pods of orcas (killer whales) visit the Sea of Cortez every spring and summer. Unlike almost anywhere else in the world, these magnificent apex predators often choose to interact with us. Orcas are present here year-round, but their numbers become more noticeable from January, with peak activity in July and August, when they are frequently encountered for up to 20 days each month. During the season, our team monitors two key hotspots—or “orca cafés,” as we call them—at Cerralvo Island and up north by Isla San Jose. Of course, orcas don’t just stay in one place and can appear throughout the region.
Special feature during the season: joyful, jumping mobula rays. Enormous schools of mobulas rays are resident from the end of March through early July. Getting in the water with a “fever” of 4 to 5 ft rays is a truly special experience.
Typical Itinerary
Fly into SJD. Cabo. Expedition yacht might leave from Cabo or La Paz. Sailing catamaran leaves from La Paz.
Day 1
Our Nautilus owned SeeCreatures is located near the harbour in downtown Cabo San Lucas and is your home away from home. We encourage you to fly in early and allow us to arrange for some local diving. Your trip includes a complimentary photo lesson at 1:00pm. Our photo pros will coach you on how to get that perfect underwater image, help set up, service or repair your camera gear, and assist with camera rentals. You are welcome to drop your bags off and check-in whenever it’s most convenient. We ask that you please check-in at SeeCreatures Cabo by 4:30pm latest for your complimentary coach transfer to La Paz, where our hosties will be waiting on the back deck for you with trays of margaritas and champagne.
This trip is predominantly focused on snorkelling and freediving, however if you would like to dive we have rental gear available at SeeCreatures before boarding, or you can bring your own gear.
Days 2 – 7
Our expert team is dedicated to providing the best possible wildlife experiences. With extensive knowledge of the region, our crew specializes in observing and understanding marine life, ensuring you make the most of your time on the water. They have one goal in mind: to maximize your encounters with the animals.
You might have heard that the best place to see the mobulas is in the triangle between Espiritu Santo, Carpenter Rock on the west side of Cerralvo, and Las Ventanas on Baja. Our expedition yacht and high speed RHIB changes the calculus on this completely. We are seeing animals like never before and will take you to where a mama blue whale and calf might be waiting for you, or humpback whales, whale sharks, cow nose rays, and hundreds of dolphins. Be patient, as it might take ten splashes for the mobulas to allow snorkelers and freedivers into the middle of the pack, but you’ll be rewarded with truly spectacular encounters.
Your day might start with a dive or snorkel with typical RHIB missions heading out at 11am after the local Corumuel wind lies down making it easier to critter spot. Our RHIB, or high-speed skiff, carries 12 guests, so everyone is welcome onboard at the same time.
After a delicious lunch on deck, we’ll head back out on the water in the afternoon. We will keep our support boat running as late as anyone wants up until dusk. You will get plenty of time in the water.
Your ship will always be close by. Take a break whenever you want and relax on the sundeck with a good book or soaking in the hot tub. We also have kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.
In the evening, you’ll have the chance to see the mobula rays in a different light. Literally. There will be the opportunity to go snorkelling at night in a calm, protected bay, where we will suspend lights off the bottom of the boat to attract swarms of mobulas. The mobulas come in to feed on the plankton exposed by the lights, providing a spectacular show against the inky ocean. If you’re a certified diver with your own gear, we can also arrange for you to go night diving.
The highlight of any trip is if we see the black fins of orcas slicing through the water. All interactions are conducted in compliance with the laws and regulations of Mexico. For our diving friends, bring your dive gear, and we will be sure to get you some splashes on local dive sites.
Day 8
Morning breakfast. Disembark at 8:30 am in La Paz and complimentary transfer back to either SeeCreatures Cabo San Lucas or SJD Airport.
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