Discovering the Sea of Cortez

Walk through the streets of La Paz. They are packed with colonial history, exemplified by the architecture of the old City Hall as well as the picturesque cathedral. Continue downtown to peruse the Ciudad Mural La Paz project, a vibrant series of murals by local artists, commissioned to brighten up the streets and create interesting social spaces. As the evening approaches why not head to the Malecon, the city’s famous waterfront promenade, for cocktails and fresh seafood as you admire sunset from one of its many sea-facing bars. 

Take a boat ride in search of whale shark, Baja California’s celebrity creature. Your expert guide will teach you all there is to know about these majestic beasts and their migration patterns. Scan the waters to see them up close with a chance to swim alongside them, a true bucket-list experience. Then stop off at Balandra Bay, boasting one of the most idyllic beaches in the world, for lunch and a snorkel in the pale-turquoise water. Those still feeling energetic can hike up nearby hills for postcard worthy ocean vistas.

Head to Puerto Lopez Mateos. You’ll spot whales along the way with the help of your naturalist guide. Every autumn, thousands of grey whales migrate to Baja’s bays and coastal lagoons to prepare for calving season. Today you have the chance to witness this natural phenomenon, seeing their large barnacled bodies first-hand. Continue on to Magdalena Island, a whale-watching hot spot. Lap up the sunset from atop the sand dunes before returning to your hotel to relax.

This morning, return to Magdalena Bay, commonly known as ‘the jewel of the Pacific,’ to explore its wonderful wildlife with closer inspection. Travel through the winding mangroves looking out for dolphins, sea turtles and pods of grey whales. Perhaps this time you’ll see them breaching and slapping the water with their fins. Spend all day here so you don’t have to miss a thing with a picnic to keep you fuelled. There’s time for a hike on the island’s gold-sand beach before heading back to La Paz.

From the marina docks in La Paz, it’s roughly one-and-a-half hours by boat to the sea lion colony on Espiritu Santo Island. The island itself is UNESCO-accredited and it’s not hard to see why with beautiful pink cliffs, crystal-clear waters and incredible biodiversity including sharks, rays and the endemic black jackrabbit.  Now is your chance to swim and snorkel with curious sea lions often seen here in the bays. Afterwards, tuck into lunch on one of the island’s secluded beaches.