Mobula and Orca Expedition

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SEASONS

April – July
8 Days, 7 Nights

TYPES OF ADVENTURES

Liveaboard

PRICING (pp. dbl occ.)

From US$4,050
Whole Boat Charter Available

Mobulas and Orcas

in the Sea of Cortez

The beauty of this 8-day trip is that you’ll explore the Sea of Cortez aboard a liveaboard, traveling effortlessly between marine life hotspots like UNESCO-listed Isla Espíritu Santo, Las Ánimas, the San José Channel, El Bajo, Cerralvo Island, and more.

The Sea of Cortez is a magical place, full of wonder and teeming with marine life of all sizes schooling mobula rays, huge pods of dolphins, playful sea lions, great whales (in season), orcas, and so much more.

This adventure is primarily focused on snorkeling and freediving, but if you’d like to get a couple of dives in (usually around three to four in total, including a night dive), we have rental gear available at SeeCreatures before boarding, or you can bring your own gear.

SEE DATES AND RATES

Swim with Mobula Rays in Baja.

You’ll have the chance to swim and snorkel with mobula rays. These graceful rays grow up to 4 to 5 feet long (1.2 to 1.5 meters) and live in the Sea of Cortez all year. From late March to early July, you can often see them gathering in massive aggregations of thousands, sometimes even tens of thousands!

Orcas are seen year-round in the Sea of Cortez, but their numbersbecome more noticeable in January, with peak activity in Julyand August. During those months, they are frequently encountered on up to 20 days per month. It’s the best time towitness pods of these intelligent apex predators. During theseason, our team monitors two key hotspots, or “orca cafés” aswe call them, at Cerralvo Island and up north by Isla San Jose. Ofcourse, orcas do not just stay in one place and can appearthroughout the region.

Sea of Cortez is full of life.

Friendly California sea lions and massive pods of bottlenose dolphins are also seen year-round and often offer playful, interactive encounters. We may also spot spinner dolphins or the more elusive Risso’s dolphins.

CoColossal fin whales — second only to blue whales in size — as well as sperm whales, whale sharks, and various species of rays migrate through the Sea of Cortez. Pilot whales, false killer whales, and minke whales also pass through occasionally, though they are seen less frequently.

Expect plenty of time in the water exploring one of the most vibrant and biodiverse marine ecosystems on the planet!

All interactions are always done in full compliance with Mexican law and are always respectful and on the animals’ own terms.

Choose your home at sea.

Your liveaboard (mothership) is your home at sea where you relax, eat, and sleep between
adventures. Meanwhile, all the daily action happens from our smaller, fast support boats, designed
to get you quickly to the best wildlife hotspots and bring you closer to marine life.

We understand that every adventurer is different, so we offer a range of experiences to suit your
style. Each option is unique in its own way, but all promise the perfect mix of comfort and
exploration! Whether you prefer a more intimate adventure on a sailing catamaran, a spacious
liveaboard with all the comforts, or a full boutique yacht experience, you’ll find the perfect fit.

No matter which you choose, you’ll enjoy warm hospitality, an experienced crew, and all the
thoughtful touches that make your expedition truly unforgettable.

Mango Wind

The beautiful 45-ft Leopard sailing catamaran Mango Wind offers a unique and intimate way to explore the Sea of Cortez, combining the expedition with an unforgettable sailing experience.

If you are looking for a more private experience, the Mobula and Orca expedition on Mango Wind is the perfect choice.

This sailing catamaran accommodates up to 6 guests and is very comfortable, with 3 staterooms for the guests with individual private bathrooms and hot showers, as well as a main salon. The outside cockpit is spacious, with a large dining table and couches to lounge around in. Of course, one of the main advantages of a catamaran is that the twin hulls provide great stability and loads of outdoor space.

Number of guests
Up to 6 guests
Accommodation
- 1 stateroom with queen bed
- 2 staterooms with queen bed that can be reconfigured to singles with a shared divider.
All cabins have ensuite bathrooms, hot showers, and individually controlled A/C
Support boat
Zodiac-style expedition support boat
Amenities
Lounge/dining area
Crew
Captain, chef, and naturalist guide

Nautilus Under Sea

The Nautilus Under Sea takes you on a journey through history and luxury. Launched in 1968 and rebuilt in 2017, this 105-ft vessel seamlessly blends the charm of the past with the sophistication of the present.

With room for up to 19 guests in 9 ensuite staterooms and suites, the Nautilus Under Sea is perfect if you’re looking for a comfortable liveaboard that’s lively and buzzing with energy – a great balance of social connection and adventure.

