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Adventure Life VOYAGES
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1655 S 3rd St. W, Ste 1
Missoula MT, 59801 USA

Ship:  Sea Bird & Sea Lion

Itinerary:  Baja California: A Remarkable Journey

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  Humpback Whale watching

 cabins & deck plans  |  additional itineraries |  cancellation policy

This special photo expedition is one of our most exciting and comprehensive voyages to Baja and offers the unique opportunity to explore — and photograph — the gray whale lagoons along Baja’s Pacific Coast and the richness of the vast Sea of Cortez. Linger with the grays up close at water level from our Zodiacs, then with the luxury of a flexible itinerary we’ll island hop across the Sea of Cortez. Baja’s wild shores and desert islands are a photographer’s paradise — a place where awesome wildlife and scenic landscapes meet. Our Photo Leaders take an almost personal pride in introducing guests to its uninhabited islands, cactus forests, whales and dolphins, astonishing seabird colonies, expansive sand dunes and some of the world’s most memorable sunsets. Benefit from coaching in the field; back onboard, enjoy an array of presentations on the natural history of Baja and on the creative and technical aspects of capturing its beauty with your camera.

Day 1 : Los Angeles / La Paz, Mexico

Fly to La Paz on our special charter flight. Sea Bird guests will travel to San Carlos to embark. Sea Lion* guests will overnight at the Los Acros Hotel and travel to the vessel in San Carlos on Day 2. (D) *Please refer to the last day for disembarkation.

Day 2 : Embark/Bahia Magdalena

Drive across the Baja Peninsula to San Carlos and embark our ship. In kayaks and Zodiacs we’ll explore the winding canals of the dense mangrove swamps of Bahia Magdalena. Bird watching here can be excellent — magnificent frigate birds, pelicans, cormorants, terns and great blue herons, ibis, whimbrels and willets are among the species we might see. It\'s not unusual to see forty species of birds in just one day along these fertile shorelines where they refuel for their destinations ahead. (B,L,D)

Days 3-4 : Laguna San Ignacio

Laguna San Ignacio is a large bay and favored haunt of the gray whales in Baja. The ship will linger in this remote and important locale, while we observe the mother and calf pairs — from the ship, and from water level in our Zodiacs. For some reason, the whales here seem to be friendlier than they are elsewhere. It’s not unusual for mothers and calves to approach our boats, the calves often playing hide and seek — even wanting to be petted and scratched. (B,L,D)

Day 5 : Sailing South

As we travel south along the Pacific coast of the peninsula, there is a chance of seeing a wide variety of marine life, including the largest animal on earth, the blue whale. (B,L,D)

Days 6-14 : Islands of the Sea of Cortez

With a morning stop in the busy town of Cabo San Lucas, we\'ll get a brief dose of all the amenities needed to support a major tourist destination - shops, restaurants and entertainments of all sorts. We happily say good bye to that after our brief visit, and head out to spend a blissful seven days exploring the islands of the Sea of Cortez and the remote bays and coves of the Baja Peninsula.

Espiritu Santo. Los Islotes. Santa Catalina. Rasa. These are some of the melodious names of these islands scattered throughout this beautiful sea. After over 20 years of exploration here, we are still discovering new places and experiencing exciting natural events. Here are a few highlights from one of our voyages: one hundred bottlenose dolphins leaping over sperm whales near our ship; a pod of fin whales feeding around a convergence zone; thousands of Heermann\'s gulls and royal terns arriving on the shores of Isla Rasa to begin incubating their eggs; and one evening, the vision of hundreds of Humboldt squid illuminated in the ship\'s bow lights. The best areas for whale watching remain consistent - the waters south of Isla Carmen, Canal de Ballenas up north, and near the mouth of Bahia Concepcion. Whether on the bridge of the ship, on Zodiacs or kayaks, we will be in prime position to observe them all. Almost every anchorage offers good swimming, snorkeling, and perhaps kayaking.

One morning, you may find yourself aboard a Zodiac, wearing a wetsuit, ready to enter another world - to swim with acrobatic sea lions and through clouds of brilliantly colored fish. Bahia Bonanza is a large bay at the south end of Espiritu Santo with a beach that goes on virtually forever, with the world\'s softest sand underfoot. Whether in a kayak or Zodiac, swimming, snorkeling or on a walk with our naturalists, these islands will reveal facets of their beauty and mystery. Exploring them in a small ship that enables us to rove freely in the immense, uncluttered, natural splendor of Baja - to be spontaneous, to move smoothly from ship to Zodiac to landfall and off again - begins to feel like one of the great luxuries in this otherwise crowded, scheduled and regulated world. (B,L,D)

Day 15 : La Paz / Disembark Ship / Return Home

Afte a visit to a local mission, we\'ll have lunch. Then, transfer to the airport for our flight to Los Angeles.(B)

* Sea Lion guests wil be disembarking on Day 16 from Loreto.

Ship Description: Sea Bird & Sea Lion

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  Sea Lion

These vessels can reach places inaccessible to larger ships due to their small size, yet they comfortably accommodates 62 guests in 31 outside cabins. The feeling, we’re told, is often compared to that of a large private yacht, with everyone integral to the adventure.

Accessibility means freedom. Our captains have decades of sailing experience in the regions we explore. They know when and where to navigate so that you feel the places we visit are all ours. Thanks to our sturdy fleet of Zodiacs and virtually untippable kayaks, you can be off the ship and out exploring within a moment’s notice. Launch your kayak from a picturesque beach, hike with our naturalists into the rain forest or walk easily along a sandy dune.

Our seasoned crew consists of expert Zodiac drivers and considerate service providers. Their energy, enthusiasm and field expertise are sure to enhance your experience.

Our ships feature a Library; Lounge with full-service bar and facilities for films, slide shows and lectures; Observation Deck; and partially covered Sun Deck with chairs and tables. Our "Open Bridge" policy allows you to meet Officers.

Meals are served in single seatings with unassigned tables for an informal atmosphere and easy mingling. Breakfast is a wide selection buffet and lunch is often served family style. Menu emphasizes local flair.

All cabins face outside with windows, private facilities, and climate controls.

Cat 1 Main Deck Cabins #300-305. Conveniently positioned between the dining room and lounge, these cabins feature two lower single beds, a writing desk and a large window.	Cat 1 Single Main Deck Cabins #300-305. Conveniently positioned between the dining room and lounge, these cabins feature two lower single beds, a writing desk and a large window.
Cat 2 Bridge Deck cabins #100-104 and Upper Deck cabins #200-212, 215. These well-located cabins include two lower single beds, outside access and a window.	Cat 2 Single Bridge Deck cabins #100-104 and Upper Deck cabins #200-212, 215. These well-located cabins include two lower single beds, outside access and a window.
Cat 3 Bridge Deck cabins #105, 106 and Upper Deck cabins #214, 216, 217, 219. These cabins feature a seating unit with table, outside access and two large windows. Upper Deck cabins include two lower single beds which can convert to a double bed and a pull-out