Air Plane Spotted Mobulas and Orcas Expedition

Overview

Embarking on our luxurious 116 ft expedition yacht, the Nautilus Gallant Lady, we’ll follow this epic migration across the Sea of Cortez. Suitable for snorkelers, swimmers and divers of all experience levels and fitness, we’ll put you in the water for virtually unlimited time with schools of mobulas. 

If the rays are on the move, some encounters might only last minutes, but other encounters might last for an hour or longer, and sometimes the mobulas will even allow you into the middle of their squadron. The icing on the cake? Experience special night encounters with schooling rays as they swarm around our dive lights in shallow protected bays…

The Sea of Cortez is home to many different and exciting migrations of megafauna, including one of our favorites, the Munk’s Pygmy Devil Ray (Mobula munkiana). From April to July, hundreds of thousands of mobulas gather in dense schools. Where there are mobulas, there are killer whales (Orcinus orca). We use dedicated aircraft support to spot our snorkelers and divers onto mobulas and orcas and also whale sharks, blue and fin whales and much more!

Where There Are Mobulas, There Are Orcas

Orcas (Orcinus orca) are commonly known as killer whales, or to be more accurate, these large apex predators are actually giant dolphins by definition. Males can grow up to 30 feet in length and swim over 35 mph, but the grandmas are the real bosses of the family. These fascinating and highly intelligent “resident” and “oceanic” whales often stay in tight family groups for their entire lives. “Transient” orcas are a little different and travel individually or in small groups of two or three animals maximum. The orcas that we hope to encounter are individuals from the Eastern Tropical Pacific population that is known to travel between Baja and Costa Rica.  

The Flying Rays of the Sea of Cortez

Seeing the colour variations and geometric patterns of these rays as they dance underwater is a hypnotizing sight and a dream for photographers. Above water, these rays have earned a reputation for their acrobatic prowess.  Hailed as the flying rays of the Sea of Cortez, rays are typically five to seven feet across, and witnessing males leaping out of the water, wings (pectoral fins) flapping, is an unforgettable sight. More athletic individuals can reach an altitude of ten feet or more, and while it’s a guess on our part, we believe that the higher the boys jump, the more impressed the girls are!

What is included?

• * 8 days/ 7 nights/6 days of diving 
• * Taxes
• * Meals while on boat,
• * Use of Kayaks and Stand-up paddle boards
• * transfers on arrival to the hotel, if arrive with group
• * trip brochure and packet,
• * trip shirt, and travel leader.

Special Oceanic Ventures Connoisseur Club Benefit

• Snorkeling Tune-up before you leave

Other activities that can be arranged… 

Shopping in town, zip lining, parasailing, City and cultural tours, horseback riding and more

What is not included?

Airfare to/from Cabo San Lucas, Nitrox, port fee ($65, cash paid on-board), Park Fee (None at this time), transit hotel, Boutique, Bar tab, meals while not on board the vessel, Rentals, Taxi fares to/from town, Airport tax Additional land tours, Other activities, Diving equipment system, Trip insurance and shopping, hotels in Cabo the day before or after arrivals. Tips for local dive staff or tour staff.

The Fine Print…

Please see the Terms & Conditions page for a listing of our travel policies. All prices are subject to change until booked and ticketed. All moneys are due in full on deposit even if not paid in full and some penalties may ably for cancellations based on the operators policies and group penalties.  As with most small island properties and vessels, cancellations are more of an issue so they have limited ability to fill unused spaces.  We highly recommend trip insurance to help avoid any unnecessary problems.  No refunds for missed flights or changes in plans. Trip insurance and diving insurance can be found at http://oceanicventures.com/travel-insurance/.  Both Dive Assure/DAN and Travel Guard have a family plan.  Diving Accident and Medical Insurance is required. Vessel and OVI travel releases are required.  Please plan to bring a copy of your logbook, c-card, and diving insurance.  

Passport must have a minimum of 6 months validity prior to passport expiration.  No refunds for missed flights or boats.

Note: All guests spaces are reserved upon deposit.  But unless a minimum number of guest sign up for the trip by the deadline dates, an Oceanic Ventures trip leader will not be attending.