Baja Cruise: Loreto to San Carlos

Itinerary

Day 1: Loreto / Embarkation

Welcome to the historic Mission city of Loreto. Founded in 1697, Loreto’s Misión Nuestra Senora de Loreto is the “mother mission” for all of the subsequent California missions that extend as far north as Sonoma in California. Meet your fellow yacht mates and Expedition Leader at Posada de los Flores, then drive a few miles south to Puerto Escondido to board the Safari Quest. The Captain will anchor for the night at secluded Honeymoon Cove.

Day 2: Isla Carmen and Whale Watching

Today, explore the unpopulated eastern shore of Isla del Carmen. The ship will drop anchor at Salinas Bay where you can enjoy a guided hike into the desert interior, lush with exotic cacti and succulent plants. Beachcombing, skiff rides, swimming and snorkeling are also possibilities. The sea has carved deep sea caves into the limestone cliffs are several points along the way. En route to Isla Coronado join the Captain on the bridge to search for pods of dolphins along with blue, fin, sei, orca and sperm whales as they spout and dive in the surrounding waters. Keep your binoculars close at hand to spot blue-footed boobies, pelicans, cormorants and an array of gulls that make this area their home. You'll anchor at sunset in a secluded cove.

Day 3: Snorkeling

Today should be an absolute delight, full of enjoyment above and in the water. After an introduction to snorkeling after breakfast, cruise north to Punta Pulpito. Anchored in sheltered waters, launch the skiff and sailboat for casual exploration of the rugged shorelines. Snorkel above myriad colorful tropical fish and the occasional manta ray, swim the crystal-clear waters, or soak up the sun’s rays on the beach. Or relax on board and soak in the stunning beauty of the Sea of Cortés.

Day 4: Bahía Concepción

Today is another great day for whale watching before you arrive in Bahía Concepción, a sweeping body of water sprinkled with pristine little islets. The entire vast bay is a national marine reserve, and commercial fishing is strictly forbidden. The ship will anchor in Coyote Bay for an afternoon of beachcombing, snorkeling and exploration by skiff.

Day 5: Mulegé, Isla San Marcos

One of Baja’s very few freshwater streams, the Santa Rosalía River feeds rare groves of figs, dates, bananas, olives and oranges. Explore the mouth of the river and its estuary by skiff, an adventuresome introduction to this unique area. Later the yacht continues north to Isla San Marcos where you’ll enjoy snorkeling over a reef teeming with tropical fish.

Day 6: Santa Rosalía, Cruising toward the Midriff Islands

Most unusually, Santa Rosalía’s hallmark is French colonial architecture, the legacy of a 19th century French copper mining project. A local landmark is an iron-walled church designed by Gustav Eiffel himself (that Eiffel). Tour the area, with time for exploration on foot, before reboarding the yacht to cruise north. You’re heading for one of the most remote and rarely-visited parts of the Sea of Cortés. Anchor at Bahía San Francisquito for the night.

Day 7: Midriff Islands

The Midriff Islands are rarely visited because there are no cities and hardly any villages nearby. Boaters from America have to cruise down the Pacific Coast nearly a thousand miles to Cabo San Lucas--and then hundreds more miles north into the Sea of Cortés to get here! Today’s itinerary is flexible, but you may drop anchor off Isla Salsipuedes for a hike, or watch for sperm whales feeding in the sealife-rich waters. Strong currents aerate the water and bring nutrients up from the underwater basins, which reach 2,700 feet deep here. At Raza Island almost the entire world’s population of Heerman’s gulls and elegant terns make their homes, and you’ll enjoy skiff rides up-close to the shorelines. You may have a chance to snorkel with sea lions at Little Raza Rock.

Day 8: Exploring the Midriff Islands

You’ll make time today for all manner of water activities-–skiff rides, snorkeling, sailing, swimming, beachcombing. This is enjoyment of a unique maritime desert environment at its finest.

Day 9: San Carlos Area

Having crossed the Sea of Cortés to the shores of Mexico's mainland, today you’ll find remote spots to enjoy skiff rides and water activities. There is a large colony of sea lions at Isla San Pedro.

Day 10: San Carlos / Disembarkation

A transfer is included to the Guaymas Airport for your flight home.