Mobula Ray Migration & Megafauna
A front-row encounter with the ocean’s most vibrant wildlife — from thousands of mobulas to the larger marine life that thrives in one of Baja’s richest ocean ecosystems
What’s Included
✔ 7 days/6 nights
✔ 5 Ocean Expeditions (typically 6-8 hours)
✔ Beach Front Accommodation (double occupancy)
✔ Airport or Hotel pick-up on arrival day (La Paz-La Ventana)
✔ Airport or Hotel Drop-off on departure day (La Ventana-La Paz)
✔ Breakfast & boat lunch
✔ Boat, Captain & Professional Freediver/guide on board
✔ Snacks, water, soft drinks
✔ Yoga Nidra guided meditation
✔ Desert Sunset Hike
Not included
✗ Freediving equipment (rental available)
✗ Flights
✗ Travel/Dive Insurance (required)
✗ Dinners (We will explore different local restaurants)
✗ Gratuity (for Captain)
Available dates 2026
When?
June 1st-7th: 8 spots left
June 1st-7th: 8 spots left
Price
$3450 USD (800 deposit)
About the trip
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Max. 8 ppl (minimum 6) + trip leader.
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18 years old
Basic Freediving/Snorkle experience
Insurance (mandatory, to get yours, visit dan.org or World Nomads)
Each participant will be required to sign a liability waiver before the expedition, the waiver can be found here.
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All accommodation is included on front beach hotel Villa Paraíso in La Ventana.
Rooms are based on double occupancy, meaning you will share the room with another guest.
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Breakfast will be served every morning at 6:00 am before heading to the ocean.
Boat lunch box will be provided on expedition days (burritos, ceviche, etc). Vegetarian and vegan options are available and must be communicated to me before the trip.Dinner will be served at the hotel or local restaurant around 6:30 pm.
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Freediving equipment: mask, snorkel, fins, 3mm wetsuit, weightbelt and weights (equipment available for rent)
Proof of dive insurance
Spending money for personal expenses (I recommend bringing cash Mexican pesos since sometimes ATM do not work in La Ventana)
Hat, buff, polarized sunglasses, warm sweater, dry bag, beach towel, dry clothes for after diving, waterproof jacket, sandals or shoes that can get wet
Personal water bottle (although there will be water and drinks available on the boat)
Any special foods or medications (seasickness tablets, waterproof bandaids for fin sores, electrolytes)
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Although there is very high possibility we encounter all of these animals, we can't guarantee it 100%. Same with conditions. We will see what the ocean provides, yet this is a very good time of the year.
Good water skills, comfort in the open ocean, and the ability to get in and out of the boat quickly are essential. We do have a ladder on the boat.
Expect long ocean days and the best encounters :) -
You can fly directly into La Paz International Airport (LAP) from Tijuana (TIJ), Ciudad de México (MEX) o Guadalajara (GDL). There are also direct flights from Los Angeles (LAX).
Another option is to fly to Los Cabos International Airport (SJD), which offers many direct flights from the United States and Europe. Please note that if you choose this option you will have to arrange a taxi to La Paz (around 100 USD) not included.
**Transport form SJD can be arranged, let us know with time so we can organize it for you.
The Hotel
Welcome to Villa Paraíso — Your oceanfront sanctuary in La Ventana.
For our expeditions, we’ll be staying at Villa Paraíso, a beautiful 3-star beachfront villa that feels like a quiet slice of luxury in the heart of Baja. Just steps from the turquoise waters of Playa La Ventana, this property blends comfort, nature, and simplicity in the best possible way.
Wake up with the sound of the waves, enjoy your morning coffee with sweeping ocean views, and unwind in the garden or on the villa’s private beach area — reserved exclusively for guests. The property features a spacious outdoor swimming pool, a sun-drenched terrace, and cozy common areas where our group can relax, connect, and recharge after long days at sea.
With its beachfront setting — where our boat will pick us up directly from the shore — Villa Paraíso is the ideal home base for our adventure in the Sea of Cortez.
Itinerary
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Our driver will pick you up at La Paz Airport or from your hotel, followed by a scenic one-hour drive to La Ventana.
Once there, you’ll arrive at our beautiful beachfront hotel, Villa Paraíso. You’ll have some free time to settle in, enjoy a walk on the beach, or connect with your fellow travelers at the villa before we gather for a welcome dinner.
