8 days from

£3997 GBP pp

* Current p/p indicative rate.

Overview

Highlights

Dates & Prices

Itinerary

Map

Ships

HighlightsSpend your holiday season in search of large pods of dolphins, blue and humpback whales, and other marine mammals
Explore the sculpted desert shoreline by kayak, hike uninhabited beaches, and snorkel among fish and acrobatic sea lions
Take in the stunning hues of a Baja California sunset at a festive, holiday-themed celebration
Visit the island of San Pedro Mártir to witness crowds of lounging sea lions and expanses of sea where huge pods of dolphins gather
Visit the old mining town of Santa Rosalía (conditions permitting), with its wooden homes and historic steel church, designed by Gustave Eiffel
With National Geographic Explorers-in-Training, our exclusive family program, kids and teens will learn about this vibrant part of the world—from migrating gray whales to desert plant species

                    Highlights
                    Spend your holiday season in search of large pods of dolphins, blue and humpback whales, and other marine mammals
Explore the sculpted desert shoreline by kayak, hike uninhabited beaches, and snorkel among fish and acrobatic sea lions
Take in the stunning hues of a Baja California sunset at a festive, holiday-themed celebration
Visit the island of San Pedro Mártir to witness crowds of lounging sea lions and expanses of sea where huge pods of dolphins gather
Visit the old mining town of Santa Rosalía (conditions permitting), with its wooden homes and historic steel church, designed by Gustave Eiffel
With National Geographic Explorers-in-Training, our exclusive family program, kids and teens will learn about this vibrant part of the world—from migrating gray whales to desert plant species

                  

Ship National Geographic Venture

Capacity: 102

Feture image for Baja California Holiday: A Living Sea and Desert Isles Cruise

Transport your holiday traditions to Baja California for a spectacular celebration of wildness. Designated by UNESCO as a marine world heritage site and dubbed “the world’s aquarium” by Jacques Cousteau, the waters and islands of the Gulf of California are places of legendary biodiversity. This isolated region is, arguably, the best place in the world to keep watch for a vast variety of whale species plus massive pods of dolphins, leaping mobula rays, and seabirds.

Spend your holiday season in search of large pods of dolphins, blue and humpback whales, and other marine mammals
Explore the sculpted desert shoreline by kayak, hike uninhabited beaches, and snorkel among fish and acrobatic sea lions
Take in the stunning hues of a Baja California sunset at a festive, holiday-themed celebration
Visit the island of San Pedro Mártir to witness crowds of lounging sea lions and expanses of sea where huge pods of dolphins gather
Visit the old mining town of Santa Rosalía (conditions permitting), with its wooden homes and historic steel church, designed by Gustave Eiffel
With National Geographic Explorers-in-Training, our exclusive family program, kids and teens will learn about this vibrant part of the world—from migrating gray whales to desert plant species

Availability is always subject to confirmation. Please check with us before booking flights

04 December, 2026 to 11 December, 2026 on National Geographic Venture

Prices

Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.

Category 01

£4702 GBP pp

#301-306 — Cabins are 136 sq. ft. and feature two single beds that can convert to a Queen, a writing desk, two nightstands, two portholes, full length mirror, and reading lights.

Category 02

£5031 GBP pp

#307-315 — Cabins are 161 sq. ft. and feature two single beds that can convert to a queen, a writing desk, two nightstands, two portholes, full-length mirror, and reading lights.

Category 03

£5382 GBP pp

#201-206 — Cabins feature two single beds that can convert to a queen, a writing desk, two nightstands, a large view window, full-length mirror, and reading lights.

Category 04

£6458 GBP pp

#207-229 — Cabins feature two single beds that can convert to a queen, a writing desk, closet, two nightstands, full-length mirror, reading lights, sliding glass door, and a small, private balcony.

Category 05

£7107 GBP pp

#101-108 — These suites feature two single beds that can convert to a queen, plus a convertible sofa bed that can accommodate a third person, large view windows, closet, two nightstands, full-length mirror, reading lights, writing desk, ample storage space, espresso maker and an oversized bathroom. Guests receive complimentary laundry and priority access to one spa appointment per departure.

12 December, 2026 to 19 December, 2026 on National Geographic Venture

Prices

Category 01

£3997 GBP pp

#301-306 — Cabins are 136 sq. ft. and feature two single beds that can convert to a Queen, a writing desk, two nightstands, two portholes, full length mirror, and reading lights.

Category 02

£4276 GBP pp

#307-315 — Cabins are 161 sq. ft. and feature two single beds that can convert to a queen, a writing desk, two nightstands, two portholes, full-length mirror, and reading lights.

