Sea of Cortez Tours: Diving with Orcas

Mobula and Orca Expedition

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.

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.

Typical Itinerary

Day 1 – Boarding Day

<p>Check in at <u><a href="https://seecreaturesbaja.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SeeCreatures Cabo</a></u>. Drop your bags anytime, but please check in by 4:30pm for your complimentary coach transfer to La Paz to your ship, where our hosties will be waiting for you on the back deck with trays of margaritas and champagne, followed by dinner and departure for the Sea of Cortez.</p><p>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.</p>

Days 2-7 – Sea of Cortez Ocean Safari

<p>Your day might start with an ocean safari, a dive, or a snorkel. Our crew knows these waters well, and they have one goal: to maximize your encounters with the wildlife. The Sea of Cortez is vast, so spotting marine life takes patience. When we find something, we approach respectfully — our naturalists and captains assess whether in-water encounters are appropriate, and if conditions are right, you'll slip in to experience the animals up close.</p><p>No two days look the same. Some days you might hop in and out of the water half a dozen times; others, we'll spend hours searching before the perfect moment presents itself. That's the nature of a wildlife safari.</p><p>After lunch on deck, we head back out for the afternoon. The support boat runs as late as anyone wants, right up until dusk, so you'll have plenty of time in the water. The ship is always close by — take a break whenever you want. Kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are also available.</p><p>Certified scuba divers can get in three to four dives at local sites over the course of the trip.</p>

Day 8 – Disembarkation

<p>Breakfast on board, then disembark in La Paz at 8 am. Complimentary transfer to either SeeCreatures Cabo San Lucas or San José del Cabo Airport (SJD) — approximately 3 hours depending on traffic. We recommend booking flights for 1:00 pm or later.</p>

Pre- & Post-Trip Extensions

<p><strong>Add a Cabo Pulmo adventure to your boarding day</strong> — morning pick-up at your hotel, a two-tank dive day in this UNESCO World Heritage Site and national park, and onward transfer to your boat in La Paz.</p><p>On either side of the liveaboard, you can also <strong>add day trips or scuba courses</strong> with SeeCreatures Cabo: local two-tank dives in Cabo San Lucas, more diving at Cabo Pulmo or Gordo Banks, plus advanced courses, nitrox, and beyond.</p>

Route Map

Route Map

Departure Dates

Jul 18 – Jul 25, 2026
7 days / 6 nights
Nautilus Gallant Lady
From $4,463
Jul 25 – Aug 01, 2026
7 days / 6 nights
Nautilus Gallant Lady
From $4,463
Apr 03 – Apr 10, 2027
7 days / 6 nights
Nautilus Gallant Lady
From $4,510
Apr 03 – Apr 10, 2027
7 days / 6 nights
Mango Wind
From $4,405
Apr 10 – Apr 17, 2027
7 days / 6 nights
Nautilus Gallant Lady
From $4,510

