Mexico Big Creature Safari

7 nights

Duration

Jan, Feb, Mar

Month

12 People

Max Group Size

This is truly a one-of-a-kind tour that we have tailor-made with the help of our hosts at Latitude Encounters in Cabo San Lucas. This tour is all about getting in the water and snorkeling alongside some of the ocean’s most charismatic creatures. For one week we will indulge in the bounty that the Sea of Cortez offers with stops in Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, and Magdalena Bay on the Pacific coast.

March is arguably the best month for snorkeling the Sea of Cortez as it’s when all the big animals congregate here. With a bit of luck and the first-hand knowledge of the team at Latitude Encounters we can expect to swim alongside whale sharks, playful colonies of sea lions, sea turtles, and a variety of shark species like blue sharks, silkie sharks, and possibly smooth hammerheads. What’s more, is that this time of year coincides with whale season, so you are not only likely to see humpbacks, gray whales, blue whales, and orcas from the boat, but you may be able to swim alongside them as well!

gray whale approaching people on boat

Is this trip right for me?

This is a unique type of trip in that most of our time is spent in the open ocean looking for various pelagic species like sharks, whales, and dolphins. Even though the team from Latitude Encounters has incredible knowledge of the marine life here, and this is arguably the best place to encounter such a diversity of these big marine animals, there can be times when we won’t see anything for anywhere from thirty minutes to a couple of hours, as these pelagic species can be hard to find at times. We also need to say that these pelagic species can move relatively quick, and as a result, there may be a lot of in and out of the boat via the ladder as we reposition the boat to get back in the water. This safari is one of our most physically demanding tours and a reasonable level of physical strength is required for the particular tour. Also, as we are in the open ocean with rolling swells for long periods of time, people joining this trip should be comfortable on board boats and not prone to sea sickness. For more information about what you can expect from this tour please get in touch with us.

Marine Life Guide

This tour is partnered with Bite-Back. Find out how we support Bite-Back via this tour here.

Day 1 - Arrive in Cabo San Lucas

Upon arrival at the San Jose Del Cabo Airport (SJD) you will be met by a member of the Latitude Encounters team and shuttled the forty minutes to the hotel where you can check into your room and relax. You will meet your Snorkel Venture group tour leader and the other members of the safari that evening for dinner at the Hotel’s restaurant.

View of cabo coastline form resorts restaurant

Day 2-4 Pelagic Safari

After a big breakfast at the hotel, we’ll be picked up by the Latitude Encounters team at 7:30 and shuttled the short distance to Cabo San Lucas Marina where we’ll split into two small groups of six and board the boats. We split the group into two boats as many pelagic species can be a bit shy when there are a lot of people in the water. This way we maximize our time in the water and our encounters with these wonderful animals. The boats will be in constant radio contact just in case something truly spectacular happens and both groups need to see it. Each day onboard will be a little bit different than the last. On some days we will concentrate our time on attracting and interacting with sharks through non-invasive chumming methods, while on other days we’ll set out in search of pods of dolphins, whales, turtles, and anything else we happen to find. The boat is well stocked with plenty of snacks, drinks, and lunch, which we will eat on board. The boat will return to the marina every day around 16:00, and we’ll be shuttled back to our hotel for sunset drinks on the beach and dinner.

Day 5 - Transfer to La Paz

After a nice big breakfast and a bit of last-minute packing, we’ll check out of our hotel in Cabo San Lucas and be transferred to La Paz by the Latitude Encounters team. The drive is about two and a half hours and along the way we plan to make a couple of stops. One will be at a really cute Mexican village called Todos Santos where we can wander around and marvel at the historic buildings. Another stop will be at a wild donkey rescue center, before arriving in La Paz. We will check into our new hotel, Hotel Catedral La Paz, where we’ll have lunch. The rest of the day is free to do as you please. The hotel has a great rooftop pool and lounge where can relax, or you can wander around town. The hotel is located just a couple of blocks from the beach and breezy boardwalk. After sunset drinks, we’ll enjoy a nice dinner in town along the beach.

Day 6 - Whale Sharks and Sea Lions

After breakfast, we’ll be picked up by the Latitude Encounters team and transferred the short distance to the marina where we’ll load into two boats for another day on the water.

Our first stop will be just twenty minutes away where the whale sharks predictably congregate to feed on the plankton that’s up on the surface.

After our morning swim with the world’s largest fish, we’ll take the boats north along the stunning coastline to the island of Espíritu Santo where we’ll be able to explore the beautiful beach and have a delicious ceviche lunch. Post lunch we’ll move south to a sea lion colony whose playful pups should be eager to dance around us as we snorkel. Snacks and drinks will of course be on board the boats.

