Orcas and Mobulas - Sea of Cortez Photography Trips
Airplane Supported Mobula Ray and Orca PHOTOGRAPHY Expedition
03 - 10 JUNE 2023 - FULL
10 - 17 JUNE 2023 - 2 BERTHS IN THE PREMIUM SUITE AVAILABLE
15 - 22 JUNE, 2024 - PREMIUM TAKEN, SUPERIOR AVAILABLE
22 -29 JUNE, 2024 - BOTH CABIN TYPES AVAILABLE
The Sea of Cortez is home to many different and exciting migrations of megafauna, including one of our favourites, the Munk’s Pygmy Devil Ray (Mobula munkiana). More commonly known as mobula rays, this iconic species gathers in the tens of thousands (not a misprint!) twice a year, with peak season from May to July, in the waters from Cabo San Lucas around to La Paz. Join our mobula and Orca tour to witness this extraordinary mobula ray migration, along with some rarely encountered guests…
Pricing
5 Superior Suites at $4200 USD per person including tax
1 Premium Suite at $4830 USD per person including tax
$65 USD port fee paid on board
Inclusions: Accommodation, all meals (continental breakfast, breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert), non-alcoholic beverages and snacks, daily room service, towels and onboard facilities such as the hot tub and lounge… and lots of fun!
Exclusions: Airport transfer, bar, gift shop, crew gratuities, internet access, $65 port fee.
1 Premium Suite at $4830 USD per person including tax
$65 USD port fee paid on board
Inclusions: Accommodation, all meals (continental breakfast, breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert), non-alcoholic beverages and snacks, daily room service, towels and onboard facilities such as the hot tub and lounge… and lots of fun!
Exclusions: Airport transfer, bar, gift shop, crew gratuities, internet access, $65 port fee.
The Wildlife
The Orcas
Orcas are commonly known as killer whales, or to be more accurate, these large apex predators are actually giant dolphins by definition. Males can grow up to 30 feet in length and swim over 35 mph, but the grandmas are the real bosses of the family. These fascinating and highly intelligent “resident” and “oceanic” whales often stay in tight family groups for their entire lives. “Transient” orcas are a little different and travel individually or in small groups of two or three animals maximum. The orcas that we hope to encounter are individuals from the Eastern Tropical Pacific population that is known to travel between Baja and Costa Rica.
Orcas are commonly known as killer whales, or to be more accurate, these large apex predators are actually giant dolphins by definition. Males can grow up to 30 feet in length and swim over 35 mph, but the grandmas are the real bosses of the family. These fascinating and highly intelligent “resident” and “oceanic” whales often stay in tight family groups for their entire lives. “Transient” orcas are a little different and travel individually or in small groups of two or three animals maximum. The orcas that we hope to encounter are individuals from the Eastern Tropical Pacific population that is known to travel between Baja and Costa Rica.
The Flying Rays of the Sea of Cortez
Seeing the colour variations and geometric patterns of these rays as they dance underwater is a hypnotizing sight and a dream for photographers. Above water, these rays have earned a reputation for their acrobatic prowess. Hailed as the flying rays of the Sea of Cortez, rays are typically five to seven feet across, and witnessing males leaping out of the water, wings (pectoral fins) flapping, is an unforgettable sight. More athletic individuals can reach an altitude of ten feet or more, and while it’s a guess on our part, we believe that the higher the boys jump, the more impressed the girls are!
Seeing the colour variations and geometric patterns of these rays as they dance underwater is a hypnotizing sight and a dream for photographers. Above water, these rays have earned a reputation for their acrobatic prowess. Hailed as the flying rays of the Sea of Cortez, rays are typically five to seven feet across, and witnessing males leaping out of the water, wings (pectoral fins) flapping, is an unforgettable sight. More athletic individuals can reach an altitude of ten feet or more, and while it’s a guess on our part, we believe that the higher the boys jump, the more impressed the girls are!
The Escort
Photography coaching
Provided by Indigo Safaris' founder and underwater photographer Christopher Bartlett. Christopher’s work has been published round the world, and over the last decade he has had more than 100 articles published on a range of diving and marine conservation subjects, and to date has a dozen dive magazine cover shots to his name. Latest images here. Using simple terms and clear examples, he will cover the basics to advanced lighting techniques for macro and wide-angle photography, from setting up your gear to processing images in Lightroom. Christopher has been leading Cetacean trips since 2015, and has spent many hours in the water with Sperm whales and humpbacks, though this will be his first experience with Orcas, the crew of the Gallant Lady are hugely experienced.
Provided by Indigo Safaris' founder and underwater photographer Christopher Bartlett. Christopher’s work has been published round the world, and over the last decade he has had more than 100 articles published on a range of diving and marine conservation subjects, and to date has a dozen dive magazine cover shots to his name. Latest images here. Using simple terms and clear examples, he will cover the basics to advanced lighting techniques for macro and wide-angle photography, from setting up your gear to processing images in Lightroom. Christopher has been leading Cetacean trips since 2015, and has spent many hours in the water with Sperm whales and humpbacks, though this will be his first experience with Orcas, the crew of the Gallant Lady are hugely experienced.
