Baja California & Sea of Cortez

Tour Code: MEX01

A 14-day whale-watching and wildlife holiday, including an 11-night cruise down the western coast of Mexico's Baja Peninsula and round into the Sea of Cortez.

14 days from
£8,295 (Inc flights)

Land only price from
£7,295

book now

Add to Saved Tours

Highlights

Summary

There are few, if any, whale-watching destinations that can rival Mexico’s Baja California! Naturetrek’s small-ship cruises in February and March – on board ‘Searcher’ – offer the opportunity to enjoy a breathtaking array of whale and dolphin species, from huge Blue Whales to the diminutive Harbour Porpoise. Other highlights include eye-to-eye encounters with the 'friendly' Grey Whales of San Ignacio Lagoon, thousands of dolphins in the Sea of Cortez and an exciting variety of other whale species. Northern Elephant Seal, turtles, sea lions and an abundance of birds make up a fascinating supporting cast, while the blue skies and warm weather will be a welcome relief from our cold, grey British winters.

Exclusively chartered small ship focusing solely on whale-watching & other wildlife
Maximum of 25 passengers
Close encounters with San Ignacio’s friendly Grey Whales
Sightings of Blue Whale (100% success!)
Humpback, Fin, Bryde’s & Sperm Whales; chance of seeing Orca
Thousands of dolphins
Varied birdlife including Red-billed Tropicbird & endemic Xantu’s Hummingbird
Explore Cardon Cacti deserts
Snorkel with Whale Sharks & other marine-life
Expert guidance by Naturetrek & local naturalist guides

Grading

Grade A. Optional - and generally easy - day walks.

Baja California has long been described as the ‘Galápagos of Mexico’. From the Pacific-pounded shores of its western coastline round to the sheltered blue waters of the Sea of Cortez, this 1,285-kilometre peninsula, one of the world’s longest, is home to a diversity of wildlife that could easily rival Darwin’s more famous islands over 1,600 kilometres to the south. Flocks of Magnificent Frigatebirds soar ominously overhead, whilst lines of Brown Pelicans and Brant’s Cormorants file over the sea’s surface and hundreds of Sea Lions rest on isolated rocky islands. Inland, Crested Caracaras sit atop the huge Cardon Cacti which cover much of the desert interior and tiny hummingbirds sip nectar from a variety of colourful desert plants.

Baja is, without doubt, a naturalist’s paradise. Yet there is one family of animals above all others in which it excels — the cetaceans. The rich feeding grounds of the Sea of Cortez and the sheltered bays along the Pacific coastline combine to produce one of the best whale-watching experiences anywhere in the world. This exciting holiday will take you down the western coastline of the Baja Peninsula and then round into the deep blue waters of the Sea of Cortez. It will offer such unforgettable experiences as eye-to-eye contact with the Grey Whales of San Ignacio, the chance to be surrounded by thousands of dolphins, and the opportunity to look for the mighty Blue Whale, the largest animal on Earth.

Our tour begins with a flight to San Diego in California. Here we board the MV Searcher, an American registered vessel that comfortably accommodates 25 passengers. We cruise south from San Diego, stopping en route to explore the many seabird colonies and Elephant Seal rookeries, and some of the isolated islands such as Todos Santos and San Benitos. On our third day we will arrive at the world famous San Ignacio Lagoon, home to Baja’s ‘friendly’ Grey Whales.

Every year between 17,000 and 24,000 Pacific Grey Whales make the 8,000- kilometre journey south from the cold, invertebrate-rich waters of the Bering and Chukchi Seas to the lagoons and bays along Baja’s Pacific coastline. Here, in the warm sheltered waters, they assemble to mate and give birth. Grey Whales are naturally inquisitive creatures, especially the mothers and small calves, but at San Ignacio they seem to genuinely revel in human contact; there is no need to look for the whales here, they will quickly find you! There can be few more memorable wildlife experiences than being able to look one of these gentle creatures straight in the eye as it raises its head out of the water next to the boat; a truly moving moment in a highlight-packed tour!

Leaving San Ignacio behind, we continue our journey south. Off the coastline of Magdalena Bay we hope to find such cetaceans as Bryde’s, Humpback and Fin Whales, together with huge pods of Common Dolphins. The birdlife is equally diverse, with Brown and Blue-footed Boobies, Black-vented Shearwaters, Royal Terns and Pomarine Skuas feeding over the sea, whilst areas of coastal mangroves hold Reddish Egrets, Tri-coloured Herons, White Ibis, Roseate Spoonbills and Long-billed Curlews.

Rounding Baja’s southern cape we enter the deep blue waters of the Sea of Cortez, home to one of the world’s greatest concentrations of cetaceans. Here a maze of submarine canyons and sea mounts deflect nutrient-rich water to the surface to feed blooms of plankton and other sea creatures. It is this rich food supply that attracts the cetaceans and we will spend the remainder of our holiday exploring this narrow sea in search of whales and other marine-life. In particular we will be on the look-out for the huge, 12-metre tall ‘blow’ of water vapour that marks the surfacing of the magnificent Blue Whale, an animal that can grow to over 27 metres (90 feet) in length! A wide variety of other whale species share the Blue Whale’s domain and, during our five days here, we will search for Humpback, Fin, Minke, Sperm and Bryde’s Whales, plus more elusive species such as Orca, Dwarf Sperm Whale and Pygmy Killer Whale. Once again Bottlenose and Common Dolphins abound in these waters, pods of the latter sometimes numbering in the thousands! In addition to the whale-watching, there will be daily excursions onto remote islands and into coastal habitats in search of Guadalupe Fur Seals and birds such as Gila Woodpecker, Black-throated Sparrow, Crested Caracara, the endemic Xantu’s Hummingbird and perhaps even the rare and exquisitely beautiful Red-billed Tropicbird. There will also be plenty of opportunities for snorkelling in search of turtles, rays and some of the other 650 species of fish that inhabit the Sea of Cortez.

