Starting in 2023, we are pleased to offer complimentary beer & wine aboard National Geographic Quest, National Geographic Venture, National Geographic Sea Bird, and National Geographic Sea Lion. See our new Free Bar Policy under special offers for details.
Go Remote Next Holiday Season
This year skip the Nutcracker in favor of a different kind of ballet. In a place Jacques Cousteau dubbed “the world's aquarium,” you’ll have a front-row seat to an unforgettable performance: pods of bow-riding dolphins, acrobatic sea lions, and graceful mobula rays leaping out of the water. And after each thrilling day there’s one last encore—a spectacular golden hour that lights up the desert landscape, changing colors until the sun slips behind the horizon and a curtain of stars envelops the night sky.
Departing Dec. 20 & 27, 2023. Get there with airfare, solo, or group savings.
‘Coastal Baja California is a natural paradise largely devoid of development, and the remarkably rich sea teems with life. I first discovered it in 1977 and it’s been a love affair ever since.’ —Sven Lindblad, Founder
Baja California Holiday Voyage: A Living Sea and Desert Isles
Duration
8 days
Apr
Dec
From
$6,051
Top Highlights
Search for large pods of dolphins and a variety of marine wildlife including sea lions and, with luck, leaping mobula rays, which flap for a moment before belly-flopping back in the water
Explore water-level caves by kayak, hike uninhabited beaches, and snorkel among fish and acrobatic sea lions
Photograph the landscape as the light changes and the golden hour approaches, with its deep red hues that seem to engulf the desert environment
Conditions permitting, visit Isla Rasa. Composed of Pleistocene and Holocene basalt lava flows, this is where 90 percent of the world’s Heermann’s gulls and a large population of elegant terns come to breed
Visit the old mining town of Santa Rosalia, with its wooden homes and historic steel church, designed by Gustave Eiffel
Get up-close views of gray whale mothers and their growing calves as they prepare for their journey back to Arctic feeding grounds.
Kayak clear blue waters to search for wildlife, including magnificent frigatebirds, and investigate the intricacies of the shoreline.
Snorkel the living sea: observe large schools of vibrantly colored fish, swim among playful sea lions, and much more.
With more time for adventure, rely on your expedition leader to take you where wildlife will be at its best—including the remote oceanic island of San Pedro Mártir with clouds of nesting seabirds and crowds of sea lions onshore, and expanses of sea where huge pods of dolphins gather.
Wild Baja California Escape: The Whales of Magdalena Bay
Duration
6 days
Jan
Feb
Mar
From
$2,540
Top Highlights
Live among gigantic gray whale mothers and their calves in the nursery waters of Bahía Magdalena. See them from the ship and local pangas, delighting in up-close encounters
Kayak and paddleboard stunning mangroves, or beachcomb along endless beaches
Explore diverse landscapes; fat-tire bike along desert island terrain
Scan the skies for bird species, from diving pelicans to magnificent frigatebirds
Sail among pristine islands in search of rare endemic creatures. Encounter whales, possibly up close, for an experience that will never leave you. Snorkel with playful sea lions. Hike up arroyos blooming with life and discover medicinal plants. Get a slice of life in rural Baja towns. Kayak, hike, stand-up paddleboard, snorkel, and actively explore this incredible playground of wildness.
Henry David Thoreau called it the "tonic of wildness." It’s what Baja California, with its beauty and wildness intact, gives you—a spirit lift. To compound this healthful effect, add the luxury of comfort to the privilege of being here—with a quality of shipboard life and a philosophy of wellness designed to relax and rejuvenate body, mind, and spirit.
This Epic Baja Cruise Includes Ocean Kayaking, Beach Biking, and Whale Watching
Watching grey whales is an experience of a lifetime—and one of the best places to see them is off the coast of Baja California Sur. Read Travel + Leisure magazine's report from National Geographic Sea Bird in Baja California.
Exploring the Sea of Cortez by water alone would make for an incomplete trip. On land, an equally spectacular sort of enchantment awaits if one knows where to look.
The planet’s largest creatures, whales spend the better part of their lives deeply submersed in their private watery world. But in Baja California, it’s a different story. There, in the warm protected lagoons, gray whales are equally curious about us as we are of them.
Thrilling Encounters: Wild Life in the Sea of Cortez
Lindblad has been taking guests to Baja California, a UNESCO World Heritage Marine Site that Jacques Cousteau called “the world’s aquarium,” for 40 years. Naturalists have deep knowledge of wildlife habits and ship captains have the freedom to position vessels to maximize wildlife viewing.
As one whale spouts in the distance, another spyhops up to take a look around, and yet another might breathe right behind you. You are afraid to turn in another direction because you might miss something. It is immensely exciting because there is so much going on!
See, do, and learn more by going with engaging experts who have been exploring this region for decades. Go with an expedition leader, naturalists, and more.
Expedition Leader
Veteran expedition leaders are the orchestrators of your experience. Many have advanced degrees and have conducted research or taught for years. They have achieved expedition leader status because they possess the skills, the experience, and the depth of knowledge necessary to continually craft the best expedition possible for our guests.
Naturalist
Our naturalists, passionate about the geographies they explore (and return to regularly), illuminate each facet through their enthusiasm and knowledge. Our guests consistently cite the expertise and engaging company of our staff as key reasons to repeatedly travel with us.
Undersea Specialist
Undersea specialists are your eyes on the world that lies beneath the waves. Using an array of tools, including a high-definition camera, our Cousteau-like undersea specialist dives frequently during the voyage to show you strikingly clear images of the seldom-seen world beneath the ship.