The Trip
Embarking on our luxurious 116 ft, six-cabin expedition yacht, the Nautilus Gallant Lady, we’ll follow this epic migration across the Sea of Cortez. Suitable for snorkellers, swimmers and divers of all experience levels and fitness, we’ll put you in the water for virtually unlimited time with schools of mobulas. If the rays are on the move, some encounters might only last minutes, but other encounters might last for an hour or longer, and sometimes the mobulas will even allow you into the middle of their squadron. The icing on the cake? Experience special night encounters with schooling rays as they swarm around our dive lights in shallow protected bays.
Who is this trip for?
The trip is suitable for non-divers and snorkellers alike. There is only one day of the trip when we will scuba dive, and that day is also good for snorkeling.
Who is this trip for?
The trip is suitable for non-divers and snorkellers alike. There is only one day of the trip when we will scuba dive, and that day is also good for snorkeling.
Day 1
The Nautilus owned SeeCreatures Dive centre is located right in the harbour in downtown Cabo San Lucas and is your home away from home. We encourage you to fly in early and allow us to arrange for some local diving. We have. free warm up dive, which is great opportunity to refresh some photography skills and get set up properly. You are welcome to drop your bags off and check-in whenever it’s most convenient. We ask that you please be at the dive centre by 4 pm for the pre-boarding health check. This trip is predominantly focused on snorkelling and freediving, however if you would like to dive you will need to bring your own gear. We have full rental gear available and can get you suited and booted. Enjoy a nice evening walk, arriving back at the dive center by 7pm for the safety video and boarding the boat at 7:30pm. Settle into your cabin before enjoying a delicious dinner as we cruise towards the Sea of Cortez.
The Nautilus owned SeeCreatures Dive centre is located right in the harbour in downtown Cabo San Lucas and is your home away from home. We encourage you to fly in early and allow us to arrange for some local diving. We have. free warm up dive, which is great opportunity to refresh some photography skills and get set up properly. You are welcome to drop your bags off and check-in whenever it’s most convenient. We ask that you please be at the dive centre by 4 pm for the pre-boarding health check. This trip is predominantly focused on snorkelling and freediving, however if you would like to dive you will need to bring your own gear. We have full rental gear available and can get you suited and booted. Enjoy a nice evening walk, arriving back at the dive center by 7pm for the safety video and boarding the boat at 7:30pm. Settle into your cabin before enjoying a delicious dinner as we cruise towards the Sea of Cortez.
Day 2 - Meet the Mobulas
On our first day out at sea, we’ll be heading out in search of the mobulas. Baja Expeditions has been doing this for 47 years, and our crew is comprised of pioneering old timers who know these waters, and its wildlife, better than anyone. Anyone who is interested can get out and have a freediving lesson; we’ll have you descending to 30-ft by the end of the day. For a more relaxed affair, you can opt to spend your time onboard relaxing on the sundeck with a good book or soaking in the hot tub. We also have kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.
On our first day out at sea, we’ll be heading out in search of the mobulas. Baja Expeditions has been doing this for 47 years, and our crew is comprised of pioneering old timers who know these waters, and its wildlife, better than anyone. Anyone who is interested can get out and have a freediving lesson; we’ll have you descending to 30-ft by the end of the day. For a more relaxed affair, you can opt to spend your time onboard relaxing on the sundeck with a good book or soaking in the hot tub. We also have kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.
Days 3 and 4
For three days of the trip, we will be using an aircraft to provide five-and-a-half hours of aerial spotting to maximise your encounters with the mobulas and, hopefully, orcas. Our pilot specializes in finding orcas and is the very best in the business; he’s been working with Captain Mike for 15 years. The best place to find them is in the triangle between Espiritu Santo, Carpenter Rock on the west side of Cerralvo, and Las Ventanas on Baja, and we will be focusing our search within this area. Be patient, as it might take ten splashes for the mobulas and orcas to allow snorkelers and freedivers into the middle of the pack, but you’ll be rewarded with truly spectacular encounters. We’ll take you out in groups of six for two hours at a time, before swapping with the other six guests. After a delicious lunch on deck, we’ll head back out on the water again in the afternoon.
For three days of the trip, we will be using an aircraft to provide five-and-a-half hours of aerial spotting to maximise your encounters with the mobulas and, hopefully, orcas. Our pilot specializes in finding orcas and is the very best in the business; he’s been working with Captain Mike for 15 years. The best place to find them is in the triangle between Espiritu Santo, Carpenter Rock on the west side of Cerralvo, and Las Ventanas on Baja, and we will be focusing our search within this area. Be patient, as it might take ten splashes for the mobulas and orcas to allow snorkelers and freedivers into the middle of the pack, but you’ll be rewarded with truly spectacular encounters. We’ll take you out in groups of six for two hours at a time, before swapping with the other six guests. After a delicious lunch on deck, we’ll head back out on the water again in the afternoon.
Days 5 and 6
For the next couple of days, we continue to look for mobulas and orcas. In the evening, we’ll have the chance to see the mobula rays in a different light. Literally. There will be the opportunity to go snorkelling at night in a calm, protected bay, where we will suspend lights off the bottom of the boat to attract swarms of mobulas. The mobulas come in to feed on the plankton exposed by the lights, providing a spectacular show against the inky ocean. If you’re a certified diver with your own gear, we can also arrange night diving.