At the end of our journey we must sadly disembark at Cabo San Lucas, Baja’s southernmost community and, with memories of whales and other wildlife that will last a lifetime, we begin our journey home.

DETAILED INFORMATION

Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1

Fly San Diego

Day 2

Board the MV Searcher

Day 3

Todos Santos Island

Day 4

San Benitos Island

Day 5/6

San Ignacio Lagoon

Day 7

Magdalena Bay

Day 8/12

Sea of Cortez

Day 13

Depart Baja California

Day 14

Arrive London

Download Full Itinerary

What's Included

What's Included?

Flights
Accommodation:
For these voyages we have exclusively chartered the MV Searcher which carries 25 passengers in small, but comfortable, cabins. Additional information can be found in the detailed tour itinerary or main Naturetrek brochure. In San Diego we stay in a comfortable tourist motel.
Food:
All meals are included in the price, except for lunches and dinners in San Diego.

Reviews

From leaving home to arriving back, we had a very special experience. The Searcher and crew were awesome, friendly and very accommodating. The whale experience in San Ignacio was beyond any expectation, but the whole ethos of the Searcher crew, seeking and around the whales, impressed. The group of "guests", the leaders and the crew made for an experience that is hard to find words to explain. From initial contact, at Birdfair, the Naturetrek staff were very knowledgeable and willing to give info and advice to novice "whalers". There were no questions too difficult to explain, there were no situations of insecurity or anxiety that weren't supported and relieved straight away. The leader on the trip was massively suited to her position, with a cheery disposition and excellent knowledge.
J.B. Suffolk, Mar 23
A unique trip to Baja California to see Grey Whales (and interact with them) Blue whales, Humpbacks, Dolphins both Common and Bottlenose, Finn Whales and a host of other wildlife. The trip was excellently led by the wildlife naturalists and the captain of The Searcher. A true trip of a lifetime!! The crew and support people were all excellent. We have been to places few people have been to, a truly remarkable adventure. We have been with Naturetrek for the best part of 10yrs. All their work and focus goes on the 'wildlife experience'. Their guides have always been excellent as have all the support staff, without which nothing would actually happen. An excellent organisation, where you can genuinely pick up the phone and speak to anyone. A rare event these days.
C.A. Suffolk, Mar 23
The trip down the coast of Baja California visits many important whale habitats. We interacted with grey whales at the San Ignacio lagoon, watched multiple humpbacks breaching, tail slapping and spy hopping at the Gordo Bank, experienced many blue whales lunge feeding, not to mention super pods of dolphins, inquisitive sea lions and rare Guadalupe fur seals. Birders we’re not disappointed, for example we saw two species of albatross while eating breakfast! Our trip was postponed twice due to Covid, each time this was dealt with efficiently by Naturetrek. They answered all queries by email and telephone promptly. When a complex trip like this runs smoothly, it’s easy to forget that there is a large team of people working in the background making it happen.
S.J. Northamptonshire, Feb 23

We travelled from San Diego down the west coast of Baja California into the Sea of Cortez, visiting islands and seeing spectacular wildlife. We spent 2 days in Laguna San Ignacio where we were able to pet grey whales which came up to the boat. We were also able to swim with whale sharks in Bahia la Paz. This allowed me to achieve 2 life ambitions in one trip. There were many other fabulous sightings including 7 blue whales, sealions, seals, and a huge variety of birds. Although the cabins were tiny this did not detract too much from the trip as the crew was fantastic and the food fabulous. Our Naturetrek guide Tom and Searcher guide Rob had the most amazing knowledge between them of all the wildlife we saw.
A.M. Berkshire, Feb 22

A voyage down the Baja Peninsula a Marine Biosphere, and into the Sea of Cortez. We were able to have close encounters with Grey Whales, and have sightings of Blue Whales, and a variety of other marine life, during this adventure. There was also opportunities to learn about the bird life and natural history of the area. The Captain and entire crew were superb, with safety foremost at all times. Both guides were excellent with a wealth of knowledge on a variety of subjects. It was also great fun. Would do it again tomorrow! We had not previously travelled with Naturetrek, but we found them to be very professional, and our trip was well planned regarding itinerary and options available. They were very conscientious and changed our hotel to a different one, as they felt standards had slipped with the original planned accommodation. We were kept well informed of pre departure requirements, passenger locations forms, covid testing, and visas... and help was offered as necessary during the trip.
D.S. Berkshire, Feb 22

The Searcher's crew were great and contributed to the overall good humour and pleasant ambience on board ship. The food was also great and lots of it including drinks of course. My wife was absolutely blown away with swimming with Whale Sharks and Sea Lions. We met some lovely people. We had a fantastic tour leader. However, the last word has to go the memorable Whales, Manta Rays, Dolphins and all the other fabulous wildlife experiences we enjoyed. It truly was a brilliant holiday.
S.D. West Yorkshire, Mar 22

