Simply Abu Dhabi XXX

A ffectionately known as the Mexican Galapagos, Baja California is a peninsula in Northwestern Mexico that separates the Pacific Ocean from the Gulf of California. It is one of the longest peninsulas in the world, stretching from the Californian border and Tijuana in the north to the Tropic of Cancer and the town of Cabo San Lucas, some 800 plus miles, to the south. It is flanked on the west by the cooler North Pacific Ocean and to the east by the warmer and nutrient rich Sea of Cortez. The island-studded marine wilderness of the Sea of Cortez boasts one of the greatest diversities of marine life anywhere on Earth, and it is here that you can expect to observe the amazing behaviour of cetaceans in their natural habitat. The grey whales that summer in the Chukchi, Beaufort and Bering Seas off Alaska take up to two months to migrate to lagoons along the western side of the Baja Peninsula, where they then mate and give birth to calves conceived the previous year. The calf is approximately four-and-a-half metres in length at birth and will grow to 14 metres on maturity, then weighing in at 30/35 tons. Every year between 20,000 and 24,000 whales make the round trip of up to 12,000 miles, one of the longest migrations taken by any mammal. Whilst on migration and in the breeding ground, the adult whales generally do not eat, instead relying on the 100,000 pounds of food eaten during the previous five months spent in Alaskan waters. Paul Stanbury, operations manager for the region, says: “With a 100 per cent success rate in finding the blue whale, coupled with the opportunity to tickle a grey whale’s baleen [a tough, hair-like, material that hangs down from the upper jaw of baleen whales used to filter their food out of the seawater] and to cruise alongside ‘superpods’ of 1,000+ common dolphins, this really does offer the best whale- and dolphin-watching experiences on the planet.” A visit to Todos Santos Island, cruising along the coast, will often deliver sightings of harbour seals, northern elephant seals and waders. The rocky shoreline supports black oystercatcher, black turnstone, brown booby and pelagic cormorant whilst overhead western and Heermann’s gulls may be seen. A small, but increasing colony of the endangered Guadalupe fur seals, on East Island, is another attraction of the area. Their breeding range is currently almost totally limited to Guadalupe Island off the Baja California coast. The tide line offers waders such as grey plover, American black oystercatchers, black turnstone and Hudsonian whimbrel the chance of easy pickings whilst overhead red-tailed hawks are often seen. Numerous seabirds also breed on the islands including Cassin’s auklets and both Scripp’s and Guadalupe murrelets. The dark emerald expanse of San Ignacio Lagoon leading out to the North Pacific is a wintering home for Nearctic migrants, as well as the near-endemic mangrove warbler, but it is most famous for the Pacific grey whales that return here every winter to mate and give birth. Although world famous, San Ignacio is still very inaccessible and difficult to reach by road and the area remains unspoilt and free from the tourist crowds. When not enjoying the close encounters with the greys, other activities in the area can include birding amongst mangrove-lined channels and exploring beaches and tidal pools in search of Wilson’s plover and a variety of other species. On shore there is a Sonoran Desert type environment with ever shifting sand dunes, salt flats and lone bushes dotting the terrain where the desert flora erupts in brilliant splashes of colour. Beach combing will prove worthwhile, both for the birds to be seen resting and moving to and fro as well as the remains of marine wildlife thrown up by the tide. Shore walks are best taken in the morning and late afternoon, and whale watching, swimming and snorkelling more towards midday. Whale possibilities are many and varied, with blue, fin, Bryde’s and humpback whales being most common. Killer whales, short-finned pilot whales, false killer whales, and even sperm whales are seen with some regularity, and even occasionally, dwarf sperm whales are sighted. Dolphins abound including large groups of the very acrobatic bottlenose dolphins, both the inshore and offshore forms. Over 650 species of fish have been recorded in the Sea of Cortez – these ranging from the enormous whale shark (the largest fish of all) to the beautiful king angel fish and acrobatic mobula rays. Lying just offshore, the Los Islottes support a large Californian sea lion population. Fine-spotted and blue-spotted jawfish may be seen, along with lots of starfish, sea urchins and other marine life while snorkelling. Presenting one of the most sensational abundance of natural wildlife in one compact area, Baja California remains a hidden gem waiting to be discovered – and the ideal family experience to be shared forever. Take the Naturetrek route For guests wishing to visit Baja California, but don’t wish to charter a superyacht, Naturetrek offers a two-week excursion to the area on board an exclusive private charter vessel, the MV Searcher. Departing 21st February – 4th April 2019, the cost is £4,995, and includes 12 nights’ accommodation on board the MV Searcher, all meals (except lunch in Cabo San Lucas), all drinks on board, all excursions and fully-guided activities. For more information or to book, call Naturetrek on 01962 733051 (www.naturetrek.co.uk).