Call +1.800.397.3348 or contact your travel advisor

Guests birdwatching by zodiac spot Elegant terns and Heerman's gulls in Isla Rasa, Bird Sanctuary, Gulf of California, Baja California, Mexico
Guests birdwatching by zodiac spot Elegant terns and Heerman's gulls in Isla Rasa, Bird Sanctuary, Gulf of California, Baja California, Mexico
ExpeditionsBaja California Holiday: A Living Sea and Desert Isles

Baja California Holiday: A Living Sea and Desert Isles

Skip to

Skip to

HighlightsItineraryDates & RatesShips

Transport your holiday traditions to Baja California for a spectacular celebration of wildness. Designated by UNESCO as a marine world heritage site and dubbed “the world’s aquarium” by Jacques Cousteau, the waters and islands of the Gulf of California are places of legendary biodiversity. This isolated region is, arguably, the best place in the world to keep watch for a vast variety of whale species plus massive pods of dolphins, leaping mobula rays, and seabirds.

Highlights

Devil ray jumping out of the water in Mexico
  • Spend your holiday season in search of large pods of dolphins, blue and humpback whales, and other marine mammals

  • Explore the sculpted desert shoreline by kayak, hike uninhabited beaches, and snorkel among fish and acrobatic sea lions

  • Take in the stunning hues of a Baja California sunset at a festive, holiday-themed celebration

  • Visit the island of San Pedro Mártir to witness crowds of lounging sea lions and expanses of sea where huge pods of dolphins gather

  • Visit the old mining town of Santa Rosalía (conditions permitting), with its wooden homes and historic steel church, designed by Gustave Eiffel

  • With National Geographic Global Explorers, our exclusive family program, kids and teens will learn about this vibrant part of the world—from migrating gray whales to desert plant species

From

$7,556

/ per person

Does not include any flights

duration
8 Days
starts at
Loreto, Mexico
ends at
Loreto, Mexico
See all offers

View our brochure for more details

2023-2025 Voyages

Baja California 2023-25

Talk to an Expedition Specialist1.800.397.3348

From

$7,556

/ per person

duration
8 Days
starts at
Loreto, Mexico
ends at
Loreto, Mexico

View our brochure for more details

2023-2025 Voyages

Baja California 2023-25

From

$7,556

/ per person

duration
8 Days
starts at
Loreto, Mexico
ends at
Loreto, Mexico
See all offers

View our brochure for more details

2023-2025 Voyages

Baja California 2023-25

Itinerary

Use two fingers to move the map
Use ctrl + scroll to zoom the map

Starts atLoreto, Mexico
Ends atLoreto, Mexico

Day 1

Home / Loreto, Mexico / Embark Ship

Arrive in Loreto, a picturesque gulfside town dotted with spanish colonial architecture. Transfer to the National Geographic Venture to set sail at sunset.

Arrival Time: Arrive before 2:30 p.m. local time.
Arrival City: Loreto, Mexico

Meals Included: Dinner

Day 1

Home / Loreto, Mexico / Embark Ship

Arrive in Loreto, a picturesque gulfside town dotted with spanish colonial architecture. Transfer to the National Geographic Venture to set sail at sunset.

Arrival Time: Arrive before 2:30 p.m. local time.
Arrival City: Loreto, Mexico

Meals Included: Dinner

Days 2-7

Exploring the Gulf of California

Writer and longtime Lindblad naturalist Stewart Aitchison refers to this sliver of the Pacific Ocean as the Vermillion Sea, and notes it is “a romantic name that conjures up visions of fiery sunsets, leaping dolphins and deserted beaches.” It is all this and so much more. Your route is designed with flexibility in mind to maximize opportunities for wildlife sightings. It most likely includes the islands and activities listed below, although the order may vary.

Isla San Esteban and San Pedro Mártir: Walk up a desert wash to search for desert songbirds such as the handsome black-throated sparrow, listen for the cascading song of the canyon wren and search for the endemic pinto chuckwalla—a plump, harmless desert lizard. Later, visit Isla San Pedro Mártir, a 1,000-foot-high guano-covered island that is home to thousands of seabirds: brown pelicans, magnificent frigatebirds, Brandt’s cormorants and blue-footed boobies.

Isla San Marcos: At Isla San Marcos there is a beautiful shoreline for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking. In the afternoon you'll again be in rich waters near the mouth of Bahía Concepción. Be on the lookout for pods of dolphins—common and bottlenose dolphins are the most frequently encountered species. With luck these beautiful animals may follow the ship, riding the bow wave—sometimes twisting and turning, and sometimes leaping from the water.

Isla San José: One of the larger islands in the Gulf of California, San José offers several landing possibilities depending on conditions and the whim of the moment. Photograph the ochre cliffs of the island’s eastern shore, hike an enchanted, cactus-laden arroyo or visit the abandoned salt works to the west. Search for the endemic Xantus's hummingbird on this desert island.

Bahía Loreto Marine Park: Search for marine life in the waters south of Isla Carmen, an area offering the possibility of encountering fin whales, which researchers have recently concluded may be part of a resident population. Bottlenose and common dolphins are frequently encountered. In the afternoon, visit one of the islands of Bahía Loreto Marine Park, with ample time for kayaking, snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding and possibly hiking. In the evening, enjoy a beach barbecue under the desert sky.