We were able to get the best out of the trip because of the knowledge and expertise of the Captain, crew, and both guides. The way we were instructed to get off the boat and into the pangas, and back again, made us feel safe, and we had complete confidence in them all. The close encounters with the Gray Whales were very special, and our first ever sighting of a Blue Whale, will remain with us always. Together with the flipper flapping of the Humpbacks, and all the lovely birds, we could not have wished for more. The camaraderie of the crew was a joy, and the meals they produced in the galley was quite amazing, including serving them on deck, when we had whale sightings at lunchtime!
D.S. Berkshire, Feb 22

The days were well organised, with a range of activities on most days (whale watching, trips to islands, snorkelling, evening lectures by Rob). The visit to the friendly grey whales of San Ignacio was fantastic, as was seeing 8 blue whales (including a cow and calf), a pod of 2000 common dolphins surrounding the Searcher, humpbacks flipper flapping and breaching and albatrosses following the boat. Tom was very friendly and approachable and an excellent birder. Very responsive to all and always on the lookout for wildlife. Pointed out things that might be missed and knew a great deal about the birds, butterflies and mammals we encountered. The Searcher's naturalist, Rob, was outstanding. Very friendly, with a dry, self deprecating sense of humour, he was a fount of knowledge about every aspect of the wildlife and geography of the area. Everyone loved him! I also have to commend the crew of the Searcher. The captain worked hard to ensure that we were all kept safe and that we always had the best possible views of whales. The cooks were always cheerful and produced the most fantastic meals, catering for vegetarians and vegans as well as the more traditional palates. The crew were so friendly, cheerful and helpful - it was lovely to see them as enthusiastic to see the whales as we were. I was a bit nervous about getting down into the skiffs, etc, but there were always plenty of hands to help and I was never given any cause to worry. All in all we had a fantastic time and I would recommend this trip to anyone.
S.B. Essex, Feb 22

The tour was excellent and exceeded our (already high) expectations. The ship's crew were great, very skilled and friendly, and the food delicious and plentiful. The Naturetrek tour leader, Peter, was organised but informal, and very knowledgeable. The local guide, Marc, was a real expert on cetaceans and very generous with his knowledge and time. While some aspects of the tour were affected by weather, the captain (with the tour leaders) made other arrangements, and the tour did not suffer in any way - we simply saw other, equally interesting, wildlife. We could not but be wowed by the extensive sightings of whales, including blue whales lunge feeding, and humpbacks breaching around the boat in all directions. Plus being surrounded by hundreds of dolphins at sunset was simply magical.
M.D. & N.M. London, Feb 20

Both guides Peter and Mark, and Louis the trainee shared their excellent knowledge and were always free to answer questions . Peter, in particular, went out of his way to help individuals, particularly on the return journey where he proved to be invaluable for a number of passengers. The chefs made a real effort to make my vegetarian meals tasty and interesting and would often discuss what my options were with me which was a nice, personal touch. All the crew were helpful and attentive, the guides had amazing knowledge and the whole holiday was a fantastic experience. We had some amazing wildlife experiences, thanks to the knowledge of the guides and the captain.
E.P. West Yorkshire, Feb 20

I would like to mention our excellent tour leaders: Peter Dunn (Naturetrek) and Marc Webber. Both were excellent, Peter with his knowledge on birds and Marc with his knowledge on aquatic animals and supervision of snorkelling. Both were kind and patient and gave interesting presentations of the days events each evening. The crew were equally excellent in both steering the ship or guiding the skiffs especially in rough weather. The chefs produced delicious meals and were prepared to pander to individual tastes! All in all, it was a great trip in good company.
M. & C. N. Warwickshire, Feb 20

Exceptional wildlife encounters on this trip. Top class menus and food on the ship, and the crew worked tirelessly in many different ways to make everything work smoothly and safely. An outstanding experience.
D.B. Ireland, Feb 20

The wildlife observation was spectacular. The Gray Whales in the lagoon, feeding Blue Whales and breaching Humpbacks with the large 'wall' of dolphins being the highlights. However, the birds and other wildlife were also wonderful but too many to mention. The guides and the staff were extremely professional and pleasant company and the food on board was excellent.
K.P. Lanarkshire, Feb 20

The best "Sea Mammal " trip in the world. Not sure what I enjoyed the most, I think the whole thing was great........and caters for all Natural History lovers. Great crew, great boat for the job, great food/ great passengers.
A.J. Cheshire, Feb 20

An exciting trip with outstanding wildlife viewing. Very good combination of guides who were both excellent and complemented each other.
P&M. B. Greater Manchester, Feb 20

Whale watching in Baja, crew aboard The Searcher ensured we had our expectations met, saw Humpback Whales in abundance - we didn't know where to look, they were fin slapping, breaching and generally having 'fun'. Also saw Fin Whales, and Blue Whales. Had wonderful close encounters with Gray whales and their calves. Naturetrek from initial contact to booking the holiday were brilliant. I had problems re booking airline seat online - phoned them and within minutes had sorted things out. Their tour guide was excellent, always around, never intrusive but always there if needed.
L.W. Denbighshire, Feb 19

