|
Kayaking, swimming, exploring a fossil beach
Early morning encounter with a sperm whale
Amazing undersea life
Strawberry Pincushion cactus bearing fruit
Imagine snorkeling in shallow, crystal clear
waters!
A visit to a fishing village exploring the days
catch
Scuba Diving
Gray Whale birthing lagoon of San Ignacio
OUR WILDLIFE
CONSERVATION PROJECTS
Turtle Monitoring Program
Whale Shark Research
|
The 117'
MV Narval at sea
The Baja Peninsula was formed
approximately 5 million years ago when part of the earth's crust separated
along the San Andreas Fault drifting in a northwesterly direction away
from mainland Mexico. After
colliding with southern California, an ocean basin was formed. This basin
is known today as the Gulf of California or more commonly referred to as the Sea of Cortez.
Left in the wake of the collision was an explosion of natural geological wonders, a
group of desert islands. The area has remained uninhabited, spellbinding and timeless. This amazing Galapagos type setting plays host
to some of the rarest and most beautiful marine life encounters
possible.
Rich in natural history,
unspoiled in beauty, and unrivalled in marine life, the Sea of Cortez is a
world of a different time, place and rhythm.
For 2011 we have changed our expeditions to "Adventure Travel With a
Purpose". Each expedition is designed to contribute to the social
well being of the communities visited and/or assist local Mexican
scientists with their conservation projects.
The social well being project is the "Journey of Giving" medical
trip done once a year. Medical personnel from Canada assist medical
personnel from the Department of Health in La Paz heading out onboard the
MV Narval with medicines and equipment in hand. The communities visited do
not have access to medical attention unless they travel miles and hours to
the nearest facility and often times they cannot afford it. The medical
trips are considered a working holiday and is open to nurses, dental
assistants and dental hygienists, and as well as builders who would assist
the community members in repairing existing buildings or constructing new
ones, you might even end up running hose from a freshwater well (as far as
a kilometer away) into the community. Click
here to see what we do.
We have also designed a Baja Gifts Program that is an optional part of
each expedition. Each participant is asked to put together a shoebox of
school supplies, toys, hygiene products which would be given to one of the
communities we may visit on the trip.
The science research is done with sea turtles and whale sharks. Half a day
of each trip, will be spent assisting researchers in gathering data to
help in the understanding and conservation of the sea turtles and whale
sharks. Click
here to see what we do.
However, outside of the research or journey of giving one can anticipate
encounters with whales, dolphins, sea lions, manta rays, stingrays,
seabirds, and an amazing diversity of undersea life. Explore rocky
shorelines, white sandy beaches, fossil beds, volcanic outcrops, coral
reefs and cactus forests.
So join us as we set sail exploring the desert islands and sea of one of
the most beautiful wilderness frontiers left in North America. It’s a
great way to do something cool for our fellow man while enjoying an
awesome holiday exploring and discovering. There is lots of time for
snorkeling, kayaking, hiking and simply chillaxin'. It's also a great
way to spend quality time with friends and family.
Maximum group
size is 14 participants (double/triple occupancy) onboard the MV Narval.
2011 Expeditions
(please click on date for Expedition Brochure)
Expedition to the Birthing Lagoons
of San Ignacio, Mexico
Feb. 4
- 10
- 3 spots left
Robinson's
Journey to the Sea of Cortez
April 17 - 23 - private booking
Dive/Natural History Expedition
April 29 - May 4 - private booking
Journey Into the Mysterious
World of the Whale Shark
Research/Dive/Natural History Expedition
May 7 - 13 and May 15 - 21
Journey of Giving
June 4 - 11
Panterra Dive/Natural History
Familiarization Trip
June 13 - 17
Summer Getaway
July 2 - 8
Summer Cruise for Teachers
Professional Development
July 10 - 16
Panterra Dive Expeditions
October 8 - 13 and October 16 - 21
If you would like to inquire into a private group booking please contact our
office at
info@panterra.com or
phone our Sidney, BC office at (250) 656-0633 or our Calgary, AB office at
(403) 225 - 8327.
The Participant Information Form
must be submitted with the initial deposit.
If you would like to view the photo journals of our
expeditions in the Sea of Cortez please click on the Daily
Journals Sea of Cortez.
It's going to be an exciting year!
|
