A small boat expedition where the curious whales and dolphins get so close to you that it is unclear whether you are the observers or the observed!.

This exclusive marine safari is an exhilarating combination of some of the world’s best whale and dolphin watching and whale interaction together with a fascinating insight into Mexican wilderness and wildlife. Discovery Initiatives has teamed up with one of the very few whale cruise boats which holds special permits from the Mexican government to enter the ecological reserves and national parks of Baja California and the Sea of Cortez.

In San Ignacio lagoon the Grey whale mothers who gather in their hundreds with their calves, become so inquisitive of the small panga boats, that they have even been known even to nudge boats and their occupants! These whale watching trips change people from mere pacifists to real advocates for whale conservation.

Mexican whale watching offers the opportunity to see a high number of whales including the mightiest creature on earth, the Blue whale. Also commonly encountered are Humpbacks, Fin, Bryde’s, Sperm, Pilot and even Killer whales, not to mention Bottlenose, Long-beaked and Short-beaked common dolphin. In the pristine untouched bays and lagoons, you can snorkel in search of manta rays and turtles while Sea Lions, Elephants Seals and Fur Seals lounge around the beaches. Wheeling above in the clear skies are over 130 species of sea and land birds, from Brown pelicans to the endemic Xantus’ Hummingbird.

Based from a personally run 95 ft long sports-fishing style boat, you will be guided by an expert crew and your Captain, Art Taylor, who is passionate and hugely knowledgeable about the cetaceans that inhabit the seas in the area.

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Dates & Prices 2009

Saturday 7th to Wednesday 18th February 2009 – 4 cabins remaining
Sunday 22nd February to Thursday 5th March 2009 – only 1 female sharing space left
Wednesday 8th April – Sunday 19th April – NEW DEPARTURE ‘Tail-end’

Price in 2009
From £2,145 per person sharing a twin room and twin berth excluding international flights as per itinerary.

Exchange rates correct at time of printing. We maintain the right to confirm the price at time of booking with the up to date exchange rate.

Includes:
This whale cruise includes full board, services, leadership expertise and all activities on cruise.

Excludes:
International flights, domestic flights from Cabo San Lucas to San Diego, accommodation and breakfast in San Diego, visas, vaccinations, travel insurance, lunch and dinner in San Diego, optional San Diego sightseeing, alcoholic drinks, gratuities and items of a personal nature.

Travelling from outside the UK
We are happy to quote you either in US dollars or Euros – without flights to the destination city. Because of recent currency fluctuations we will quote you separately for this. Please do contact us for the price.

International and Domestic flights and arrangements in San Diego
We can easily arrange flights and additional arrangements for you – please call Abi in the office, who has recently returned from this trip, for advice.

Single supplements
It is not possible to guarantee a single berth on board the Searcher. The Searcher can only accommodate single passengers who are willing to share.

This Trip Supports..

Birdlife International

Each passenger makes a financial contribution to the Birdlife ‘Save an Albatross campaign’ and The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society based in Wiltshire.

The boat company itself, is dedicated to wildlife conservation too, and is a active contributor to conservation initiatives on the peninsula and as a yearly platform for research scientists and the Mexican marine authorities.

Field Expertise

Art Taylor

Art Taylor has owned the boat Searcher since 1985 and has been guiding vessels in Baja’s waters for over 20 years.

He is intensely dedicated to the people and wildlife conservation of Baja California and receives immense enjoyment sharing that with his passengers. His 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. They hire a professional cooking team to prepare and serve meals that are often described as gourmet!

Click here to get to his trip

Our Feedback

Should you wish to get direct feedback from any number of our numerous clients who have enjoyed these Baja whale cruises with us please do contact us and we would be delighted to help put you in touch.

The weather was lovely but it would not have mattered what weather we had I don’t think we would have noticed! Everything about the holiday was very good the people, crew, food but most of all the wildlife and we saw lots, but the whales; oh it was just fantastic! Blues, I saw humpbacks breaching, Pilots and Gray whales. My two wishes were to see a Blue whale and touch a Gray and I must admit I did not think they would come true but they did! I actually touch a baby and mother Gray whale. I could go on and on, so as you can tell I had a ’’whale’’ of a time thank you for your help and I hope to go again with you in the future.
Mrs S Price Feb 08

“Our target was to see Blue Whales and it was a dream come true. Not only one but a mother and calf – what more could be asked? It was a very emotional moment for both Heather and I to see them, and to be so close to the grey whales, and to have such a show by the humpbacks, and to witness the huges number of birds in the feeding frenzy, and … and… and …!

All this was made possible by the dedication, enthusiasm, expertise, friendliness and any other adjective which could be used to praise the crew and the enthusiasm of the naturalists, and we like to thank them yet again for all they did for us (we have already used Randy’s enchilada recipe!). Without this crew and support I am in no doubt it would be a much lesser experience.

Once again – many thanks for enabling such a memorable experience!”

Regards Simon & Heather Beesley 2007

The crew were superb and we were so lucky with the other guests. There were 18 of us and 2 naturalists, and then 6 crew and believe it or not there was never a cross word in the entire 11 days on board. Suffice to say the whales were mind blowing, 3 days with the grey whales was an extraordinary experience and an evening 10,000 dolphins round us on a feeding frenzy.

Another evening surrounded by mobulars dancing round the boat, a pod of about 40-50 pilot whales, numerous humpbacks breeching and I suppose for me the most awe inspiring experience were the blue whales. The elephant seals were amazing and rather sexy! Swimming with sea lions at the end-another experience and views from the boat breath taking.

And, lastly the crew who were faultless. They could not do enough for us in every way and the food excellent a trip never to be forgotten.

P Hill 2005

The crew did a fantastic job all knowledgeable and keen to point out whatever was around to be seen, Eagle eyed and we all felt in good safe hands. My highlight of the trip was seeing lots of blue whales actually touching grey whales and the silence when Art turned off the engines at night, we gazed at the stars with whales blowing all around us. Magic!

A & P Rasinsky Feb 2006