Sea of Cortez wildlife

Guided. Respectful.
Unforgettable.

Scroll
No Chasing

We position ourselves to observe — we never pursue animals or alter their natural behavior. Every encounter is on the animal's terms.

No Touching

No physical contact with marine life — ever. We brief every guest before entering the water and this is non-negotiable on every expedition we run.

No Staging

Nothing is arranged for a photograph. What you see is what is happening. These are real encounters in the wild ocean — that's exactly what makes them extraordinary.

Day Experiences

Year-round
Day Trip · Cabo San Lucas

Ocean Safari

DurationHalf or Full Day
Cert RequiredNone
GroupMin. 3
From$180 USD

A morning or full day in the Sea of Cortez from Cabo San Lucas. What you encounter depends on the season — mobulas, sea lions, dolphins, whale sharks, orcas. You're in the water with our guide the entire time. These safaris are accessible to swimmers of all levels. No freediving experience needed, though we can work on technique if you're certified.

Pricing
  • Shared safari (min. 3 people): $180 USD/person
  • Private safari (max. 6 people): $800 USD total
Year-round
Guided Snorkeling · Cabo San Lucas

Snorkel Day

DurationHalf or Full Day
Cert RequiredNone
GroupMin. 2
From$150 USD

Guided snorkeling in protected Sea of Cortez sites. Accessible to any confident swimmer. You'll see reef life, schooling fish, and seasonal marine visitors. Our guides know where to find what's in season and will show you how to move through the water with respect and presence.

Best For
  • Comfortable swimmers, families, travelers
  • Anyone wanting to see the Sea of Cortez up close
  • No diving experience needed
Year-round
Surf + Freediving · Baja California

Surf & Freedive

DurationFull Day
Cert RequiredDiscovery+
GroupMin. 2
From$280 USD

Experience the best of both ocean pursuits. Start your day surfing uncrowded breaks along the Baja coast, then transition into freediving to explore the underwater world beneath the waves. A perfect blend of adrenaline and serenity for water lovers who want to experience the ocean in multiple ways.

Best For
  • Surfers curious about freediving
  • Freedivers who also enjoy surfing
  • Adventure seekers wanting a full ocean day
Year-round
Snorkel/Swim Experience · Cabo San Lucas

Sea Lion Colony

DurationHalf Day
Cert RequiredNone
GroupMin. 2
From$190 USD

A resident sea lion colony in the Sea of Cortez, naturally playful and curious. This is a snorkel/swim encounter, not freediving. You're in shallow water with animals that genuinely seem to enjoy human interaction. Some of the ocean's most joyful moments happen here. Available as a standalone experience or as an add-on to any other activity.

Note: This is a snorkel/swim experience at Cabo San Lucas. For freediving with sea lions, see the Sea Lion Expedition at La Ventana.

Expeditions

Apr – Jun · Peak
Flagship Expedition · La Ventana

Mobula Ray Safari

SeasonApr – Jun
Cert RequiredNone
FormatDay Trip
From$230 USD

Every spring, hundreds of thousands of Mobula rays aggregate in the warm shallows off La Ventana. The aggregations can stretch for hundreds of meters. You enter the water and the rays move around you — silently, gracefully, in every direction at once.

This is one of the most extraordinary wildlife encounters in Mexico and one of the few places in the world where you can experience it on a single breath. We guide it with full safety coverage, shore-based technique coaching, and dedicated boat support.

What's Included
  • AIDA-certified instructor guide throughout
  • Pre-water safety briefing and marine behavior coaching
  • Snorkeling or freediving gear
  • Boat support and continuous safety cover
  • Multi-day packages available
Oct – Nov
Multi-Day Expedition · Magdalena Bay, Baja California Sur

MagBay Baitball Expedition

SeasonOct – Nov
Duration5 Nights
Dive Days4 Days
LevelL1 Min.

Striped marlin drive sardine bait balls to the surface off Magdalena Bay. Sea lions and dolphins work the edges. Humpbacks appear. You freedive through it — four days of coached dives in some of the most intense marine activity in the Pacific.