Category 03

£4575 GBP pp

#201-206 — Cabins feature two single beds that can convert to a queen, a writing desk, two nightstands, a large view window, full-length mirror, and reading lights.

Category 04

£5489 GBP pp

#207-229 — Cabins feature two single beds that can convert to a queen, a writing desk, closet, two nightstands, full-length mirror, reading lights, sliding glass door, and a small, private balcony.

Category 05

£6041 GBP pp

19 December, 2026 to 26 December, 2026 on National Geographic Venture

Prices

Category 01

£5130 GBP pp

#301-306 — Cabins are 136 sq. ft. and feature two single beds that can convert to a Queen, a writing desk, two nightstands, two portholes, full length mirror, and reading lights.

Category 02

£5489 GBP pp

#307-315 — Cabins are 161 sq. ft. and feature two single beds that can convert to a queen, a writing desk, two nightstands, two portholes, full-length mirror, and reading lights.

Category 03

£5870 GBP pp

#201-206 — Cabins feature two single beds that can convert to a queen, a writing desk, two nightstands, a large view window, full-length mirror, and reading lights.

Category 04

£7046 GBP pp

#207-229 — Cabins feature two single beds that can convert to a queen, a writing desk, closet, two nightstands, full-length mirror, reading lights, sliding glass door, and a small, private balcony.

Category 05

£7748 GBP pp

26 December, 2026 to 02 January, 2027 on National Geographic Venture

Prices

Category 01

£5130 GBP pp

#301-306 — Cabins are 136 sq. ft. and feature two single beds that can convert to a Queen, a writing desk, two nightstands, two portholes, full length mirror, and reading lights.

Category 02

£5489 GBP pp

#307-315 — Cabins are 161 sq. ft. and feature two single beds that can convert to a queen, a writing desk, two nightstands, two portholes, full-length mirror, and reading lights.

Category 03

£5870 GBP pp

#201-206 — Cabins feature two single beds that can convert to a queen, a writing desk, two nightstands, a large view window, full-length mirror, and reading lights.

Category 04

£7046 GBP pp

#207-229 — Cabins feature two single beds that can convert to a queen, a writing desk, closet, two nightstands, full-length mirror, reading lights, sliding glass door, and a small, private balcony.

Category 05

£7748 GBP pp

02 January, 2027 to 09 January, 2027 on National Geographic Venture

Prices

Category 01

£4008 GBP pp

#301-306 — Cabins are 136 sq. ft. and feature two single beds that can convert to a Queen, a writing desk, two nightstands, two portholes, full length mirror, and reading lights.

Category 02

£4289 GBP pp

#307-315 — Cabins are 161 sq. ft. and feature two single beds that can convert to a queen, a writing desk, two nightstands, two portholes, full-length mirror, and reading lights.

Category 03

£4587 GBP pp

#201-206 — Cabins feature two single beds that can convert to a queen, a writing desk, two nightstands, a large view window, full-length mirror, and reading lights.

Category 04

£5505 GBP pp

#207-229 — Cabins feature two single beds that can convert to a queen, a writing desk, closet, two nightstands, full-length mirror, reading lights, sliding glass door, and a small, private balcony.

Category 05

£6054 GBP pp

25 November, 2027 to 02 December, 2027 on National Geographic Venture

Prices

Category 01

£3997 GBP pp

#301-306 — Cabins are 136 sq. ft. and feature two single beds that can convert to a Queen, a writing desk, two nightstands, two portholes, full length mirror, and reading lights.

Category 02

£4276 GBP pp

#307-315 — Cabins are 161 sq. ft. and feature two single beds that can convert to a queen, a writing desk, two nightstands, two portholes, full-length mirror, and reading lights.

Category 03

£4575 GBP pp

#201-206 — Cabins feature two single beds that can convert to a queen, a writing desk, two nightstands, a large view window, full-length mirror, and reading lights.

Category 04

£5489 GBP pp

#207-229 — Cabins feature two single beds that can convert to a queen, a writing desk, closet, two nightstands, full-length mirror, reading lights, sliding glass door, and a small, private balcony.

Category 05

£6041 GBP pp

02 December, 2027 to 09 December, 2027 on National Geographic Venture

Prices

Category 01

£3997 GBP pp

#301-306 — Cabins are 136 sq. ft. and feature two single beds that can convert to a Queen, a writing desk, two nightstands, two portholes, full length mirror, and reading lights.

Category 02

£4276 GBP pp

#307-315 — Cabins are 161 sq. ft. and feature two single beds that can convert to a queen, a writing desk, two nightstands, two portholes, full-length mirror, and reading lights.

