This winter, transport your holiday traditions to Baja California for a spectacular celebration of wildness. Once dubbed “the world’s aquarium” by Jacques Cousteau, the Gulf of California is vivid with life and these rich waters are home to more than a third of the world’s marine mammal species. Dolphins roil the surface of the sea, leaping mobula rays seem to jump for joy, and sea lions congregate in large numbers on the rocky shores.
Add to this spectacle, pristine desert isles rife with birds, endemic lizards and cacti-laden arroyos, plus some of the most breathtaking sunsets you’ve ever seen and you have all the makings of an unforgettable holiday getaway. Here are five reasons to celebrate the season in this blissfully beautiful place that’s surprisingly close to home.
Get Inspired By Photos, Videos, Webinars, Stories and Exclusive Offers.
Sign upRejuvenate in a Lively and Wild Wonderland
Disconnect from all your daily stressors while you explore the region’s idyllic landscapes and thrilling undersea ecosystems. Take invigorating hikes through desert arroyos lined with towering cacti or opt for a photo walk on an uninhabited beach, searching out tiny natural details to capture on camera. Kayak along wind and water-sculpted shorelines where seabirds soar overhead and snorkel among clouds of fish and acrobatic sea lions.
Photo: David Vargas
Watch a One-of-a-Kind Marine Ballet
Skip the Nutcracker in favor of a different kind of ballet. Aboard our small ships, you’ll have a front-row seat to some unforgettable performances as you spot pods of bow-riding dolphins and leaping mobula rays. If you're lucky, you may even encounter the world's largest animal to ever live, the blue whale, or spot humpbacks breaching sky-high or dramatically slapping their flukes.
Photo: Michael S. Nolan
Marvel at Epic Sunsets
The light in Baja California is legendary and will rival any holiday display you can imagine. Prepare to be dazzled by a spectacular golden hour that lights up the desert landscape, turning breathtaking shades of pink, yellow, orange and fiery red until the sun slips behind the horizon and a curtain of stars envelops the night sky.
Photo: Ralph Lee Hopkins
Rejoice with a Wild Soundtrack
Get in the spirit with an immersive collection of natural sounds that will accompany you throughout your voyage, from the boisterous barks and grunts of California sea lions while snorkeling with them at Los Islotes to the lilting melodies of desert isle songbirds to the distinct sound of a whale breathing through its blowhole.
Photo: Michael S. Nolan
Stroll Through a European-Inspired Town
In the old mining town of Santa Rosalía, walk through rows of wood frame buildings designed with balconies and corrugated tin roofs that evoke charming European vibes. Pick up some delicious bread or pastries at El Boleo, a storied bakery that's another highlight of this quaint town, before stopping in at the prefabricated iron church, designed by Gustave Eiffel and shipped overseas from France.
Share It All With Loved Ones
The natural beauty and wild wonders of Baja California inspire all ages so make it a multi-generational celebration and bring your kids or grandkids. Whether you’re Zodiac cruising through mangroves or witnessing dolphins from the ship’s bow, these special moments are made even more meaningful when shared together. Plus, our exclusive National Geographic Explorers-in-Training program helps kids and teens learn to connect more deeply with the natural world around them.
Photo: David Vargas
Featured Itinerary
Related articles
Feb 2025
5 Min Read
Discover Baja California: What a Day is Like on Expedition
Jun 2024
Watch