Central America

Baja California: Observing the Whales of Magdalena Bay

6 Days aboard National Geographic Sea Lion. From AUD $3,767pp.
Small Ship Expeditions
Details

Overview

Enjoy several days in the company of majestic gray whales in Baja California’s Magdalena Bay, one of the best places in the world to encounter gray whale mothers and their calves. On this compact trip, we explore aboard the only expedition ship in the region small and nimble enough to anchor inside the bay’s sheltered waters, giving you unparalleled access to this busy whale nursery. Set out in local pangas for up-close encounters with these curious cetaceans, kayak mangrove forests, hike desert islands, and look for pelicans and ospreys while soaking up the sun on pristine beaches.

Itinerary Highlights

  • Search for gigantic gray whale mothers and their calves in the nursery waters of Magdalena Bay, delighting in up-close encounters
  • Kayak and paddleboard in stunning mangrove forests, or beachcomb along endless stretches of sand
  • Scan the skies for myriad bird species, like diving pelicans and magnificent frigatebirds

Itinerary in Brief

  • Day 1: Loreto, Mexico / San Carlos / Embark Ship
  • Day 2 to 5: Magdalena Bay
  • Day 6: San Carlos / Disembark Ship / Loreto

Ship Information

For more information on the National Geographic Sea Lion please view the ship page.

View National Geographic Sea Lion

Travelling with Eclipse

Peace of Mind
  • Eclipse Travel is Australian owned and run, and an ATAS accredited travel agent.
  • 24/7 emergency numbers and local contacts provided for support while you’re abroad.
  • We provide all the information you need to organise your visas and vaccinations, making travel preparation stress-free.
  • No currency surcharges. Once your deposit is paid, your price is guaranteed.
Specialists
  • Our consultants are true destination experts, with firsthand experience and extensive travel in the regions we offer.
  • Expect quick, professional responses and dedicated service from our knowledgeable team.
  • We conduct regular checks on destinations, hotels, and services to ensure quality for every trip.
Authentic Travel
  • Tailor-made itineraries designed around your unique requirements.
  • Freedom to select your preferred style and standard of accommodation.
  • Unique itineraries that take you beyond the major highlights, immersing you in each location.
  • Committed to responsible travel: we reinvest in the environment and local communities across our destinations.

Day 1: Loreto, Mexico / San Carlos / Embark Ship

Arrive in Loreto by early afternoon for the transfer to San Carlos, a small waterside town where the mountains meet the Gulf of California. Embark the ship this evening in time for cocktails and an introduction to the staff and crew. You may opt for a pre-voyage extension exploring the region’s culture and cuisine.

Arrival Time: Arrive before 2:30 p.m. local time.
Arrival City: Loreto, Mexico

Dinner included.

Day 2 to 5: Magdalena Bay

Below is a selection of locales you may visit during your expedition.

Bahía Almejas

The southernmost of the waters you’ll explore, Bahía Almejas, or Bay of Clams, is known for its many seabird species and its remarkably active gray whale populations. With luck, you’ll have the opportunity to view a large frigatebird colony before heading out on a whale-watching trip. Board small, open boats called pangas, operated by pangueros—expert local guides. The areas around Magdalena Bay are primarily supported by whale-watching and small-scale, artisanal fishing; the pangueros make their livings as fishermen outside the gray whale season and have a deep familiarity with these rich waters.

Isla Magdalena / Sand Dollar Beach

Explore ever-shifting sand dunes on a cross-island walk to one of the most pristine beaches in the Pacific. Take in the impressive desert plant life of this exotic terrain, home to five species of cacti. Tally treasures offered up by the ocean on the aptly named Sand Dollar Beach, and capture images of your discoveries with the help of your certified photo instructor.

Puerto Magdalena

Wake up anchored at this small fishing village, surrounded by the open Pacific to the west, Magdalena Bay to the east, mangroves to the north and mountains to the south. With a population of 85, Puerto Magdalena is the only inhabited area of Isla Magdalena. Meet a local resident and learn how his family has lived off the area since the 1800s—from lichen harvesting to managing an open-air cantina, where you’ll enjoy local bites and beverages. Time permitting, visit the desalinization plant that supplies fresh water to the community. Get active on a fat-tire bike ride or, conditions and tide permitting, a kayaking excursion through the mangroves in Man of War Cove.

Hull Canal

Take in the scenery and watch for pods of bow-riding dolphins as the ship navigates this winding canal. Within its narrow channels, bordered by mangroves and sand dunes and filled with abundant wildlife, join your keen-eyed naturalists on deck to spot species and hear expert commentary. Weather permitting, explore the vast mangrove system by kayak and Zodiac. Bird-watching can be excellent here, with various seabirds and shorebirds patrolling the beaches as they fatten up and prepare for long journeys to their summer breeding grounds. You might see anything from diving pelicans and wheeling cormorants to terns, great blue herons, ibis, whimbrels and willets.

Boca de Soledad

Settle in for unforgettable experiences in this tranquil lagoon. Each winter, during their long migration, gray whales travel south from their Arctic feeding grounds to breed and give birth to their calves in these sheltered waters. Venture out in local pangas to view the numerous mother-calf pairs that thrive in the region. With luck, enjoy up-close interactions with these curious creatures.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Day 6: San Carlos / Disembark Ship / Loreto

After breakfast, disembark the ship and transfer to the Loreto airport for flights home or to Loreto's city center to begin your two-night history and whale-watching extension.

Departure Time: Depart after 1:00 p.m. local time.
Departure City: Loreto, Mexico

Breakfast included.

