Short answer: yes, it’s possible – and we have the permit to be in the water with them (not everyone does).

Baja California Sur sits on a blue “highway” for big animals. In May, mobulas are the stars of the show, but the same rich waters can also attract orcas, which sometimes come in to hunt rays, dolphins, or other prey. This makes the Sea of Cortez one of the very few places in the world where you have a real chance of swimming with wild orcas in warm water instead of freezing Arctic seas.

That said, orcas here are not an everyday, predictable sight. Some seasons they show up a lot, other seasons less. That’s why we don’t want to sell this trip as a “guaranteed orca” expedition. 

What makes this expedition special is how we operate when and if orcas do appear. The boat and crew we work with hold the official permit required in this area to do orca watching and put guests in the water with them. That means we can do things properly and legally.

So if you’re excited about an expedition full of possibility in a remote, raw and warm destination, and if you willing to accept as a gift whatever the ocean decides to give us that day, then you’re exactly who we designed this expedition for.

The short answer: Mobulas are the main mission, but they’re rarely alone.

In May, the Sea of Cortez can feel like a conveyor belt of life. On this expedition, you might also see:

• Orcas are always around hunting in the blue but they are not spotted every day.
• Sea lions buzzing around you in the blue or lounging on rocks
• Dolphins bow‑riding the boat and sometimes joining our drifts
• Humpback and Blue whales (from the boat) passing through the area on their own routes
• Turtles, schooling fish, and occasional sharks in the mix
• Plus seabirds, flying fish, and all the small signs that tell us the ocean is alive that day

What exactly shows up changes day by day, year by year. Some days are quiet and we work hard just to find one good encounter. Other days feel like everything is happening at once.

Our promise is not a checklist of species. Our promise is that we’ll use all our experience, local knowledge, and time on the water to put you where the action is most likely to be – and that whatever shows up, we’ll treat it as a gift, not an entitlement.

The official beginning of the trip is the afternoon of May 15th in La Paz. We’ll meet for a welcome, drive to Cabo Pulmo, share our first meal together and explain what’s about to come over the next few days.

The trip will end after breakfast on May 22nd. You will have time to catch midday or afternoon flights out of La Paz (LAP) if you choose this mode of transportation.

The best way to join Mobula Mania is to fly into La Paz (LAP) in Baja California Sur. Because our guests come from all over the world, we don’t include international flights, but from the moment you arrive in La Paz on the agreed arrival window, we’ll take care of you.

There are a few common routes you can use:

Option 1 – International flight to La Paz via Mexico City

Many airlines connect through Mexico City (MEX) to La Paz. This is often the simplest option if you’re flying from Europe or North America. Arrive in La Paz on May 15 in the morning, and we’ll pick you up for the transfer to Cabo Pulmo.

Option 2 – Fly to Los Cabos + Transfer to La Paz

You can also fly into Los Cabos (SJD), which usually has more direct international flights, and then take a shuttle/private transfer up to La Paz. This is a good option if you want to add extra days in Cabo before or after the expedition or if flights are more convenient.

Option 3 – Extra Nights Before/After

If you want to arrive earlier or stay longer in La Paz or elsewhere in Baja, you’re welcome to. We’ll share suggestions once you’re confirmed. These extra nights and transfers are not included in the expedition price.

No certifications are required to join this expedition. A minimum fitness level and comfort while swimming in open water without assistance is required.

For snorkeling/freediving activities no certifications are required.

All activities in La Ventana are snorkeling/freediving with most of the time spent near the surface enjoying the show.

Scuba diving in Cabo Pulmo is reserved for certified divers (Open Water or higher). If you’re not certified or prefer not to scuba dive, you can snorkel/freedive here as well. All water activities are optional – you can always sit out a session if you need to rest.

Depending on conditions and availability, extra scuba dives in Cabo Pulmo are possible in the afternoon.

Additional ocean activities in Baja may be possible before or after the expedition. If you’d like to add more time in the area, let us know and we’ll point you toward trusted local operators. Any extras are not included in the expedition price.

Whether you need a visa for Mexico depends on your nationality and length of stay.

Citizens of all North American countries (USA, Canada) and all European countries (including the EU/Schengen Area and the UK) do not require a visa to visit Mexico for tourism or short stays up to 180 days. Instead, travelers need to obtain an FMM (Multiple Immigration Form) upon arrival.

Please check the official Mexican immigration website or your local consulate for the most up‑to‑date requirements for your passport.

Yes, there is Wi‑Fi at our bases in Cabo Pulmo and La Ventana, although speeds can be slower than in big cities. When we are out at sea, you should expect little to no phone signal. E‑SIMs and local SIM cards are available in Mexico if you need connectivity, but it’s also a great excuse to log off for a while and dive deeper into nature. 😉

Credit cards are accepted in many places in Baja, but we recommend bringing some Mexican pesos or USD in cash for tips, dinners, small shops, and snacks. ATMs are available in larger towns, but it’s safer to have some cash with you before heading to more remote areas.

This is a great opportunity then! The majority of our guests are young (<40 years old) solo travellers looking to make awesome ocean friends. We also get couples who are up to have some fun with other like-minded people. All in all, we’ve always had AMAZING groups and EVERYONE has made incredible friendships during our group trips.

Yes absolutely! As explained here, we only ask for the deposit right away, then 50% is due by October 15th and 100% by January 15th. You can split this in how many payments fits you best.

If you need further assistance on this you can reach out directly to us at retreats@bonnyandgava.com.

In general, the average level of our groups will be strong snorkelers who love the ocean but aren’t pro freedivers or expedition divers. Some people will have more experience (certified divers, freedivers), a few will be closer to beginners, and most will fall somewhere in between.

The good news: experience level is not a problem on this trip.

In La Ventana, most encounters happen from the surface in open water with guides explaining what to do and when to enter the water. It’s incredibly fun and emotional whether you’ve done 100 ocean trips or this is your first real wildlife adventure.

For Cabo Pulmo, dives are guided by experienced local instructors within a protected marine park, following clear safety briefings and protocols. If you’re newer to diving, it’s a great way to experience a world‑class reef with support. If you’d rather skip scuba, you always can – snorkeling/freediving is available here as well.

If you’re more advanced, you won’t be “bored” or held back. Baja in mobula season is one of the richest big‑animal environments on Earth: long sessions in open water, fewer people in the water, and truly wild behaviour. It’s a dream playground for ocean lovers, freedivers, and anyone who loves observing animals up close.

Even in the (very unlikely) case that someone couldn’t dive or freedive for any reason, it would still be an amazing week. Mobulas and many other animals come close to the surface, and we’ve seen again and again that people have life‑changing experiences just from the boat and surface.