•TRAVEL BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO •

Where desert meets the aquarium of the World.

If you want to explore the Gulf of California, famously called “the aquarium of the world” by Jacques Cousteau, my idol. There is no better place to do it than Baja California. This long, wild peninsula is where desert Mexico crashes headfirst into one of the most biologically rich seas on the planet. It is raw, dramatic, and quietly unforgettable.

There are a few ways to arrive, and each one sets a different tone for the journey. You can fly into Cabo San Lucas on the southern tip, or you can approach from the east side of the peninsula through La Paz. We did a bit of both, and honestly, that contrast is part of the magic.

From Airport to Adventure

Our journey actually began at San José del Cabo International Airport, where we rented a car through Cactus Rental, which made the entire experience easy and stress-free. Baja is a road-trip destination at heart, and having a car gives you the freedom to chase quiet beaches, empty desert highways, and small fishing villages that don’t show up on most itineraries. We then immediately headed north and east toward one of the most extraordinary dive destinations in the world: Cabo Pulmo.

Cabo Pulmo is not flashy. There are no mega-resorts, no crowded marinas, no nightlife scene like Cabo San Lucas (that I did not like at all!) Nature lovers, if you are headed to see wildlife and do not like resorts style vacation, please do not stay longer than a day to Cabo San Lucas. Anyway, going back to Cabo Pulmo, what it does have is one of the most successful marine reserves on Earth and an underwater ecosystem that has rebounded so dramatically it almost feels unreal.

This is where we come to swim and dive with bull sharks. We went out with a local dive operator Dive Cabo Pulmo and it was nothing short of extraordinary. When we arrived at the bottom of our dive site, we shared the water with five bull sharks, a powerful, calm, and completely awe-inspiring moment. Seeing them in their natural environment, moving effortlessly through the blue, is one of those experiences that recalibrates how you see the ocean.

North to La Ventana: Ocean Expeditions and New Friendships

After Cabo Pulmo, we drove back north to La Ventana, another gem along the Sea of Cortez. Known for its winds and wide-open coastline, La Ventana feels like a place where adventure naturally unfolds.

Here, we joined an ocean expedition with Jamie from Baja Wild Encounters and I cannot recommend him highly enough. Jamie is one of those rare people who brings deep local knowledge, respect for wildlife, and genuine passion into everything he does. What started as an expedition quickly turned into a friendship, and we are now working on future expeditions together.

Days on the water here feel expansive... dolphins in the distance, desert mountains framing the sea, and the constant sense that something incredible could surface at any moment. And... it did. As we boarded on a second expedition with BWE, I had one of the most incredible wildlife encounters of my life swimming with a completely wild pod of orcas. It was overwhelming in the best possible way. I remember floating there, watching them move through the water with such ease and intelligence, feeling my eyes well up behind my mask.

There was nothing staged about it. No tanks, no enclosures, no guarantees, just a rare moment of connection in the open ocean. I came out of the water teary, grateful, and honestly changed. Experiences like that remind you why protecting these places, and the life within them, matters so much.

After a few days of slowing down and letting the adrenaline fade from one of the most incredible marine life encounters of my life, it was time to move on. We drove farther north along the east side of Baja toward La Paz, a beautiful, laid-back coastal town that instantly feels more local than resort-focused.

La Paz invites you to settle into its rhythm. The Airbnbs are fantastic, whether you want to stay close to the water or within walking distance of town. Mornings unfold slowly here, often starting with quiet walks along the marina, coffee in hand, watching the boats come and go.

Why Baja Califronia stays with you..

Travel Baja California will change you. It not just a destination; it’s a feeling. It’s the quiet of the desert after sunset, the colour of the Sea of Cortez at dawn, and the reminder that wilderness still exists in powerful, accessible ways.

This is where you come to slow down and tune in. To nature, to the ocean and to yourself. Whether you arrive through Cabo, La Paz, or a dusty road that leads somewhere unexpected, Baja has a way of meeting you exactly where you are.

And once it does, it’s very hard not to come back.

Want to experience Baja like we did?

I can help you plan and book unforgettable adventures, from diving with bull sharks in Cabo Pulmo to ocean expeditions in La Ventana. Spaces are limited to keep every trip personal and immersive.

Reach out and let’s start planning your Baja adventure!

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