Welcome to Baja California Sur!
Today you'll arrive at the airport in San Jose del Cabo where you will be met by your guide for the 90 minute transfer to Todos Santos and Los Colibris Casitas. Upon arrival we'll get you get settled into your lovely rooms with beautiful ocean views, then we'll have a gourmet taco welcome dinner on the Los Colibris grounds at Iker's Colibris Cafe. During dinner your guide will host a trip briefing, outlining the adventures to come. Overnight at Los Colibris Casitas with an ocean lullaby.
Camp Cecil de la Bahia / Magdalena Bay Whale Watching Adventure
Today we'll drive 3 hours north to Magdalena Bay and our luxury tent camp Camp Cecil de la Bahia. The camp is located on a sliver of land with the Bay and the gray whales on one side, and a protected estuary with mangroves, abundant birdlife, dolphins and more on the other. Each year the gray whales migrate 6,000 miles from arctic waters to the Pacific lagoons of the Baja peninsula to mate, give birth, and enjoy a warm winter respite. Magdalena Bay is one of the most important of these lagoons, and Camp Cecil de la Bahia is one of the best whale watching spots in all of Baja.
The tents of Camp Cecil de la Bahia are beautifully appointed walk-in safari-style tents with gorgeous beds, seating areas, rugs, chandeliers, and ensuite bathrooms. The camp chef prepares three beautiful meals a day and daily happy hour.
We'll spend the days out on the water interacting with the amazing gray whale mothers, babies and sporting males, and when not with the whales we can explore the incredible birdlife of the mangrove estuary by kayak, go sand boarding, do some beach combing and just enjoy being in the camp. It is a dreamy, wild and remote spot, completely ensconced in nature, enhanced by delights of great food and comfortable lodging.
Gray Whale Encounters
Things that often happen to us during our stay in Magdalena Bay:
- Gray whale mothers bring their babies right up to the boat to say hello
- Gray whale babies present themselves for a good rub or a pat
- Gray whale males sidle along the boat and spout water on us – they clearly think it´s very funny
- Gray whales of all types bring their huge heads out of the water and look us straight in the eye
And that´s just to give you an idea! The connections possible with our fellow mammals in the lagoons of Magdalena Bay are absolutely joyous and should be at the top of any bucket list you may be creating. Today we'll depart camp for our final boat ride with the whales then transfer to La Paz with a celebratory boat ride along the way. Tonight we'll stay at Hotel Catedral right on the town plaza and enjoy dinner out on the town.
Sea of Cortez and Isla Espiritu Santo Adventure
We're off to Isla Espiritu Santo and Camp Cecil today! After breakfast we'll head to our bodega to get snorkeling gear and wet suits, then it's on to the boats and out into the Sea of Cortez!
Camp Cecil is on Isla Espiritu Santo which is in a National Marine Park, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is one of the best marine life viewing destinations in the world. Whales, dolphins, whale sharks, sea turtles, manta rays and plenty of beautiful tropical fish call the surrounding waters home, while a terrific range of bird species including Blue-footed Boobies, Reddish Egrets, Great Blue Herons and Yellow-footed Gulls frequent the island’s skies and shores. The island itself is stunning, with magnificent towering cliffs, spectacular sandy bays, amazing lava rock formations, and rock art left by the now-extinct Guaycura and Pericu Indians. There’s even an endemic ring-tailed cat, the babisuri. It’s a remarkable place to explore. We’ll spend the days doing exactly what pleases us - kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, swimming with sea lions, stand up paddle boarding, bird watching, and exploring hidden lagoons and desert beaches.
Another day of island riches. Perhaps paddle board with sea turtles, or snorkel with sea lions, maybe spot some whales, or dance with some Blue-footed Boobies. Whatever surprises the day may hold, you can be sure that it will also include magnificent food and drink!
Swimming with Whale Sharks
Today we'll depart Camp Cecil and head for one of our most exciting adventures yet - swimming with the whale sharks, so named because at up to 59 feet and 15 tons they are definitely a whale of a shark. In fact, they are the largest fish in the world. And while your mother probably told you to stay away from sharks, these gentle giants are only interested in plankton – all human flesh is safe! Please note that we will have to transfer from our Camp Cecil boat to a boat specially permitted for the whale shark area. We'll return to Todos Santos and Los Colibris Casitas in the afternoon.
Tonight local lawyer turned chef Iker Algorri, author of Cooking Adventures in Baja California Sur and chef-in-residence at Los Colibris Casitas, leads this wonderful Mexican Survival Cooking Class. The emphasis is on having as much fun as humanly possible, learning to make the perfect margarita, and gaining the skill to make some truly memorable Mexican dishes following Chef Iker’s cooking philosophy, the Magnificence of Simplicity. You’ll also probably learn about some great Latin music you’ve never heard before. But be warned – dancing often known to follow!
Say adios but not good-bye! Transfer to the San Jose del Cabo airport.