Next Departure Date: 14 Jan 2026
DatesCabinFromAdditional
14 Jan 2026 - 19 Jan 2026 AUD$4709ppExpand to view prices
Category 1 CabinAUD$4709ppContact us
Category 2 CabinAUD$5830ppContact us
Category 3 CabinAUD$6743ppContact us
19 Jan 2026 - 24 Jan 2026 AUD$4709ppExpand to view prices
24 Jan 2026 - 29 Jan 2026 AUD$5447ppExpand to view prices
29 Jan 2026 - 03 Feb 2026 AUD$5447ppExpand to view prices
03 Feb 2026 - 08 Feb 2026 AUD$5447ppExpand to view prices
08 Feb 2026 - 13 Feb 2026 AUD$5447ppExpand to view prices
13 Feb 2026 - 18 Feb 2026 AUD$5447ppExpand to view prices
18 Feb 2026 - 23 Feb 2026 AUD$4478ppExpand to view prices
23 Feb 2026 - 28 Feb 2026 AUD$4478ppExpand to view prices
28 Feb 2026 - 05 Mar 2026 AUD$4478ppExpand to view prices
05 Mar 2026 - 10 Mar 2026 AUD$3767ppExpand to view prices

**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply

Cabin Details

Category 1 Cabin

Two lower single beds
Writing desk
Window
WiFi access
Temperature controls
Private bathroom with amenities
Closet
Luggage storage space under bed

Category 1 Cabin
Category 1 Cabin
Category 2 Cabin

Two lower single beds
Window
WiFi access
Temperature controls
Private bathroom with amenities
Closet
Luggage storage space under bed

Category 2 Cabin
Category 2 Cabin
Category 3 Cabin

Two lower single beds
Small table and chairs
Two windows
WiFi access
Temperature controls
Private bathroom with amenities
Closet
Luggage storage space under bed

Category 3 Cabin
Category 3 Cabin

National Geographic Sea Lion Deckplan

deck plan

Specifications

  • 62 guests, 31 cabins
  • Year built: 1982
  • Length: 50m / 164ft
  • Beam: 9m / 30ft
  • Decks: 3
  • Crew: 24
  • Speed: 10 knots / 19kph / 12mph

What's included?

  • Excursions, hotels, and airport transfers, as indicated in the itinerary
  • Selection of exploration tools curated to your destination, such as Zodiacs and glass-bottom boats, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, snorkeling equipment (including wetsuits, masks, and fins), and other state-of-the-art gear
  • Guidance and company of our leading expedition staff
  • All meals as indicated in the itinerary, both aboard and onshore. Meals are inspired by regional cuisine and locally sourced where possible.
  • Hors d’oeuvres inspired by regional cuisine and locally sourced where possible
  • 24-hour access to snacks, premium coffees and teas, non-alcoholic beverages, and filtered water
  • Beer, wine, cocktails, liquors and spirits aboard all ships, with the exception of Sun Goddess and Oberoi Philae. We are also pleased to offer a selection of premium brands available for purchase.
  • Complimentary Starlink-enabled Wi-Fi internet is available to all guests aboard our National Geographic fleet, enabling email, messaging, and social media. Enhanced and Premium internet packages are available for purchase, which may enable video chat, web browsing, and streaming (connectivity permitting).
  • Presentations on your destination by expedition staff and expert guest speakers
  • Complimentary reusable water bottle to fill at onboard water refill stations
  • Onboard physician consultations (where available)
  • Morning stretch classes and 24-hour access to exercise equipment where available
  • 24-hour access to lounges, observation decks, library stocked with regionally relevant literature, and other shared spaces
  • National Geographic certified photo instructor (all ships)
  • Access to the OM System Photo Gear Locker with the latest gear to try out on loan (aboard our National Geographic fleet, except in Galápagos)
  • Park and site entrance fees, special access permits, and port taxes

What's not?

  • Airfare (except flights when indicated as included), pre- and post-expedition extensions, additional hotel nights, and private transfers (except when indicated as included)
  • Travel protection plans and passport, visa, and immigration fees 
  • Laundry, spa treatments, scuba diving, and phone services (except when indicated as included)
  • Additional costs associated with medical services outside onboard physician consultation (where available)
  • Enhanced and premium Wi-Fi plans, which may enable video chat, web browsing, and streaming (connectivity permitting)
  • Crew gratuities aboard National Geographic Endeavour II, National Geographic Islander II, National Geographic Gemini, National Geographic Delfina, National Geographic Venture, National Geographic Quest, National Geographic Sea Bird and National Geographic Sea Lion

Important notes and additional information

Unused services or items included in our programs are non-refundable.

Price Assurance

At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.

Our team negotiates the best rates for you and ensures you receive unbiased advice, with no preference for any particular supplier. In fact, where we secure higher commissions, we often pass the savings on to you, giving us a competitive price edge.

Additionally, we lock in exchange rates at the time of your deposit, ensuring no surprise costs when it’s time for final payment. You can rest easy knowing we’ll handle the details with our suppliers. The only exceptions are national park fee increases or fuel surcharges imposed after your booking, though these are rare.

Take advantage of our team’s expertise and let us help you plan the perfect holiday—hassle-free!

Destination: Central America

Let us take you on an authentic journey throughout this rich and versatile region with its spectacular Caribbean beaches, smouldering volcanoes and lush green jungles sheltering a rich variety of fauna. Throw in its fascinating history, hidden Mayan ruins and the rhythm of Cuban salsa and we’re certain you’ll find this region is a treat to the senses.

Downloadable travel guide

Planning your next adventure has never been easier with our free downloadable travel guides. Get in-depth insights into local attractions, dining options, and hidden gems, all curated by our team of travel specialists with decades of experience.

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Baja California: Observing the Whales of Magdalena Bay

6 Days aboard National Geographic Sea Lion. From AUD $3,767pp.