Plan your adventure to Baja California: Special interest: Swim, Science or Family Adventures

Natural History and Diving: Family Learning Adventure on the Don Jose

Your whole family will love cruising and exploring nature in the Sea of Cortez during your summer vacation, enjoying this new program onboard the Don Jose. It's the perfect combination of fun, adventure and learning.

Our naturalist guide and dive instructor will focus as much as possible on each family member's interests as you explore and investigate many fascinating aspects of the desert island ecosystem in the Sea of Cortez. The opportunities to connect learning with our adventures are endless! We'll learn about geology as we pass amazing outcrops of volcanic ash and lava; marine biology as we snorkel among hundreds of fishes, invertebrates, and sea lions; oceanography as we cruise out on the Sea, and at night, astronomy as we scan the night skies.

Your "home-away-from-home" will be onboard the 80’ Don Jose. It comfortably accommodates up to 16 passengers in seven above-deck cabins, each with a changing area, storage closet, adjacent shower and head, plus a sink in most. Air conditioning is available at night in each cabin. DVD and VHS video systems and a natural history library will help make your adventure both fun and educational.

Experienced divers—or those just becoming acquainted with the sport—will appreciate the convenience and flexibility of a live-aboard boat. We'll do occasional dives throughout the week and when we do, your next dive will be just a few steps away off the convenient swim step.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are freshly prepared by our onboard cooks. Even children—notoriously picky eaters—will rave about the food! Each evening, you'll also enjoy our famous Don Jose-style happy hour, with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, as you witness some of the world's most memorable sunsets.

Map Url:

Trip Map

Itinerary:

Day 1 ~ Arrive in La Paz, Mexico

Arrive in La Paz and transfer to the Marina Don Jose to meet your naturalist guide and dive instructor and check onto the Don Jose. Spend the rest of the day exploring the colorful city of La Paz on your own before spending the night dockside on board the Don Jose. (No meals)

Day 2 - 6 ~ Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California)

During these five days, we'll help your whole family experience, explore and enjoy the Sea of Cortez, called "the world's aquarium" and a "natural laboratory for studying marine biology" by scientists.

Our experienced naturalist guide and dive instructor will lead environmental awareness activities sure to please all ages. As much as possible, they will personalize activities to match your family's interests in whales, lizards, geology, astronomy and more. And what kid wouldn't love a sand castle building contest or making shell jewelry or fish prints?

June and July bring ideal temperatures for many types of exploration. And it will be hard to keep track of all the wildlife we'll see! Pilot and fin back whales are often spotted. Sperm whales begin to appear near San Jose Island.

Lizards and other reptiles bask on warm rocks. With luck, you may also see butterflies migrate across Baja, painting the ocean and desert yellow. Fascinating birds can be seen from land or sea; even tiny hummingbirds thrive among the towering cardon cacti in the summer.

Non-divers (ages 8 and up) can learn the necessary skills to safely try scuba diving in a PADI Discover Scuba Diving program. For experienced divers, occasional dives throughout the week will enhance your appreciation for this remarkable ecosystem even more. We may even spot whale sharks on our trip; they begin to pass nearby La Paz in June. (B/L/D daily)

Day 7~ Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California) to La Paz

The morning finds you kayaking, swimming, hiking or snorkeling before it's time to say goodbye. We return to La Paz, having lunch en route, and transfer you to your hotel. (B/L)

Day 8 ~ La Paz to your home city

Depart to your home city. (No meals)

This is a general itinerary and subject to change.

Hotel on night 7 and a transfer from the airport in La Paz to the boat on Day 1 are included in the trip fee.

Trip Fee:	$1,895 deluxe/ $1,695 standard p/p dbl occ. For a family of 2 adults and 1 kid 15 and under staying in the same deluxe cabin, the kid is entitled to a 30% discount. If 2 kids are traveling with the 2 adults, the younger kid stays for free while the older one gets 30% off.
Includes:	Deluxe or standard shipboard accommodations on days 1-6; B/L/D on Days 2-6; B/L on Day 7, hotel on night 7. Beer, soda and wine onboard shipboard. Dive tanks, weights and belts; transfer from airport to the Don Jose on Day 1. Services of knowledgeable guides and caring crew members, including a PADI-certified scuba diving instructor. Detailed pre-departure information to help you plan your trip. The Conservation Passport Fee of $25 is not included in our trip fee. The Passport was designed by the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP) to raise funds for the continued protection of the shorelines, inlets, beaches and covers that make this area so extraordinary to visit. The passport allows you to visit Mexico's Protected Areas as many times as you wish for an entire year.
Trip Dates:	Sorry! There are no available departures for this trip.

Sorry! No photos are available for this trip.

Family Learning Adventure on the Don Jose Guide Reports:

July 4 - 11, 2010 (Guide: Antonio Martinez)

Sorry! No client reports are available for this trip.