To provide you with more flexibility, more comfortable transfer arrangements and a better overall experience, a complimentary full day and night is included at the lovely CostaBaja Resort & Spa, located on the shore of the Sea of Cortez, just south of Espiritu Island, CostaBaja. Upon arrival in San Jose del Cabo, transfer to La Paz and and check in to the CostaBaja Resort & Spa.

Note that flights are not included.

This morning is on your own to relax and take advantage of the resort and spa amenities. Check-out in the late morning and depart for lunch at a local restaurant in La Paz. After lunch, transfer to San Carlos and embark the National Geographic Sea Lion.

Explore the ever-shifting sand dunes of Isla Magdalena on a cross-island walk to one of the most pristine beaches in the Pacific. Bird watching here can be excellent — magnificent frigate birds, pelicans, cormorants, terns and great blue herons, ibis, whimbrels, and willets are among the species you 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. This is Mexico exploration at its finest.

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

As you cruise south along the Pacific coast of the Baja California peninsula, there is a chance of seeing a wide variety of marine life, including the largest animal on earth: the blue whale.

Cruise past the spectacular Friars Rocks at Land’s End. For those who wish, you can arrange a visit to the historic town center of San José del Cabo. Espíritu Santo, Los Islotes, Santa Catalina—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 events: bowriding bottlenose dolphins, or sperm whales near our ship; a pod of fin whales feeding around a convergence zone. 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 Concepción. Whether on the bridge of the ship, on expedition landing craft or kayaks, you will be in prime position to observe them all. 

Disembark in La Paz after breakfast and transfer to Los Cabos airport for flights home.