As the sun climbs above the sparkling Sea of Cortez, you head out for an exhilarating day of whale spotting. Then in the evening, you and your fellow travelers survey the star-filled Pacific skies from a secluded beach or the deck of your small expedition ship. At day’s end, you retire to your comfortable cabin, knowing that sunrise will reveal a new expanse of pristine waters teeming with marine life, and another stretch of dune-lined coast waiting to be explored.
This is the blend of natural ...Show more
When you arrive in Loreto on the east coast of the Baja California peninsula, you will transfer from the airport to the Pacific port town of San Carlos, where we board our floating home for the next eight days, National Geographic Venture. Sailing southward along the Pacific coast, we anchor for the night off Isla Santa Margarita.
Each winter, gray whales migrate south from their Arctic feeding grounds to breed, give birth and raise their calves in the protected waters of Baja California. This morning we transfer by motorcoach to López Mateos and spend the whole day out on small boats, or pangas, observing these majestic creatures. With luck, we’ll enjoy close encounters with a few mother-calf pairs, guided by whale-savvy fishermen we’ve known for years. After lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy a few more hours of spectacular whale watching before we head back to the ship in late afternoon.
We awake this morning off the rocky island of Los Islotes, where you can snorkel among curious sea lions – an experience you won’t soon forget. We then sail on to the port city of La Paz, the state capital of Baja California Sur, where you can immerse yourself in vibrant street culture as you stroll the beachfront Malecon. Dinner is a memorable experience featuring regional cuisine, dancing and folklore. Then back onboard ship, we gather on the sundeck for another evening of stargazing (as always, conditions permitting).
Following a last breakfast onboard, we take you to the center of Loreto, where you can visit the first mission in Baja California, learn more about this colonial port in its small museum and take time to explore the town’s many quaint shops and colorful side streets. After lunch, we arrange the quick transfer to Loreto Airport for your flight home or onward adventures.
National Geographic Venture comfortably accommodates 100 guests in 50 outside-facing cabins. Cabins are efficiently designed, with sizes ranging from the 136-square-foot category 1 to the 185-square-foot category 5 suite. Twenty-two of the 50 cabins feature small balconies with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that bring in the spectacular views and ample natural light. Twelve cabins connect via internal doorway access allowing families to combine their rooms. Plus, all category 5 suite cabins can accommodate a third person on a convertible sofa bed.
All cabins face outside with windows, portholes, or step-out balconies, Wi-Fi access and climate controls. Bathrooms are modern and stocked with botanically inspired hair products, soap, and shower gel, plus a hairdryer. Every room has outlets and USB ports for charging your camera gear or electronics, and space for luggage storage.
Food served aboard is fresh, local, and delicious, and sourced from suppliers who share our values of sustainable use whenever possible. Meals aboard are almost always served in the dining room, located aft of the lounge deck. When weather conditions allow, lighter fare may be served on the observation deck. There is no assigned seating and our dining room accommodates the entire expedition community in a single seating. During meals your expedition leader, naturalists, and any guest speakers aboard will join you.
The ship features a fitness center and spa, an observation deck, mudroom with lockers for expedition gear, and a partially covered sundeck with chairs and tables.
You’re invited to the ship’s bridge to see where the calm business of navigation unfolds. You’ll find our captains are engaged, knowledgeable members of your expedition who are eager to share their passion with you. Venture’s open bridge features comfortable spaces to sit where you can enjoy the view, drink your morning coffee, chat with the officers or help yourself to the ever-ready binoculars to scan the horizon.
The lounge is the heart of our expedition community, where we hold cocktail hour and recap each evening. It’s also where you’ll gather for presentations, photography talks, and guest speaker presentations.
Key to our operation is our fleet of 8 Zodiacs, which we use to land in places that would otherwise be inaccessible. With two loading stations, we are able to transfer guests off the ship quickly, so you can be out on adventures, and not idly waiting. The Zodiacs are 19 feet long, powered by four-stroke outboard engines, and are capable of comfortably carrying 10-12 people. They are widely recognized as the safest and most versatile small inflatable boats afloat.