This is a full expedition: accommodation, coached daily diving with a dedicated safety diver, video review, instructor support throughout, and a mangrove day tour included.

Pricing — per person
Solo$2,200 USD
Shared double room$2,000 USD
Group 3–4 people$1,800–1,900 USD
Private (up to 6 people)$9,000 USD total
Included in every package
  • 4 coached dive days with dedicated safety diver
  • Daily instructor support and video review
  • 5 nights accommodation in Puerto San Carlos
  • Mangrove day tour included
  • All boat transport and gear
Important: Age minimum 18 (or 16 with parent present). Level 1 certification minimum. 50% deposit required to reserve your place.
Year-round
Multi-Day Expedition · La Ventana

Sea Lion Expedition

SeasonYear-round
Cert RequiredL1 Min.
Duration2–3 Days
PriceContact us

A multi-day expedition to dive with sea lion colonies in La Ventana. These animals are fearlessly curious — they approach you, circle you, blow bubbles, and treat the interaction like a conversation rather than an encounter. For a certified freediver, these dives become a conversation in a language only the ocean speaks.

Small groups, dedicated instruction, safe diving practices throughout. Available as a standalone expedition or extended with other La Ventana activities.

What's Included
  • AIDA-certified instructor guide throughout
  • Multi-day boat support and safety diver
  • Pre-dive briefing and marine behavior coaching
  • Video review and daily debrief
  • Accommodation recommendations provided
Requirements: AIDA Level 1 certification minimum. Contact us to discuss your experience level and we'll build the expedition around your comfort.
Dec – Apr
Seasonal Encounter · Baja California Sur

Whale Season

Gray WhalesJan – Mar
HumpbacksDec – Apr
GroupMax. 6
PriceContact us

Gray whales migrate through Baja's Pacific lagoons from January through March — some of the most intimate large whale encounters in the world. Humpbacks return from December and stay through April, their songs audible in the water from hundreds of meters away.

We run surface and acoustic encounters for all levels, and for certified freedivers, underwater listening sessions — hovering in blue water while a humpback's song moves through your chest.

What to expect
  • Surface encounters open to all confident swimmers
  • Underwater acoustic sessions for certified freedivers
  • Maximum 6 guests per outing — intimate group size
  • Expert marine guide briefing before every session
Coming Soon
Advanced Expedition · Socorro Islands

Socorro Islands

StatusComing Soon
Cert RequiredL2 Min.
DurationMulti-Day
Price

The Socorro Islands in the Pacific are known for giant manta rays, whale sharks, and pelagic encounters. An advanced destination for experienced freedivers. We're currently developing this expedition and would love to register your interest.

Plan your trip

When to Come

Every month in Baja has something. Use this calendar to plan your trip around what matters most to you.

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Ocean Safaris
Mobula Ray Safari
MagBay Baitball
Sea Lion Colony
Whale Season
Peak season
Available
How we operate

Safety on Every Expedition

Every Amancay expedition runs under the same standards as our courses. You are never in the water without a certified instructor alongside you, and every session begins with a full briefing before anyone gets wet.

Candelaria has been outspoken about marine wildlife welfare on every expedition she has run since 2015. Students and guests consistently describe her approach as one of the defining qualities of an Amancay experience.

AIDA-Certified Instructors

Every expedition is led by an AIDA-certified instructor with active rescue training. No exceptions.

Pre-Trip Briefing

Full briefing before every session: conditions, marine behavior, communication protocol, and emergency procedure.

Dedicated Safety Diver

All multi-day expeditions and depth sessions include a dedicated in-water safety diver separate from the guide.

Marine Ethics — Always

No chasing, no touching, no staging. We observe wildlife on its terms. Every guest is briefed on this before entering the water.

Get in touch

Ready to Breathe Deep?

We respond to all enquiries within 24 hours.

Email
amancayfreediving@gmail.com
WhatsApp
+52 1 984 250 7107
Instagram
Message on WhatsApp

Send an enquiry — we respond within 24 hours