UnCruise Sea of Cortez Adventures — 8 Reasons to Choose a Week on the Wild Side

UnCruise Sea of Cortez Cruise Review

by  John Roberts

Crowds are assembled along the esplanade (or malecon known locally) at the seaside town of La Paz, which is still ablaze in the early evening with the last strains of the tangerine glow from another legendary Sea of Cortez sunset.

Our two shuttle buses are pulling into port, and 54 excited passengers are ready to hop onboard Safari Voyager to begin our UnCruise Adventures voyage in Mexico’s Baja California Sur region.

I’ve been here before. No, not to La Paz or on a Sea of Cortez cruise, but six other times at the start of an UnCruise trip.

And the feeling you experience in those first moments of a weeklong adventure with this cruise line in some remote and exotic destination is always the same. It’s a crackling energy as fellow travelers get to know one another and slip into a friendly and casual rhythm that continues to build during the trip.

While the destinations are the stars of the show — with all their wild animals, intoxicating scenery and fascinating histories — the camaraderie among fellow well-traveled cruisers who relish getting off the grid and out into nature is what really makes these kinds of cruises special.

John’s ready for his wild UnCruise week in the Sea of Cortez. * Photo: John Roberts

LAST MINUTE OFFER: Save 50% off a second cabin on the last few weeks of this Sea of Cortez cruise (last one for 2023 is April 8)

RELATED: Check out some of John’s other UnCruise reviews here.

Let’s Dive In — Here’s a List of My 8 Reasons to Choose an UnCruise Sea of Cortez Adventure

1. Off The Grid Itinerary
2. Active Excursions
3. Ship Built for Adventure
4. Animals on Display
5. Delicious Cuisine Served Up in Sustainable Fashion
6. Fellow Travelers Become New Friends
7. UnCruise’s Expertise in the Sea of Cortez
8. Appealing Pre- and Post-Cruise Options

Now I’ll go into lots more detail about what makes an UnCruise Sea of Cortez expedition so rewarding.

RELATED: Check out all of UnCruises’ amazing offbeat itineraries!

RELATED: Learn more about UnCruising in Alaska in Heidi’s review of her awesome and active week aboard the Wilderness Explorer from Juneau to Ketchikan. 

1. No One Does “Off the Grid” Better than UnCruise

We board the 66-pax Safari Voyager for our UnCruise the Sea of Cortez expedition and are quickly shown to our rooms. We then gather in the lounge for a welcome-aboard toast and begin the program with a quick safety drill and chat to get us oriented with how the week is expected to unfold.

Soon, it’s time for our first dinner before most of us head back to our cabins to unpack and rest up ahead of our action-packed morning adventures.

We are sailing away from La Paz under moonlit skies, and when morning breaks, it’s time to get rolling.

During the week, our group (which included a handful of return passengers) learned what I already know by now.

A small-ship journey with UnCruise is the best way to explore some of the most-interesting and remote places in the world.

A Sea of Cortez sunset. * Photo: John Roberts

2.Choose from a Full Range of Active Excursions on an UnCruise Sea of Cortez Expedition

UnCruise has led the way in active small-ship expedition cruising in Alaska and multiple destinations for decades.

The line has carved out memorable experiences on its routes in Southeastern Alaska’s waterways, as well as Costa Rica, Panama, Guatemala, Belize, Hawaii and even in the Pacific Northwest on voyages on the Columbia and Snake Rivers.

It’s not different in the Gulf of California, with days packed full of fun offerings for cruisers who love to get out and play in the wilderness.

During my voyage, most days offered a nice bit of variety, with options that appeal to one’s sense of adventure.

John on a riding excursion in Baja California. * Photo: John Roberts

Itinerary map.

Into the Water on my UnCruise Sea of Cortez Adventure

We jumped right into the water for snorkeling and kayaking on the first full day when we visited Isla San Jose. There was also a gentle hike through a nearby salt flat and over a hill ridge to explore the desert landscape.

Hiking around the salt flats. * Photo: John Roberts

UnCruise also helped prepare lesser-experienced snorkelers or newbies by offering an intro to snorkeling outing, so that they would feel comfortable in the water during the week, especially when we would go to Los Islotes to swim with California sea lions.