Boat - immaculately clean and kept that way throughout... friendly and helpful crew who went out of their way to make the holiday memorable... food beyond all expectations. How Dan produced such food in such quantities from such a small galley, borders on the miraculous... The lengths Mike and the crew went to find whales and the skill Mike used to get us close to them when found deserves the highest praise and thanks. Itinerary - brilliant. Whales - beyond our expectations. A privilege to be able to touch Grey Whales and swim with Sea Lions, to name but two of the highlights. Scott - excellent, extremely friendly and knowledgeable.
R.D. Cumbria

This was a fantastic trip, excellent views and photo opportunities. The Spirit of Adventure was a wonderful boat with a great crew and splendid food. The naturalist Scott Anderson was excellent.
C.G. Lancashire

The food was excellent - much appreciated. Crew were very good - helpful, good sense of humour etc. Local naturalist and guide, very good.
B.M. Norfolk

A fantastic experience which we thoroughly enjoyed. Hope to be back one day. Thank you to all the guides and crew for helping make this such a special holiday.
M.B. & A.K. Berkshire

Quite simply the best two weeks of my life so far!
R.H. Devon

Excellent trip all round. Both Tim and Scott were great tour leaders at all times imparting excellent commentary backed up with sound knowledge of the flora and fauna. The Captain and crew of the Spirit of Adventure were faultless in their care and our needs. Congratulations and many thanks to all. Well done.
T. & J.F. Rutland

This was a truly outstanding experience. We had it all! Exceptional viewings of 7 species of whale, generally calm seas, blue skies & sunshine, enthusiastic & knowledgeable guides, superb food, brilliant birdwatching, special experiences snorkelling, a friendly funny and helpful crew, good company and amenable group and don’t forget the dolphins...thank you!
R.A. Bristol

This trip was excellent value for money. We both had a holiday of a lifetime. The 'Searcher' team were brilliant. Art is a skilful Captain & wildlife watcher. His crew were all polite, helpful, knowledgeable, interesting and fun to be with. Lee, was knowledgeable & willing to help with camera & photography problems. It was very noticeable how he went out of his way to give everyone on the trip personal time & often helped with serving drinks and food to ensure the smooth running of mealtimes. We would definitely recommend this trip to our friends, and any trip that Lee was guiding.
T.Y. Hertfordshire

A wonderful trip, one of the best we've ever done. I don't see how it can be improved. The crew of Search couldn't be more helpful and cheerful, every one of them. The leaders knowledgeable, enthusiastic and hard-working. I would recommend this holiday to anyone.
D.W. Lancashire

The holiday delivered all it promised - touching Grey Whales, seeing Blue Whales, snorkelling with sea lions and so much more. Captain Art and his crew could not have done more. The food was very good; they were very helpful & knowledgeable and their organisation was superb. To be truthful, I have almost run out of superlatives regarding this holiday. Well Done Naturetrek!.
E.B. Lancashire

Just a note to say how much we all enjoyed our recent Baja California holiday aboard the Spirit of Adventure. It really was a tremendous trip with each day bringing fresh delights, from the humbling experience of the personal contact with the grey whales in San Ignacio to the sheer exhilaration of swimming with the sea lions at Los Islotes. We are left with so many wonderful memories (as well as innumerable photos and videos …) it would be almost impossible to pick one thing as the highlight of the trip. We can’t commend enough Tim and Scott. Apart from their excellent company, their contribution to the trip through their sheer enthusiasm for what they were doing and fantastic knowledge was invaluable. When you add in the crew of the good ship Spirit of Adventure, whose attentiveness and unfailing good humour really were the icing on the cake, it all added up to a tremendous holiday which we would have had no hesitation in recommending to others. Only one word of complaint, diet sheets should be issued at the end of the trip to help get rid of the excess pounds we put on due to Dan and Dean’s great cooking! Our thanks to everyone involved in making this trip possible.
I.B. Bedfordshire

Being on a boat, travelling around the Baja Peninsula looking at whales close up and personal is a tour that would be hard to beat. I've been many places and have had many grand experiences and there are many places left in the world to explore. That said, I may just have to fit this trip in again.
P.B. USA

In Baja California and the sea of Cortez we saw a huge variety of whales and other cetaceans and had the chance to stroke/pet grey whales and their calves in the San Ignacio Lagoon which was delightful and very moving, the chance to swim with a whale shark - beautiful and very exciting. Not just cetaceans but elephant seals, sea lions, turtles, rays, sea birds, a great variety of fish and on the desert walks, there were lots of birds and interesting cacti and other plants. It was an amazing experience and we still find it hard to believe all we saw!
K.M. London

On this trip, I was able to see all of my target whales and birds. The highlights included seeing a blue whale, our largest living animal, for the first time ever and at very close range. We also saw five other live whale species - fin, humpback, Byrde's, minke and grey - and one dead sperm whale. We watched several of these whales fluking, spy-hopping and breaching, and even kissed a number of grey whales! About 250 common dolphins gave us an amazing display one afternoon, breaching in twos and threes and fives before swimming alongside us for almost three-quarters of an hour. Some of us swam with a whale shark, the world's largest fish, on a beautifully tranquil morning in La Paz Bay; others gazed in awe at it from the safety of a skiff, as it fed with its enormous mouth wide open. Among the stunning birds we saw were a red-billed tropic bird, black-footed albatross, scores of black storm-petrels, one or two least storm-petrels, several nesting ospreys, immaculate egrets, lovely herons, many species of terns, gulls, orioles, flycatchers and woodpeckers, as well as the endemic Baja California grey thrasher. We visited several tiny, desert islands adorned with huge cacti and bursting with birdsong. We also witnessed some spectacular sunrises, moonrises and sunsets, and were completely enthralled one night when the captain switched off all the boat's lights for us to stargaze in near perfect conditions. A fantastic holiday!
B.W. North Yorkshire

