Expeditions
Snorkel and wildlife expeditions
Three trips, no dive certification needed. Grey whales in Baja, baitballs in Magdalena Bay and basking sharks off the west coast of Ireland.
Some of the biggest animals in the sea spend their time at the surface. Basking sharks feed there for hours with their mouths open, while grey whales often come up to the boats to check you out. In Magdalena Bay, marlin, sea lions, and dolphins drive the bait to the top, and you can get in beside them with a mask and fins.
Each of these trips runs in a short window of the year. The days are long, and the plan changes with the weather and the animals.
-
Magdalena Bay
November & December 2026
Experience the thrill of the Mexican Sardine Run in Magdalena Bay, where the bay and Pacific Ocean come alive with marine life from October to December. From the boat, watch baitfish swirl at the surface as sea lions, dolphins, whales, and striped marlin hunt together in a fast-paced spectacle. Snorkel or freedive amid the action in one of the most impressive spectacles in nature. Between the action, and the boat rides, take in Baja’s dramatic coastline—an unforgettable adventure for anyone who loves the ocean.
-
Baja Whale Spotting
February & March 2027
Join a 6-day adventure through Baja California, timed perfectly with whale season. What’s really special about this trip, though, is that it’s not just one species of whale… It’s at least three!
Witness breaching humpbacks in Cabo San Lucas and meet the friendly grey whales of Magdalena Bay up close. Then meet the largest mammal in the world, the immense blue whales of Loreto. Along the way, enjoy dolphins, seabirds, and delicious Baja cuisine, all the while enjoying an unforgettable journey with the ocean’s greatest giants. -
Ireland Basking Sharks
May 1st - 8th 2027
Basking sharks can grow up to 12 metres long. In spring, the conditions are right to join them at the surface, and the Dingle Peninsula sits at the heart of basking shark country. Sharks aren't the only draw. April on the Dingle Peninsula also brings Minke whales, common and bottlenose dolphins, and grey seals in their hundreds on the beaches of Great Blasket Island, one of the best places in Ireland to slip into the water with them. On the outer islands, puffins are arriving for the season alongside guillemots, razorbills, and gannets in large numbers.
How previous seasons have gone
We'll always tell you what's likely, what's possible, and what would be a lucky day. But in case you’re wondering, here's what happened on previous expeditions on the list.
Around the animals
We wait for the animals to dictate the terms of our encounters. Around whales, that means following the rules on distance and letting them decide how close they come. In Ireland, our local operator tracks shark activity alongside basking shark researchers, so we go where the sharks are already feeding.
Frequently asked questions
-
No. Baja is a boat trip, and Magdalena Bay and Ireland are snorkelling trips. Freediving helps if you want to get closer to the basking sharks, but it isn't required.
-
We change the plan. In Ireland, any boat hours lost to weather are refunded, and Kerry has plenty to do on land. In Magdalena Bay, the bay itself gives us protected water when the Pacific won't cooperate.
-
For Magdalena Bay, yes, at an extra cost. For Ireland, no: bring your own 7mm suit, mask and fins, or sort them before you arrive. Baja doesn't need any.
-
A 15% deposit is due within 14 days of your booking confirmation. A further 20% is due 300 days before departure, and the balance is due 60 days before departure. Our liveaboard booking terms have the full details.
Experience the 2025 Mexican sardine run in Magdalena Bay through our eyes. With striped marlin, whales, baitballs and some extra surprises that even we weren’t expecting