This is a live auction item, to be auctioned off at our event on October 2!
Enjoy a 6-day, 5-night whalewatching trip by Lindblad Expeditions in Baja California's Magdalena Bay, one of the best places in the world to encounter gray whale mothers and their calves. On this trip, we explore aboard the National Geographic Sea Bird, the only expedition ship in the region small and nimble enough to anchor inside the bay's sheltered waters, giving you unparalleled access to this busy whale nursery. Set out in local pangas for up-close encounters with these curious cetaceans, kayak mangrove forests, hike desert islands, and look for pelicans and ospreys while soaking up the sun on pristine beaches.
Terms & Conditions: Prize valid for one Category 1 cabin for two persons, for departure on either January 22, February 26, or March 13, 2026. Includes accommodations, meals and excursions per itinerary. Not included: air transportation, meals not indicated, extensions, baggage/accident cancellation insurance, passport, visa, immigration fees, items of personal nature such as certain premium brands of alcohol, spa services, laundry, etc. Gratuities to the ship's crew are at traveler's discretion.
- Search for gigantic gray whale mothers and their calves in the nursery waters of Magdalena Bay, delighting in up-close encounters
- Kayak and paddleboard in stunning mangrove forests, or beachcomb along endless stretches of sand.
- Go hiking and fat-tire biking across diverse landscapes-from windswept dunes to cactus forests-keeping an eye out for rambling coyotes and soaring eagles.
- Scan the skies for myriad bird species, like diving pelicans and magnificent frigatebirds.
- Extend your expedition with a history and whale-watching experience in Loreto, or explore culture and cuisine in Todos Santos and La Paz.
ITINERARY:
Day 1
Loreto, Mexico / San Carlos / Embark Ship
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.
Arrival Time: Arrive before 2:30 p.m. local time.
Arrival City: Loreto, Mexico
Meals Included: Dinner
Days 2-5
Magdalena Bay
Below is a selection of locales you may visit during your expedition.
Bahía Almejas
The southernmost of the waters you'll explore, Bahía Almejas, or Bay of Clams, is known for its many seabird species and its remarkably active gray whale populations.
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.
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.
Hull Canal
Take in the scenery and watch for pods of bow-riding dolphins as the ship navigates this winding canal.
Boca de Soledad
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.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6
San Carlos / Disembark Ship / Loreto
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.
Meals Included: Breakfast
https://www.expeditions.com/expeditions/wild-baja-california-escape-the-whales-of-magdalena-bay