On UnCruise Sea of Cortez cruises, enjoy hikes (both extra challenging and moderate), exploratory walks, snorkeling (including the signature session with sea lions), beach breaks, paddleboarding, kayaking, beach combing, burro rides, and skiff tours for wildlife viewing.

There is also a day set aside to take a bus ride across the peninsula to the Pacific Coast to go whale watching.

I snorkeled a couple of times, pulling on a snug wet suit to swim around in the “refreshing” 63-degree waters. I saw a wonderful array of marine life at Isla San Jose, spotting angelfish, trumpetfish, pufferfish and sea stars. We even saw a moray eel and a tiny octopus.

John in a wet suit ready to snorkel! * Photo: John Roberts

The Snorkeling Highlight was Los Islotes!

However, the snorkeling highlight of the cruise was at Los Islotes.

UnCruise works with registered tour guides who picked us up at the ship in the morning for a 45-minute ride out to the protected area to spend time around the sea lion colony.

The adults, large males and females, mostly sun themselves on the rocks while watching closely over the pups who zip around the waters and curiously approach us to nibble at our snorkel fins and pose for our underwater cameras.

Snorkeling with sea lions is a highlight of an UnCruise Sea of Cortez cruise. * Photo: John Roberts

Another shot of the sea lions that we got so very close to. * Photo: John Roberts

In the afternoon at Playa Bonanza, we went ashore for a beach break with shore walks and a short hike into the desert.

Hiking Around Isla Partida

The next day, the strong winds of El Norte scrapped our plans to go ashore at Isla San Francisco for a hike and skiff tours.

Instead, we made it over to Isla Partida.

Here we enjoy a fantastic exploratory hike through an arroyo (a water-carved gulley or creek in arid terrain) and up to the ridge that overlooked the bay below where we could see Safari Voyager sitting in the green waters.

The Safari Voyager below. * Photo: John Roberts

Scenic view of the Partida Bay * Photo: John Roberts

The Partida hike. * Photo: John Roberts

By the way, the whole week, there was really just a few hours of some rough seas (when we sailed from Isla Partida to Puerto Escondido) where some people felt seasick. Otherwise, the captain navigated Safari Voyager to avoid rough seas.

Whale Watching at Adolfo Lopez Mateos

The next day, we hopped on a bus to drive across the peninsula to reach the Pacific Coast port of Adolfo Lopez Mateos for a whale-watching outing in Magdalena Bay.

Splitting up into about five pangas (fishing boats), we sped through the channel to where the Pacific Ocean meets the bay.

There, we saw more than a dozen gray whales, mothers and calves frolicking in the waters, offering an amazing up-close look at these great creatures.

We spent about an hour snapping pictures and capturing video of the whale activity and left with smiles on our faces as we raced back to port under sunny skies.

More Hikes … in Puerto Escondido

We also hiked during our time at Puerto Escondido, in Tabor Canyon.

This one was another very challenging hike that requires good balance, leg strength and flexible ankles and knees for all the big boulders that we had to scale or scramble across.

Tabor hike. * Photo: John Roberts

This hike in Tabor Canyon, also called Steinback Canyon for the writer’s time there, had a big payoff — a plunge into a cool swimming hole before sharing some quiet time in the sunshine listening to the sounds of nature before heading back to the ship.

John taking the plunge (tho not a polar one this time!). * Photo: John Roberts

In the afternoon, we all went to the town of Loreto, about 25 minutes from the port area.

Pretty Loreto. * Photo: John Roberts

Here, we were given a tour of the town and had some free time. I joined some of my new friends, fellow craft beer aficionados, Kelly, Ashley and Valerie for a round of cold ones at Zopilote Brewing Company.

Beers in Loreto. * Photo: John Roberts

We then had just enough time to grab an ice cream before hopping on the shuttle to go back to Safari Voyager.

Lots to Do in Bahia Agua Verde

We finished out the week with beach time, burro rides and kayaking at Bahia Agua Verde, a remote beach situated on an isthmus.

The Romero family of rancheros came down to the beach with their burros to lead our group on a scenic ride up into the hillside.

