Wild Baja California Escape: The Whales of Magdalena Bay on National Geographic Sea Lion

Wild Baja Escape: The Whales of Magdalena Bay
Spend several extraordinary days in the company of majestic gray whales in Mexico's Bahía Magdalena, one of the best places in the world to witness interactions between gray whale mothers and their curious calves. On this compact trip, we'll navigate the length of the bay aboard our nimble expedition ship, and set out by Zodiac for thrilling, up-close encounters. Kayak through mangrove forests and hike desert islands, watch pelicans and ospreys soar overhead, and soak up the sun on some of the Pacific's most pristine beaches.
- Get up close to California gray whale mothers and calves in their winter breeding grounds in Bahía Magdalena.
- Hike through diverse island landscapes with our naturalists, from windswept sand dunes to cactus groves.
- Kayak and paddleboard on the glassy waters of the bay and into mangrove forests teeming with wildlife.
- Grab a fat tire bike from our onboard fleet and ride over desert terrain.
- Learn about desert ecosystems, seabird migrations, and whale behavior from our experienced naturalists.
- Safari, Animals, and Wildlife
Before they built the National Geographic Venture and Quest, U.S. shipbuilder Nichols Brothers built the twin ships National Geographic Sea Lion and National Geographic Sea Bird. Nimble, reliable, and intimately scaled, they both continue to sail the waters of the west coast of North America and Central America.
Sea Lion accommodates just 62 guests in 31 outside cabins. Her inviting public spaces foster a sense of shipboard life where everyone is integral to the adventure, engendering a rewarding sense of community and esprit du corps. National Geographic writer Andrew Evans called Sea Lion the “closest thing to Cousteau’s Calypso” he’s ever had the pleasure to be on.
With a shallow draft and small size, she can easily reach places inaccessible to larger ships. She can venture into fast-moving channels where whales come to feed, transit a series of locks in the Pacific Northwest, nose up to waterfalls in secluded coves, and sail into protected anchorages in small bays perfect for snorkeling and kayaking.
Deck Plans


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 take ...
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.
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Itinerary
Day | Destination | ||
---|---|---|---|
1 | Loreto, Mexico / San Carlos / Embark Ship | ||
2 | Bahía Almejas / Rehusa Channel / Isla Magdalena | ||
3 | Transit the Hull Canal / Boca de Soledad | ||
4-5 | Boca de Soledad | ||
6 | San Carlos / Disembark Ship / Loreto |