Captain's Cruise: In Steinbeck's Wake: An Epic Voyage Through the Sea of Cortez

Fly into Los Cabos International Airport and transfer to La Paz. Board the Safari Voyager and settle into the cabin. Depart La Paz and begin sailing toward the islands of the Northern Gulf of California.

Spend Thanksgiving Day exploring Baja California Sur instead of preparing a meal. Take part in outdoor activities or spend time with family, friends, or other travelers. Return to the ship in the evening for a holiday dinner.

Anchor off Punta Marcial and explore the intertidal zone with your expedition team. Learn safe practices for kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkeling, and skiff tours at this historic Steinbeck site. Or simply relax on deck and soak up the sun.  In the afternoon, head to Bahia Agua Verde, which translates to Green Water Bay. You will have the opportunity to hike, kayak, or snorkel from the beach. Meet a local ranchero and his family and take a guided burro ride through the mountains. Whichever activity you choose is sure to be an amazing adventure.

Spend the morning searching for blue and fin whales in the corridor between Isla Catalina and Santa Rosalia. Your captain will choose the best adventure for the day, which may include more time at Isla Smith, Isla Coronado, or exploring Puerto Refugio farther north.

This rarely visited stretch of the Baja Peninsula offers excellent snorkeling, beach walks, and interior hikes. To the north, Roca El Rasito is a great spot for birdlife and experienced snorkelers. Your guides highlight Steinbeck’s historic stops in the region. If conditions are favorable, longer kayak outings may be offered.

Known as the “Marine Oasis of Baja California,” Bahía de los Ángeles teems with aquatic life. Explore by kayak or skiff or hike to Punta Gringa. This area is also one of the few places where leatherback turtles may be spotted. For Steinbeck enthusiasts, nearby sites from The Log from the Sea of Cortez await.

At the northernmost reach of your journey, Puerto Refugio is a tight, scenic anchorage known to local fishermen and yacht captains. Spend the day kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, and beachcombing in this wild, remote setting. If weather allows, end the day with a beach campfire before returning to the ship for dinner.

Explore Isla San Esteban on a guided hike up its main arroyo, where you may see pinto chuckwallas and other desert wildlife. Hundreds of sea lions haul out along the southern shores, while pelicans, boobies, cormorants, gulls, and osprey crowd the coastline. Later, sail through the Canal de Salsipuedes, also known as “the Trench,” a deep channel where sperm whales gather to feed on Humboldt squid. It is one of the most dramatic whale-watching areas in the Sea of Cortez.

Today is a Captain’s Choice day. Depending on conditions, you may continue searching for blue, fin, sperm, humpback, and pilot whales or anchor at Playa Punta San Basilio. This calm bay offers excellent hiking, kayaking, and snorkeling. Your captain and expedition team select the best combination of activities to maximize your experience.

Arrive at Isla San José and explore its shallow interior lagoon, a great spot for kayaking and birdwatching. Mangroves line the water, and you’ll paddle through winding channels that feel a bit like the Everglades, keeping an eye out for wildlife along the way. Later, return to shore for some relaxed beachcombing near Cayo Amortajada.

Spend the day exploring within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve around Isla Espíritu Santo, Punta Lobos, or Bonanza Beach. All activities are on offer, from snorkeling and kayaking to hiking and beach time. In the evening, enjoy the Captain’s Dinner and a slideshow of the highlights from your voyage.

After breakfast, bid farewell to your crew and fellow travelers. Disembark in La Paz and transfer to San Jose del Cabo International Airport (SJD) for your flight home.