The Best Way to Enjoy Baja Mexico: Our Expedition with UnCruise Adventures in the Gulf of California
We enjoyed a wide range of activities during our week in Baja Mexico with UnCruise Adventures. This included kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, beach time and more. (Photo by John Roberts)
When we planned our trip to cruise on the expedition ship Safari Voyager with UnCruise, we knew three things were certain.
We would enjoy memorable moments with new friends.
There would be a lot of fun and challenging activities taking place in stunning natural landscapes with outings that would leave us exhausted but smiling.
And the animals would be the stars of the show — showcasing a destination that has earned a global reputation as the “Aquarium of the World.”
I knew all this because I have traveled with UnCruise many times before. My favorite small-ship expedition line offers epic trips in Alaska, Hawaii and Costa Rica, as well as Mexico.
These are the types of trips that let you escape into the wilderness to reset and refresh with thrilling activities that create special memories. The UnCruise itineraries in Baja Mexico give travelers a look at the remote places along the Gulf of California, among the islands and along the coastal area of the peninsula and mainland, experiencing this country in a way that few others get to enjoy.
Colleen joined me for this trip, my second time cruising in in Mexico with UnCruise, and this is how our wonderful week went as we pursued lively adventures during sunny days in paradise.
Day 1: Fly to San Jose del Cabo and Transfer to the Ship in La Paz
San Jose del Cabo is the meeting point to start the trip. UnCruise offers a day pass for hospitality at a hotel resort on the beach, and this includes lunch, drinks and use of the resort.
Cruisers check in throughout the day (transfers from the airport are included), and we all hop on a bus late afternoon for the transfer to Safari Voyager in the town of La Paz.
Colleen and I have a direct flight from Denver to San Jose del Cabo, so we arrived on the same day that the cruise began. Many others booked extra time in San Jose del Cabo ahead of the trip — whether at the UnCruise host hotel or another hotel in town — so they could have extra time enjoy this vibrant area that filled with shops, restaurants, museums and gorgeous beaches.
Our home for the week of adventures was Safari Voyager, which carries up to 66 cruisers and offers a restaurant, lounge and sun deck with a small gym. (Photo by John Roberts)
We even met a couple that went straight to La Paz for a couple days ahead of the trip and went directly to the ship on their own on embarkation day.
Our bus ride from San Jose del Cabo took us along the Pacific coast of Baja California Sur, and we were able to spot dozens of whales in the ocean during the trip. This created a bit of excitement, as we knew the rest of the week would be even more special with up-close encounters with the creatures who call this part of the world home.
Video: Touring the Cabins on Safari Voyager
Upon arrival to Safari Voyager, we checked in, unpacked quickly and began meeting the expedition team and our fellow passengers in the ship’s lounge during the safety briefing. Then, it was time for dinner as we sailed away from La Paz.
This was my third trip on Safari Voyager, so I already knew my way around the ship pretty well.
Check out this video from my previous voyage in Baja Mexico.
After dinner, we were pretty tired from a day of travel, so we went to fairly early bed to rest up and get ready for our first day of activities in the Sea of Cortez.
Day 2: Whale Watching and Los Gatos Hike
The bow space is where cruisers and expedition team members gather to view wildlife like whales and dolphins. (Photo by John Roberts)
Colleen and I got up before sunrise (around 7 a.m.) and got in a little workout in the small outdoor gym on the sun deck before joining expedition guide Mareth and a few fellow travelers for the daily stretch class.
This would be our daily morning routine for the rest of the week, a perfect way to get primed for our excursions.
The buffet breakfast in the ship’s restaurant features made-to-order eggs (scrambled eggs are always available at the buffet), bacon, sausage, fresh fruits like berries, yogurt, muesli, bread and amazing pastries. We also had pancakes, waffles and french toast on different days during the trip, as well as one day with huevos rancheros, which were very popular. We also had one morning with biscuits and gravy as a featured dish.
Video Highlights from Our Trip in Baja Mexico with UnCruise
After breakfast, we had some briefings about the trip to learn about safely loading the skiffs for daily activities, got fittings for our wetsuits (for snorkeling in the cool waters of the gulf), and picked out our snorkel gear and life jackets.
During the morning of sailing, we encountered some sperm whales and had a nice viewing session, gathering at the bow of the ship as Captain John Shepard (he goes by Shep) got us into a nice position to view these majestic animals without disturbing their natural course.
After lunch, we arrived at Los Gatos for our first batch of activities. UnCruise was able to offer a similar variety of choices on most days: hikes, snorkeling and skiff tours.
Our Los Gatos hike was a nice way to stretch our legs and check out the desert landscape in Baja. (Photo by John Roberts)
Colleen and I chose a fun three-mile hike that took us into the Sonoran Desert along some sandstone rock formations and scrambling up and down the scree and navigating through a bit of bramble and brush. We scaled to high viewing points and earned magnificent views.
