Mobula Rays & Whales: Sea of Cortez Day Trip

Mobula rays, blue whales, orcas, sea lions and whatever the ocean brings

A 5-hour guided ocean activity in the Sea of Cortez where you swim with mobula rays, the largest aggregation of the species, and search for blue whales, orcas, pilot whales and sea lions. The trip includes a guide in English, Spanish or German; mask, fins and wetsuit; lunch with burritos, fruit and ceviche; and water. Pickup from your hotel is included. Minimum age is 12, and moderate fitness is required.

The experience

You'll spend five hours on the water searching for mobula rays, the main draw here, along with blue whales, orcas, pilot whales and sea lions. The operator sources from local communities and donates to ocean science, so the focus stays on responsible encounters: close enough to matter, but never at the animals' expense. What you see depends on what's moving that day. The ocean doesn't follow a script, and that unpredictability is part of the trip.

Mask, fins and wetsuit come with you. Lunch is served onboard (burritos, fresh fruit and ceviche) along with water and whatever else keeps you comfortable during the day. A guide leads the group in English, Spanish or German and handles the navigation and the animal spotting. Hotel pickup is included, so you don't arrange transport yourself. If you're staying outside the main towns, that can be arranged for an extra charge.

The activity asks for moderate fitness and comfort in the water. You'll be swimming and moving in and out of the boat across five hours, so cardiovascular health matters. The operator doesn't recommend this for travelers with poor heart health. Bring sunscreen and a towel. The sun on the water is relentless, and the wind picks up as the day goes on.

What’s included

• Mask, fins and wetsuit.
• lunch with burritos, fresh fruit and ceviche.
• water and refreshments throughout the day.
• a live guide in English, Spanish or German.
• hotel pickup.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Under 12: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and German

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “We are meeting in front of Playa Central at the boat ramp on the beach. Our Guides will be wearing a black shirt with a visible Apex Ocean Divers Logo”

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 14 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for heart conditions

Operated by APEX OCEAN DIVERS

Is this one for you?The trip runs five hours on the water with swimming and regular boat entry, so it suits swimmers with moderate fitness who are comfortable moving in and out of the boat across a full morning or afternoon. If you have limited cardiovascular health or prefer to stay dry, this isn't the right fit.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and German.

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 are mobula rays and why is this the place to see them?

Mobula rays are large, graceful rays that gather in the Sea of Cortez in one of the biggest aggregations of the species anywhere. This trip is built around finding them during their season, when they move through the water in groups and come close to the boat.

Can I book a private trip or does the guide lead a shared group?

The trip runs as a shared group with a single guide. The group size isn't specified, so ask the operator for the typical number of swimmers on a given departure.

What happens if we don't see blue whales or orcas?

The trip prioritizes mobula rays, which are the main focus. Blue whales, orcas and other cetaceans are searched for, but the ocean is unpredictable: some days bring them close, other days they stay distant or don't appear. The operator frames this as a nature expedition, not a guarantee.

Is the lunch substantial, or should I eat before?

Lunch includes burritos, fresh fruit and ceviche served onboard, plus water throughout the day. It's a real meal, not a snack, so you won't need to eat before you go.

What's the pickup process, and where does the boat leave from?

Hotel pickup is included from your accommodation. The operator can arrange transport from Cabo San Lucas, San Jose or La Paz for an extra charge if you're not staying in the main area. The boat departure point will be confirmed when you book.