The Sea of Cortez - what Jacques Cousteau called “the world’s aquarium” - is one of the most diverse marine environments on the planet. Our guides have worked in marine environments all over the world, and they say there’s nowhere they’d rather be for the sheer diversity of majestic marine life.

There’s something about Baja California Sur that draws you in. The wild meeting of desert and sea, the colourful towns, the artists, Mexican food, music and laid-back communities. It's a place with a lot of character- they say not the real Mexico. Maybe you’d better find out for yourself!

Seven days, six nights and five extraordinary full water days. The perfect blend by land and sea; marine life, local culture and relaxation - with your own private room for total comfort, the beach and boat five minutes walk from your home, snorkeling is amazing from the beach. This is a bucket list trip, shared with likeminded travelers bonded by a love for the sea and the thrill of what lies beneath the surface. Immersed in nature and community, by day you have ocean and after hours you have landscapes of cacti and panoramic seaviews from your terrace. A deeply immersive experience for serious ocean travelers. Expect extraordinary marine life encounters with cetaceans and fevers of mobula ray out in the open ocean. If you are curious and open to whatever discovery presents itself, you will have the time of your life.

Imagine being dropped into the blue with your bucket-list species - a fever of mobulas gliding beneath you, involuntary tears escaping inside your mask at the sheer joy of it. Hundreds of dolphins - actually hearing their whistles and clicks underwater and thinking your heart might explode. Grinning through your snorkel as they continue to pass by.

From April to July, the Sea of Cortez comes alive with an extraordinarily active display of marine life. Mobula rays aggregate in huge numbers gliding in unison beneath the surface and launching themselves spectacularly from the sea. You may even observe courting behaviour. Massive pods of dolphins, sea lions, oceanic mantas, whale sharks, sperm whales, blue whales, humpback whales and, if we are incredibly lucky, orcas may surprise us along the way.

We come for those magical moments you simply cannot plan.

A rare encounter with a sperm whale - the largest brain of any animal that has ever lived and capable of diving to 3,000 metres - before it disappears into the deep and we move off in search of our next magical encounter.

Five days on the ocean. Each day is different. Come ready to be surprised, thrilled and awestruck by whatever the wild chooses to give us.

Mexico is one of the few places where swimming with orcas is permitted. They are elusive and unpredictable. If we encounter them, we will consider ourselves extremely lucky. Mexico has strict regulations around wildlife encounters, and swimming with whales is not permitted; observing these magnificent animals from the boat is a privilege in itself.

We always follow the guidance of our experienced local crew and put the welfare of the wildlife first.

That is the beauty of a wild ocean. We head out with open minds and let nature decide what we find.

For six nights, your boutique home base sits where desert meets sea. You’ll have your own private room with ensuite bathroom, air-conditioning and fan, so after a full day on the water you can come home to total comfort and your own space. Owner and architect Salim has stylishly designed the rooms and bathrooms, and the panoramic terrace (great for a morning stretch or yoga) has beautiful views across the Sea of Cortez.

There’s a smoothie bar and, for those accustomed to good coffee, you won’t be disappointed. The beach is only a five-minute walk away if you fancy a morning swim, snorkel or wander before we head out on the boat.

You will be spoiled by your Mexican chef who prepares homestyle delights. Breakfasts and dinners will be eaten together at a long table with a view. The coconut shrimp is a favourite. Lunches will be on the boat. one never tires of ceviche with spicy sauce. On a secluded beach, in a hidden bay. It all depends on the day and where the wildlife takes us.

There’ll be opportunity to experience local venues, a margarita or two and stargazing under the night sky.

Fly into either La Paz or Los Cabos. If you have a few extra days to spare, we’re happy to share our favourite places to visit, spectacular diving spots, and practical advice on car hire and public transport for exploring further.

Mandy will be your expedition leader. Fluent in Spanish, she’s picked up plenty of local knowledge and a few secrets she’d love to share with you.

Mandy and the team at La Ventana are there to ensure every detail is taken care of, and your trip will be everything you ever dreamed of.

The local captains know the ocean. They come from generations of fishing families, having spent their lives on the water. Today, marine tourism offers another way to make a living from the sea, while giving them a reason and an opportunity to help protect it.

Mandy has spent half a lifetime working on, in and under the water. She’s a carer and a sharer and genuinely wants you to have the best experience possible. She’ll notice if you need a little support, ask if you’re okay - in and out of the water - and do everything she can to help you get the most from your trip.

Her smile will be wide and contagious from the get-go. If you also LURVE to travel, love to eat and experience new flavours, to immerse yourself in local culture, learn, ask questions, find any excuse to be in the water, maybe a hidden tear behind your mask - humbled and in awe of with what lies beneath the surface, then you’ll fit right in.

If you feel the pull, please join us on this expedition. Allow yourself this gift. You won’t regret it, that’s for sure!

• Five days on the ocean (8hrs/day)

• Six nights in a private room with en-suite bathroom

• Airport transfers (Los Cabos International Airport SJD or La Paz LAP) to La Ventana and return

• Wildlife approach briefing

• Breakfast/ dinner - private chef

• Water

• Panga (Mexican boat), experienced and safety conscious local captain and knowledgeable guides

• Lunch and snacks on the boat

• Snorkeling equipment (if required) and life jackets

• Pre and post expedition support

• Whatsapp group for travellers

• Special gift

• Confident swimmer, comfortable being in the open ocean with previous snorkeling experience

• Comprehensive insurance covering activities

• Happy vibes

• Flights

• Travel insurance (required)

• Wetsuit

• Personal expenses and extra activities not listed

• Gratuities/tips – Tipping is customary in Mexico, with around 10–15% generally expected

Fly into Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) or La Paz (LAP), ideally arriving the day before your expedition begins or early that morning. We’ll collect you from the airport or your nearby hotel before setting off together for the scenic drive to La Ventana, approximately two hours away from Los Cabos or 45 minutes from La Paz.

We will work out logistics of pick ups when we know when everyone is arriving and where you will stay the night before.

Once we arrive, there’ll be time to settle in and get comfortable before we gather for a relaxed welcome and briefing about the adventures ahead.

6.30pm Then it’s time for our first dinner together and the beginning of an extraordinary week in Baja.

There will be plenty of time for breakfast in the morning. Then we’ll head out for a full day on the Sea of Cortez, spending around eight hours on the water to make the most of every opportunity. Each day is shaped by the ocean and what we find - from spectacular mobula aggregations to whales, dolphins, mantas, sea lions and other pelagic marine life.

Our experienced local captain and guides know these waters intimately and will lead our search, always guided by the conditions and the behaviour of the wildlife.

Lunch, snacks and plenty of water are provided on board.

Back at our beautiful home base, there’s time to shower and relax before gathering around the long table for dinner prepared by our chef - sharing stories from another incredible day at sea.

Breakfast is usually at 7am, with an 8am departure. Times may vary with conditions and wildlife, including sunrise or sunset trips when mobulas are most active.

Breakfast will be at a set time and your transfers will be ready to take you to the airport with the group.

As our time together comes to an end, we hope you leave with salt in your hair, a camera full of memories and stories you’ll be telling for years. Until the next ocean adventure - wherever the water takes us.