After the hike, we had a little bit of time for our first beach party session with cold beers and snacks as our reward for completing the hike.
Back onboard, cruisers started the process of connecting, trading stories of our day, learning names and hometowns and sharing some laughs during cocktail hour before heading down to dinner.
Our days were always capped with a presentation by a member of our expedition team, and we learned about the birds, the endangered vaquita porpoise, geology and history of the region.
Day 3: Fun in the Sun at Bahia Agua Verde
Our sure-footed burros took us into the hillside during our morning ride at Bahia Agua Verde. (Photo by John Roberts)
This was a big day with an UnCruise signature event for the Baja Mexico voyages.
Bahia Agua Verde is a scenic cove where we anchored all day to enjoy all kids of activities while hanging out at the sandy beach. We started our day with a burro ride led by local vaqueros (horse-mounted cattle farmers). This activity is made available through UnCruise owner Dan Blanchard’s decades-long connection with his friends — the Romero family of ranchers who live nearby.
The ninety-minute burro ride is a thrill, taking us on steep rocky trails into the mountain side and then down past a beach on the other side of the peninsula before tucking into an oasis surrounded by palm trees.
The burro ride yields incredible views, and you get a feel for how the ranchers of the area experience this special place. (Photos by John Roberts)
Lunch was back onboard — a delicious barbecue spread of ribs, fish and more served on the back deck.
There also was an afternoon session for everyone who wanted to have a turn riding the burros. Plus, UnCruise offered guided kayaking tours, and we went on one of these in the afternoon. It was a fantastic paddle along the rocky shoreline and then out to Solitary Rock, the iconic formation sitting a half mile off the bay that is home to birds, such as boobies, frigates and gulls.
Colleen powers our kayak across the sea to reach the iconic Solitary Rock. (Photo by John Roberts)
After kayaking, there was still plenty of time to hang out on the beach with our new friends and drink some beers and cocktails. We loved that UnCruise had stocked the ship with plenty of craft beers to keep us satisfied throughout the week. We favored the Peyote IPA and La Surfa Mexican lager from Baja Brewing Co. We also saw several fellow cruisers enjoying the Carta Blanca Mexican lager.
The day was perfect, as we did some swimming and snorkeling from the shore, and people hopped into kayaks and on standup paddleboards to toodle around the idyllic cove.
Colleen and I pulled a couple chairs up to the edge of the water to hang out with our friends. The whole ship was filled with awesome well-traveled active people who came from all over the U.S. and as far away as Scotland and the U.K. to share this experience in Mexico.
Day 4: Yellowstone Beach, Snorkeling and More Whales
We made it a routine to join the morning stretch class at sunrise. (Photo by John Roberts)
We picked a guided snorkel at Yellowstone Beach in the morning, led by guide Daniel. This was our first of a few times in the water to see the colorful fish, rays, lobsters and even a few nudibranchs (colorful soft-bodied mollusks).
We had some free time the remainder of the morning to chill at the beach, so we took a long stroll along the crescent-shaped stretch of sand before grabbing a cold beer. It was calming to hear the sounds of gentle waves rolling in as pelicans traced paths back and forth in the air before diving into the waters to scoop out fish while the sun warmed our faces.
Soon, it was time to head back to Safari Voyager. It was “Taco Tuesday,” which meant a decadent spread of tacos and other Mexican fare awaited us for lunch.
That afternoon, we did a little cruising for critters and came upon a huge pod of dolphins and three blue whales, including a mother with a calf. The blue whale is the largest animal in the world, and this was the first time most people had seen one (including Colleen and me!).
It was a breathtaking afternoon.
Day 5: Isla San Jose, Kayaking in the Mangroves; Isla San Francisco, Scenic Ridge Hike
We were happy to reach the top to get these views during our ridge hike at Isla San Francisco. (Photo by Daniel Lopez)
This was a busy day, full of amazing activities that would satisfy an adventure lover.
We started with a kayaking tour through a lagoon and intertwining channels that are embraced by a beautiful mangrove forest. This is a marvelous spot for birdwatching, and we saw red hawks, great blue herons, and great white egrets.
We enjoyed few miles of paddling under blue skies, ate a hearty lunch onboard and took a little nap as we sailed to Isla San Francisco for our afternoon activities.
Our expedition team offered a few different excursions at Isla San Francisco’s Half Moon Bay, including snorkeling and beach time. We chose the long ridge hike that took us through the desert and up the hill to a beautiful narrow dinosaur ridgeback trail along the top of the mountain that offered long-distance views to each side — the bay and ocean.
