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5 Night Baja California Observing the Whales of Magdalena Bay

From Loreto to La Paz

National Geographic Sea Bird

Lindblad Expeditions
4 Stars
  • Cruise #: 13981966
  • Departs: Fri, Feb 6, 2026
  • Returns: Wed, Feb 11, 2026
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    Oceanview $4,561
    *Prices are per person based on double occupancy
    Includes taxes & fees
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    Itinerary Summary

    Day by Day Details

    Land Segment of Itinerary

    Friday - Feb 6, 2026
    Day
    1
    • Loreto, Mexico
    • Bus Travel

    Cruise Segment of Itinerary

    Day 1 - Friday - Feb 6, 2026
    Day
    1
    Cruise Begins
    • Cruise Begins
    • San Carlos, Mexico
    Arrive in Loreto by early afternoon for the transfer to San Carlos, a small waterside town where the mountains meet the Gulf of California. Embark the ship this evening in time for cocktails and an introduction to the staff and crew. You may opt for a pre-voyage extension exploring the region's culture and cuisine. ...
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    Saturday - Feb 7, 2026
    Day
    2
    Bahia Almejas, Mexico
    • Bahia Almejas, Mexico
    Sunday - Feb 8, 2026
    Day
    3
    Puerto Magdalena, Isla Magdalena, Baja California Sur, Mexico
    • Puerto Magdalena, Isla Magdalena, Baja California Sur, Mexico
    Monday - Feb 9, 2026
    Day
    4
    Sand Dollar Beach, Isla Magdalena, Baja California Sur, Mexico
    • Sand Dollar Beach, Isla Magdalena, Baja California Sur, Mexico
    Tuesday - Feb 10, 2026
    Day
    5
    Hull Canal, Mexico
    • Hull Canal, Mexico
    • Boca de Soledad, Mexico
    Below is a selection of locales we may visit during our expedition. Bahia Almejas: The southernmost of the waters we'll explore, Bahia Almejas, or Bay of Clams, is known for its many seabird species and its remarkably active gray whale populations. With luck, we'll have the opportunity to view a large frigatebird colony before heading out on a whale-watching trip. Board small, open boats called pangas, operated by pangueros-expert local guides. The areas around Magdalena Bay are primarily supported by whale-watching and small-scale, artisanal fishing; our pangueros make their livings as fishermen outside the gray whale season and have a deep familiarity with these rich waters. Isla Magdalena / Sand Dollar Beach: Explore ever-shifting sand dunes on a cross-island walk to one of the most pristine beaches in the Pacific. Take in the impressive desert plant life of this exotic terrain, home to five species of cacti. Tally treasures offered up by the ocean on the aptly named Sand Dollar Beach, and capture images of your discoveries with the help of a certified photo instructor. Puerto Magdalena: Wake up anchored at this small fishing village, surrounded by the open Pacific to the west, Magdalena Bay to the east, mangroves to the north, and mountains to the south. With a population of 85, Puerto Magdalena is the only inhabited area of Isla Magdalena. Meet a local resident and learn how his family has lived off the area since the 1800s-from lichen harvesting to managing an open-air cantina, where we'll enjoy local bites and beverages. Time permitting, visit the desalinization plant that supplies fresh water to the community. Get active on a fat-tire bike ride or, conditions permitting, a kayaking excursion through the mangroves in Man of War Cove. Hull Canal: Take in the scenery and watch for pods of bow-riding dolphins as we navigate this winding canal. Within its narrow channels, bordered by mangroves and sand dunes and filled with abundant wildlife, we join our keen-eyed naturalists on deck to spot species and hear expert commentary. Weather permitting, explore the vast mangrove system by kayak and Zodiac. Bird-watching can be excellent here, with various seabirds and shorebirds patrolling the beaches as they fatten up and prepare for long journeys to their summer breeding grounds. We might see anything from diving pelicans and wheeling cormorants to terns, great blue herons, ibis, whimbrels, and willets. Boca de Soledad: Settle in for unforgettable experiences in this tranquil lagoon. Each winter, during their long migration, gray whales travel south from their Arctic feeding grounds to breed and give birth to their calves in these sheltered waters, often called "Grand Central" for California gray whales. Venture out in local pangas to view the numerous mother-calf pairs that thrive in the region. With luck, enjoy up-close interactions with these curious creatures. ...
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    Wednesday - Feb 11, 2026
    Day
    6
    San Carlos, Mexico
    • San Carlos, Mexico
    • Cruise Ends

    Land Segment of Itinerary

    Day 6 - Wednesday - Feb 11, 2026
    Day
    6
    • Bus Travel
    • La Paz, Mexico
    After breakfast, disembark the ship and transfer to the Loreto airport for flights home or to Loreto's city center to begin your two-night history and whale-watching extension.


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