Travel Information

What To Bring
What do I need to pack?
<p>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.</p>
What wetsuit should I bring?
<p>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.</p>
What dive gear should I bring?
<p>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 <a href="https://www.nautiluslifeline.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nautilus LifeLine</a> but we will loan you one of ours if you haven't bought yours yet!</p>
What kind of safety gear do you provide divers?
<p>Nautilus LifeLines, DiveAlerts and SMB safety sausages.</p>
Can I bring my own alcohol onboard?
<p>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.</p>
What To Expect
What to expect during ocean safaris?
<p>The Sea of Cortez is big, so spotting marine life can take time. When we spot something, we approach respectfully and our experienced naturalists and captains assess whether in-water encounters are appropriate. Some days you might hop in and out of the water six times. Other days, we might spend hours exploring before the perfect moment presents itself. It can be a day full of wildlife encounters or a relatively chill day with fewer animals to spot—that's the nature of wildlife safaris.</p>
Will we see orcas on these trips?
<p>Spring to fall is prime orca season here in the Sea of Cortez, and we have regular sightings during those months. That said, orcas are travelers, they can cover 100km a day, so one day they're right here and the next they could be hundreds of kilometers away. Some weeks we see them constantly, other weeks they're more elusive.</p>
Can we swim with orcas?
<p>If we encounter them and conditions align, yes. As of August 2025, Mexico's environmental authority (SEMARNAT) introduced the country's first regulations for orca encounters. These rules apply to a specific zone covering La Ventana Bay and the Cerralvo Channel, and we have permitted pangas to operate there. Swimming is allowed only when orcas are feeding on small prey such as fish, rays, mobulas, or turtles, not when hunting larger prey, transiting, or resting. Surface swimming only. Our naturalists and captains read their behavior and make the call. If we encounter orcas beyond this zone, we follow the same ethical approach: respectful distance, no chasing, animals dictate the terms. Their well being over photo opportunities, always.</p>
When will we be able to get in the water?
<p>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.</p>
Travel Details
Do I need a passport and/or visa?
<p>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.</p>
Do I need dive and travel interruption insurance?
<p>Guests are required to have medical evacuation insurance from a recognized provider before participating in any of our activities. <a href="https://diveassure.com/en-intl/home/?pid=6776" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Click here</a> 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.</p>
Do I need dive medical insurance?
<p>YES. Dive and evacuation insurance is mandatory.</p>
What airport do I fly into?
<p>SJD Los Cabos International for both commercial airlines and private aircraft.</p>
When should I fly in?
<p>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.</p>
How do I get from SJD into town?
<p>Sealine Cabo Transfers is our recommended provider of airport transfers to and from Cabo San Lucas. For booking, please email Martin at <a href="mailto:mmoreno@sealinecabotransfers.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">mmoreno@sealinecabotransfers.com</a> We also recommend Miguel from Fara Nuevo as an alternative option. Email: <a href="mailto:mfc949@gmail.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">mfc949@gmail.com</a> Phone: +52 (624) 141 6254</p>
Can you recommend a local hotel?
<p>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: <a href="mailto:concierge@nautilusdive.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">concierge@nautilusdive.com</a></p>
Before Departure
Where do we meet the boat?
<p>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.</p>
What time do we meet?
<p>Please be back at SeeCreatures Cabo and ready for your transfer to La Paz by 4:30 pm latest.</p>
Can you help me get dive certified before the trip?
<p>Yes. We specialize in introducing as many people to scuba diving as possible. We offer a full array of diving courses at SeeCreatures.</p>
Can I get nitrox certified?
<p>Yes, we could do it. This is a one-day course at SeeCreatures.</p>
Will I need to show my dive certification card before boarding?
<p>YES.</p>
Will I get seasick on this trip?
<p>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.</p>
About Diving
How much experience do I need?
<p>This trip is for everybody! This trip is primarily snorkeling and freediving. There is an opportunity to do night dives with the mobulas.</p>
Is the diving from the big boat or skiffs?
<p>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!</p>
How many dives will I do?
<p>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.</p>
I am a diver, why would I want to go on a snorkeling trip?
<p>While we are typically all about scuba diving, the best way to interact with the mobulas is by snorkeling or freediving.</p>
Are the boats camera friendly?
<p>YES, VERY! Ask about rental cameras and photo pro services.</p>
Where is the closest decompression chamber?
<p>The closest chambers are located in La Paz and Cabo San Lucas.</p>
What happens if I need a medevac flight?
<p>Medevac can be arranged with a boat transfer to shore.</p>
Do you have an AED and medical kit onboard?
<p>OF COURSE! All of our crew are trained in first aid and a number of our crew are trained first responders.</p>
Don't Forget
What time do we arrive back in port?
<p>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.</p>
Do you have a storm policy?
<p>We highly recommend trip interruption insurance, which will cover you in this unlikely eventuality.</p>
Can you accommodate special dietary requests?
<p>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.</p>
What IS NOT included in the trip price?
<p>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.</p>
Minimum Age
What is the minimum age for this trip?
<p>12 years old. That said, the liveaboard environment suits some kids and teens better than others, and you know your family best. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out — we'd love to chat and help you decide if it's the right fit.</p>
Gemma Hervas
May 9, 2026
Yes, the crew was super nice, kind and took a lot of care of us
Marlowe Geramanis
July 26, 2025
Yes!!!! The crew is outstanding and truly made the trip special. Not only did they take great care of us but anticipated our needs. They were kind and caring, made our safety their top priority. The food was incredible, the dives were unforgettable. I will recommend this trip to anyone who has the opportunity
Richard Vasvary
July 13, 2025
all of them were superb and i really enjoyed Pascal´s demeanor and humor.

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime?