Mexico
Baja Adventure
Enjoy some of the world’s greatest marine adventures in the blue sky, sunshine paradise that is Baja California. A fun-packed family holiday full of unforgettable up close encounters with marine wildlife. Head into the Sea of Cortez and enjoy kayaking with dolphins and whale-watching cruises. Plus paddleboarding with turtles and snorkelling with sea lions. All from an idyllic island camp.
Unquestionably the most special experience will be swimming with whale sharks, those gentle giants of the ocean (who do not eat human flesh!). Surf lessons and planting coral round off the water-based activities. On land take an entertaining mural tour in the lively seaside resort of La Paz. Finishing with an even more entertaining cookery and margarita class at your casita hotel in the historic town of Todos Santos. A magical variety of activities and locations for all ages.
Highlights
Swimming with whale sharks
Snorkelling, kayaking & SUP
Sea lions, turtles, whales & manta rays
Glamping on Espiritu Santo Island
Surfing and sandboarding
Todos Santos taco crawl
Coral gardening in La Paz
9 days from £3,365 pp
Plus international flights starting at £950
A 9 day holiday in Baja California for a family of four usually costs from £13,460 plus flights, based on good quality accommodation including most meals.
Baja Adventure day-by-day itinerary
Day 1, San Jose del Cabo – Todos Santos
Welcome to Baja California (in Mexico, not the USA!). Upon arrival at San Jose del Cabo, you will be met and transferred to Todos Santos, a charming historical town on the Pacific side of the Baja peninsula. Upon arrival at your beautiful casita hotel, settle into your rooms with their stunning ocean views, then the rest of the day is free to recover from the flight and enjoy the pool.
This evening you will be introduced to typical Mexican cuisine with a welcome gourmet taco dinner. Fall asleep to the sounds of the Pacific Ocean – a taste of the marine adventure to come!
Day 2, Surfing and Taco Crawl
Start off this incredible family holiday by learning to ride the waves at Los Cerritos, one of the best surf breaks in Baja. You are guaranteed to stand up – at least for a moment. It’s brilliant fun for all ages and abilities.
Then head into town. Todos Santos is one of the ‘Pueblos Magicos’, an oasis thick with palms, tropical fruit orchards and lush lagoons filled with birds. Its endless pristine beach is home to 5 of the 7 turtle species found in the world. It is also a favourite spot for watching grey whales because they can get so close to shore. Here you will enjoy a foodie tour by indulging in Baja California Sur’s greatest contribution to world cuisine: the fish taco!
After the taco crawl there will be time to explore the shops and artist galleries of Todos Santos (and take the inevitable photo of the legendary Hotel California – albeit a fabricated legend) and then head back to the pool for some relaxation and margaritas – virgin or with the local tequila!
Day 3, Whale Shark Swimming and La Paz Mural Walking Tour
Today, you will enjoy one of the most exciting marine encounters in the world – swimming with whale sharks. Cross the Baja Peninsula to La Paz, the capital of Baja California, lying on the Sea of Cortez. You will then head out on a whale shark snorkelling and swimming tour – an iconic La Paz experience.
Whale sharks are the largest fish in the world. Unbelievably gentle creatures, these placid giants are only interested in plankton – all human flesh is safe! Cruise the short distance to the whale shark refuge area, keeping an eye out for dolphins and humpback whales. You will be given a briefing on the strict rules for this encounter, then don your snorkelling gear and jump in the water to enjoy time with these docile creatures in their natural habitat. This will be a very unique and special experience – enjoy!
Return to La Paz to freshen up. La Paz is a waterfront town with a charming Malecon (boardwalk) along the sea, marinas full of sailboats and yachts and terrific local restaurants. This afternoon, you will explore this friendly town on a guided walking tour with a renowned local muralist. It is a really fascinating way to learn some of the town’s local history and children will find this very entertaining.
Day 4, Coral Gardening and Sandboarding
This morning you will dive into coral gardening. This a fun, direct way to participate in local conservation efforts. The programme begins with a discussion about corals and their importance to ocean health. You will then help plant coral fragments recovered from popular dive sites into PVC “beds” where they will grow in a nursery for about 6 months before being planted back at their original location. After planting the fragments you will snorkel to see the nursery where they are maturing before being returned to their home. This is a very memorable and worthy experience that children will really appreciate and enjoy.
Later today you will head out to the nearby sand dunes of El Mogote for sand boarding at sunset. With dunes of over 30m and spectacular views of the Sea of Cortez, El Mogote is the perfect spot to spin sunset into an exciting adventure. In addition to the giant dunes there are plenty of smaller ones so everyone can enjoy sand boarding at their own level.
Day 5, Espiritu Santo Island
You are off to Isla Espiritu Santo today! After being kitted out with snorkelling gear and wet suits, you will head off to the island (40mins boat ride), deep in the heart of the Sea of Cortez. Jacque Cousteau famously called the Sea of Cortez ‘the Aquarium of the World’ due to its rich biodiversity – which you are about to discover….
Isla Espiritu Santo is in a National Marine Park, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is one of the best marine life viewing destinations in the world. Whales, dolphins, whale sharks, sea turtles, manta rays and plenty of beautiful tropical fish call the surrounding waters home, while a terrific range of bird species including Blue-footed Boobies, Reddish Egrets, Frigatebirds, Great Blue Herons and Yellow-footed Gulls frequent the island’s skies and shores. The island itself is stunning, with magnificent towering cliffs, spectacular sandy bays, amazing lava rock formations and rock art. It’s a remarkable place to explore.
You will spend your time here doing exactly what pleases you – swimming, kayaking, hiking, snorkelling with the fun-loving sea lions and manta rays, stand up paddle boarding, bird watching or exploring hidden lagoons and deserted beaches. The water is crystal clear and the beaches are just perfect for watching schools of dolphins, jumping rays or even whales.
Your camp features large dome tents with beds, linens, towels and chairs for sitting outside. There are solar showers and compost toilet cabañas. There is even an on site ‘café’ where the chef makes wonderful meals for you – and daily happy hour of course (all included).
Read More Days 6-7, Espiritu Santo Island Fun At night you will fall asleep to the sound of the waves lapping at your picture-perfect white sand beach. But not before you have enjoyed some of the world’s most spectacular star-gazing! Day 8, Todos Santos Cookery Class This evening your chef-in-residence will lead a wonderful ‘Mexican Survival Cooking Class’. The emphasis is on having as much fun as humanly possible and gaining the skills to make some truly memorable Mexican dishes. The perfect way to round off your stay in Baja California! Day 9, Todos Santos – San Jose del Cabo
A further two days of island riches. Perhaps take a SUP out to spot sea turtles, dive with sea lion puppies or head out by boat to spot some whales. Take a guided hike inland to discover rock art and unusual rock formations. Spot blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds then head back to the sea – the draw of the dazzlingly translucent turquoise water is incredibly strong.
Today you will bid a sad farewell to your island camp and return to La Paz. Transfer to Todos Santos (1hr) and enjoy a free afternoon picking up souvenirs in town, walking the beach, birding in the palm oasis or chilling by the pool.
Enjoy one last Mexican breakfast then head back to the airport for your flight home. Adios amigos!
Mexico in pictures
Why choose us?
- Unparalleled family travel experience
- Specialist knowledge across six continents
- Hand-picked local partners
- Every holiday is tailor-made for you
- 100% financial protection
- 24hr emergency contact number
100% Financial
Protection
We are members of the Travel Trust Association, a trade association of Travel Agents, Tour Operators and Travel Organisers that operate trust accounts in order to provide financial protection for the consumer. Membership number Q0176.