If you want to see whales, this is definitely the trip for you. Soon after we boarded the boat in San Diego we began to see a few whales. But when we reached San Ignacio Lagoon we were able to get really close to dozens of grey whales and after that it never stopped! Pods of pilot whales, mother and calf Sperm whales, Humpbacks doing all sorts of acrobatics and the biggest Blue Whales you ever did see. Add to that elephant seals, bow-wave riding bottlenose dolphins and a mega-pod of a 1000-plus common dolphins and we were quite exhausted with all the marine activity. The whole trip from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas was so well-organised and carried out by Naturetrek and the crew of the Searcher that I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in cetaceans.
J.S. Norfolk

Sailed in the MV Searcher down the west coast of the Baja Peninsular. We encountered a variety of seabirds, northern elephant seals and ground-nesting ospreys en-route to Laguna San Ignacio. Here grey whales come to mate and give birth. In an extraordinary encounter some whale cows bring their calves right up to the small boats and both seem to like being touched by humans. Considering either could easily overturn the boat it is a singularly trusting meeting and very much on the whales' terms. Subsequent encounters with breaching humpbacks only a few yards from the ship, huge numbers of dolphins, enormous and beautiful blue whales, some of which show their tails when diving, and the opportunity to dive with sea lions and whale sharks, round off one of the most remarkable wildlife encounters anywhere in the world.
A.G. Leicestershire

This was a trip in the MV Searcher from San Diego down the Mexican coast (Baja California) and eventually around the bottom into the Sea of Cortez. The main focus was on whales but the naturalists on board and indeed the whole crew of the Searcher were alert to the whole of nature: we went ashore for walks on uninhabited islands with interesting flora and fabulous birdlife, we swam and snorkelled in wonderful places and while travelling on Searcher we spotted whales (5 different varieties up close!). The Searcher was well managed by an experienced and very engaged crew, the two naturalists accompanying us were outstanding and our fellow passengers were enthusiastic and committed. The food was excellent!
A.D. Cambridgeshire

The Naturetrek holiday was perfectly organised, used a well run and staffed boat and employed 2 exceptional naturalists. The Searcher, the boat, was comfortable, safe and staffed by an engaging staff for whom nothing was too much trouble. The chef managed to produce a wide variety of tasty food for every meal. Maintaining safety was an obvious concern for the staff and never once did we feel unsafe or uncared for. The naturalists were a source of endless information about everything that we encountered and made our holiday interesting from start to finish. The skill of the skipper meant that we saw all our hoped for animals many times and at close quarters. All in all an excellent holiday.
F.B. Buckinghamshire

The boat we used "The Searcher" was very comfortable albeit smallish cabins but as we were only using them to sleep in perfectly fitted the bill. The Captain and crew were exceedingly helpful to me as I have a slight disability with walking. The tour guide Duncan was very considerate and helpful when I needed his help and was again "nothing was too great to deal with". The trip and food were well organised and when we left the boat on Skiffs the Searcher crew were very considerate of our safety and well being. Luckily the weather was very good and on occasion there was a small swell. For the participants the Whale Shark experience was able to take place as the weather was good and everyone who snorkelled had excellent views of the sharks, albeit I nearly brained one by jumping in the water with it's head only about a foot beneath me.
A.J. Buckinghamshire

This was a whale watching trip on the Searcher, from San Diego down the Baja peninsula and into the Sea of Cortez. The crew were extremely skilled, very courteous and took great care to make sure we saw as much as possible. Whales every day, with extra dolphins, turtles, elephant seals, whale sharks and all kinds of bird life. It was amazing. We saw many kinds of cetaceans, including the rarely spotted Couvier's Beaked Whale and a sighting of three blues. We were treated to tail lobbing and flipper flapping displays from humpbacks and enticed by the baby greys in the San Ignacio lagoon into tickling them. Whales feel, it seems, like bristly wellie boots. I cannot recommend this enough - such care of us, our safety, the environment. Amazing.
H.G. Lincolnshire

Lee Morgan is a star. Always helpful, caring and very knowledgeable about all aspects of the wildlife we encountered. We enjoyed every minute of this holiday and can't think of anything that could be improved.
A.N. Surrey

Art Taylor and his team were first class. They all make for a wonderful experience. Lee Morgan and Rob Nawojchik are superb guides. I have been on several guided trips and this team is by far the best. Both were always available, working hard to search for wish-list species. This was always done at a pace that suited all and ensured that everyone had a memorable trip.
Mr & Mrs S. Leicestershire

Amazing trip of a lifetime. Whale experience awesome. Crew extremely attentive and professional. Catered for our every need. Will certainly recommend this excellent holiday to others.
T.B. Derbyshire

Based on reading your website and trip reports we had great expectations of this trip. I am pleased to say that these were easily exceeded. The tour arrangements, the guides, and the Spirit of Adventure and its crew were great, topped only by our experience of the whales, dolphins and other sea-life. It is hard to imagine how this experience could have been bettered.
Mr & Mrs H. South Humberside