Day 7 - Gray Whales in Magdalena Bay

After an earlier breakfast at the hotel, we’ll be picked up by the team from Latitude Encounters and shuttled north to Magdalena Bay on the Pacific side. The drive is about three-and-a-half hours. We’ll then load into two panga-style boats (fiberglass speed boat with a canopy) and then set out into the calm water of the bay in search of the many gray whale mothers and their newly born calves that congregate in these protected waters this time of year. This is a non-snorkeling activity, but no less awesome as the whales are well known for coming right up to the boats in what some believe to be an attempt to socialize their shy calves. Like all days there will be snacks and drink onboard and lunch we’ll stop for a scenic lunch after our whale encounters. Post whales and lunch, we’ll make our way back to La Paz for our final dinner together in town.

Day 8 - Tour Ends

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll be shuttled to the San Jose Del Cabo Airport (SJD), three hours from La Paz.

2023 Cabo Accommodation

For the first leg of this trip in the Cabo area we’ll be based in the beautiful Hacienda Encantada Resort & Spa. This cliffside oasis will provide us with everything and more as we relax in between our pelagic expeditions.

hotel room in Mexico

This fantastic resort has several pools, a swim-up bar, multiple restaurants, spacious rooms with all the amenities of home, and unobstructed views of the sea where you just might witness a breaching humpback whale!

hotel in cabo mexico

2024 Cabo Accommodation

For the first leg of this epic journey, we’ll be just a stone’s throw from the beach in Cabo at our host hotel, Bahia Hotel and Beach House. This upscale hotel offers everything for those wanting a cool and comfortable place to spend their time when they’re not swimming with ocean giants.

Hotel Bahia's room with large televisoin and bed

The hotel has its own big pool, a swim-up bar, a coffee shop, and a fantastic restaurant. Just three minutes walk from the hotel is the beach where Bahia has its own beach restaurant/lounge with fantastic views of the coastline. With the unobstructed views of the sea, it’s not entirely impossible to see breaching humpback whales from the resort!

La Paz Accommodation

The second leg of our journey will take place in La Paz, where we’ll stay in the heart of this sleepy coastal town, just blocks from the beach and its vibrant boardwalk. We’ll base ourselves at the Hotel Catedral La Paz, another upscale hotel with some real character and all the comforts of home.

As you might expect, the rooms are clean and quiet with plush linens and fully equipped with air conditioning, wifi, and hot water. From the rooftop bar and pool we’ll have full view of the sea and town.

Resort Guide

Snorkel Boats

In both Cabo San Lucas and La Paz we will be using two spacious speedboats (we will split the group between the two boats). The boats are complete with both permanent sun canopies as well as small marine toilets. All boats will have a secure dry area to store cameras and phones as well as a ladder for exiting the water.

Once again the group will be split between two boats in Magdalena Bay. Here the boats are the traditional Mexican Pangas outfitted with a full canopy. There will be no toilet on board.

On this page you will find our Tour Dates & Pricing (see below contact form), a Booking Form and Details of Payment schedule including deposit and final balance. If you have any further questions please complete the form and we will reply within 24-48hrs.

Make an Enquiry or Book this Tour

Your name

Your email

Select your preferred dates of travel (if any)

Your message (optional)

Tour Dates 2023

8 – 15 March

Tour Price:

$5,375 USD per person sharing

Please contact us for Single Supplement

Tour Dates 2024

28 January – 4 February

5 February – 12 February

Tour Price:

$5,575 USD per person sharing

Please contact us for Single Supplement

How to book your place

Initial deposit to secure your booking is $400 per person

12 months before departure interim payment of $600 per person

6 months before departure interim payment of $1,000 per person

Balance due 3 months before departure

Includes

4 nights Los Cabos – Bahia Hotel, Deluxe Room
3 nights La Paz – Catedral, Standard Room
Breakfast
Lunch (excludes arrival and departure days)
3 x Day Safari in Cabo San Lucas
1 x Day Safari Whaleshark & Sea Lion La Paz
1 x Day Grey Whale Magdalena Bay
Transportation: Roundtrip from/to Cabo San Lucas Airport
Includes 16% Government taxes

Not Included

Evening meals
Lunch on arrival/departure days
Snorkeling equipment rental
Soft and alcoholic drinks
Tips and general sundries

Please note our cancelation policy:

1 year or more: 150 USD penalty per person to switch to a credit note for use within 2 years
12 months or less: Loss of deposit and interim payment
90 – 28 days: 25% Refund (includes your final balance payment)
28 – 0 days: No Refund