The burro ride. * Selfie: John Roberts

It was a fantastic experience at the end of the week, and we all relished a relaxing day at the beach where the crew also had set up a bar with drinks and snacks.

Some went swimming and others went for shore walks.

I went for a fun kayaking outing with new friends and jumped into the water for a swim before sprawling out on a towel to dry off in the sun.

Alejo Romero. * Photo: John Roberts

3. Safari Voyager is Built for Adventure

Safari Voyager carries up to 66 cruisers, and we had 54 on our trip.

It’s a rustic little 174-foot-long ship that launched in 1982 and was refurbed in 2016.

There are four passenger decks and a marina.

UnCruise proudly offers an open-bridge policy, allowing passengers to pop by to see what the captain and bridge staff are up to while navigating the waters.

The open Bridge. * Photo: John Roberts

When it comes to the cabins, they are utilitarian and comfy. The cabins on Decks 1 and 2 have windows, while those up on Deck 3 have windows but also doors that open straight onto the promenade, so you can step right out into the scenery from your room. Cabins are not tiny but also not very spacious. There is plenty of closet space and a dresser to help two people get organized. Beds in most cabins can be configured to join together or be separated.

John’s cabin on Safari Voyager. * Photo: John Roberts

The nice view from John’s large cabin window. * Photo: John Roberts

You also have a small desk with a clock radio and a TV affixed to the wall for info on daily programming and to watch DVD movies you can grab from the ship’s library.

The bathroom is small with a shower, and a tiny sink is located in a corner of the bedroom area. The accommodations are quite rustic but also comfy and serve as a fine spot to get your rest.

For dining, the restaurant is also located on the first deck, and this is where we all gather for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfasts are all served buffet style, with a great variety of eggs and items like pancakes or waffles, fresh fruit, granolas and pastries.

John filling up at the breakfast buffet. * Photo: John Roberts

And, the big cinnamon rolls and lemon-glazed strawberry fritters were giant hits.

The enticing cinnamon rolls. * Photo: John Roberts

More breakfast options in the lounge. * Photo: John Roberts

(More on dining further on in my review.)

Outfitted for action, Safari Voyager was our home and basecamp as we ventured around our playground, where the desert meets the sea at the southern tip of the peninsula in Baja California Sur.

The aft of the ship features a marina (they call it the Fantail), and this is where passengers load into skiffs to head off the ship each day.

Safari Voyager’s fantail watersports platform. * Photo: John Roberts

Safari Voyager carries kayaks and paddleboards (that are brought out when conditions are right, which they weren’t on our cruise) as well as a full complement of snorkel gear and wet suits.

The sun deck at the top of the ship on Deck 4 and the bow area on Deck 2 are the best spots for hanging out in a lounge chair for wildlife viewing.

The bow viewing area on Deck 2. * Photo: John Roberts

However, you can also find cruisers using the space on Deck 3 in front of the bridge to post up with their binoculars and wandering the promenade encircling Deck 3 to also get good views. There is also an indoor lounge on Deck 3, also sporting great sight lines.

The lounge has lots of glass for great views. * Photo: John Roberts

Deck 4 also offers a small open-air gym area with a spin bike, dumbbells and yoga mats.

Gear & gym equipment on the sundeck. * Photo: John Roberts

4. Animals on Display in the Sea of Cortez

During the week, cruisers were treated to encounters with the animals that live in this special region where the desert kisses the sea.

We regularly saw dolphins and a number of humpbacks whales from our ship. Of course, there were the gray whales and California sea lions, too.

Grey whales along the coast of Baja California. * Photo: UnCruise

RELATED: Whale-watching tips from the experts.

While snorkeling, we saw a beautiful variety of reef fish. Among of the most talked about creatures were the energetic mobula rays who fling themselves out of the water for spectacular aerial displays.

Brown pelicans and vultures were constantly circling the skies, too.

In addition, we spotted the lizards and wasps that call the desert home, as well as hawks, osprey, blue-footed boobies, cormorants and oyster catchers, from among the numerous bird species found here.

5. Delicious Cuisine Served Up in Sustainable Fashion

You come on this trip expecting great outdoors activities and the chance to see fascinating animals in their natural habitat. You leave remembering all of this, but also the incredible dining experiences you enjoyed on Safari Voyager.