Espíritu Santo Archipelago National Park / Los Islotes: At Los Islotes, don flippers, a mask and snorkel (which are provided) and swim with curious sea lions. Look skyward for yellow-footed gulls, brown pelicans and blue-footed boobies. In the afternoon, explore more of this stunning national park by swimming, kayaking or hiking. Keep an eye out for the endemic Black jackrabbit, and learn about the importance of mangrove habitats.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 2-7

Exploring the Gulf of California

Writer and longtime Lindblad naturalist Stewart Aitchison refers to this sliver of the Pacific Ocean as the Vermillion Sea, and notes it is “a romantic name that conjures up visions of fiery sunsets, leaping dolphins and deserted beaches.” It is all this and so much more. Your route is designed with flexibility in mind to maximize opportunities for wildlife sightings. It most likely includes the islands and activities listed below, although the order may vary.

Isla San Esteban and San Pedro Mártir: Walk up a desert wash to search for desert songbirds such as the handsome black-throated sparrow, listen for the cascading song of the canyon wren and search for the endemic pinto chuckwalla—a plump, harmless desert lizard. Later, visit Isla San Pedro Mártir, a 1,000-foot-high guano-covered island that is home to thousands of seabirds: brown pelicans, magnificent frigatebirds, Brandt’s cormorants and blue-footed boobies.

Isla San Marcos: At Isla San Marcos there is a beautiful shoreline for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking. In the afternoon you'll again be in rich waters near the mouth of Bahía Concepción. Be on the lookout for pods of dolphins—common and bottlenose dolphins are the most frequently encountered species. With luck these beautiful animals may follow the ship, riding the bow wave—sometimes twisting and turning, and sometimes leaping from the water.

Isla San José: One of the larger islands in the Gulf of California, San José offers several landing possibilities depending on conditions and the whim of the moment. Photograph the ochre cliffs of the island’s eastern shore, hike an enchanted, cactus-laden arroyo or visit the abandoned salt works to the west. Search for the endemic Xantus's hummingbird on this desert island.

Bahía Loreto Marine Park: Search for marine life in the waters south of Isla Carmen, an area offering the possibility of encountering fin whales, which researchers have recently concluded may be part of a resident population. Bottlenose and common dolphins are frequently encountered. In the afternoon, visit one of the islands of Bahía Loreto Marine Park, with ample time for kayaking, snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding and possibly hiking. In the evening, enjoy a beach barbecue under the desert sky.

Espíritu Santo Archipelago National Park / Los Islotes: At Los Islotes, don flippers, a mask and snorkel (which are provided) and swim with curious sea lions. Look skyward for yellow-footed gulls, brown pelicans and blue-footed boobies. In the afternoon, explore more of this stunning national park by swimming, kayaking or hiking. Keep an eye out for the endemic Black jackrabbit, and learn about the importance of mangrove habitats.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8

Loreto / Disembark Ship / Home

After breakfast, disembark the ship and transfer to the Loreto airport for flights home.

Departure Time: Depart after 1:00 p.m. local time.
Departure City: Loreto, Mexico

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 8

Loreto / Disembark Ship / Home

After breakfast, disembark the ship and transfer to the Loreto airport for flights home.

Departure Time: Depart after 1:00 p.m. local time.
Departure City: Loreto, Mexico

Meals Included: Breakfast

Video

Dates & Rates

Filters

Dates

2025

2026

2027

  1. 2025

  2. ExpeditionLoreto, MexicoLoreto, Mexico

    Dec 13

    Dec 20

    National Geographic Venture

    Starting from$7,556 / per person

    Build Your Trip
  3. ExpeditionLoreto, MexicoLoreto, Mexico

    Dec 20

    Dec 27

    National Geographic Venture

    Starting from$8,068 / per person

    Build Your Trip
  4. ExpeditionLoreto, MexicoLoreto, Mexico

    Dec 27

    Jan 3

    National Geographic Venture

    Starting from$8,068 / per person

    Build Your Trip
  5. 2026

  6. ExpeditionLoreto, MexicoLoreto, Mexico

    Dec 12

    Dec 19

    National Geographic Venture

    Starting from$7,704 / per person

    Build Your Trip
  7. ExpeditionLoreto, MexicoLoreto, Mexico

    Dec 19

    Dec 26

    National Geographic Venture

    Starting from$8,396 / per person

    Build Your Trip

Newsletter

Be the first to get intriguing travel stories, new destination alerts, tips and special offers

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

* Required field
By clicking the Sign Up button, I authorize Lindblad Expeditions to email me; however, I am able to unsubscribe at any time. For more details, see our Privacy Policy.

Ships

Ship National Geographic Venture

National Geographic Venture

GUESTS 100

CABINS 50

DECKS 4

California Coast, North America, Alaska, Canada, Baja California, New And Noteworthy, Pacific Northwest

American-flagged, she is ideal for discovering domestic waters. Her design innovations were informed by 50+ years of expedition expertise to ensure extraordinary discoveries.

VIEW SHIP

Expedition Team

Over 50+ years of exploring, Lindblad Expeditions’ veteran staff and the quality companionship they provide has established the company’s reputation. From expedition leaders to naturalists, most hold advanced degrees and are established authorities in their fields. Some join a few expeditions each year to explore the same sites, some of them spending some time in the field away from rigorous academic work. And others lead expeditions all around the world—with many guests saying, “Where you’re going, we’re going,” and returning time after time to travel with them. Browse our team directory to discover the full cast of expedition staff.

Captain Andrew Cook with guests and Staff on the Bridge of National Geographic Venture, Baja California, Mexico

Special Offers

Take advantage of our additional offers

View our brochure for more details

2023-2025 Voyages

Baja California 2023-25