6-Nights Sea of Giants: Monitoring Marine Life in Baja

Study Humpback Whales, Bottlenose Dolphins & Whale Sharks & Snorkel with Sea Lions

Off the Baja Peninsula, the Sea of Cortez is one of Earth's richest marine ecosystems, attracting humpback whales and whale sharks in winter, and bottlenose dolphins year-round. Nutrient-rich currents rising from the deep ocean feed plankton and fish that sustain these ocean giants. On the Pacific side, humpbacks also frequent the waters off Todos Santos. But these marine environments are changing rapidly, altering animal behavior, migration routes and feeding patterns. Gain rare access to this habitat alongside researchers studying the impacts of environmental change. From small research vessels in La Paz Bay, photograph whale flukes and dolphin dorsal fins for identification studies and lower a hydrophone to listen to dolphin clicks and, if we're lucky, whale songs. Cross the peninsula to observe humpback behavior from clifftop stations overlooking the Pacific. When conditions permit, swim with gentle whale sharks, using underwater cameras to document the unique spot patterns researchers use to identify individuals.