Baja California: Among the Great Whales: Feb 21—28, 2009

An exciting week-long expeditionary cruise designed for exploring the natural wonders of Baja California.

Each winter, one of the world's most exciting wildlife phenomena takes place in the bays and lagoons of Baja California's Pacific coast—gray whales arrive by the thousands to breed, give birth, and nurture their young. We will experience this annual event on an eight-day voyage around the coast of the Baja Peninsula. Cruising aboard a 62-passenger ship, the Sea Bird, our journey will take us from Bahia Magdalena on the Pacific side to Cabo San Lucas, and finally to Isla Espiritu Santo in the Sea of Cortez.

We will travel with experienced ship staff and expert naturalists from a variety of disciplines, including oceanographers, botanists, and geologists, in addition to a VENT leader.* Interpretation and on-board presentations from cetacean experts will offer an intimate look at the lives of these magnificent creatures. Aside from gray whales, we will have plenty of opportunities to see a variety of other whales, porpoises, and dolphins. Past trips have recorded more than 10 species of whales, including blue, fin, Bryde's, humpback, and sperm whales.

Although whales are a highlight, our voyage will include much more: fantastic ocean sunrises and desert sunsets; snorkeling among California sea lions and a menagerie of colorful fish; and walking on pristine desert islands in the Sea of Cortez and experiencing the raw beauty of a cactus-dominated environment—Baja California boasts 91 species of cacti, including the tallest in the world, the giant cardon.

Birding opportunities are boundless. From the ship we will spot Magnificent Frigatebirds, Blue-footed Boobies, Red-billed Tropicbirds, and a variety of terns. The near-shore waters will yield Xantus's and Craveri's murrelets, while shore excursions may produce a plethora of shorebirds, desert species, and Baja endemics including Xantus's Hummingbird and Belding's Yellowthroat.

* A VENT leader will accompany this departure with a minimum of 8 registrations.

All accommodations and cuisine aboard ship; many Zodiac excursions and opportunities for swimming and snorkeling; dry weather anticipated.