It was a little harrowing for some who struggle with heights because of the perspective that the trail was too narrow, but it was plenty safe enough and truly a thrilling payoff to get those views, as well as a good workout.
Day 6: Snorkeling with Sea Lions at Los Islotes; Beach Party and Playa Bonanza
Video: Snorkeling with Sea Lion Pups
This was a day I had been looking forward to, as it is one of the signature events for UnCruise’s Baja Mexico trips. We snorkeled with dozens of frisky sea lion pups at Los Islotes, a pair of rocky islets at the northern tip of Isla Espiritu Santo in the Gulf of California. This is home to a permanent breeding colony of more than 200 California sea lions.
UnCruise has special permission to arrive early so we can mingle with the sea lions at sunrise and without the crowds of people who arrive later in tour boats for their excursions. Instead, we had a few Zodiacs filled with those who wanted to snorkel with the sea lions and a couple other skiffs for those who wanted to view the colony and activities while staying dry. This also allowed avid photographers to bring their big cameras to get nice shots of the bigger sea lions lazing on the rock formations during the stunning sunrise.
We were thrilled to have Los Islotes to ourselves while snorkeling with the sea lions at sunrise. (Photo by Julie Holtz)
Colleen and I jumped into the water and saw hundreds of colorful fish first as we swam through a crack in the rocks between the islets. Then, the first sea lion pups started zooming around our group, displaying graceful swimming abilities as they nibbled at my GoPro action camera and tugged at the ropes of the safety buoys our expedition team members carried during the 90-minute tour.
You could hear squeals of joy as snorkelers came face to face with the cute whiskered faces of the pups, and these sounds were mingled with the gentle lull of the waves crashing on the rocks and the barks of the adult sea lions arguing over their perches on the rocks.
When we headed back to Safari Voyager for breakfast, the dining room as abuzz with joyful stories about the morning and how special this experience was.
Our daily beach parties offered the best way to celebrate conquering our active adventures. (Photo courtesy of UnCruise)
After a series of super-active days, Colleen and I gladly chose the option to just chill at the beach in the afternoon when we pulled up to Playa Bonanza. We had a fun afternoon with some others who also were savoring a little relaxation time on the soft sands while knocking back a few cold beers.
Day 7: Big Finish at Isla Cerralvo with Reef Snorkel and Arroyo Hike
Our hike into an arroyo offered the chance to see a different kind of environment in Baja Mexico. (Photo by John Roberts)
For our morning session, we eagerly joined the guided snorkel excursion. It lived up to the hype, as we had heard we would get to experience a vibrant reef system, and we saw so much coral and thousands of beautiful fish during our 90 minutes in the gently churning waters along the rocky shoreline at Isla Cerralvo. We even saw lobsters and a couple rays resting along the sea floor.
We saw a wide variety of landscapes and scenes throughout the week. Every stop offered something unique, and we capped our adventures by choosing a delightful arroyo hike in the afternoon at Isla Cerralvo.
This was a chance to wander into a dry river bed (arroyo) and see hummingbirds, hawks and sparrows amid the cactuses, trees and rocky hillsides. We also spotted lizards and goats during our four-mile trek.
As we emerged from the arroyo, we still had some leisure time to enjoy the beach and contemplate all the memorable adventures we had during a week that had passed much too quickly.
Highlights from Our Trip
We had a wonderful time, as we always do, making new friends while engaging in fun and sometimes challenging activities in beautiful natural settings with UnCruise. In Baja Mexico, you can expect to see whales, dolphins and all kinds of birds and other endemic species.
This will happen while you have plenty of great food and drinks while sharing laughs with new friends. This was my ninth trip with UnCruise, and these expeditions never disappoint.
3 Reasons to Love UnCruise’s Baja Mexico Trips in 2027
UnCruise will expand its offerings in the region and add some fun new land-based options, too. This way, you have even more choices for when you come (or come back) for your adventures.
1. Homeporting in San José del Cabo
The trip will begin and end in San Jose del Cabo. It’s just minutes from the airport and the beautiful historic town, which offers museums, restaurants, beaches and more.
2. Expanded Pre‑Cruise Land Tour
A new six‑night circular route through lower Baja Sur, featuring gray whales, waterfalls, swimmable rivers, mountain town visit, an UnCruise farm and family day, Todos Santos and more.
3. Extended Itinerary
The route will expand from seven to 10 nights, including everything you’ll experience on this trip plus these additions:
Cape Loop for Whale Watching: A new run around the cape on the Pacific side for enhanced whale-watching opportunities.
Sunrise at the Cabo Arch: An early morning experience on the south side of the Arch via skiff, kayak and the ship — well before the Cabo crowds are awake.
La Paz Port Call: A half‑day stop in La Paz, with optional whale shark snorkel excursions.