It features a spacious water-level platform for easy access, a comfortable lounge and dining room, plus a sun deck with loungers and a hot tub where you can relax between adventures.

Number of guests
Up to 19 guests
Accommodation
- 1 Triple Stateroom with 2 bunk beds
- 6 Staterooms with upper and lower beds
- 1 ADA-compatible (wheelchair-friendly) stateroom with twin beds
- 1 spacious Premium Suite that can be configured as two full beds or one large bed
All cabins have ensuite bathrooms, hot showers, and individually controlled A/C
Amenities
Main lounge and dining room, sun deck with loungers, water-level platform, al fresco lounge, bar, freshwater hot tub
Support boat
High-speed 450-hp 32-ft rigid-hulled inflatable boat
Crew
Captain, chef, hostie, and naturalist guides

Nautilus Gallant Lady

The Nautilus Gallant Lady is a spacious and luxurious 116-foot expedition yacht that feels more like a boutique hotel at sea, blending comfort and elegance for a truly exceptional adventure.

Perfect for those seeking an intimate expedition with style and comfort, the Gallant Lady accommodates up to 12 guests across 6 large suites.

The yacht features a main lounge and dining room with wrap-around view, a large water level platform, sky lounge, and even a crow’s nest. Unwind in the hot tub under the starry Mexican sky or soak up the views on the spacious sun deck.

With 1700 horsepower Caterpillar engines, it can speed you wherever you want to go in great comfort!

Number of guests
Up to 12 guests
Accommodation
- 5 Superior Suites and 1 Premium Suite
- Cuatro de las Superior Suites pueden configurarse con cama California king o dos camas dobles
- La Premium Suite espaciosa también puede configurarse con cama California king o dos dobles
All suites have ensuite bathrooms, hot showers, and individually controlled A/C
Amenities
Main lounge and dining room with wrap-around view, large water level platform, sky lounge, sun deck, sun loungers, Freshwater hot tub, crow’s nest (lookout platform), bar, freshwater hot tub
Support boat
High-speed 450-hp 32-ft rigid-hulled inflatable boat
Crew
Captain, chef, hostie, and naturalist guides

Full Itinerary

Day 1 – Welcome Aboard!

Our Nautilus owned SeeCreatures is located near the harbour in downtown Cabo San Lucas and is your home away from home. We encourage you to fly in early and allow us to arrange for some local diving. Your trip includes a complimentary photo lesson at 1:00pm. Our photo pros will coach you on how to get that perfect underwater image, help set up, service or repair your camera gear, and assist with camera rentals. You are welcome to drop your bags off and check-in whenever it’s most convenient. We ask that you please check-in at SeeCreatures Cabo by 4:30pm latest for your complimentary coach transfer to La Paz, where our hosties will be waiting on the back deck for you with trays of margaritas and champagne. This trip is predominantly focused on snorkelling and freediving, however if you would like to dive we have rental gear available at SeeCreatures before boarding, or you can bring your own gear.

Days 2-7 – Sea of Cortez & Aerial Support

Our expert team is dedicated to providing the best possible wildlife experiences. With extensive knowledge of the region, our crew specializes in observing and understanding marine life, ensuring you make the most of your time on the water. They have one goal in mind: to maximize your encounters with the animals. You might have heard that the best place to see the mobulas is in the triangle between Espiritu Santo, Carpenter Rock on the west side of Cerralvo, and Las Ventanas on Baja. Our expedition yacht and high speed RHIB changes the calculus on this completely. We are seeing animals like never before and will take you to where a mama blue whale and calf might be waiting for you, or humpback whales, whale sharks, cow nose rays, and hundreds of dolphins. Be patient, as it might take ten splashes for the mobulas to allow snorkelers and freedivers into the middle of the pack, but you’ll be rewarded with truly spectacular encounters. Your day might start with a dive or snorkel with typical RHIB missions heading out at 11am after the local Corumuel wind lies down making it easier to critter spot. Our RHIB, or high-speed skiff, carries 12 guests, so everyone is welcome onboard at the same time. After a delicious lunch on deck, we’ll head back out on the water in the afternoon. We will keep our support boat running as late as anyone wants up until dusk. You will get plenty of time in the water. Your ship will always be close by. Take a break whenever you want and relax on the sundeck with a good book or soaking in the hot tub. We also have kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. In the evening, you’ll have the chance to see the mobula rays in a different light. Literally. There will be the opportunity to go snorkelling at night in a calm, protected bay, where we will suspend lights off the bottom of the boat to attract swarms of mobulas. The mobulas come in to feed on the plankton exposed by the lights, providing a spectacular show against the inky ocean. If you’re a certified diver with your own gear, we can also arrange for you to go night diving. The highlight of any trip is if we see the black fins of orcas slicing through the water. All interactions are conducted in compliance with the laws and regulations of Mexico. For our diving friends, bring your dive gear, and we will be sure to get you some splashes on local dive sites.