Category 03

£4575 GBP pp

#201-206 — Cabins feature two single beds that can convert to a queen, a writing desk, two nightstands, a large view window, full-length mirror, and reading lights.

Category 04

£5489 GBP pp

#207-229 — Cabins feature two single beds that can convert to a queen, a writing desk, closet, two nightstands, full-length mirror, reading lights, sliding glass door, and a small, private balcony.

Category 05

£6041 GBP pp

09 December, 2027 to 16 December, 2027 on National Geographic Venture

Prices

Category 01

£4360 GBP pp

#301-306 — Cabins are 136 sq. ft. and feature two single beds that can convert to a Queen, a writing desk, two nightstands, two portholes, full length mirror, and reading lights.

Category 02

£4666 GBP pp

#307-315 — Cabins are 161 sq. ft. and feature two single beds that can convert to a queen, a writing desk, two nightstands, two portholes, full-length mirror, and reading lights.

Category 03

£4990 GBP pp

#201-206 — Cabins feature two single beds that can convert to a queen, a writing desk, two nightstands, a large view window, full-length mirror, and reading lights.

Category 04

£5989 GBP pp

#207-229 — Cabins feature two single beds that can convert to a queen, a writing desk, closet, two nightstands, full-length mirror, reading lights, sliding glass door, and a small, private balcony.

Category 05

£6586 GBP pp

16 December, 2027 to 23 December, 2027 on National Geographic Venture

Prices

Category 01

£4360 GBP pp

#301-306 — Cabins are 136 sq. ft. and feature two single beds that can convert to a Queen, a writing desk, two nightstands, two portholes, full length mirror, and reading lights.

Category 02

£4666 GBP pp

#307-315 — Cabins are 161 sq. ft. and feature two single beds that can convert to a queen, a writing desk, two nightstands, two portholes, full-length mirror, and reading lights.

Category 03

£4990 GBP pp

#201-206 — Cabins feature two single beds that can convert to a queen, a writing desk, two nightstands, a large view window, full-length mirror, and reading lights.

Category 04

£5989 GBP pp

#207-229 — Cabins feature two single beds that can convert to a queen, a writing desk, closet, two nightstands, full-length mirror, reading lights, sliding glass door, and a small, private balcony.

Category 05

£6586 GBP pp

23 December, 2027 to 30 December, 2027 on National Geographic Venture

Prices

Category 01

£4360 GBP pp

#301-306 — Cabins are 136 sq. ft. and feature two single beds that can convert to a Queen, a writing desk, two nightstands, two portholes, full length mirror, and reading lights.

Category 02

£4666 GBP pp

#307-315 — Cabins are 161 sq. ft. and feature two single beds that can convert to a queen, a writing desk, two nightstands, two portholes, full-length mirror, and reading lights.

Category 03

£4990 GBP pp

#201-206 — Cabins feature two single beds that can convert to a queen, a writing desk, two nightstands, a large view window, full-length mirror, and reading lights.

Category 04

£5989 GBP pp

#207-229 — Cabins feature two single beds that can convert to a queen, a writing desk, closet, two nightstands, full-length mirror, reading lights, sliding glass door, and a small, private balcony.

Category 05

£6586 GBP pp

30 December, 2027 to 06 January, 2028 on National Geographic Venture

Prices

Category 01

£4360 GBP pp

#301-306 — Cabins are 136 sq. ft. and feature two single beds that can convert to a Queen, a writing desk, two nightstands, two portholes, full length mirror, and reading lights.

Category 02

£4666 GBP pp

#307-315 — Cabins are 161 sq. ft. and feature two single beds that can convert to a queen, a writing desk, two nightstands, two portholes, full-length mirror, and reading lights.

Category 03

£4990 GBP pp

#201-206 — Cabins feature two single beds that can convert to a queen, a writing desk, two nightstands, a large view window, full-length mirror, and reading lights.

Category 04

£5989 GBP pp

#207-229 — Cabins feature two single beds that can convert to a queen, a writing desk, closet, two nightstands, full-length mirror, reading lights, sliding glass door, and a small, private balcony.

Category 05

£6586 GBP pp

08 January, 2028 to 15 January, 2028 on National Geographic Venture

Prices

Category 01

£4702 GBP pp

#301-306 — Cabins are 136 sq. ft. and feature two single beds that can convert to a Queen, a writing desk, two nightstands, two portholes, full length mirror, and reading lights.

