Orcas. Mobula rays by the thousand. Humpback and Sperm whales. Dolphins. Sea lions. Blue-footed Boobies at Isla Gaviota. A 15-minute stop at Balandra — the famous mushroom rock — then the open sea awaits.
Departing at 7:30am from the La Paz Malecón on The Hook's own boat, Safari Norte is the most exclusive marine wildlife experience in Baja California Sur. Maximum 6 guests. Your guide in the water with you. Every encounter intimate, unhurried, and completely wild.
The route heads north through the Bay of La Paz — past Isla Gaviota, past Balandra and El Hongo, into the open Sea of Cortez where we explore the waters from La Reina to El Saltito — searching for whatever the sea offers that day.
Most people believe you need to fly to the Galapagos to see Blue-footed Boobies. Isla Gaviota is 20 minutes from the Malecón. Home to a colony of approximately 5,000 birds — one of the largest Blue-footed Booby rookeries outside the Galapagos. As you approach the island appears to have just snowed. It hasn't. That's birds.
Check in at The Hook on the Malecón. Equipment fitting, safety briefing, early departure ahead of any other boats. The sea is calmest at first light.
First stop heading north — the island locals call "Boobie Island." 5,000 Blue-footed Boobies nesting on a single rock in the Sea of Cortez. Most people fly to the Galapagos for this.
A 15-minute stop at Mexico's most beautiful beach. Early morning — no crowds, no other boats. The famous mushroom rock — El Hongo — rising from the turquoise shallows. Then the open sea awaits.
We explore the northern Cerralvo Channel — searching for whatever the sea offers. Orca pods, Mobula rays, Humpback and Sperm whales, dolphins, sea lions, giant mantas. Your guide reads the water. All 6 of you in the water for every encounter.
Fresh ceviche on a secluded beach. The Sea of Cortez in every direction. No other boats. Just your group and the wild ocean.
Back to the Malecón by early afternoon. Walk into The Hook Bar & Mercado Turistico. Tell everyone what you just saw. They won't believe you.
Gratuities · Alcoholic beverages · Hotel pickup
Safari Norte runs with a strict maximum of 6 guests. Not for capacity reasons — for experience reasons. Six people means everyone enters the water for every encounter. No waiting on the boat. All of you inside every moment.
Safari Norte explores the waters of the northern Isla Cerralvo area — from La Reina to El Saltito. This stretch of the Cerralvo Channel is one of the most biologically rich corridors in the entire Sea of Cortez. A massive underwater canyon drops to over 600 meters within a mile — pushing nutrient-rich cold water to the surface and drawing in every species of marine megafauna in the region.
Orcas are not uncommon in these waters. They are regularly sighted hunting Mobula rays in the channel between La Ventana and the northern tip of Cerralvo. The Hook Experiences follows all official SEMARNAT regulations for every wildlife encounter on Safari Norte.
Every Hook guide is fully certified in marine wildlife interaction. We never chase animals. We position respectfully and let the wildlife decide every encounter.
Mexico banned Mobula ray fishing in 2007. Schools have since grown from hundreds to tens of thousands. We never disrupt feeding or schooling behavior.
La Reina — the rocky islet at the northern tip of Cerralvo — hosts a resident California sea lion colony. We approach slowly, enter calmly. No chasing, no touching.
Isla Cerralvo and the Gulf of California islands are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Every Safari Norte operates within these protections.
Maximum 6 guests. 7:30am departure from the La Paz Malecón. 8 hours in the northern Cerralvo Channel — from La Reina to El Saltito. Fresh ceviche on the beach. The sea decides the rest.