For the next couple of days, we continue to look for mobulas and orcas. In the evening, we’ll have the chance to see the mobula rays in a different light. Literally. There will be the opportunity to go snorkelling at night in a calm, protected bay, where we will suspend lights off the bottom of the boat to attract swarms of mobulas. The mobulas come in to feed on the plankton exposed by the lights, providing a spectacular show against the inky ocean. If you’re a certified diver with your own gear, we can also arrange night diving.
Day 7
On the final day, we’ll have the opportunity to dive or snorkel at Cabo Pulmo World Heritage Biosphere Reserve, home to some of the fishiest waters we’ve come across (over 6,000 species and counting, to be specific). In the evening, enjoy a delicious dinner under the stars as we sail back to Cabo San Lucas.
On the final day, we’ll have the opportunity to dive or snorkel at Cabo Pulmo World Heritage Biosphere Reserve, home to some of the fishiest waters we’ve come across (over 6,000 species and counting, to be specific). In the evening, enjoy a delicious dinner under the stars as we sail back to Cabo San Lucas.
Day 8
After a final breakfast we’ll disembark the boat in Cabo San Lucas.
After a final breakfast we’ll disembark the boat in Cabo San Lucas.
Will We See Orcas on The Trips?
Yes, our pilot tells us that there is a 50% probability of seeing orcas on any particular day. We’ll be searching hard for them. Multiply this by five days and the odds are in our favour. Our expert pilot and master aerial spotter will scan the seas from above and maximise your time with this magnificent migration.
Will we be able to get in the water with the orcas? Yes. Noting that to be in compliance with federal regulations, we can get in the water when we see the orcas. It’s up to the orcas to come in and check us out. In our experience, we will likely have to do multiple “jumps” before the orcas will relax and come in for a close look at us. Otherwise, the Sea of Cortez is a pelagic paradise, and we might also come across huge pods of dolphins, sperm and fin whales and even whale sharks.
Recommendation
Arrive in Cabo San Lucas the day before boarding and we will arrange a night at Los Tesoros, next to the dive centre where we will do our free check dive (or snorkel for non-divers).
Yes, our pilot tells us that there is a 50% probability of seeing orcas on any particular day. We’ll be searching hard for them. Multiply this by five days and the odds are in our favour. Our expert pilot and master aerial spotter will scan the seas from above and maximise your time with this magnificent migration.
Will we be able to get in the water with the orcas? Yes. Noting that to be in compliance with federal regulations, we can get in the water when we see the orcas. It’s up to the orcas to come in and check us out. In our experience, we will likely have to do multiple “jumps” before the orcas will relax and come in for a close look at us. Otherwise, the Sea of Cortez is a pelagic paradise, and we might also come across huge pods of dolphins, sperm and fin whales and even whale sharks.
Recommendation
Arrive in Cabo San Lucas the day before boarding and we will arrange a night at Los Tesoros, next to the dive centre where we will do our free check dive (or snorkel for non-divers).
The boat
Accommodation 12 passengers in six large suites. The cabins are located on the lower and main deck, and there is a choice of five Superior Suites and one larger Premium Suite. Each room features individually controlled AC, a California King or two double beds, ample storage space and private en-suite bathrooms.
Superior Suites - Inde, Dofleini, Rosario, Nautilus & Swell
2 superior suites are located on the main deck and 3 are located on the lower deck. 4 of the suites can be configured with either a California king bed or two doubles, and each suite has a private ensuite bathroom with a shower. All suites have individually controlled A/C.
Premium Suite - Emerald
This spacious premium suite is on the lower deck and can be configured with either a California king bed or 2 doubles. It has its own private ensuite bathroom with a full-size bathtub.
The Gallant Lady has been thoughtfully designed with plenty of comfortable social areas to unwind. The sky-lounge with hot-tub on the top deck is the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail at the end of the day, and the sundeck is a great place to relax in-between dives. The main salon and dining room features a fully stocked bar and wrap-around views. A fusion of Mexican and West Coast North American cuisine is freshly prepared by the onboard chef, and all dietary requirements can be catered for with advance notice.
Superior Suites - Inde, Dofleini, Rosario, Nautilus & Swell
2 superior suites are located on the main deck and 3 are located on the lower deck. 4 of the suites can be configured with either a California king bed or two doubles, and each suite has a private ensuite bathroom with a shower. All suites have individually controlled A/C.
Premium Suite - Emerald
This spacious premium suite is on the lower deck and can be configured with either a California king bed or 2 doubles. It has its own private ensuite bathroom with a full-size bathtub.
The Gallant Lady has been thoughtfully designed with plenty of comfortable social areas to unwind. The sky-lounge with hot-tub on the top deck is the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail at the end of the day, and the sundeck is a great place to relax in-between dives. The main salon and dining room features a fully stocked bar and wrap-around views. A fusion of Mexican and West Coast North American cuisine is freshly prepared by the onboard chef, and all dietary requirements can be catered for with advance notice.