Bahia San Carlos boat tour: Marine biologist dolphins birds

Motor past nesting islands and a working dolphin pod while a marine biologist names what you're seeing

A three-hour boat tour on a 24-foot panga through Bahia San Carlos, starting in the mangrove estuary of Esterito and heading toward Bahia San Francisco to observe bottlenose dolphins, nesting seabirds and coastal islands. A marine biologist guide explains the natural history as you travel. The tour includes binoculars, snorkeling gear, field guides and freshly made ceviche served at anchor in a protected cove. Children from age 8 are welcome. Guides speak English and Spanish.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat tour with marine wildlife

• Start at Esterito mangrove estuary
• Boat across Bahia San Carlos bay
• Observe birds at Roca San Nicolimaás island
• Watch brown pelicans on Isla La Raza
• Locate and observe bottlenose dolphins
• Anchor at Isla La Jama for ceviche
• Swim and snorkel at Playa Shangri-La

The experience

The boat leaves Esterito, a mangrove estuary at the northern end of Bahia San Carlos, and motors across turquoise water toward the islands and bays where dolphins and seabirds concentrate. Your guide points out the secluded beaches along the way (Caracol, El Tomate, El Acuario), and explains what you're seeing: the red mangroves that line the estuary, the fish that feed the birds, the reason the rocky islands are covered in white guano. Binoculars are provided, and a field guide helps you identify species as they appear.

The route takes you past Roca San Nicolimaás, where blue-footed boobies nest on bare rock, and Isla La Raza, a flat-topped island crowded with brown pelicans. Then you head into Bahia San Francisco to find the local pod of bottlenose dolphins. They often ride the bow of boats, and young dolphins travel with their mothers. Cooperative hunting behavior is frequently observed as they feed on mullet along the sandy shores. The marine biologist describes their behavior and ecology in real time.

Before returning, the boat anchors on the eastern side of Isla La Jama at a calm, protected cove called Playa Shangri-La. Freshly made ceviche of locally caught fish is served on a tostada with your choice of sauces, along with purified water, mineral water or fruit juice. Weather permitting, you can snorkel here among the reefs. The guide uses this time to discuss the day's observations and answer questions about what you've seen.

What’s included

• Use of waterproof binoculars.
• use of snorkeling equipment.
• use of field guides to identify wildlife.
• freshly prepared ceviche of locally caught fish served on a tostada with sauces of your choice, accompanied by purified filtered drinking water, mineral water or fruit juice.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 12:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 75 years) · Youth (14 to 17 years) · Child (8 to 13 years) · Under 8: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Educational adventure tours of San Carlos

Is this one for you?This is a shared boat tour with a guide who does the explaining and the driving, so you watch and listen rather than navigate yourself. It suits travelers who want to learn the ecology and behavior of what they're seeing without needing to identify species on their own. If you get seasick easily, take medication such as Difenidol an hour before departure. The boat motors across open water for the full three hours.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

69 verified traveler reviews

5 ★69

4 ★0

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (14 to 17 years); Child (8 to 13 years). Under 8: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What birds will I see on this Bahia San Carlos boat tour?

Blue-footed boobies nest on Roca San Nicolimaás, and brown pelicans nest on the flat top of Isla La Raza. A wide diversity of marine birds feed in the mangrove estuary of Esterito. Binoculars are provided to watch them up close.

Will we actually see dolphins on this tour?

A local pod of bottlenose dolphins frequents Bahia San Francisco, where they are often seen playing, feeding and riding the bow of boats. Cooperative hunting behavior is frequently observed as they feed on mullet along the sandy shores.

Is snorkeling included in the three-hour tour?

Snorkeling equipment is provided and encouraged weather permitting when the boat anchors in the protected cove at Playa Shangri-La. The reef there offers good visibility of marine organisms in the Sea of Cortez.

What is served during the tour?

Freshly made ceviche of locally caught fish is served on a tostada with sauces of your choice, accompanied by purified filtered water, mineral water or fruit juice while the boat is anchored at Playa Shangri-La.