The menu structure works to offer a selection from the “Farm, Sea and Garden” to cater to all kinds of diets and preferences.

There are daily vegetarian selections available at lunch and dinner, and the chef also can whip up nice options for vegan and gluten-free diets.

Many UnCruisers quickly learn to order a half-and-half to get a smaller portion of two selections.

Half and half! * Photo: John Roberts

This is often the best way to go because it can be so hard to choose from the enticing preparations the chef and his team whipped up.

Food waste is kept to a minimum, too.

At breakfast each day, the chef comes out to talk about his creations for the day for both lunch and dinner.

Then, cruisers are asked to pick what they think they would like to enjoy for their lunch and dinner. This is where the hard part comes in, and the half-and-half selections pile up, as people want to try a couple of the meals.

The kitchen will prepare modest portions to fill your plates, but you are always able to ask for more. This system works fabulously to cut down on any waste.

UnCruise also partners with a farm in La Paz that produces meats, fruits and vegetables specifically for the cruise line. The team at UnCruise works with the farmers to get the order fine-tuned. This way the farm can cultivate exactly what the company needs and in the approximate correct quantities based on many years of UnCruise learning what its guests want and how much will be needed for each season.

It’s truly an authentic farm-to-table culinary program.

I found the dining and creative meals crafted on such a small ship like Safari Voyager to be truly impressive.

Ty serves barbecue on deck. * Photo: John Roberts

Here are some of the things we enjoyed (note, this is a partial list!):

Beef tenderloin, red snapper or portobello stuffed with quinoa, with side dishes of red rice pilaf and sun-blistered baby squash.

Grouper, short rib and ratatouille.

Duck with raspberry white wine reduction, mahi-mahi and black bean sopes.

Baja-style roasted chicken and yellowtail fish with herb butter.

How about rack of lamb with black pepper crusted chimichurri sauce or prime rib, lobster tail and veggie pupusas?

Yummy chicken. * Photo: John Roberts

They have a Taco Tuesday with pulled pork cooked low and slow for 12 hours.

Taco Tuesday was a big YES! * Photo: John Roberts

There was a tuna poke bowl for lunch one day that was wildly popular.

A good looking poke bowl. * Photo: John Robberts

A Greek-themed lunch featured chicken and falafel with garlic rice and pita bread.

The dessert menu included chocolate cake, butterscotch pudding, passionfruit cheesecake, and banana cake with chocolate mousse topped with salted caramel popcorn.

Delicious cheesecake. * Photo: John Roberts

Thai Tea Panacotta. * Photo: John Roberts

Banana cake on the Safari Voyager. * Photo: John Roberts

6. Fellow Travelers Become New Friends

I’ve never been on an UnCruise Adventures trip during which I didn’t make a few new fantastic friends. I think these trips are a perfect environment for like-minded travelers to come together to experience wonderful destinations in a fun and energetic atmosphere.

It’s easy to make friends on an UnCruise trip. * Photo: John Roberts

Everyone is there to soak up the great outdoors with the passionate guides and crew members serving as the focal point instead of the distractions many of us face back home during the day-to-day.

These trips are a wonderful escape, with exciting encounters with wildlife and access to expert guides who eagerly share their passion and deep knowledge of places like the Sea of Cortez.

One of the guides, Christian. * Photo: John Roberts

Among our group of fellow passengers, who ranged from mid-30s to 80, were a couple from England and another couple from Denmark who said they were winding down a months-long journey that had included trips to the Galapagos and Antarctica.

The rest of the cruisers represented almost every part of the U.S., from California to New Hampshire, with people from Texas, Kansas, Colorado, Ohio and Michigan all quickly mingling together as one big family.

Overall, the group was active no matter their age — enjoying the hiking, beachcombing, skiff tours and snorkeling sessions.

We all rotated tables for meals to get to know one another, as well as sharing stories in the lounge and settling in for enrichment talks from the guides on topics that ranged from indigenous people of Baja California Sur, whales and the geology of the region (how the peninsula was formed).

Our guide Luis. * Photo: John Roberts

There were also fun sessions on the sun deck after dark for a star-gazing session, as well as a lively trivia contest that recapped a lot of the interesting facts we had (hopefully) learned throughout our voyage.

