Magdalena Bay Adventure~Itinerary
Detailed Itinerary
DAY ONE: ARRIVAL TO LA PAZ
Our Baja Adventure begins with the arrival to our hotel in La Paz, Baja California Sur. Most people arrive via San Jose Del Cabo airport and take the scenic 3 hour shuttle into La Paz.
Plan to check into our La Paz hotel anytime after 3:00pm. If you arrive early, you may store your luggage at our hotel then set off to explore the colorful La Paz waterfront. Our group will gather for dinner at 7:00pm with a more formal orientation in the morning. (double occupancy room and dinners included ).
DAY TWO: WILDLIFE SAFARI ~THE SEA OF CORTEZ
After breakfast, we will depart by motorized skiff for an adventurous day exploring The Sea of Cortez. Surrounded by exquisite scenery, our hope is to snorkel with whale sharks today. Mid November typically offers excellent viewing, although weather and sea conditions dictate our plan as always. Please follow our advice and strengthen your swimming endurance using your snorkel gear well before our adventure begins. Review our snorkeling advice here: More Trip Info
Whale Sharks, the largest fish on the planet can reach a length of 60 feet. The sharks we might have the great fortune to observe in La Paz Bay are mostly juveniles and rarely exceed 30 feet in length. Relatively little is known about these enigmatic animals which may live to 100 years of age and sustain themselves on a diet of plankton. As filter feeders, they offer no real threat to humans and snorkeling with them is an unbelievable experience. We will return to our hotel in the afternoon with time to explore the quaint waterfront community of La Paz.
In the Sea of Cortez, we always expect the unexpected such as a pods of dolphins, several species may be seen.
DAY THREE: ONWARD TO MAGDALENA BAY
After breakfast, we’ll transfer by van across the rugged Baja Peninsula to the fishing village of San Carlos in the southern section of Magdalena Bay where we’ll take a beautiful 45 minute boat ride to our base camp for the next 4 nights. During out scenic 3 hour drive to San Carlos, towering cacti, huge boulders and brilliantly colored flowers dot the desert landscape. Once settled into our spacious safari tents, we will meet our crew who are hosting us while glamping. Our afternoon activities may include a walk across the dunes, exploring the mangrove forest by motorized skiff or visiting the small village of Magdalena where we plan to donate supplies to the school children.
DAY FOUR-DAY SIX: WILDLIFE SAFARI~MAGDALENA BAY AND BEYOND
Get ready for three action pack days as we depart the Boca of Magdalena Bay or explore the diverse habits within the bay itself. During the fall months, a sea of sardines migrate along the Pacific Coast of Baja forming a dense concentration of bait that attracts a variety of hungry predators such as striped marlins, tunas, sea lions sea birds and dolphins. Snorkeling on the edge of a bait ball offers an opportunity to witness one of the most spectacular feeding events on earth. As always, wildlife sightings vary each day and activities are weather dependent. During the month of November chances are good for some unforgettable wildlife encounters. Please read more about our potential wildlife encounters here: More Trip Info Keep in mind that November marks the height of cetacean migration as a variety of species lumber by Baja’s Pacific shoreline.
Magdalena Bay and its surrounding mangrove forest and dune system offers incredible opportunities to explore within the bay. If ocean conditions prohibit snorkeling on a given day, we will offer alternative activities such as kayaking SUP, sand dune and mangrove exploration, mountain biking, photo safari to bird island, a sunset sailing cruise, seafood foraging or visits to the local village of Magdalena Bay. Beach combing in Baja is extraordinary and we may find whales, sea turtles, strange sea creatures and an array of sea shells washed ashore, each with a unique story. Birding is excellent as the intricate mangrove forest provides critical habitat for an array of species including white pelicans, magnificent frigate birds and little blue herons. Clinging to the submerged mangrove roots are an array of cryptically colored invertebrates.
Our days will be active and you will rest well under a sky full of stars. Each day we will offer exciting activities regardless of marine or weather conditions.
Our hope is to enter the water among the sleek ferraris of the ocean realm, the striped marlins. Stealthy predators, these magnificent sail fish lunge through bait balls feeding on sardines.
Among the predators on the hunt are the “pursuit divers” such as this cormorant
After a day on the water, let’s enjoy a sunset walk near camp
and remember…..attitude is everything because…..
Blue Water Adventures Are for Life!
DAY SEVEN: MAGDALENA BAY TO LORETO
After breakfast, we will make our way to our waterfront hotel, the Oasis in Loreto where we will spend our final night together. Loreto is a very quaint historical town north of La Paz with a population of only 23,000 people. In contrast, the population of La Paz is 25,000. Your afternoon may be spent exploring Loreto, time well spent.
DAY EIGHT: HOMEWARD BOUND OR EXTEND YOUR STAY IN LORETO
We will say our farewells to those who are traveling home on November 22nd.
On Day 8, our Blue Water crew plans to scout the historic San Javier Mission and you may join us!. We will learn about the life of the Rancheros as we visit a working ranch in the stunning Sierra de la Giganta Mountains. Our day will include learning about the indigenous cultures of the region (overnight accommodations, meals or activities are not included after our trip officially ends on November 22nd, but we will help make arrangements).
On November 23rd, the day after our trip ends, you may choose to join us as we explore Loreto National Marine Park, one of the very best places in the world to observe Fin whales that are year round residents of The Sea of Cortez. Our day will include snorkeling among colorful reef fish and hopefully a visit by common or bottlenose dolphins that frequent Loreto National Park. Our blue water crew will travel home on Thanksgiving, November 24th.
Blue Water Ventures
Naturalist-led field trips and adventures. We specialize in sea kayaking field trips for schools and adventures for women in the Monterey Bay, Baja, Belize, Tonga and beyond.
