Mexico Big Fish Safari

7 nights

Duration

Feb, Mar, Apr

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 Pelagic Safari 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 Pelagic Safari we can expect to swim along side 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 along side them as well!

Is this trip right for me?

This is a very unique type of trip in that most of our time is spent in the open ocean looking for a verity of pelagic species like sharks, whales, and dolphins. Even though the team from Pelagic Safari have incredible knowledge of the marine life here, there can be times where we won’t see anything for anywhere from thirty minutes to a couple hours, as these pelagic species can be hard to find at times. For more information about what you can expect from this tour please check out this blog by one of our tour leaders, Alex, who spent some time with the Pelagic Safari back in August 2019.

Marine Life Guide

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 Pelagic Safari team and shuttled the forty minutes to the Bahia Hotel & Beach House in Cabo San Lucas 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 at a dinner in the hotel.

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 Pelagic Safari 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 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 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 onboard. 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.

pelagic safari boat in front of Cabo san Lucas clifs

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 Pelagic Safari team. The drive is one and a half hours. 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 roof top pool and lounge where can relax or you can wander around town. The hotel is located in town and just a couple 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 Pelagic Safari 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 in large numbers 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 boat north along the stunning coastline to a magical little island/rock known as Los Islotes. Los Islotes hosts a massive sea lion colony, and in March the mothers have just had their pups who are eager to dance around us as we snorkel.

Snacks and drinks will of course be on board the boats. Later, we’ll stop for lunch on one of the remote white sand beaches after we’ve had our fill of playing with sea lions, before heading back to La Paz to freshen up for dinner and drinks.

Day 7 - Gray Whales in Magdalena Bay

After breakfast at the hotel we’ll be picked up by the team from Pelagic Safari and shuttled north to Magdalena Bay on the Pacific side. The drive is about three hours. We’ll then load into two panga style boats (fiber glass 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 is 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 the hotel we’ll be shuttled to the San Jose Del Cabo Airport (SJD), two hours from La Paz.

For the first leg of this epic journey we’ll be beach-side in Cabo San Lucas at our host hotel the Bahia Hotel & Beach House. This upscale hotel offers everything for those wanting a cool and comfortable place to spend their time when their not swimming with ocean giants.

The hotel has it’s on pool and hot tub as well as a full service restaurant with options to dine right on the beach itself. There are plenty of sun loungers as well for sunset cocktails after a beautiful day on the sea.

Resort Guide

The second leg of our journey will take place in La Paz where we’ll stay in the heart of this much sleepier coastal town, just blocks from the beach and it’s vibrant board walk. 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 roof top 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 modern speedboats (we will split the group between the two boats). The boats are complete with both permanent and fold out 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, a contact 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.