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Mexico Dive Resorts | Mexico Live Aboards

Mexico Live Aboards

Don Jose | Nautilus Explorer

Whales, Whales, Whales | Sea of Cortez Wildlife Cruise

Magdalena Bay Whale Watching Basecamp | San Ignacio Lagoon Whale Watching Basecamp

Great white sharks -- Guadalupe

Mexico's Sea of Cortez diving is best reached by live-aboard.

Don Jose

DON JOSE - 80 ft with 7 cabins for a max of 16 passengers. All cabins above deck, 3 showers and toilets to share. 110 volt in all cabins, video player and slide projector.

Whales, Whales, Whales

Join us on a 400 mile voyage around the tip of Baja and witness the mysterious, languorous movements of Blue Whales, Finback Whales, Gray Whales and Humpback Whales - all of which flock to Baja's waters each winter.

Traveling south from either La Paz on the beautiful Sea of Cortez, or Magdalena Bay on Baja's Pacific Coast, you will cruise around the tip of Baja with occasional stops for snorkeling, beach exploring, whale and bird watching. You will be surprised to find yourself snorkeling with sea lions and their pups or dazzled by displays of breathtaking breaching.

The rich panoply of wildlife to be viewed while cruising renders "Whales, Whales, Whales" one of our most popular trips. Cruise aboard the 80' Don Jose, crafted with a touch of Mexican style and ready to carry you and thirteen other passengers on a leviathan adventure of a lifetime!

Itinerary...

DAY 1...Arrive La Paz and transfer to the dock where the Don Jose is located. Night will be spent at dock for a early morning departure the next day.

DAY 2-6...Daily itinerary is flexible to take advantage of unexpected natural history opportunities. We will visit Los Islotes and have the opportunity to snorkel with sea lions. As we motor south there will be time for snorkeling and bird watching toward Isla Cerralvo, Bahia Los Frailes, Pulmo Reef and Los Frailes. Continuing south we will visit the vicinity of Gorda Bank where Humpback Whales winter. Departing Cabo San Lucas we will head north up the Pacific side of the Baja peninsula seeking whales, birds and other marine life in the Pacific Ocean. Upon entering Magdalena Bay at La Entrada, we will anchor just inside the Bay. The next few days there will be excellent opportunities for whale encounters with the California Gray Whales and views of the numerous birds and wildlife species.

DAY 7... Leave Magdalena Bay after lunch on the boat. Transfer by bus to La Paz. The 3-4 hour trip will take us through some of Baja California's richest agricultural areas. Last evening will be spent at a local hotel in La Paz. You are on your own for sightseeing and dinner.

DAY 8... Group transfer to the airport.

Itinerary runs reversed (Magdalena Bay to La Paz)

Trip fee:

• deluxe $1,995 , per person, double occupancy. (Deluxe rooms are on the main deck, are larger and have a sink en suite)
• standard $1,795 , per person double occupancy (Standard rooms are on the upper deck)

Trip fee includes:

• 1 or 2 nights hotel (depending on itinerary)
• transfers to and from airport

Maximum group size: 14 people in seven staterooms

2007 trip dates: (8 days)
Jan. 28-Feb. 4 La Paz to Magdalena Bay
February 4-11 Magdalena Bay to La Paz
February 11-18 La Paz to Magdalena Bay SOLD OUT
February 18-25 Magdalena Bay to La Paz

Sea of Cortez Wildlife Cruise

The Sea of Cortez is both the earth's youngest and richest sea. The waters teem with countless invertebrate species and over 650 tropical and temperate fish. It is also home to many of the great whales of the world.

You will journey aboard the DON JOSE through the Sea of Cortez cruising in the area between La Paz and Loreto. More than 50 years ago, John Steinbeck traveled to The Sea of Cortez and logged his experiences in his book, "The Log From the Sea of Cortez." This trip travels in the same areas mentioned in the book; many of his impressions are as accurate today as they were in the 1940's.

Exploring the secluded Baja California coastline and islands, you will have opportunities to swim, snorkel, hike on desert islands, beach comb and watch for whales. Wilderness photography will be at its best.

The birdlife in the Sea of Cortez is spectacular and many tropical seabirds are common. Magnificent Frigate Birds, Brown and Blue Footed Boobies, Brown Pelicans, Herrmann's Gulls, Yellow Footed Western Gulls, Royal and Elegant Terns, Storm-petrel and the rare Red billed Tropic Birds can all be found here and add to the excellent diversity of this expedition.

ITINERARY

Day 1... Upon arrival in La Paz transfer to the DON JOSE. You are on your own for the evening.

Day 2 6... During these five days we will see as many places as our schedule and weather permits. Enjoy sightings of whales, dolphins and a large variety of birds. Snorkel, kayak, hike, and swim. Some of the islands we will visit are... Isla Espiritu Santo, known for colorful rock formations and white sandy beaches. Isla Los Islotes is home to friendly sea lions and a great snorkel spot. Isla San Jose with its extensive mangrove estuary and related birdlife. Isla Ildefonso, nesting ground for the Blue Footed Boobies and Brown Pelicans. Great snorkeling spot with a variety of invertebrates and tropical fish. Isla Santa Catalan, home of the giant barrel cactus and the famous rattle less rattlesnake and Isla Carmen and Isla Danzante.

Don Jose Boat Diagram

Day 7... Afternoon arrival in La Paz is planned. Transfer to the Los Acros Hotel for the evening.

Day 8 ... Group transfers to the La Paz airport for return flights home. You may also wish to extend your stay in La Paz and join one of our day trips.

Trip fee: (Note: fees for 2007 dates may be slightly higher)

• $1,995 deluxe, per person, double occupancy. (Deluxe rooms are on the main deck, are larger, and have an en suite sink).
• $1,795 standard, per person, double occupancy. (Standard rooms are on the upper deck).

Trip fee includes:

• 1 night hotel stay
• airport transfers
• snorkel gear
• all meals
• beverages
• and happy hour beginning with breakfast on Day 2 and ending with lunch on Day 7

Maximum group size: 14 people in seven staterooms

2007 trip dates:
February 25-March 4 (Round-trip La Paz )
March 4-11 ( La Paz to Loreto)
March 11-18 (Loreto to La Paz) SOLD OUT
March 18-25 ( La Paz to Loreto)
March 25-April 1 (Loreto to La Paz )
April 1-8 ( La Paz to Loreto)
April 8-15 (Loreto to La Paz ) SOLD OUT
April 15-22 (Round-trip La Paz )
April 23-30 Special Voyage SOLD OUT

Whales, Whales, Whales | Sea of Cortez Wildlife Cruise

Magdalena Bay Whale Watching Basecamp | San Ignacio Lagoon Whale Watching Basecamp

Mexico Dive Resorts | Mexico Live Aboards