Sea of Cortez Ocean Safari

Sea of Cortez Ocean Safari

2023 Season: April 22 – Early July

The Sea of Cortez is a magical and wonderful place teeming with marine creatures of all sizes. Our guests encounter and interact year-round with friendly California sea lions and mega pods of bottlenose dolphins. If we are lucky, we might also encounter spinner and Risso’s dolphins. Mobula rays are present year-round and aggregate in enormous schools from March through July. Colossal fin whales (second in size only to blue whales), sperm whales, rays, and whale sharks are present year-round and migrate seasonally up and down the Sea of Cortez. Pilot whales, pseudo orcas, and minke whales are also known to migrate in the area, although they are less commonly seen.

Are we sure that you will see mobula rays on our ocean safaris? HECK YES!

Interact with the whales and the mobulas

The iconic creature on these adventures is the orca, also known as the killer whale. With a combined experience of over 80 years between Baja Expeditions and Nautilus, we have had the privilege of respectfully interacting with these magnificent creatures, from the chilly waters of Alaska to Roca Partida and Socorro Island further south. The sight of those sleek black dorsal fins slicing through the water when the orcas make an appearance is truly unforgettable. Any interaction is always done in full compliance with the laws of Mexico.

Our secret weapon is ‘Scout,’ our very own spotter aircraft, manned by our pilot and biologist-observer. Scout takes to the skies as often as possible from January to November, conducting patrols and confirming sightings in undisclosed areas that our decades of experience have taught us to be the prime locations for breathtaking encounters with these magnificent creatures.

Interaction is always respectful and on the animals own terms. You can expect to be in the water with the rays, any whale sharks that swim by, dolphins, inquisitive and interactive orcas and possibly the fin back whales.

Learn to Freedive

Want to join the party? Add-on a half day introduction to freediving for $65 per person. 

Visit us the day before your trip and we’ll teach you the basic techniques of breath-holding (it really is very, very, relaxing). We’ll have you comfortably descend to 30 ft within the hour, so that you can enter the middle of the pack and be rewarded with some truly spectacular mobula encounters.