Day 8 – Disembark

Morning breakfast. Disembark at 8:30 am in La Paz and complimentary transfer back to either SeeCreatures Cabo San Lucas or SJD Airport.

Route Map

Departure Dates

Jun 21 – Jun 28, 2025

7 days / 6 nights

Mango Wind

From $4,253

Jun 21 – Jun 28, 2025

7 days / 6 nights

Nautilus Gallant Lady

From $4,358

Jun 28 – Jul 05, 2025

7 days / 6 nights

Nautilus Gallant Lady

From $4,358

Jul 06 – Jul 13, 2025

7 days / 6 nights

Nautilus Under Sea

From $2,993

Jul 14 – Jul 21, 2025

7 days / 6 nights

Mango Wind

From $4,253

Travel Information

WHAT TO BRING▲

What do I need to pack?

Personal toiletries. Dive gear (or travel light and use our rental gear!) Summer wear, noting that nights can sometimes be chilly which makes a sweater or fleece jacket a good addition. Sunscreen (reef-safe sunscreen will be available onboard with our compliments). Towels and bed linen are provided onboard.

What wetsuit should I bring?

The Sea of Cortez is warming up. In May it is in the mid-70°F (21°C) range, and it just gets warmer from there. We recommend a 5mm wetsuit and a hooded vest, or a 7mm wetsuit and a hooded vest.

What dive gear should I bring?

This trip is predominantly focused on snorkeling and freediving, however if you would like to dive you will need to bring your own gear. High quality rentals are also available from SeeCreatures, including regulators, BCD, computer, mask, wetsuit, booties and fins. The park authorities prohibit divers from carrying a knife. Every diver should have their own Nautilus LifeLine but we will loan you one of ours if you haven't bought yours yet!

What kind of safety gear do you provide divers?

Nautilus LifeLines, DiveAlerts and SMB safety sausages.

Can I bring my own alcohol onboard?

Sorry, but NO. We carry a great selection of signature drinks, single malts, microbrew beer and a varied wine list, all at very reasonable prices.

WHAT TO EXPECT▲

Will we see orcas on these trips?

Maybe. We hope so. The iconic creature on these adventures is the orca, also known as the killer whale. The sight of those sleek black dorsal fins slicing through the water when the orcas make an appearance is truly unforgettable. 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. Any interaction is always done in full compliance with the laws of Mexico.

Are orcas guaranteed?

No. We are confident that you will have great encounters with schools of mobula rays, California sea lions, mega pods of bottlenose dolphins, and much more. Along the way, you may also encounter sperm whales, fin whales, pseudorcas, pilot whales, Risso’s dolphins, and the super-acrobatic spinner dolphins. Whale sharks are spotted on almost every trip. When reports of exciting wildlife activity come in, we will make every effort to position ourselves in the best possible location to maximize your experience

When will we be able to get in the water?

Most snorkelling and freediving will be done either from our pangas or even from the large water level platform at the stern (that’s the back end) of your sailing yacht. You can count on a couple of evening snorkels in a quiet bay with mobulas. But you can spend as much time as you want in the water.

TRAVEL DETAILS▲

Do I need dive medical insurance?

YES. Dive and evacuation insurance is mandatory.

How do I get from SJD into town?

Sealine Cabo Transfers is our recommended provider of airport transfers to and from Cabo San Lucas. For booking, please email Martin at mmoreno@sealinecabotransfers.com We also recommend Miguel from Fara Nuevo as an alternative option. Email: mfc949@gmail.com Phone: +52 (624) 141 6254

When should I fly in?

These trips are planned around the guests having the option of flying in and going straight to SeeCreatures to check in and then board the ship later that day. We recommend flying in several days early to take full advantage of our hospitality and all the neat stuff that we offer as pre-trip extensions.

What airport do I fly into?

SJD Los Cabos International for both commercial airlines and private aircraft.

Can you recommend a local hotel?

Yes. For sure. We have our favourite hotels that we recommend and we have arranged discounted rates for Nautilus and Baja Expeditions’s guests. For hotel recommendations, or any other pre-trips, questions, concerns, or comments, please contact our concierge’s directly: Phone: +1 (604) 241-1918 – Please ask for our concierges. WhatsApp: +52 (624) 129-9243 Email: concierge@nautilusdive.com

Do I need dive and travel interruption insurance?