7. The Folks at UnCruise Have Years of Expertise Cruising the Sea of Cortez

UnCruise has been coming to the Sea of Cortez for more than 20 years, and the line offers expertise to navigate the region with the nimbleness needed to account for any weather conditions while still giving passengers a special experience every day of the trip.

We had high winds and high waves for a couple of days, but the crew and captain had a fantastic “Plan B, C … all the way to Plan W,” as expedition team leader Katherine Mena said after having to adjust the activities midweek.

Expedition Team Leader Katherine doing one of the daily lectures. * Photo: John Roberts

Instead of anchoring in one spot, we would sail to a safer harbor and do a great hike instead of a kayaking outing, for example.

The Sea of Cortez is a special place with all kinds of endemic species to see and learn about.

You also will often be the only people for miles around as you enjoy the scenery, which includes plenty of fresh air, blue water and soft sand.

This is a wonderful option for travelers seeking a warm-weather active vacation filled with excursions like hiking, swimming, snorkeling and kayaking.

UnCruise CEO & Founder Dan Blanchard happened to be aboard our cruise doing one of his frequent ship inspections. * Photo: John Roberts

Caveats to Consider

This likely isn’t the best option for travelers with mobility issues.

The emphasis for the whole program is to get off the ship and do active things. But even if you don’t aim to hike, snorkel, kayak or ride a burro, you would have to be quite steady on your feet to get into and out of Zodiac boats.

Also, the ship doesn’t offer elevators, so moving around will be impossible if you can’t take steps.

8. Pre- and Post-Cruise Options on a Sea of Cortez UnCruise

UnCruise Adventures partners with Barcelo Gran Faro resort in San Jose del Cabo, and the beautiful all-inclusive property serves as the host hotel for cruisers to gather at ahead of the transfer to La Paz to board Safari Voyager.

I stayed for a night prior to the cruise, and the resort has four restaurants and a snack bar, a coffee shop, gym, spa and bars and activities available on property for its guests. It also has a large swimming pool and easy access to a beautiful beachfront.

UnCruise sets up a hospitality room for cruisers to assemble and check in before getting on buses for the trip to La Paz to board Safari Voyager.

It’s great to get in a day early to get rested up for your expedition cruise. It also might be a nice idea to spend more time there at the end of your voyage to fully explore San Jose de Cabo.

Interested in this UnCruise Sea of Cortez Expedition?

Rates for the 2024 “Baja California Whales & Sealife” Sea of Cortez cruise season (Jan – April) start at $6,500 per person for the weeklong UnCruise Sea of Cortez voyage aboard the 66-pax Safari Voyager.

Book early for the 2024 Baja season to take advantage of UnCruise’s no single supplement offer; and if it’s easier for you, also consider a monthly payment plan for your dream vacation.

And, there are still a few weeks left in the 2023 season with fares starting at $5,900 per person; with savings of 50% off a second cabin. 

What’s Included in an UnCruise Sea of Cortez Cruise

UnCruise Adventures fares are mostly all-inclusive, covering:

• All activities & excursions
• Meals
• Drinks — wine, beer, cocktails, soft drinks

The only extra expense you’ll have is for gratuities that you pay on board at the end of your cruise to reward crew for how they helped make your trip special.

Some of the friendly crew of the Safari Voyager. * Photo: John Roberts

RELATED: Check out UnCruise’s other itineraries HERE.

The Final Word About My UnCruise Sea of Cortez Adventure

UnCruise Adventures has been my favorite line for adventure cruising since I first set foot aboard one of the line’s ships seven years ago in Alaska.

I recommend an UnCruise Sea of Cortez cruise on Safari Voyager because you’re sure to enjoy this great destination in an immersive and intimate manner that will lead to awesome new friends and brilliant memories.

One of many beautiful smoldering sunsets on my Sea of Cortez cruise. * Photo: John Roberts

Don’t miss a post about small-ship cruising, subscribe to QuirkyCruise.com for monthly updates & special offers!  

© This article is protected by copyright, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission from the author. All Rights Reserved. QuirkyCruise.com.