Sea of Cortez Rediscovered. 2 Family Journeys Aboard the Safari Quest. 8 Days.
It isn't called "the world's aquarium" for nothing. The Sea of Cortez, that narrow body of water wedged between Mexico's Baja California and the Mexican mainland, is a unique, life-filled ecosystem. There are more whale species here than you can imagine—blue, sei, fin, orca, sperm. And a wonderful assortment of dolphins and porpoises, including the rare vaquita marina, a diminutive porpoise that looks to be wearing a black ninja mask like your six-year-old son's.
On the Sea of Cortez journeys, we offer a Kids in Nature program, geared toward entertaining and educating children of all ages. There's hiking, kayaking, shore-hopping on inflatable skiffs, whale-watching, even listening to the undersea sounds produced by these gentle giants.
We use the delightful 22-passenger Safari Quest for both our eight-day journeys: the Aquarium of the World cruise and a slightly different, but no less 
extraordinary, path around the Sea of Cortez, our Baja's Bounty tour.
A look at the Aquarium of the World cruise: From historic La Paz, on Mexico's Baja California Sur, head for Ensenada Grande, a cove on Isla Partida with a lovely crescent beach at its head. Swim, snorkel (the yacht comes equipped with snorkel gear), kayak, hike among the world's largest cacti species. Get comfortable with your newfound freedom from schedules and your chance to enjoy wide-open space.
Next, two glorious days of wildlife viewing. Whales, dolphins, sharks, and such swim about beneath the sea's surface. Sea lions lallygag on the rocks. Boobies, pelicans, gulls, and cormorants take to the skies overhead.
Isla Carmen's waters are home to abundant fin whale and blue whale pods. The bird life here is rich, too. Ospreys nest on the headlands, brown pelicans congregate on partially submerged reefs.
Then the green waters of Bahía Agua Verde, where we take a mule ride along a footpath into the arroyos. Chat with locals rancheros. Explore the canyons. The scenery is something else.
Step onshore at Isla Coyote, the only permanently inhabited island in the Sea of Cortez. Population? Twenty—and all are members of the same family. Stroll through the whale bone yard. Get to know the family. Hike through a cactus forest.
Hike "the hook," a beautiful bay on Isla San Francisco. Kayak. Snorkel. Swim the untouched white-sand beaches. Then on to Los Islotes, a rocky outcrop that supports a large sea lion colony. Get a close look—or an even closer look, if you don a wetsuit and snorkel and swim with these incredible beasts.
Take a guided hike around Isla Espíritu Santo, perhaps the region's most diverse environments. Think tidal pools, beaches, deserts, cacti forests, and more. Keep your binoculars handy for the myriad bird species that live here.
We wrap up the cruise with a farewell dinner. Then disembark back in La Paz. No one said leaving would be easy...
A look at the Baja's Bounty journey: Here, too, we begin in La Paz, Mexico. Follow up with a day poking around a Sea of Cortez island (the captain's choice). Then to Los Islotes, a steep rocky outcropping and favorite hangout of a large sea lion colony. Snokel with the population, if you like.
On Isla San Francisco, take a guided hike among the cordón cacti. Then spend a relaxing day whale-watching.
Bahia Agua Verde is next, where a beachside barbecue rounds out the day.
Explore Loreto, the original Baja California Sur settlement, founded in 1697 by the Spanish. Head for Magdalena Bay, if whales are around. They are known to migrate and calf here.
On Isla Coyote, meet the resident family, and learn about life on this tiny spit of land. Then back to La Paz and home.
To request a detailed itinerary for these journeys (and others), click here.