Guests are required to have medical evacuation insurance from a recognized provider before participating in any of our activities. Click here to purchase coverage. We highly recommend this provider because they are very dependable, reliable, and their policies are reasonably priced. Other providers may not offer the same level of reliability. We also highly recommend the optional purchase of trip interruption insurance, which covers everything from cancelled flights, weather-related delays, lost baggage, and reimbursement if another guest has a medical issue that affects your trip. If you decline coverage, please know that we do not issue credit refunds for anything that’s beyond our immediate control.

Do I need a passport and/or visa?

All guests must have a passport valid six months from entry. Visas are required from certain countries, please check your specific requirements online. All non-Mexican guests will require an FMM tourist visa.

BEFORE DEPARTURE▲

Where do we meet the boat?

We will meet at SeeCreatures Cabo San Lucas located at: Calle Miguel Hidalgo 10, Centro CSL. C.P. 23450, Cabo San Lucas, BCS. We will coach transfer everyone to La Paz where your boat will be waiting for you.

What time do we meet?

Please be back at SeeCreatures Cabo and ready for your transfer to La Paz by 4:30 pm latest.

Can you help me get dive certified before the trip?

Yes. We specialize in introducing as many people to scuba diving as possible. We offer a full array of diving courses at SeeCreatures.

Can I get nitrox certified?

Yes, we could do it. This is a one-day course at SeeCreatures.

Will I need to show my dive certification card before boarding?

YES.

Will I get seasick on this trip?

The Sea of Cortez is generally very calm. For anyone worried about seasickness, we recommend prophylactic use of the scopolamine “patch” as an anti-seasickness medication. The patch has revolutionized the dive boat industry and made going to sea practical for almost everyone. You will most likely not get seasick using the patch.

ABOUT DIVING▲

I am a diver, why would I want to go on a snorkeling trip?

While we are typically all about scuba diving, the best way to interact with the mobulas is by snorkeling or freediving.

Do you have an AED and medical kit onboard?

OF COURSE! All of our crew are trained in first aid and a number of our crew are trained first responders.

What happens if I need a medevac flight?

Medevac can be arranged with a boat transfer to shore.

Where is the closest decompression chamber?

The closest chambers are located in La Paz and Cabo San Lucas.

Are the boats camera friendly?

YES, VERY! Ask about rental cameras and photo pro services.

How much experience do I need?

This trip is for everybody! This trip is primarily snorkeling and freediving. There is an opportunity to do night dives with the mobulas.

How many dives will I do?

Please keep in mind, this is primarily a snorkeling and freediving trip. There will be an opportunity for 3-4 dives total during the trip, including a night dive. The majority of the trip will be spent in the water seeking the incredible experience the mobulas will bring us.

Is the diving from the big boat or skiffs?

We take a maximum of 12 guests on Nautilus Gallant Lady expeditions. All guests can comfortably fit on our 32-foot, high-speed ‘zodiak style’ skiff. With twin 250 hp engines, we are able to speed around in excess of 35 mph to get you in the right place at just the right time, onto the large squadrons of mobulas. We’ll go out for a few hours, splash in the water, come back, have lunch, and repeat in the afternoon!

DON’T FORGET▲

What time do we arrive back in port?

Reminder that most Sea of Cortez trips board and return to La Paz with an included transfer to SeeCreatures Cabo San Lucas, or SJD Airport. We are usually back in port by 8 am. Disembarking by 8:30 am after breakfast. It’s a 2-1/2 hour transfer to SJD. For that reason we recommend booking your outward flight 2:00 pm or later.

Do you have a storm policy?

We highly recommend trip interruption insurance, which will cover you in this unlikely eventuality.

Can you accommodate special dietary requests?

Yes, with reasonable advance notice, we are pleased to accommodate vegetarian, vegan, lactose intolerant, gluten free, low sugar, quasi-kosher and quasi-halal. We are likely unable to accommodate other special dietary requests, or guests with severe allergic challenges.

What IS NOT included in the trip price?

Bar, gift shop, high-speed Internet connection, rentals, nitrox, crew gratuities. A $35 port fee must be paid on board in cash at the end of the trip.

Gina

July 4, 2024

A briefing about the wildlife and what to expect regarding different species and their behavior and what in-water encounters might look like for each species would help keep expectations aligned with possibilities.

Kelly

April 27, 2024

For us a 7:30 dinner is late so maybe 6:30 at the latest to avoid long waits of dead time on the boat. This is not a complaint, it's just a suggestion. We had the most EPIC encounters and we loved the crew.

Steven

April 6, 2024

This is our second adventure with Nautilus liveaboards and we plan to have many more. Our expectations were exceeded in all areas on this adventure. Thank you to your entire staff for making this another memorable experience for us.