Ocean Expeditions | Journeys
Baja Unleashed: A Wildlife Spectacle Beyond Imagination
Imagine plunging into the wild, untamed waters of Baja Mexico, where reality outshines even the most vivid imagination.
Picture a living vortex of shimmering sardines as striped marlin, sharks, and dolphins slice through in a high-speed hunt, while massive schools of mobula rays take flight above the waves in breathtaking synchrony. Beneath the surface, mahi-mahi flash iridescent green and gold, and the deep hum of the ocean reveals the presence of giants—blue, sei, and Bryde’s whales gliding through the currents. The thrill of encountering orcas in these waters is very real, as they patrol this marine wilderness with undeniable presence. One moment, a humpback breaches against the horizon; the next, the ocean shifts, unveiling yet another extraordinary spectacle.
Baja is where the impossible becomes reality—an untamed wilderness where every moment is a front-row seat to nature’s most astonishing performances.
Maximum Group Size: 5 Guests + Emily (Trip Leader)
Join this exclusive expedition limited to just 5 participants.
Tentatively planned for early August, 2025
By registering your interest now, you'll receive priority access to confirmed dates and booking.
EXPEDITION OVERVIEW
Baja is where the impossible becomes reality—an untamed wilderness where every moment is a front-row seat to nature's most astonishing performances.
This expedition pairs Emily's vision with the expertise of local marine specialists whose passion is the ocean and the insane possibilities that can be possible. Their intimate knowledge of marine wildlife behavior, ocean conditions, and underwater navigation ensures both safety and extraordinary encounters. Our professionals are bi-lingual for Spanish and English.
Each day, we'll venture into the Sea of Cortez, known as "the world's aquarium," moving with the rhythm of the ocean and its inhabitants. Witness magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.
As we explore both above and below the surface, you'll have extraordinary opportunities to photograph not just marine life, but the breathtaking landscapes of Baja—dunes, open ocean and the ever-changing interplay of light across water that creates an ever-shifting canvas.
This expedition offers more than wildlife encounters—it provides a profound connection with one of our planet's most vibrant marine ecosystems, where the elements speak in waves and currents, and nature reveals itself in spectacular abundance. It is one of most humbling experiences to go eye to eye with whale species and adrenaline seeking for being along side a baitball with pelagic species.
7-DAY ITINERARY
Day 1 Upon arrival to La Paz, we'll meet as a group before taking our private shuttle for a 3-4 hour ride north to a small fishing community that has recently shifted focus to ecotourism. This remote area, still relatively undiscovered by divers, offers fantastic opportunities for pelagic encounters. The crew will brief you on safety and protocols for open ocean snorkeling, and get you acquainted with our base for the week.
Days 2-6 Five full days dedicated to open ocean snorkeling with striped marlin and other pelagic species. Each day we'll venture into the rich waters off the Southern Baja Peninsula where thousands of Striped Marlins aggregate in search of their next meal. This is a dynamic environment where we'll be getting in and out of the water throughout the day to follow the action. Unlike other marlin species, Striped Marlin (Kajikia audax) school to hunt, creating spectacular opportunities for underwater encounters. In this pelagic playground, we may also encounter bait balls, bill fish and numerous other species.
Day 7 Final morning in our remote location before returning to La Paz by private shuttle. Farewell dinner and departure.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
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6 nights accommodation
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Ground transportation including private shuttle transfers
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5 days of guided snorkeling excursions
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Boat transportation to snorkeling sites
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All necessary snorkeling equipment
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Includes all meals from arrival to departure
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Expert local marine guides plus Emily with maximum 5 guests
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Bilingual guides (Spanish/English)
NOT INCLUDED
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Round-trip airfare to La Paz
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Mandatory emergency medical and trip interruption insurance
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Items of a personal nature
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Additional expenses in the event of flight delays
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Hotel nights before and after the tour
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Alcoholic beverages
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
This expedition requires a moderate to advanced fitness level. Participants should be comfortable with:
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Open ocean snorkeling in potentially choppy conditions
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Getting in and out of boats frequently throughout the day
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Being comfortable in the water for extended periods
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Swimming in proximity to large, fast-moving marine life
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No serious health conditions that could be compromised in a remote setting
TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCE
Beyond photography, this expedition offers a rare opportunity to witness one of nature's most spectacular hunting behaviors. The open ocean experience challenges us to embrace a different rhythm of life, where marine predators dictate the pace and the raw beauty of this environment reveals itself in breathtaking ways. It is one of the most humbling experiences to go eye to eye with these magnificent creatures and feel the adrenaline of being alongside a baitball with pelagic species.
EXPEDITION INVESTMENT & TERMS
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Dates: August 2025 (Exact dates TBD)
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Per Person Rate: Contact Emily
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Group Size: Limited to 5 participants
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Single Supplement: Please speak with Emily directly to determine availability and cost
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
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Initial Deposit: $1,000 per person to secure your place
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Interim Payment: 40% of total expedition cost due 120 days prior to departure
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Final Payment: Remaining balance due 90 days prior to departure
RESERVATION POLICY
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Your place on the expedition is confirmed only upon receipt of deposit
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Payments accepted via credit card, bank transfer, check, or ACH
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No processing fee for payments made by check or ACH
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A detailed expedition preparation guide will be provided upon registration
CANCELLATION POLICY
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Deposit is non-refundable
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180-91 days prior to departure: 50% of total expedition cost
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90 days or less prior to departure: 100% of total expedition cost
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We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance that includes trip cancellation coverage
EXPEDITION PROTECTION
Given the remote nature and specialized arrangements for this expedition:
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Comprehensive travel and medical evacuation insurance is required
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Documentation of appropriate coverage must be provided 90 days before departure
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We can provide recommendations for insurance providers experienced with expeditions of this nature
THE ELEMENTAL EXPERIENCE
Emily McCulliss offers transformative expeditions that operate at the intersection of challenge, growth, and story.
The open waters of Baja present a rare convergence of extraordinary dynamism and profound beauty. In this boundary-pushing environment, Emily's passion for transformative travel combines with the expertise of local specialists to create an unparalleled expedition.
This journey pairs Emily's vision with the invaluable skills of professional Mexican marine guides who have spent their lives in these waters. Their intimate knowledge of marlin behavior, ocean navigation, and the rhythms of pelagic life ensures both safety and extraordinary wildlife encounters.
"The open ocean's raw beauty demands more than technical skill—it requires mental resilience, adaptability, and spiritual openness. Being suspended in these boundless blue landscapes, feeling the pulse of life all around you, and maintaining presence despite the unfamiliarity creates a unique alchemy where challenge transforms into unexpected clarity.
This fluid realm doesn't just test your limits—it dissolves artificial boundaries. With each day's journey across the sea, each dawn search for hunting marlins, each moment spent in silent observation beneath the surface, you discover capabilities that have always existed beneath the constraints of everyday life.
In the vastness of these ancient waters, surrounded by nothing but the essential elements, you experience a rare simplicity that cuts through life's complexities. This is where your true story emerges—in the dance of predator and prey, in breath held beneath the surface, in the patient surrender to nature's own rhythms."
Emily's role is to bridge the gap between the technical expedition and your personal journey of transformation. While our local experts handle the navigation and diving operations, Emily focuses on helping you process and integrate the experience, developing your photographic narrative, and facilitating the inner journey that unfolds alongside the physical one.
This collaborative approach ensures you benefit from both authentic local expertise and Emily's unique perspective on how extraordinary environments catalyze personal growth.