Cousteau's Aquarium of the World

Arrive at Los Cabos International Airport and be transferred to the hospitality area. This afternoon, the Captain and crew welcome you aboard the Safari Voyager before setting sail for a sunset cruise, cocktails, and dinner.

Kick off your week at Cabo Pulmo National Park—a snorkeler’s jewel and home to a multitude of marine life, large groupers and snappers, sharks, manta rays, marlin, tuna, and sea turtles—for a chance to snorkel, kayak, and explore by skiff in this living coral reef. French Oceanographer Jacques Cousteau led numerous expeditions in the area of Isla Cerralvo. An exploratory hike on a desert mountain and water sports in a setting of steep bluffs and sandy beaches make it an exciting first day.

Whale sharks, the largest known species of fish in the ocean, are known to frequent the Bahía de La Paz. Keep watch for the ‘footprint’ of these gentle giants along the water’s tranquil surface. Conditions permitting, you may luck out with a chance to don your snorkel gear and swim alongside this colossal and mysterious creature. An afternoon in centuries-old La Paz offers free time for shopping, a museum visit, and a stroll along the miles-long malecón.

The gulf’s rich ecosystem is the perfect environment for a marine life search. With binoculars in hand, keep your eyes peeled for pods of dolphins, blue, fin, sei, orca and sperm whales as they spout and dive in the surrounding waters. Blue-footed boobies, brown pelicans, cormorants, and gulls also make this area their home and on shore you may catch a glimpse of a Costa’s hummingbird or ash-throated flycatchers. At Bahía Agua Verde, clear waters are bordered by sparse craggy mountains hemmed in green. Experience the “real Baja” on a skiff excursion, visiting a local ranchero family, bird watching, and exploring the arroyo on a burro ride. Scenic vistas, crystalline waters, and unmatched camaraderie fill your day.

Situated on the edge of the Loreto National Marine Park—created to protect the rich biodiversity of the area—sits Loreto, founded in 1697 as the first Spanish settlement on the Baja California Peninsula. A bounty of arts and crafts shops line the streets and plazas of this leisurely seaside village and a guided walking tour reveals its history. Shop for local art and visit its historical buildings and mission. Enjoy an afternoon identifying animal tracks, seeking endemic wildlife, or snorkeling in the desert landscape of Isla Carmen.

Put your walking shoes on this morning for an extended hike to the lost Dolores Mission—abandoned since 1768 when the Franciscan’s took control of the Baja missions from the Jesuits. Hiking five miles roundtrip, cacti, lizards, birds, and desert are common sights along the way. At Isla San José, explore the channels of a large red and white mangrove estuary by kayak and skiff, stroll remote beaches, and scramble up the striking red cliffs. After the sun sets, tuck into an isolated bay for a spectacular evening of stargazing.

Rise up for an early morning snorkel at Los Islotes—a protrusion of rock rising sharply from the sea. Bravely slip into a wetsuit to snorkel with the curious and playful sea lion pups, or tamely observe the colony from the boat and skiff. Formed by a volcanic crater—and one of the most beautiful islands in Baja—the Island of the Holy Spirit offers some of the best kayaking in the world. There’ll be ample time ashore today for beachcombing along the shell-strewn shore; hiking inland among exotic desert cacti; kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkeling, and skiffing in one of the island’s idyllic wild bays. After tonight’s special Farewell Dinner, your Expedition Leader recaps the week’s adventure with a slideshow.

After breakfast, your weeklong adventure ends back in San José del Cabo. A transfer to the Los Cabos airports is provided.