The trip met the description set out in the brochure but exceeded our expectations - we had not anticipated the skill and dedication of the skipper and crew in spotting, tracking and following the whales to maximise our sightings and overall experience and enjoyment of the trip.
S.W. London

This was a wonderful trip from start to finish. The crew were knowledgeable, supportive, friendly, efficient, cheerful and funny. Wonderful encounters with grey whales, amazing sightings of sea creatures and other whales. A lovely atmosphere on the trip.
L.M. Kincardineshire

The holiday was an amazing experience - we saw 9 species of whales and dolphins, 4 pinnipeds and nearly 100 species of bird we had not seen before - and we loved the peace and quiet of the islands we visited. Our guides Lee and Rob were knowledgeable and enthusiastic and added hugely to the experience.
F.J. & J.M. London

Best holiday ever! Never dreamt we would get so close to the whales or see so many species of cetaceans, birds and other animals. The food was some of the best we have had in North America, and the crew were awesome without exception.
B.H. & E.H. Wiltshire

I enjoyed everything on this trip. The variety of prolific wildlife was amazing, not to mention getting so close to all these amazing creatures. The trip leaders and the crew were exceptional. It was such a great trip with a great group of fellow travellers. I keep having to pinch myself as I can't believe I had all the experiences I did - it is like a dream. So much of the trip was magical. We were very blessed to have seen what we did. It was like taking part in our own wildlife programme. I can't single out one experience over another as they were all very special in their own way. When I first read the details of this holiday I thought it sounded too good to be true - I can now say it was even better than the brochure indicated. Definitely a very, very special trip and worth every penny.
L.B. Berkshire

Highlights included: Seeing a blue whale, the largest living animal on our planet, for the very first time and at such close range. Seeing six other whale species as well, including one dead sperm whale. Enjoying an incredible display by 250 or more dolphins one afternoon. Gazing in wonder at a whale shark coming within arm's length of our skiff with its enormous mouth wide open as it fed. Having glorious sightings of a black-footed albatross, a red-billed tropic bird, scores of storm petrels and terns, as well as nesting ospreys, egrets and herons, orioles and frigatebirds. Neither will I forget the spectacular sunrises and sunsets, nor the Milky Way that night when all the boat's lights were switched off. Magic!
I.B. Gwynedd

Show More Reviews Show fewer reviews

Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost

Thu 20th Feb – Wed 5th Mar FULL £8,295

Flights:

Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.

Flights are included in the tour cost

Regional Departures:

On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.

Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051

Land only cost:

The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.

£7,295

Single Room Supplement:

Single Room Supplement.

£995

Tour Leader:

Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary

Tim Melling

Tour Leader: Tim Melling

Tim has had a keen interest in all forms of natural history since childhood. A testament to his precocious knowledge is that he was overall runner-up in the first series of the Radio 4 natural history quiz 'Wild Brain'! From these auspicious beginnings, he went on to complete a degree in zoology, then a PhD in butterfly ecology. The entirety of his career was focused on nature conservation, with 30 years of it spent working as a conservation officer for the RSPB. He took an early retirement from full-time work in 2019.

His main interest is birds, although he has considerable expertise in mammals, butterflies, moths, dragonflies and wild flowers. He's also a skilled and prolific photographer, which is especially evident on his Flickr page! His passion for wildlife and skill at communication make him an eminently popular public speaker at events such as Birdfair, and our annual roadshow across the UK. He has a kind, generous personality, which combined with his encyclopaedic knowledge and broad skillset, make him an ideal tour leader.

Tim's led for us since the late 1990s, which has taken him to exciting destinations such as the Arctic, Antarctic, North and South America, Africa and both tropical and temperate Asia.

Sat 8th Mar – Fri 21st Mar FULL £8,295

Flights:

Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.

Flights are included in the tour cost

Regional Departures:

On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.

Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051

Land only cost:

The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.

£7,295

Single Room Supplement:

Single Room Supplement.

£995

Tour Leader:

Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary

Sara Frost

Tour Leader: Sara Frost

Sara works full time in Naturetrek's busy office as the Website and Marketing Manager. However, by training, she is a Zoologist, graduating from Newcastle University where she was also the president of the university's Zoological Society. Prior to working at Naturetrek she lived and worked in British Columbia, Canada, as a wildlife rehabilitator caring for Black Bears, Coyotes, River Otters and Raccoons on a daily basis. When she wasn't providing medical care to injured wildlife she could be found hiking in the mountains, photographing wildlife, howling with wolves and avoiding bears (usually successfully). On her return to the UK she moved to the Scottish Hebrides, where she spent three years working at sea as a wildlife guide, finding Minke Whales, Otters, dolphins and eagles for her guests on a daily basis! She also spent her summers as the Senior Wildlife Officer on a ship in the North Sea, collecting sightings data on whales and dolphins, and delivering marine biology lectures to guests.

Always keen to be involved with media, Sara has presented on both live radio and TV, has had her writing and photos published in multiple wildlife and travel magazines and has worked as a guide for Ray Mears and TV film crews for several natural history documentaries. A keen cetacean spotter, Sara specialises in leading Naturetrek's cruises in the Hebrides, Indonesia, the Maldives, Baja California and Arctic, as well as our holidays in the Azores.