Category 02

£5031 GBP pp

#307-315 — Cabins are 161 sq. ft. and feature two single beds that can convert to a queen, a writing desk, two nightstands, two portholes, full-length mirror, and reading lights.

Category 03

£5382 GBP pp

#201-206 — Cabins feature two single beds that can convert to a queen, a writing desk, two nightstands, a large view window, full-length mirror, and reading lights.

Category 04

£6458 GBP pp

#207-229 — Cabins feature two single beds that can convert to a queen, a writing desk, closet, two nightstands, full-length mirror, reading lights, sliding glass door, and a small, private balcony.

Category 05

£7107 GBP pp

show reverse itinerary

Day 1 Home / Loreto, Mexico / Embark Ship

Arrive in Loreto, a picturesque gulfside town dotted with spanish colonial architecture. Transfer to the National Geographic Venture to set sail at sunset.

Arrival Time: Arrive before 2:30 p.m. local time.
Arrival City: Loreto, Mexico

Day 2-7 Exploring the Gulf of California

Writer and longtime Lindblad naturalist Stewart Aitchison refers to this sliver of the Pacific Ocean as the Vermillion Sea, and notes it is “a romantic name that conjures up visions of fiery sunsets, leaping dolphins and deserted beaches.” It is all this and so much more. Your route is designed with flexibility in mind to maximize opportunities for wildlife sightings. It most likely includes the islands and activities listed below, although the order may vary.

Isla San Esteban and San Pedro Mártir: Walk up a desert wash to search for desert songbirds such as the handsome black-throated sparrow, listen for the cascading song of the canyon wren and search for the endemic pinto chuckwalla—a plump, harmless desert lizard. Later, visit Isla San Pedro Mártir, a 1,000-foot-high guano-covered island that is home to thousands of seabirds: brown pelicans, magnificent frigatebirds, Brandt’s cormorants and blue-footed boobies.

Isla San Marcos: At Isla San Marcos there is a beautiful shoreline for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking. In the afternoon you'll again be in rich waters near the mouth of Bahía Concepción. Be on the lookout for pods of dolphins—common and bottlenose dolphins are the most frequently encountered species. With luck these beautiful animals may follow the ship, riding the bow wave—sometimes twisting and turning, and sometimes leaping from the water.

Isla San José: One of the larger islands in the Gulf of California, San José offers several landing possibilities depending on conditions and the whim of the moment. Photograph the ochre cliffs of the island’s eastern shore, hike an enchanted, cactus-laden arroyo or visit the abandoned salt works to the west. Search for the endemic Xantus's hummingbird on this desert island.

Bahía Loreto Marine Park: Search for marine life in the waters south of Isla Carmen, an area offering the possibility of encountering fin whales, which researchers have recently concluded may be part of a resident population. Bottlenose and common dolphins are frequently encountered. In the afternoon, visit one of the islands of Bahía Loreto Marine Park, with ample time for kayaking, snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding and possibly hiking. In the evening, enjoy a beach barbecue under the desert sky.

Espíritu Santo Archipelago National Park / Los Islotes: At Los Islotes, don flippers, a mask and snorkel (which are provided) and swim with curious sea lions. Look skyward for yellow-footed gulls, brown pelicans and blue-footed boobies. In the afternoon, explore more of this stunning national park by swimming, kayaking or hiking. Keep an eye out for the endemic Black jackrabbit, and learn about the importance of mangrove habitats.

Day 8 Loreto / Disembark Ship / Home

After breakfast, disembark the ship and transfer to the Loreto airport for flights home.

Departure Time: Depart after 1:00 p.m. local time.
Departure City: Loreto, Mexico

Please note:

Itineraries are subject to change.

Day 1 Home / Loreto, Mexico / Embark Ship

Arrive in Loreto, a picturesque gulfside town dotted with spanish colonial architecture. Transfer to the National Geographic Venture to set sail at sunset.

Arrival Time: Arrive before 2:30 p.m. local time.
Arrival City: Loreto, Mexico

Day 2-7 Exploring the Gulf of California

Day 8 Loreto / Disembark Ship / Home

After breakfast, disembark the ship and transfer to the Loreto airport for flights home.

Departure Time: Depart after 1:00 p.m. local time.
Departure City: Loreto, Mexico

Please note:

Itineraries are subject to change.

Itinerary also available in reverse

show main itinerary

Itineraries are subject to change.

After breakfast, disembark the ship and transfer to the Loreto airport for flights home.

Departure Time: Depart after 1:00 p.m. local time.
Departure City: Loreto, Mexico

Arrive in Loreto, a picturesque gulfside town dotted with spanish colonial architecture. Transfer to the National Geographic Venture to set sail at sunset.

