Ocean Expedition to La Ventana, Cerralvo Island, La Paz and Espiritu Santo Island
Mobulas, Dolphins, Orcas, Whales and more!
The Sea of Cortez is world-renowned for its incredible marine biodiversity and offers a chance to witness some of the planet’s most spectacular natural events. La Paz and La Ventana are two strategic departure points from which, with a bit of luck, you may encounter sea lions, dolphins, whales, mobula rays, and even orcas.
Between May and June, the ocean comes alive with the mobula ray migration, a unique phenomenon in which thousands of mobula rays swim in perfectly synchronized schools. This natural marvel can be observed around Espiritu Santo Island and Cerralvo Island.
Thanks to this privileged location, our Ocean Safari offers exceptional wildlife encounters from either starting point. Everything depends on sea conditions, the season, and our experienced wildlife tracking.
Description
The adventure begins in La Paz, La Ventana, or Bahía de Muertos. The meeting point is confirmed the day before, as we always choose the best departure area based on recent sightings and sea conditions to maximize the chances of encountering marine wildlife. The experience lasts approximately 5 hours and takes place aboard a traditional panga boat as we cruise in search of the incredible marine life the ocean has to offer. With a bit of luck, you may have the chance to swim with huge schools of mobulas, snorkel with dolphins or killer whales, and spot whales as well!
This tour is suitable for anyone interested in wildlife watching from the boat. Those who wish to swim with the animals must be physically fit, agile enough to enter and exit the water from the boat, and able to swim independently in the ocean. You don’t need to be an expert swimmer, but you must feel comfortable in the water.
It is important to understand that we cannot guarantee any wildlife sightings. We also avoid disturbing or harassing wild animals, and all of our activities are carried out with the utmost respect for marine wildlife.
Itinerary
We’ll meet at 8:00 AM, and expect to return around 1:00 PM. We’ll navigate around Espiritu Santo Island, the channel between La Ventana and Cerralvo Island, and the surrounding area, always on the lookout for marine life. Throughout the journey, your guide will provide you with information about local species and everything you need to know to enjoy the experience safely and responsibly.
Gallery
Duration: 5 hours.
Requirements: Good physical condition and experience in snorkeling.
Difficulty: It does not require much technical knowledge but it is physically demanding. Not recommended for children, or people who do not exercise regularly.
Minimum number of participants: 3 people.
Included
Captain and guide.
Soft Drinks and Lunch.
All fees.
Snorkel Equipment.
Not Included
Alcoholic beverages.
Ground transportation. It can be hired.
You must bring
Ecofriendly sunscreen.
Water bottle.
Long sleeved shirt (for the sun, and the jellyfish).
Swimsuit, beach clothes, and a water and windproof jacket (specially for winter and spring).
Hat, sunglasses, and towel.
Reviews
Elia Medina Villalba
Sperm Whale, dolphins and Whales
The location and activity were both spectacular. We saw a plethora of dolphins, and I had the opportunity to swim with them. We also saw sperm whales, which were impressive. Later, we ate on the boat at one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen (Playa Arena). Words fall short to describe what I experienced on this trip.
ximena corominas
La Ventana, 100% recommended
An incredible experience, we saw many dolphins, mobulas, a sea lion, and the best part was seeing a humpback whale with its calf. Mateo, our guide, was super nice and always attentive to us for anything, and our captain Carlos had the best sight, as he immediately recognized where the mobulas were. Thank you for everything and for such a beautiful day.
Julio César Enriquez
Cerralvo island paradise
My favorite part of the experience was swimming among hundreds of mobulas and feeling like I was part of a documentary, wow! We also had the fortune of swimming among dolphins and observing a whale from the boat. The guide María and the MTA team made all of this a great experience!!
Michele D’antino
A unique experience!
A unique and unforgettable experience. The task of finding marine life is very challenging, and the crew is expert at it. They made my dreams come true!
What species can I find in La Ventana, Cerralvo Island and Espiritu Santo Island?
La Ventana, La Paz, Cerralvo Island, and Espiritu Santo Island are part of the world’s largest natural aquarium, the Sea of Cortez, offering an unparalleled rich marine biodiversity, making them ideal destinations for observing wildlife in its natural habitat. There is a plethora of animals residing in this area, and the ones listed below are just some of the most common.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Best Time to Visit La Ventana, La Paz, Cerralvo and Espiritu Santo Island?
Any time is a good time to embark on a safari in the Sea of Cortez. For observing mobula rays and orcas, the best period is from May to June, while the winter months are ideal for spotting large whales. From July to December, the conditions are perfect for enjoying the clear and warm waters.
What is the Ocean Safari Adventure Like and where does it depart from?
This expedition involves approximately 7 hours of navigation in open water aboard a panga-type boat. The exact departure point is adaptable to best suit our guests. When departing from La Paz, we leave from the Fiscal Pier (Muelle Fiscal). When departing from La Ventana, we generally leave from Playa Central or the beach closest to your accommodation.
Expedition Realities: How are orcas and wildlife located? (Spotting Methods)
Our primary method for locating orcas in open water is through radio and mobile phone communication networks between experienced captains and local operators.
Note on Drones: The use of drones and spotter planes is strictly prohibited under the area’s environmental management plan to protect wildlife. Local operators in La Ventana do not allow drones to be flown during these expeditions, maintaining responsible tourism standards.
What wildlife can we expect to see during the safari?
Every trip is a unique ocean safari. Because we search for wildlife in its natural habitat, some days we encounter an incredible diversity of marine life like orcas or mobula rays, while on others nature chooses to be more discreet. Part of the magic lies precisely in the excitement of discovering what the ocean has in store each day.
Is it legal to swim with orcas in Mexico?
Yes, it is legal to swim with orcas in Mexico as long as it is done with respect towards the animals and without harassing them.
What is the booking and cancelation policy?
For day tours, a 40% deposit of the total payment is required to complete or secure the booking if the reservation is made more than 7 days in advance. If the reservation is made with less than 7 days notice, full payment is required. For packages that include multiple activities, a 40% deposit of the total payment is required to complete or secure the booking if the reservation is made more than 60 days in advance.
If the reservation is made with less than 60 days notice, full payment is required. If we cancel the activity due to “unforeseen circumstances” such as weather, mechanical difficulties, or insufficient participants, you will receive a 100% refund.
For all cancellations requested by clients, any amounts paid in advance are non-refundable and non-transferable. We strongly recommend obtaining travel insurance to cover unforeseen personal emergencies, such as illness or accidents.