2026

Departures Availability Cost

Thu 19th Feb – Wed 4th Mar SPACES £8,595

Book Tour Show Details

Flights:

Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.

Flights are included in the tour cost

Regional Departures:

On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.

Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051

Land only cost:

The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.

£7,895

Single Room Supplement:

Single Room Supplement.

£1,295

Sat 7th Mar – Fri 20th Mar SPACES £8,595

Book Tour Show Details

Flights:

Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.

Flights are included in the tour cost

Regional Departures:

On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.

Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051

Land only cost:

The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.

£7,595

Single Room Supplement:

Single Room Supplement.

£1,295

Please note that cabin grades are subject to availability. We recommend phoning the office before booking to confirm that your preference is available.

  Array
(
    [172] => stdClass Object
        (
            [id] => 172
            [parent_id] => 165
            [level] => 2
            [path] => tour-focus/whales
            [title] => Whale Watching
            [alias] => whales
            [description] => Whale Watching Cruises – See Whales in their Wild Habitat
Seeing whales in the wild is one of the top 10 things most people want to do during their lifetime. Scanning the water, waiting to hear a blow or see a dorsal fin, is one of the top wildlife experiences in the world, and it can get addictive! A sighting of whales in their natural habitat is consistently rated in the top 10 wildlife experiences in the world. These gentle giants of the ocean hold a special place in our hearts. Our dedicated small group tours offer the thrilling opportunity of an up-close-and-personal encounter in the wild; scanning the water, waiting for the sound of a blow or the sight of a dorsal fin is both thrilling and addictive.
Naturetrek Whale Watching Tours
Our dedicated small group whale-watching holidays encompass a range of destinations all over the world to offer the best chance of sightings on short trips or longer cruises. Whether it’s a day excursion in the UK or an extended 14-day cruise to an exotic far-flung location, we offer the chance to encounter these giant cetaceans in all of the world’s oceans, from the tropics to the Polar regions. 
Depending on the location, our itineraries can focus on one or several of the planet’s 86 key species, including Blue and Killer Whales, or form part of a broader wildlife-watching experience to encounter dolphins, birdlife and other marine species. Led by expert biologist or naturalist guides, our tours often allow participants to get thrillingly close to one of the most fascinating animals on Earth. We've been organising specialist wildlife tours for 32 years and our experience, passion and knowledge have earned us a reputation as the best in the business. Our range of whale-watching holidays is so popular that we are rapidly expanding our programme to include some of the most exciting, wildlife-rich places in the world.
Why book a Naturetrek whale & dolphin watching holiday?

Expert biologist-led & wildlife photographer-led holidays
Dedicated whale-watching tours focusing on one or a few key species
Many of our whale-watching tours offer the chance to see dolphins as well (and vice versa)
A range of tours from day trips out on small boats to week-long liveaboard cruises
A chance to look for cetaceans in all of the world’s oceans, from polar waters to the tropics
A wide range of the world’s 86 species are seen on our whale-watching holidays, including Blue Whales & Killer Whales
A wide range of the world's dolphin species have also been seen, from Bottlenose and Risso’s, to Spinner, Striped and Heaviside’s


Our specialist recommends...


"In the UK I'd recommend our full-day dolphin tours to look for White-beaked dolphins off Lyme Bay. Madeira offers a good variety of dolphins close to shore including Risso's, Atlantic Spotted and Common, while if you fancy warm tropical waters Sri Lanka or the Maldives offer a good range of acrobatic species in sunny conditions!" 

Sara Frost - Tour Leader & Marketing Manager

All Whale Watching Tours
            [params] => stdClass Object
                (
                    [category_layout] => 
                    [image_az] => https://i.assetzen.net/i/Ewtrcgx7A6xc/w:500/h:500/q:70.jpg
                    [image_alt] => 
                )

            [metakey] => Whales
            [note] => 15
            [parent] => stdClass Object
                (
                    [id] => 165
                    [parent_id] => 1
                    [level] => 1
                    [path] => tour-focus
                    [title] => Tour Focus
                    [alias] => tour-focus
                    [description] => 
                    [params] => stdClass Object
                        (
                            [category_layout] => 
                            [image_az] => 
                            [image_alt] => 
                        )

                    [metakey] => 
                    [note] => 
                )

        )

    [182] => stdClass Object
        (
            [id] => 182
            [parent_id] => 165
            [level] => 2
            [path] => tour-focus/wildlife-cruises
            [title] => Wildlife Cruise
            [alias] => wildlife-cruises
            [description] => Wildlife Cruise Holidays
The oceans are one of the last great wilderness areas left on our planet.  Travelling by sea on a nature cruise represents the best way to see many of the world’s wildlife spectacles, as there are still wildlife paradises that are accessible by sea but cannot yet be reached by air. 
Naturetrek wildlife cruises offer:

A range of cruising experiences, from exclusively chartered 50-berth expedition ships to smaller motor yachts & schooners
Arctic & Antarctic nature cruises in ships with specially strengthened hulls
Each voyage is accompanied by expert naturalists
Wide range of wildlife cruises from five continents

We have been running wildlife cruises for over 30 years and if your image of cruising is endless deck quoits or bingo, think again! A life on the ocean waves can be a permit to witness scenes of natural splendour that most people will only ever see on their television screens.
A selection of our most popular wildlife cruises:

Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands – Unique 2-week Galapagos nature cruise aboard a 16-berth schooner in search of the confiding birds, mammals & reptiles that inhabit these islands made so famous by Darwin
The Sub-Antartic Islands of New Zealand – Penguins, marine mammals & seabirds (Tailormade) 
Spitsbergen - Realm of the Polar Bear – Polar Bears, Walruses & seabirds
Baja California – Blue Whales, Sperm Whales, thousands of dolphins & other marine life, plus San Ignacio’s friendly Grey Whales
Kamchatka Peninsula – Pacific Ocean seabird colonies, spectacular volcanic scenery & over a dozen species of auks, plus Steller’s Sea Eagle, Siberian Rubythroats & much more (Tailormade)
Brahmaputra Cruise, India – Unique nature cruise visiting Kaziranga & other National Parks


Our specialist recommends...




"If you love whales and dolphins I’d recommend our Baja & Sea of Cortez nature cruise. The world’s largest concentration of cetaceans is found here, but book early as this tour sells out fast. I’d also suggest ‘Spitsbergen – Realm of the Polar Bear’ for a spectacular combination of wildlife and scenery.” 

Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager 

All Wildlife Cruises
            [params] => stdClass Object
                (
                    [category_layout] => 
                    [image_az] => https://i.assetzen.net/i/Ewtrcgx7A6xc/w:500/h:500/q:70.jpg
                    [image_alt] => 
                )

            [metakey] => Wildlife Cruises
            [note] => 04
            [parent] => stdClass Object
                (
                    [id] => 165
                    [parent_id] => 1
                    [level] => 1
                    [path] => tour-focus
                    [title] => Tour Focus
                    [alias] => tour-focus
                    [description] => 
                    [params] => stdClass Object
                        (
                            [category_layout] => 
                            [image_az] => 
                            [image_alt] => 
                        )

                    [metakey] => 
                    [note] => 
                )

        )

    [190] => stdClass Object
        (
            [id] => 190
            [parent_id] => 165
            [level] => 2
            [path] => tour-focus/dolphin-watching
            [title] => Dolphin Watching
            [alias] => dolphin-watching
            [description] => Dolphin Watching – See Dolphins in the Wild
Seeing dolphins in the wild consistently ranks high on people’s lists of ’10 Things To See Before I Die’. Dolphins have captured the public imagination arguably more than any other animal – we marvel at their intelligence, grace and agility, as well as their apparent curiosity of their human observers.
Naturetrek Dolphin Watching Tours
Naturetrek offers the chance to watch dolphins all over the world, from the UK to the tropics and polar regions. Many of our dolphin tours also offer the opportunity to see whales. We offer:

Dedicated dolphin tours focusing on one or a few key species
Dolphin watching as part of a broader wildlife watching tour
A range of tours from day trips out on small boats to week-long liveaboard cruises
Expert biologist-led, photographer-led and researcher-led tours
A wide range of the world’s dolphin species seen, from Bottlenose and Risso’s, to Spinner, Striped and Heaviside’s

Our range of dolphin watching holidays includes:

A Maldives Cruise – a cruise through the turquoise waters surrounding the Maldives, searching for dolphins and whales as well as snorkeling over the reefs
Monterey Bay – enjoying the dolphins, whales and bird life of California’s Monterey Bay 
The Azores – Look for Sperm Whales and other cetaceans
Madeira – a 5-day holiday focusing on dolphin watching


Our specialist recommends...


"In the UK I'd recommend our full-day dolphin tours to look for White-beaked dolphins off Lyme Bay. Madeira offers a good variety of dolphins close to shore including Risso's, Atlantic Spotted and Common, while if you fancy warm tropical waters Sri Lanka or the Maldives offer a good range of acrobatic species in sunny conditions!" 

Sara Frost - Tour Leader & Marketing Manager

 
ALL DOLPHIN TOURS
            [params] => stdClass Object
                (
                    [category_layout] => 
                    [image_az] => https://i.assetzen.net/i/Ewtrcgx7A6xc/w:500/h:500/q:70.jpg
                    [image_alt] => 
                )

            [metakey] => Dolphin Watching
            [note] => 24
            [parent] => stdClass Object
                (
                    [id] => 165
                    [parent_id] => 1
                    [level] => 1
                    [path] => tour-focus
                    [title] => Tour Focus
                    [alias] => tour-focus
                    [description] => 
                    [params] => stdClass Object
                        (
                            [category_layout] => 
                            [image_az] => 
                            [image_alt] => 
                        )

                    [metakey] => 
                    [note] => 
                )

        )

)

Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

Enquire

Tour Reports

Tour report - February 2022

Tour report - February 2020

Tour report - February 2019

Tour report - March 2018

Tour report - February 2018

Tour report - March 2017

Tour report - February 2017

Tour report - March 2016

Tour report - February 2016

Tour report - March 2015

Tour report - February 2015

Tour report - March 2014

Tour report - February 2014

Tour report - March 2013

Tour report - February 2013

Tour report - March 2012

Tour report - February 2012

Tour report - March 2011

Tour report - February 2011

Tour report - March 2010

Tour report - February 2010

Tour report - February 2009

Tour report - February 2008

Tour report - February 2007

Tour report - February 2006

CLICK TO SEE MORE

Click to see less

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!

Video