Exploring the Gulf of California: A Living Sea and Desert Isles on National Geographic Venture

Whales & Wildness: Spring in the Sea of Cortez
Whales, wildness & wonder in a living sea
Unique, immersive style of travel
The Sea of Cortez in spring is among the best times and places to see a great variety of whales—humpback, sperm, fin, Bryde’s, and blue whales—plus large aggregations of dolphins. Sail the Sea of Cortez, exploring its many islands free from tourist infrastructure and designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. An expedition of pure discovery, a flexible itinerary means we’re free to follow the seasonal movements of wildlife to optimize sightings. Sailing aboard the 62-guest National Geographic Sea Bird or National Geographic Sea Lion, fully equipped with tools for exploration, will enable you to:
- Search for large pods of dolphins and various species of whales—blue, sperm, pilot, fin, humpback, and Bryde’s—all in the same week.
- Explore water-level caves by kayak, hike uninhabited beaches, snorkel among fish and acrobatic sea lions, and see colorful cactus blossoms.
- Visit the old mining town of Santa Rosalia, with its wooden homes and historic steel church, designed by Gustave Eiffel.
- Experience a voyage of pure discovery in a UNESCO World Heritage site, with a flexible itinerary and sites chosen by the region’s most knowledgeable staff, based on conditions and to maximize wildlife sightings.
- Conditions permitting, visit Isla Rasa, where 90% of the world’s Heermann’s gulls and the elegant tern comes to breed.
- Adventure and Active
- Safari, Animals, and Wildlife

Lindblad Expeditions goes to the most amazing places on the planet—40+ geographies in all. And they’ve planted a flag in many of them, deeply committing to remote wild places—like South Georgia and the Falklands; Patagonia, where they opened up Staten Island, ‘the island at the end of the world,’ for eco-tourism; and remote and beautiful regions of Polynesia, including the Marquesas Islands where few go.
Teams that do whatever it takes
Lindblad’s teams will do whatever it takes to ensure you unforgettable experiences. Whether it’s manning the spotting scopes all night to ensure a polar bear sighting, orchestrating a landing at an extraordinary wildlife site to coincide with a magnificent sunrise, or sending waitstaff out with gourmet ice cream bars to refresh you as you explore a Polynesia atoll, their commitment creates thrilling moments for you.
Global Stewards
A core value of Lindablad Expeditions is to positively impact the geographies where the fleet sails. Leaders in the travel industry for over 50 years, Lindblad has built ground-breaking programs in education, empowered local artisans, protected wild areas, and so much more. By bringing travelers into wilderness and inspiring them to care, Lindblad creates planetary stewards every day.

Itinerary
Day | Destination | ||
---|---|---|---|
1 | Home / Loreto, Mexico / Embark Ship | ||
2-7 | Exploring the Gulf of California | ||
8 | Loreto / Disembark Ship / Home |