Nautilus Explorer Itinerary

Ultimate Whale Sharks in the Sea of Cortez

Day 1:
Your complimentary transfer to the ship in La Paz departs from SeeCreatures in Cabo San Lucas at 4:30 PM (approximately a 2.5-hour drive). Please allow ample time beforehand for check-in and fitting any rental gear.

You can also join us directly in La Paz—either at Baja Expeditions HQ, with transfer to the ship departing at 6:45 PM (please arrive earlier for check-in), or via complimentary local hotel pickup (approx. 6:45–7:00 PM) for direct transfer to the ship, with check-in onboard. Please notify our concierge team in advance if you'd like hotel pickup arranged. If you're renting dive or snorkelling gear, please stop by our Baja Expeditions HQ in La Paz before 4:00 PM to try it on and confirm your sizes so you have the best-fitting equipment ready for your adventure.

On the ship, our hosts will be waiting for you on the back deck with trays of margaritas and champagne, followed by dinner and departure for the Sea of Cortez.

A few departures between late June and mid-July board directly in Cabo instead, without a La Paz boarding option for those trips. For these departures, your complimentary transfer departs from SeeCreatures in Cabo San Lucas at 7:30 PM. Some October trips also disembark in Cabo rather than La Paz. You'll find the exact boarding time and disembarkation details for your specific dates when you select your trip. If it's more convenient for you to fly into La Paz, we're happy to arrange a complimentary transfer from Baja Expeditions HQ in La Paz to SeeCreatures Cabo. 

Days 2-5: 
Four days of diving with up to four dives daily, including night dives. Travelling at night and anchoring by day, your captain and dive guides adjust the itinerary daily to maximize encounters and work with conditions.

We'll explore Isla Las Ánimas, then venture north to visit either Bahía de Loreto National Park or Isla San Ildefonso (wherever diving conditions are best that particular week), and Isla San Pedro Mártir, where we hold one of only two permits in Mexico to go ashore.

Day 6:

Swimming with whale sharks! We partner with authorized local operators using permitted pangas. Whale sharks gather here to feed on plankton blooms (visibility typically 30-40 feet). While we can't guarantee specific numbers—this is the ocean, not Disneyland—our success rate from June through October has been excellent.

Day 7:
A day at sea heading south. We'll keep watch for marine life and explore our secret spot near Mulegé, where pilot whales, dolphins, and other incredible creatures are often encountered.

Day 8: 
Enjoy breakfast onboard before disembarking in La Paz at 8 AM. From there, choose an included transfer to a local hotel (we're happy to arrange hotel reservations for you) or a transfer to either San José del Cabo Airport (SJD) or SeeCreatures in Cabo San Lucas. We highly recommend booking your outbound flight from SJD at 1 PM or later to allow for transfer time and any possible delays on the highway to Cabo.

Sample itineraries are for guidance only. Actual itineraries may differ slightly due to factors such as weather, wildlife, logistics, and local regulations.