Solmar V is pleased to announce that we are offering 2 very special natural history tours into the Sea of Cortez in June. We've been diving the Sea of Cortez since the early 80's and this is our crew's back yard. These trips will include scuba diving and snorkeling in areas such as Cabo Pulmo Marine Sanctuary, the only living coral reef on the western side of North America. We will also snorkel with whale sharks in La Paz Bay and spend a morning with the California sea lion colony at Los Islotes, the largest reproductive sea lion colony in the entire Sea of Cortez and there will be plenty of playful, inquisitive sea lion pups at this time of year. For non-divers and divers alike, we'll offer kayaking around the most pris tine islands and coves in the lower Sea of Cortez and daily bird watching, either from our two 22' inflatables or hiking the numerous uninhabited islands. We'll anchor in pristine white sand coves under the Baja stars, feast on fresh fish barbequed on a charcoal grill set up on the beach while witnessing brown pelicans dive-bombing for their dinner and explore an incredible estuary and mangrove lagoon in the very early morning to witness the large bird population coming to life.

Come learn about the fascinating Baja marine life, birds, history and geology…join us for the adventure of a lifetime.

Baja Topside Photo Gallery by Karen Straus

Sea of Cortez Scuba / Snorkel / Eco Tours Sample Itinerary:

DAY 1: Depart Cabo San Lucas around 4PM, stopping at Lands End to take pictures of the famous San Lucas Arch & California sea lion colony found there.
DAY 2: Arrive Cabo Pulmo (the largest living coral reef on the western side of North America) very early in the morning and after breakfast, spend the day diving & snorkeling the reefs of Cabo Pulmo Marine Sanctuary. This would also be a perfect spot for kayaking and beach activities. Then, head north to Espiritu Santos Island.
DAY 3: One dive at El Bajo seamount for large pelagics in the morning and dive/snorkel with the California sea lion colony at Los Islotes afterwards. This is the largest reproductive sealion colony in the entire Sea of Cortez and since they pup in the spring there will be plenty of pups around at this time. It is a super snorkeling area! After lunch we can move the boat to a nice, calm bay on Espiritu Santos Island for hiking, exploring and an evening beach barbecue party!
DAY 4: Spend the morning snorkeling in the bay of La Paz with whales sharks using an ultra light out of La Paz that we rent to spot these sharks on the surface. We use our 22 ft inflatables and communicate by radio to the ultralight. This has been very successful in finding and snorkeling with these, the largest fish on earth!!(whale sharks are actually not whales but large fish that grow up to 50 ft in length).
DAY 5 & 6: These days would be spent diving/snorkeling/hiking/exploring at Las Animas, San Jose and San Diegito Islands just north of La Paz. We would determine which islands by weather conditions and where marine life encounters will be best for that particular time of year. Our crew has grown up on these waters and has a real feel for the area. San Jose island has an incredible estuary that can be reached using our 22 ft inflatables for bird watching and exploring. Kayaking here would also be a treat. There is also a possibility of using the second of these two days to explore the islands a little farther north for possible sightings of Blue and Fin back whales (I am researching this possibility)
DAY 7: Would find us back in the Cabo Pulmo area at different sites than previously dived/snorkeled. These reefs are so extensive that you could dive here a week and not repeat dive sites. Depart back to Cabo San Lucas in the evening after a full day of activities. Arrive in Cabo that night.
DAY 8: Disembark around 8:30AM, after breakfast on this day and after a great week of diving/snorkeling/hiking/exploring

As with any itinerary that takes advantage of weather conditions, marine life, etc., this is not written in stone and is subject to change.