Ponant Explorations has announced a new itinerary in Baja California, Mexico for winter 2027. After three years of development in partnership with local communities, the 10-night journey—"Exploration in the Heart of Baja California"—will offer travelers an immersive experience in an eco-rich region.
From January through March, the 184-guest Le Bellot will offer four round-trip departures from Cabo San Lucas, including one operated in alliance with Smithsonian Journeys. The voyages spotlight the advancements of Cabo Pulmo locals, who have embraced eco-tourism and turned the region into a model of marine conservation, alongside the natural wonders of the Baja California Peninsula—from marine life to the coral reefs that inhabit the UNESCO-designated Gulf of California.
Voyage in Alliance with Smithsonian Journeys—February 10-20, 2027
Unique among these voyages is a singular "Baja and the Sea of Cortez: In Search of the Great Whales with Smithsonian Journeys" departing on February 10, 2027. With the added benefit of having two Smithsonian Journeys Experts aboard, guests on this voyage will enjoy an onboard lecture series that explores the region’s history, culture, environment and wildlife. Good to know: All voyages in collaboration with Smithsonian Journeys come with a curated excursion and/or activity included at each port of call as well as airport transfers on embarkation and disembarkation days.
Wildlife encounters will be a defining trait on all four of the Baja California voyages. Guests may witness gray, blue and humpback whales, orcas, bottlenose dolphins, sea lions, pelicans, and mobula devil rays. Shore landings led by the line’s naturalist team will grant access to areas untouched by development, while visits to coastal towns like Loreto offer cultural immersion and local flavor. The itinerary will also include a visit to Guerrero Negro for a "high-impact whale experience."
Designed to suit both leisure and adventure travelers, the itinerary includes options for snorkeling, scuba diving (wetsuits provided) and canyon hiking.
Partnership With Local Communities
Between the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez, Baja California is known for dunes, turquoise waters, green lines of mangroves and coral reefs. Long threatened by intensive fishing in the 1970s and 1980s, the Sea of Cortez has gradually regained balance thanks to the commitment of local communities. Former fishermen, now stewards of conservation, spearheaded the creation of protected areas, leading to the establishment of several national parks.
By drawing on local communities and their logistical resources for most of the visits and activities offered to guests, Ponant Explorations says it will take part in the momentum toward building effective partnerships between authorities, the private sector and civil society. These partnerships must be inclusive, founded on shared principles and values, and place both people and the planet at the center of their priorities.
To honor the trust placed by local communities, Ponant Explorations implements a biosecurity protocol tailored to the region. For example, before any interaction with whales, hands must be washed with disinfectant soap. The sunscreen used for diving and swimming is formulated to be environmentally safe.
Departures for the new Baja California itinerary include: January 31, February 20, and March 2, 2027 and February 10, 2027 for the Smithsonian Journeys voyage.
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