After dinner, we’ll go over the expedition briefing and then wind down for the night, getting ready for an unforgettable week of adventure. -
(Days 2–6) – Five full days of pure action! Our captain will pick us up around 7:00 AM so we can make the most of each day.
Get ready for long, beautiful hours on the ocean and plenty of unforgettable adventures. Our daily expeditions typically last between 6–8 hours.We will do some evening activities (soft desert hikes, beach walks, Yoga Nidra Guided Meditation, etc before dinner)
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Goodbye breakfast at 7:30 AM, followed by the drive back to La Paz where we’ll drop you off at the airport or hotel.
Did you know…?
Munk’s pygmy devil rays (Mobula munkiana) are one of the most iconic migratory species in the Sea of Cortez. Every year, they gather in enormous schools — sometimes thousands strong — as they move through the southern gulf in search of warm waters and abundant plankton.
This species is known for forming some of the largest and most synchronized aggregations of any ray on the planet, especially around La Ventana and Espíritu Santo, where conditions create the perfect feeding and breeding grounds.
During their migration, M. munkiana often comes together in tight, coordinated groups that move like a single organism. These aggregations are believed to be linked to both feeding opportunities and social or reproductive behaviors.
Their famous breaching — those explosive jumps above the surface — is especially common during these seasonal gatherings and may play a role in communication or courtship.
Munk’s pygmy devil rays are small compared to other mobulas (usually 1–1.1 meters across), but their migrations create one of the most spectacular and accessible wildlife events in the Sea of Cortez.
These seasonal movements bring them close to shore between late spring and early summer, making La Ventana one of the best places in the world to witness this phenomenon up close.
FAQs
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La Ventana sits in a corridor of marine life, so every day brings something new.
During this season, we most often share the water with:Schools of mobula rays (Munkiana, Bentfin, Spinetail, Sicklefin — and sometimes even Oceanic mantas)
Dolphins (Risso, Common, Spinner, Bottle nose…)
California sea lions
Sea turtles
Huge variety of reef fish
And because the Sea of Cortez is so abundant and full of surprises, there’s always the possibility of encountering:
Whales (Humpback, Blue, Fin, Sperm, Bryde’s)
Orcas
Pilot whales
Whale sharks
Mola Mola
Marlins
Hammerheads
Silky Sharks
No two days are the same — that’s part of the magic of this place.
While there’s a very high chance of seeing these creatures, encounters aren’t 100% guaranteed, as nature is always unpredictable. Sometimes, even small changes in water temperature can attract unexpected species.
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Mobula rays can gather in remarkably large numbers during their seasonal migrations. Depending on the conditions, these aggregations can range from a few dozen individuals to hundreds or even thousands, creating some of the most impressive wildlife scenes in Baja. On certain days, you may even witness their stunning vortex formations — swirling, tornado-like movements formed when large groups of mobulas circle in perfect coordination.
When swimming with mobulas, a respectful approach is essential. Avoid positioning yourself directly above them, as this can cause the school to scatter. Instead, approach slowly from the side, with calm, controlled movements. Allow the animals to choose the distance and set the pace. This gentle, non-intrusive approach offers the best chance to observe their natural behavior — and often leads to the most magical encounters.
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La Ventana days are full of adventure on the water. We’ll set out early, around 7:00 am, and won’t return until about 1:00 or 3:00 pm, spending roughly 6 to 8 hours at sea. Get ready to fully embrace the present moment! Our goal is to make the most of each day and provide you with an unforgettable experience. And don’t worry—when you’re immersed in the magic of the Sea of Cortez, time feels like it stands still. You’ll hardly notice the day has flown by until we start heading back. 😊
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A freediving certification is not required, but participants must be able to swim at least 250 meters unaided, feel comfortable in the open ocean, and be capable of jumping in and out of the boat (a ladder is available for ease). This expedition requires a certain level of comfort and experience at sea. However, if you prefer to stay dry or limit how often you jump in, you can still enjoy incredible wildlife encounters from the boat. There’s plenty of action to witness from above the water too!
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Water temperature in the Sea of Cortez near La Ventana varies across the year, but even in May it stays comfortable for swimming: averages around 25-28°C / 77-82°F depending on day, tides and currents.
Because conditions can change with depth, wind or thermoclines, we recommend wearing a 3 mm wetsuit — mainly for sun‑protection, comfort, and to guard against possible colder patches when diving or snorkeling. -
3mm wetsuit
socks (optional)
Fins, snorkel, mask, weight-belt, weights
**Equipment rental available (not included)