May to June 2027
Baja California Sur, Mexico
Dates
Multiple departures, May to June 2027
Duration
6 days / 5 nights
Dives
4 days on the water
Type
Snorkel
Base
Private villa
Required Level
No experience necessary
The Place
La Ventana sits on the Sea of Cortez in Baja California Sur, where cold, nutrient-rich upwelling from the deep draws one of the ocean's great seasonal gatherings. Every spring, mobula rays arrive in their thousands to rest, feed, find mates, and give birth in the warm shallow waters along this coastline. Swimming alongside them is difficult to put into words. This is also one of the most reliably productive stretches of ocean in the Pacific. Orcas, blue whales, whale sharks, dolphin superpods, sea lions, and sharks all move through these waters during the season. We are always on the lookout. Baja is raw, wild, and completely unpredictable in the best way.
In May and June, sea surface temperatures in La Ventana range from 23 to 28°C, with an average around 24 to 25°C. A full-length 5mm wetsuit is recommended for full days in the water, though a 3mm or rashguard is fine for those comfortable in cooler water. No prior snorkel or ocean experience is required. Matthew and our local captains guide every session and adapt to the group's comfort level throughout the day.
Highlights
- •Snorkeling with mobula ray aggregations numbering in the thousands
- •Real chances at orcas, blue whales, whale sharks, and dolphin superpods
- •Sea lions, sharks, sea turtles, bait balls, and rays throughout the week
- •Four full days on the water aboard our private boat
- •Private ocean-view villa in El Sargento with pool, full A/C, and Starlink WiFi
- •All meals included, prepared by private chef Rubén with fresh Baja ingredients
- •Filmmaking and underwater storytelling coaching with Matthew throughout
- •A maximum of 6 travelers, no prior experience or certification required
Pricing & Logistics
Wildlife you may encounter
Departures
- May 6 to 11Standard departure
- May 11 to 16Standard departure
- May 16 to 26Best of Baja (La Ventana, La Paz, Cabo Pulmo)
- June 4 to 9Women-only departure
- June 9 to 14Standard departure
- June 14 to 19Standard departure
Trip Program
Day 1, Arrival
Meet at Cabo San Lucas Marina at 2:00pm or Los Cabos Airport (SJD) at 3:00pm for the group transfer north to La Ventana, arriving at the villa at approximately 5:30pm. Welcome briefing with Matthew, then dinner prepared by Rubén.
Days 2 to 5, Ocean safari
Four full days on the water exploring the Sea of Cortez. Mobula ray aggregations, dolphin superpods, sea lions, sharks, and more. Every day is different. Filmmaking and storytelling coaching with Matthew runs throughout, in the water, on the boat, and reviewing footage together at the villa in the evenings.
Day 6, Departure
Leave the villa at 9:00am. Drop-off at Los Cabos Airport (SJD) at approximately 11:30am or Cabo San Lucas Marina at 12:30pm. Book your departure flight no earlier than 2:00pm.
Best of Baja
La Ventana, La Paz, and Cabo Pulmo. May 16 to 26, 2027
The full Baja California Sur experience in one trip. Start with four nights at the La Ventana villa for the mobula migration, then transfer to La Paz for two nights of diving the Sea of Cortez reefs, followed by four nights at Cabo Pulmo, one of the healthiest coral reefs in the eastern Pacific. Full program and pricing details coming soon.
Accommodation
We stay in a private villa perched on a bluff in El Sargento, overlooking the Sea of Cortez. The house is reserved exclusively for our team across every departure. Comfortable bedrooms, a pool, full A/C, Starlink WiFi, and a spacious outdoor deck with a palapa and BBQ. The living room doubles as our evening space for film screenings, workshops, and group dinners. Chef Rubén prepares all meals from local Baja ingredients throughout the stay.
Expedition Leaders
Matthew David Kaplan
Founder & Expedition Leader
Matthew David Kaplan is an ocean filmmaker, dive expedition leader, and conservationist dedicated to sharing the underwater world with a global audience. A contributor for Discovery, Scubapro Global Dive Team member, and SurfEars Ambassador, based between New York and Indonesia.
Instagram: @matthewunderwater
Audrey Cox
Owner & Expedition Leader
Audrey Cox is a conservation photographer, PADI dive instructor, and environmental economist documenting the ocean's beauty and fragility through her lens. Former NOAA researcher, Nature Conservancy photo contest finalist, and founder of a California marine-conservation dive club, based in California.
Instagram: @earth2audge
Frequently Asked Questions
If this trip is calling you, reach out.
We review every inquiry personally and travel in small groups. Spots are limited.
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