Certified Photo Instructor
Every expedition aboard a ship in our National Geographic-flagged fleet offers an exclusive service—a Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic certified photo instructor. This naturalist is specially trained to offer assistance with camera settings, the basics of composition, and more tools and tips to help you become a better, more confident photographer.
The whale sightings were fantastic. Touching the gray whales was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Connie C.
Making a Difference
Lindblad Expeditions supports stewardship efforts in the places we explore, and one way we do that is through the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic (LEX-NG) Fund. Traveler contributions to the LEX-NG Fund in Baja California currently support the Gulf of California Conservation Fund in its efforts to facilitate conservation and research projects across the region.
Sunrises in Baja deserve their legendary status. The light paints the hillsides as it peeks over the horizon before erupting in a shower of oranges, yellows, and reds. In the morning light, seabirds swirled about the ship, silhouettes dancing in the breeze. Leaving a sizzling wake to our north, we greeted the day with anticipation and excitement. A delightful breakfast prepared us for a morning spent exploring Bahia Concepcion. This area was exactly what we needed, offering protection from howling winds and swells. We set out in expedition landing craft to spend time with the flora and fauna of the bay and the islets around it. Endemic yellow-footed gulls nested near the tideline with ospreys conspicuously perched on bluffs. Brown pelicans were a delight to watch as they plunged down into the inviting, blue-green waters. Locals in brightly painted cabanas rimmed the shoreline. It’s no surprise this is a destination for many. In the afternoon, we sheltered on National Geographic Venture . The north winds continued howling, so we enjoyed presentations on the cultural history of Mexican foods. Our crew performed delightful music in the afternoon, which set a great mood for the Mexican fiesta dinner that followed. It was a joyful day that also allowed for some well-deserved resting on the ship. With an idyllic sunset matched with a brilliant moon rise to wrap up the day, we were surrounded with reminders of how this corner of the world is teeming with vibrant beauty.
Sometimes, the best made plans are dashed on the rocks (or in this case, in the sea) as conditions turn despite modern technology’s predictions. Such was the case this morning when National Geographic Venture aborted her attempt to reach the predicted calm waters in the northern part of the Gulf of California. Predictions were eclipsed by reality, and the incoming tide pushed against the NW winds, making conditions untenable. We turned and ran for cover in the relatively calm waters of Bahia de Los Angeles. In the afternoon, we explored deep into the southern reaches of Bahia de Los Angeles in a small bay known as las Monas. It was the first time anyone on board had hiked this area, and much to our delight, the hiking turned out to be superlative! The arroyo was rich in Sonoran Desert plant life and even afforded us a view of a healthy coyote! The best was saved for last as we climbed to a rocky overlook, only to see National Geographic Venture anchored serenely in the bay!
Excitement was palpable when pulling up to anchor off Isla San Pedro Martir, the most remote island within the Gulf of California. This designated Biosphere Reserve is teeming with breeding birds and sea lion colonies. Rats were eradicated in 2004, and the island has rebounded with life. It hosts two endemic lizards and nesting colonies of blue-footed boobies, brown-footed boobies, red-billed tropicbirds, brown pelicans, and California sea lions. As National Geographic Venture maneuvered into anchorage, birds swirled above and gave fleeting glances of what was to come as we approached the island. At the time, we didn’t know that we were beginning the Zodiac ride of a lifetime. Once set at anchor, the cruising began. Zodiacs were able to get really close to the island for amazing views of boobies, pelicans, and red-billed tropicbirds. As the five Zodiacs cruised along and rounded the corner of the island, a large pod of bottlenose dolphins began interactive play, including bow-riding, jumping, and zigzagging from boat to boat. Curious juvenile California sea lions chased one another in the wake of the Zodiacs, periodically popping up to get a look at the strange creatures encroaching on their environment. Zodiacs made multiple passes back and forth, and the acrobatics of the dolphins and sea lions never wavered. All guests were able to take part in this very rare experience. With SD cards full of videos and pictures and smiles spread from ear to ear, it was a once in a lifetime day around Isla San Pedro Martir in the Gulf of California, Baja.
Tiny Rasa Island is a noisy, busy place. Located in the Midriff Islands of the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez) and within the San Lorenzo Marine Archipelago National Park, it is an ideal seabird nesting area. Ninety-five percent of the world’s population of Heermann’s gulls and elegant terns pack tightly together on the ground during breeding season. We arose early today for a spectacular sunrise Zodiac tour around the island. Besides the two main breeders, we also observed Craveri’s murrelets, eared grebes, ravens, and ospreys on a nest. It was an extra treat to visit the island after breakfast. Bahia de los Angeles was the jumping-off spot for our late afternoon excursion to the Valle de los Cirios Natural Protected Area. Also known as boojums, cirios are odd plants that are tapered like a candle and only occur in a very restricted area. Other desert plants also thrive here, and there were many flowers in bloom. The light was beautiful, and photographic opportunities abounded.
After a pre-dawn wakeup call in Santa Rosalia, we boarded buses and transected the Baja peninsula to San Ignacio lagoon. After making a short stop in the town of San Ignacio, we continued to the lagoon, where we embarked in pangas to see the gray whales. With about 100 gray whales, mostly cows and calves, everyone had wonderful views and some even had close encounters. We headed back to Santa Rosalia and boarded National Geographic Venture to prepare for our next day of adventure.
Baja California is arguably the best place in the world to see whales in good conditions—humpback, gray, fin, blue, pilot—to name the most likely.