Grab your camera and join us for our newest Ultimate Escape adventure, our Whales & Sea of Cortez Cruise. Set sail on the intimate, 62-passenger National Geographic Sea Lion and discover the amazing biodiversity of Baja and the Sea of Cortez. From whales so friendly and curious that they allow themselves to be touched by humans, to sea lions, pelicans and blue-footed boobies, you will understand why this area is often called “The Mexican Galápagos”.
Your Experience
Make new friends and explore this natural paradise with the women of Olivia on this one-of-a-kind expedition. The “locals” include magnificent frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, pelicans, great blue herons, and many other fascinating creatures. During the day, the ship will anchor and you’ll have opportunities to go in search of whales and dolphins, or to snorkel among sea lions, king angelfish, butterfly fish, damselfish and parrotfish. Hike with knowledgeable guides, learning the history of the peoples who once inhabited the area. Walk among huge cacti, stroll along the sand, swim, kayak, or just relax on the beach or deck.
Your Activities
We'll explore the land and sea, meeting a myriad of unique and curious creatures who call this area home. Scan the skies for frigates wheeling and courting, take a dip with doe-eyed sea lion pups and watch for blue-footed boobies. Grab your camera to capture curious whales surfacing alongside your Zodiac, spend the afternoon snorkeling with parrotfish, or join a naturalist-led hike. In the evening, back onboard, listen to the naturalist talk about the area, and share stories with your new Olivia friends.
Your Ship
Your ship, the Lindblad National Geographic Sea Lion, can reach places inaccessible to larger ships due to her small size, which means you get to experience more!
The ship is set up as a true expedition ship, with all the equipment you’d expect, including a bow camera, hydrophone, kayaks, snorkeling gear, Splash-Cam, underwater video camera, video microscope and Zodiac landing craft. The Sea Lion features a library; lounge with full-service bar and facilities for films, slide shows and presentations; an observation deck; a partially covered sun deck with chairs and tables, and LEXspa. All cabins face outside with windows, private facilities, and climate controls; some also feature doors that open directly onto the deck. The feeling is similar to that of a private yacht. The rooms contain all the basic amenities, and while they are simply appointed, they are a comfortable place to lay your head at the end of a day filled with friends and exploration!
A sturdy fleet of Zodiacs and stable kayaks means can be off the ship and out exploring within a moment’s notice. Launch your kayak from a picturesque beach, hike with our naturalists into the rain forest or walk easily along a sandy dune. Your expedition staff will surprise and delight you by directing the ship toward breaching whales, bow-riding dolphins or into alluring coves.