Liveaboard Ocean Safari – Whales, Mobulas and Orcas
La Paz
Description
Explore the Sea of Cortez for 8 days and 7 nights in search of its most exciting pelagic encounters. Each day is shaped around wildlife movement, using a high speed support boat and aerial patrols to locate schools of mobula rays, pods of dolphins and large cetaceans.
The experience focuses primarily on snorkeling and freediving. During the season, immense mobula aggregations may fill the water, while blue whales, humpback whales, fin whales, sperm whales, pilot whales, false killer whales, Risso's dolphins and whale sharks may appear along the route.
Orcas visit the Sea of Cortez year round, with sightings increasing in spring and summer and historically peaking in July and August. No encounter can be guaranteed. The voyage follows ocean conditions and gives guests extensive time in the water whenever wildlife permits.
Reservation
Key Points
Guide language: Spanish, English
What's Included
- Seven nights of accommodation aboard Nautilus Gallant Lady.
- Meals during the voyage and scheduled onboard activities.
- Snorkeling and freediving program from the liveaboard and high speed support boat.
- Use of a 32 foot RHIB for wildlife searches and encounters.
- Aerial support to help locate animal activity and aggregations.
- Opportunity for 3 to 4 optional dives during the trip, including a possible night dive.
- Opportunities for night snorkeling with lights to attract mobula rays in a calm protected bay.
- Use of kayaks and stand up paddleboards available onboard.
- Complimentary photo lesson at 1:00 PM on departure day.
- Complimentary loan of Nautilus LifeLine, Dive Alert and SMB safety equipment.
- Towels, bed linen, reef safe sunscreen and sea safe body wash onboard.
- Scheduled complimentary transfer from SeeCreatures Cabo to La Paz and return transfer from La Paz to SeeCreatures Cabo or Los Cabos International Airport.
Itinerary
Day 1 Check in transfer and boarding
Guests may drop off luggage and check in at SeeCreatures Cabo during the day. A complimentary underwater photography lesson is offered at 1:00 PM. Check in must be completed by 4:30 PM for the included coach transfer to La Paz. At the marina, the crew welcomes guests aboard Nautilus Gallant Lady and the expedition begins. Guests already in La Paz may arrange to meet directly at the marina.
Days 2 to 7 Sea of Cortez ocean safari
Every day is different. The crew follows reports, conditions and aerial patrols to position the vessel near the best available activity. Searches may cover the triangle between Espíritu Santo, Carpenter Rock on the west side of Cerralvo and Las Ventanas, as well as other areas where whales, dolphins, rays or whale sharks appear. Main outings take place aboard the high speed RHIB. Some mornings may begin with diving or snorkeling, with wildlife missions often heading out around 11:00 AM after the local Coromuel wind eases and spotting conditions improve. Following lunch onboard, the support boat returns to the water for the afternoon and may operate until dusk. When large mobula aggregations are found, the guides may make several approaches before the animals accept swimmers within the school. The trip prioritizes snorkeling and freediving, although certified divers may complete 3 to 4 dives during the expedition, subject to conditions and daily operations. On selected evenings, the vessel may anchor in a protected bay and suspend underwater lights to attract plankton and mobula rays. Guests can observe them while snorkeling; a night dive may also be arranged for certified divers with equipment. If orcas appear, every interaction will follow Mexican laws and regulations. Orcas, whales and all other wildlife remain entirely unpredictable, and sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Day 8 Disembarkation in La Paz
After breakfast, disembarkation is expected at approximately 8:30 AM in La Paz. The operator provides a complimentary return transfer to SeeCreatures Cabo San Lucas or Los Cabos International Airport. Because of the transfer time, Nautilus recommends booking departing flights from SJD at 2:00 PM or later.
Where
What's Not Included
Recommendations
Requirements
A passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry into Mexico. Non Mexican travelers must meet applicable immigration requirements, including the FMM when required, and verify whether their nationality requires a visa.
Valid medical and evacuation insurance covering emergency care in Mexico, evacuation and hospital treatment. Dive medical insurance is also mandatory for scuba participants.
Completed guest information submitted in advance, including the full name and passport details required by Mexican authorities.
Acceptance and signature of the operator's waiver, release and indemnity before the trip.
No prior experience is required for the primary snorkeling and freediving activities. Each guest must stay within personal limits and follow crew instructions.
Guests who wish to scuba dive must show a valid certification unless enrolled in an operator training program. They must also have buoyancy control and basic open water skills.
Every diver must attend briefings, follow safe recreational diving practices and use a Nautilus LifeLine, Dive Alert and SMB as instructed by the crew. Park authorities prohibit divers from carrying a dive knife.
All guests must follow crew instructions and Mexican regulations during every wildlife interaction.
Cancellation Policy
Payments
A 25% deposit is required within 7 days of booking to confirm the reservation. An additional 25% payment is due 4 months prior to departure, with the remaining balance due 60 days before departure.
Cancellations
If a guest cancels their reservation, the following cancellation penalties apply to the total trip price.
More than 12 months prior to departure: an original booking may be refunded less a US$100 administrative fee per guest, or transferred once to a new booking without an administrative fee.
12 to 9 months prior to departure: 15% cancellation penalty.
9 to 4 months prior to departure: 25% cancellation penalty.
4 months to 60 days prior to departure: 50% cancellation penalty.
60 days or less prior to departure: 100% cancellation penalty.
Bookings that have previously been transferred to a later departure date are non-refundable.
I booked the whale shark tour with Gluup and it was an unforgettable experience. Everything was very well organized, and they provided a delicious breakfast and lunch. We were incredibly lucky to see around 50 whale sharks, which made the trip absolutely breathtaking. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting the area!
DiamondH Diego
August 2026
I booked the whale shark tour with Gluup and it was an unforgettable experience. Everything was very well organized, and they provided a delicious breakfast and lunch. We were incredibly lucky to see around 50 whale sharks, which made the trip absolutely breathtaking. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting the area!
DiamondH Diego
August 2026
It was a unique and incredible experience, I hope to have more like it. We swam with pilot whales and it was unparalleled, thank you ☺️✨
Andrea Cejudo
August 2026