| Dates (Orca Mobula Predation) |
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Due to the resounding success of our previous trip, which surpassed our guests’ expectations, I am offering this adventure once more. This success is a testament to the quality of our trips and the satisfaction of our guests.
We have changed the dates from late June and July to late May and early June. This new timing allows guests to witness the migration of Blue Whales and Humpback Whales departing the Sea of Cortez. May and June are also peak months for the annual Mobula ray migration along the stunning coast of Baja—an event so breathtaking it is featured in numerous documentaries. This gathering of thousands of rays is one of the largest in the world and among the most exciting natural phenomena on our planet. We will be there, free diving in the middle of it.
For drone photographers, this trip offers superb opportunities for aerial filming. We will use a microlight two to three times during the week to search for shoals of Mobula rays, as they aggregate along the Sea of Cortez coastlines of the Baja California peninsula. This method allows us to track all other pelagic species, sharks, whales, orcas, and other incredible ocean creatures. Aerial scouting is vital for pinpointing where the Big Animals and ocean giants are and what direction they are moving.
We will be swimming in the beautiful, clear blue water, pulled closer into a swarm of thousands of these rays, about 3-4 feet wide from wingtip to wingtip. As they float through the ocean current, swim in endless circles, and show off acrobatics by jumping in and out of the water, you don’t want to miss this experience.
It is important to note that, according to local conservation rules, people shall not swim with whales. However, we can swim with orcas, dolphins, mobula rays, and seals.
Day 1
Fly to Can San Lucas. Group transfer to La Paz and board the Mango wind, board the vessel in the PM
Day 2 – 7
6 full days searching for all pelagic…Mobula Ray, whale shark, possible Orca and whales. Includes 2 days of aerial scouting
Day 8
Depart at the AM transfer to Cabo San Lucas airport
Surface Temperature
89F to 94F
Water Temperature
75F to 78F
Visibility
15 – 20 meters on most days
Amos Nachoum is a distinguished figure in wildlife and underwater photography, seamlessly combining exploration and artistry for over 45 years. His dedication to capturing the essence of marine life has garnered him prestigious accolades, including twice winning the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year in animal behavior and the Siena Photo Competition in ‘Animals in Their Environment’ category.
Amos’s photographic excellence has earned him the title of Nature Photographer of the Year 2021 by Wilderness Photography. His impact on the artistic and conservation communities has been recognized with the NOGI Award in Art, solidifying his status as a leader in his field. His works have graced prominent publications like National Geographic, Time, and The New York Times, showcasing his ability to tell compelling visual stories.
In 2019, his documentary “Picture of His Life” unveiled his relentless pursuit of excellence and his commitment to marine conservation. As the founder of Big Animals Expeditions, he leads private expeditions, ensuring safe and intimate wildlife encounters during peak seasons. These expeditions, whether on land or in the ocean, reflect his immaculate safety record and deep respect for the natural world.
By choosing to embark on an expedition with Amos, adventurers open themselves up to a transformative experience. They learn from a maestro whose life’s work resonates with the pulse of the oceans and the dance of wildlife across diverse habitats. Whether a seasoned photographer or a nature enthusiast, participants in Amos’s expeditions gain unparalleled insight and a unique opportunity to connect with the wild.
Additionally, his work in marine conservation and education has not gone unnoticed. Amos has been named Seakeepers’ Man of the Year, acknowledging his unwavering commitment to the ocean and its inhabitants. Through his expeditions, workshops, and storytelling, he continues to inspire, educate, and ignite a passion for conservation in hearts worldwide.
CASA VERDE
“The hotel was built in 2004 by David Webb, who owned it until we took over in 2016. We had been coming to La Ventana for many years on vacation and were enjoying maternity leave in the CV campground after our first son was born. A few drastic and amazing life changing decisions happened that year and we were able to take over this place we had grown to love.
Our team is more than just the two of us, but we like to keep it small as we are a tight knit group. Read more below to find out about all of us who you will meet during your stay at the hotel.
We look forward to welcoming you.”
– Emily and Phil, Casa Verde owners
We communicate via radio with local fishermen to determine the Mobula school’s general location. Once we have an idea of where the aggregation is, aboard the Azimut high elevation above water we will be able to scout the horizon from both the bow and the bridge in order to find the school. Mobula Rays often like to breach the surface, and we should have a perfect view from the vessel to see Mobula acrobatics. From onboard we will be able to look out both over the horizon and down beneath the surface in order to pinpoint the rays’ exact location.
The Mobula aggregation can stretch anywhere for 50 yards in diameter up to 200 yards across or more and as deep in the water column from the surface to 40 feet below. Once we locate them, we will gear up and board our zodiac, the chase boat in order to follow the rays and get as close to the action as possible. The encounters can be anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours, depending on the type of Mobula aggregation. A moving ball of rays will allow in many quick sessions, while stationary balls allow longer sessions that can last an hour or more. With stationary ball the rays become more comfortable with us as time goes on and the rays will even let us swim into the middle of their school.
