Frequently Asked Questions
Will we see orcas on these trips?
Yes, our pilot tells us that there is a 40% probability of seeing orcas on any particular day. We’ll be searching hard for them. Multiply this by five days and the odds are in our favour. Our expert pilot and master aerial spotter will scan the seas from above and maximise your time with this magnificent migration.
Will you be able to get in the water with the orcas? Yes. Noting that to be in compliance with federal regulations, we can put you in the water when we see the orcas. It’s up to the orcas to come in and check you out. In our experience, you will likely have to do multiple “jumps” before the orcas will relax and come in for a close look at you. Otherwise, the Sea of Cortez is a pelagic paradise, and you might also come across huge pods of dolphins, sperm and fin whales and even whale sharks.
Are orcas guaranteed?
Every mobula ray tour is different. Sometimes we might get right onto a huge school of mobulas surrounded by orcas and everyone will have an amazing time. On other trips, we might have to work really hard to find the really big schools of mobulas and to locate the orcas. We’ll have three days of aerial spotting (weather and flying conditions permitting) on every trip, and we know the orcas will be in the general area between Cabo Pulmo and Los Islotes. With the help of our spotter aircraft we achieved a 78% success rate with in-water encounters in 2022.
The Gallant Lady is the perfect expedition yacht for this with a giant crows nest that towers high over the boat, seating for four and steering controls for the captain. It’s as if the ship was built specifically for spotting mobulas and orcas. If we have trouble getting on orcas, we will call in air support from La Paz for additional help. At Nautilus and Baja Expeditions we try to cover all the bases and have our own ultralight spotting aircraft.
When will we be able to get in the water?
Most snorkelling and freediving will be done either from our 32-foot-high speed aluminum hulled “zodiac style” RHIB or even from the large water level platform at the stern (that’s the back end) of your yacht. You can count on a couple of evening snorkels in a quiet bay with underwater lights and, hopefully, swarming mobulas. But you can spend as much time as you want in the water.
What other wildlife will we see?
We’ll be on the lookout for large pods of dolphins and of course, you will have the opportunity to jump with those guys as well. To be frank, you never quite know what amazing animals you might see in the Sea of Cortez and we’ll be keeping a sharp lookout for sperm and fin whales and whale sharks. Noting that the famous whale shark conservation area at Mogote is closed to visitors at this time of year.
What is included in the trip?
Accommodation, all meals (continental breakfast, breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert), non-alcoholic beverages and snacks, daily room service, towels and onboard facilities such as the hot tub and lounge… and lots of fun!
Exclusions: 5% tax, bar, gift shop, crew gratuities, internet access, $35 port fee, and foreign tourist tax for non-residents of Mexico.