Join This 7 Day Group Snorkeling Safari With Mobula Rays and Other Big Sea Creatures
May 5-11, 2024
Join this small group of just 12 snorkelers who get to experience one of the most amazing sea life migrations off the coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico. Tens of thousands of Mobula Rays come together to socialize, play, mate, and feed on plankton. This is a true wildlife safari, where you can expect to snorkel for hours with these acrobatic rays, and also with sea lions, dolphins, whale sharks, whales, and maybe even Orcas.
The most famous species of Mobula Ray is known by the scientific name Mobula munkiana. They are commonly called Mobula Rays or Munk’s Devil Rays. Besides this species you may get to see two others in the Sea of Cortez, Mobula mobular and Mobula thurstoni.
It’s astounding to watch these large groups of rays, and to be in the water with them. They sometimes leap out of the water in acrobatic efforts as though seeking flight, and move through the water together as if sharing a group consciousness.
They are smaller rays, with an average width of 39 inches (100cm).
This trip is being run by our partner and friend Ben and his team. Based in the U.K., they are experts at running amazing snorkel excursions, and have a great appreciation for the underwater world. A guide from Ben’s team will be with your 12 person group for the duration of your trip.
Check out the video below for a quick idea of what to expect.
More Big Creatures
Many other large creatures can be found in the Sea of Cortez that you may have a chance to snorkel with, and see from the boat. Whale sharks, sea lions, dolphins, sea turtles, and a couple types of whales are possible to sight.
Where Will You Be Snorkeling and Staying?
Baja California Sur is a state in Mexico, in the southern section of the Baja California Peninsula. The Pacific Ocean is to the west, and the waters to the east are the Gulf of California, also called the Sea of Cortez.
Your trip starts after your arrival at San Jose Del Cabo Airport (SJD), which is just north of Cabo San Lucas on the southern tip of Baja. You will be met at the airport and shuttled the 2.5 hour drive to La Ventana, farther north on the peninsula. You will be based at the lovely Casa Tara Retreat seaside hotel for the next six nights.
For the next five days, after breakfast, your group will split into two different boats, and head out to look for sea creatures to visit with. Depending on the amount of life spotted, you may either go out once in the morning, and once in the evening. Or, if there is an abundance of life you may stay out for up to eight hours on the ocean. On the days that are split between two outings, there will be other activities during the day like nature walks or beach excursions with lunch.
Finally, you will return to Cabo San Lucas to fly home at the end of your trip.
What Is Casa Tara Retreat Like?
Your home base for this Mexico Mobula snorkeling trip will be Casa Tara, a boutique hotel in the small town of La Ventana. It is the perfect place to relax and enjoy wonderful meals when you are not out on the ocean.
This sleepy little town is very rustic, with a few nice restaurants to visit, if you want a break from the great restaurant at the hotel. La Ventana is becoming known as the perfect jumping off spot for incredible marine life encounters.
There is a large infinity pool and spa to enjoy, with stunning views of the sea. You can also go for a swim in the sea whenever you desire, although there is no house reef. There are a number of different areas to relax and lounge, and there is a wellness spa. There is a fantastic restaurant that serves up Mexican and international cuisine.
Snorkeling Boats
Your daily snorkeling adventures will be from two Panga style boats that are perfectly suited to the local ocean conditions. The boats have sun canopies, and a ladder for getting back into the boats.
This is a unique trip that will be focused on searching for groups of Mobulas, and other sea creatures. You will be in boat on the open ocean, spending time looking for creatures. Once found, they may move quickly, so you may get in and out of the water quickly, via the ladder on the boat. So this is physically demanding and a reasonable level of physical strength is required. If you have any questions about how appropriate the trip is for your level of fitness contact our trips partner below, and they can help you decide if it is right for you or not.
Trip Details and How to Sign Up
This is a small group trip and we expect it to fill quickly. Your spot is reserved with your deposit. Contact Ben below for deposit instructions.
Trip Date:
May 5-11, 2024 – Available.
Trip Price:
$5,275 USD per person sharing
Contact Ben if you are interested in a single supplement
The initial deposit for this trip is $400 US per person. At 12 months before departure there is a $600 US per person interim deposit, and at six months there is another $1000 US per person interim deposit. The final balance will be due three months before departure. A few payment options are available including debit and credit cards.
Inclusions:
- Transportation: Round trip from/to San Jose Del Cabo Airport
- 6 nights accommodation Casa Tara Retreat
- Breakfast
- Lunch (excluding arrival and departure days)
- Snacks, water, soft drinks while on safari
- Mexican IVA Tax
- 5 Days Mobula and Pelagic Safari and land tours if applicable
Exclusions:
- Evening meals
- Lunch on arrival and departure days
- Snorkeling equipment rental
- Soft and alcoholic drinks at the hotel
- Tips and general sundries
Trip Organizers
Ben and his U.K. based team are the organizers and leaders of this trip (more about them below). Galen and Nicole from TropicalSnorkeling.com are promoting this trip, but all signups, trip organization and payments are made to and managed by Ben’s team. TropicalSnorkeling.com does receive a referral fee in exchange for promoting the trip, at no extra cost to attendees.
How to Sign Up or Learn More?
Use the contact form below to contact Ben and his team to request more information about them and express your interest in signing up. They will get back to you shortly with full details.
More About Ben and Our Partnership
Ben (pictured with Nicole) is our friend and snorkeling trips partner. He and his team are based in the U.K. and have over 20 years of experience guiding in Asia and beyond. He has been running his own business since 2010 and is primarily offering guided snorkeling trips, but he started with diving. He began offering snorkeling specific trips because he was aware that snorkelers often get the short end of the stick when thrown in with divers. He and his team love the freedom and low stress of snorkeling, and are very aware of the different needs of snorkelers versus divers, in terms of the reef depth, and calm surface conditions needed.
From our experience going on one of his snorkeling trips we found it very well organized, the guides were fantastic and very helpful, and the underwater experiences were exceptional. Snorkeling groups really get the benefit of all of Ben and his guides’ years of experience in the water, and with different resorts and liveaboards.
All of his trips are small groups of 12-18 guests, or with a similar ratio of snorkelers to guides. And for where they visit, and how packed they are with experiences, they are affordable.
His company is licensed and insured. Barring extreme circumstances they do not cancel trips, and all funds are held in a trust until the trip is completed giving you 100% financial security if they or any of their suppliers go out of business before the trip happens.