During this time of year, the opportunity exists to see the pods of transient Orcas that patrol the coastline to prey upon the Mobula Rays. If this occurs, it will be both exciting and tense. When a pod of 6 to 8 Orcas appears, it will be a prime opportunity to take some unbelievable photos of these animals. Orcas are very curious by nature, and they will swim quite close to us in the water. Normally when photographing the rays, only two people will be dispatched to dive at a time for good encounter and better photo opportunity. However, if Orcas appear, we will do everything we can to get everyone in the water at the same time so that each person has a chance to share the uplifting experience.
Leading Mexican explorer, author and photographer Jorge Hauser will be joining us aboard the 68-feet-long Azimut. With his knowledge and expertise, our adventure will become not only more productive but also more efficient.
Amos will be there with you, filming and photographing shoulder to shoulder the whole journey. Together with Jorge, they will share their advice and technics so that you can come away with the most desirable photographs. We recommend bringing wide angle lenses (24mm, 18mm, or 15mm rectilinear) as well as a fisheye lens. Strobes are welcome but not useful in evenly lighting wide-angle scenes. We also aim to photograph Dolphins chasing our boat (and of course breaching Mobula Rays), and for this we recommend lenses 70-200mm or 100-400mm. We are excited to announce that we will also be operating drones from the Azimut in order to capture new and unique angles and images!
Guest Feedback
“Amos was able to help me overcome my deepest fears from the Ocean and the truly amazing life in it – Huge Whales, Sharks, Seals, and so forth. By overcoming these fears, I enjoy the Oceans and Seas much more, with unforgettable and countless animal encounters I had in the three expeditions I’ve joined Amos thus far. Most importantly, coping with fears in the Ocean affected my life outside water, and I was able to make transitions and decisions that made my “real life” better. This process started in the Ocean with Amos and is ongoing and constantly evolving in my “real” life. I’m so grateful for meeting Amos and having these adventures in my life, and I didn’t even mention the amazing photos and videos I was able to take, so I have lifelong memories for myself, my family and my friends.”
Daniel F.
You can reserve now by either paying a 33% deposit through our online reservation system or by mailing a check.
If you’d prefer to mail a check to our office or arrange for a wire transfer, please get in touch with us via the Contact BigAnimals form below.
All trip costs are subject to change without prior notice until your reservation is confirmed. In order to join an expedition, you are required to carry trip, health, and dive (if applicable) insurance. This information as well as your passport photo will be requested after you place your deposit.
Full payment is due no later than 90 days before departure. We reserve the right to sell any space that is not paid in full by 60 days before departure.
Your deposit reserves your place on the trip. However, the full amount is due 90 days or more before the expedition date begins.
You will receive a confirmation email when your application is received. When your deposit is complete, you will receive trip confirmation. Complete trip details will be sent upon final payment.
View the Expedition Page for Total Trip Price and Cancellation Policies
| Dates (Orca Mobula Predation) |
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FINAL PAYMENT, CANCELLATION AND TRIP CHANGE POLICY
We at Big Animals LLC know how upsetting it might be for our valued clients to have to postpone or cancel a trip they have been looking forward to for months. We, too, are disappointed when plans must be changed. However, we make extensive preparations in advance of each trip and we are required to make nonrefundable payments to hotels and other vendors on a regular basis. Consequently, we must rigorously enforce our cancellation and trip change policy for all guests without exception.
Purchasing travel insurance is vital and may be obtained through a variety of insurance providers. Life in the modern world has taught us that trip cancellations and interruptions happen, luggage gets lost, and people have accidents prior to trips, and people get sick, and are unable to commence or complete anticipated journeys. Insurance is expected to provide you, as our valued client, with the protection and peace of mind in the event that all things do not go according to your intended plan. As a traveler, please be aware you are personally responsible for any expenses incurred due to illness or injury that may arise before departure or while you are on expedition — and as per the details below — cancelling or altering a trip without insurance becomes very expensive for all parties involved, including for Big Animals LLC.
We encourage you to make the responsible choice — protect your investment with a reasonably-priced, comprehensive insurance policy.
Big Animals LLC requires a deposit equal to 33% of the total trip price at the time of booking, including all applicable taxes, in order to secure space.
Once we have accepted your deposit and application, we will make non-refundable payments to secure your space with overseas vendors; consequently, all deposits on expeditions are also non-refundable, without exception.
There shall be no exceptions to this “FINAL PAYMENT, CANCELLATION AND TRIP CHANGE POLICY” for any reason, including, but not limited to force majeure.
Governing Law California. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement, and all acts and transactions pursuant hereto and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be governed, construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the state of California, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law.