Arrival Time: Arrive before 2:30 p.m. local time.
Arrival City: Loreto, Mexico

Itineraries are subject to change.

After breakfast, disembark the ship and transfer to the Loreto airport for flights home.

Departure Time: Depart after 1:00 p.m. local time.
Departure City: Loreto, Mexico

Arrive in Loreto, a picturesque gulfside town dotted with spanish colonial architecture. Transfer to the National Geographic Venture to set sail at sunset.

Arrival Time: Arrive before 2:30 p.m. local time.
Arrival City: Loreto, Mexico

* = Indicative

National Geographic Venture

Launched 2018 Designed with over 50 years of expedition heritage, National Geographic Venture is able to explore the same remote locations as National Geographic have sought out for decades while se…

National Geographic Venture

Launched 2018

Designed with over 50 years of expedition heritage, National Geographic Venture is able to explore the same remote locations as National Geographic have sought out for decades while setting a new standard in comfort and style. She will follow National Geographic Quest in featuring step-out balconies (available in 22 of the 50 spacious cabins), plus 6 sets of connecting cabins for families and groups; a Sun Deck bar, and a designated mudroom for expedition gear.

Comfortably accommodating 100 guests, Venture has a shallow draft depth, allowing us to navigate the same inner reaches and provide the same intimate experiences of the charismatic regions we explore. Her twin expedition craft landing platforms allow you to get on and off the ship quickly to take advantage of wildlife sightings and to ensure we maximize our time off the ship exploring. Designed with decades of expedition experience in the region, the purpose-built vessel also features open decks, generous windows, and specialty tools for exploration—the ideal platform for sailing into the fast-moving channels and shallow coves of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest and for exploring the tropical waterways of Central America.

Remotely Operated VehicleCapable of reaching 1,000 feet, far beyond the range of any Scuba diver, the ROV allows you to literally view parts of the undersea that are as unexplored as the moon. Chances are you, like many of our guests, will be struck by how surprisingly colorful undersea life is in these unlikely places. And this glimpse may fundamentally change how you view the ocean.

KayaksNational Geographic Venture is equipped with 24 two-person kayaks—a fleet large enough to ensure everyone who wants to can paddle at every opportunity.

Consequently, prior kayaking experience isn’t necessary—many of our guests have their first kayaking experience in extraordinary locations. Our custom-designed floating platform lets us deploy kayaks from the ship, or any location we want—including far from shore. Kayakers are usually free to explore where they want within boundaries set by the undersea specialist and officer of the watch.

Underwater cameraOur undersea specialist will dive often during your expedition, even in Alaska, with cold-water gear, to shoot high-definition, Cousteau-like footage of the deep. Colorful nudibranchs, swimming, plant-like crinoids, and mysterious fish with antifreeze blood that thrive in the frigid sea will give you an entirely new appreciation of the marine environment.

Video microscopeNaturalists will use the video microscope to help explain all elements of the environment, including tiny organisms that are the building block of the marine ecosystem. Spellbinding live views of krill at 80x magnification fills the high-definition screens in the lounge with vivid detail, and fills every onlooker with a sense of wonder at the importance of otherwise unobservable creatures.

HydrophoneThis underwater microphone is deployed to listen to the vocalizations of marine mammals. Real time transmissions of their eerie, haunting sounds can be broadcast through the ship or recorded for later playback. Few experiences in nature are as captivating as watching humpback whales feed close to the ship as their vocalizations play through the ship’s PA system.

Electronic chartsAn electronic chart showing the ship’s location, course, and speed is almost always on display in the lounge.

Open bridgeYou’ll find our captains are engaged, knowledgeable members of your expedition who are eager to share their passion with you. Venture’s open bridge features comfortable spaces to sit, enjoy the view, drink your morning coffee, or simply chat with the officers.

Snorkeling gear & wetsuitsOn warm weather itineraries where there will be snorkeling, you’ll select a mask, snorkel, fins, and wetsuit that remain yours for the duration of the expedition. There’s no need to pack and tote your own gear, although guests who prefer to are welcome to bring their own.

Deck plans are for illustrative purposes only – The actual ship and cabin layout may differ.

Cabin layout for National Geographic Venture

Overview

Highlights

Dates & Prices

Itinerary

Map

Ship

8 days from £3997 GBP pp

Trip Tags

Wildlife Cruises Whale watching

Baja California Holiday: A Living Sea and Desert Isles Cruise

£3997 GBP pp

Highlights

Highlights

National Geographic Venture

8 days from £3997 GBP pp

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