Morning:
Participants will learn basic snorkeling skills and then free-diving techniques in the shallow bay of Ensenada Grande.

Afternoon:
Participants will use their snorkeling skills to explore the rocky shoreline at Las Cuevas and their free-diving skills to see garden eels in the sandy flats at 25ft.

Evening Presentation:
Survival of the Finnest: Fish are the most abundant vertebrate animals which dominate nearly every habitat in the hydrosphere. Why are they so successful?

Morning:

We depart camp at about 6am, when the stars are still in the sky, and light is about to break. The hike is relatively flat with a few boulders to scramble up or slide down. The trail terminates at the opposite side of the island and reveals stunning views of the eastern side of the island, especially as the sun comes over the horizon. We will return to camp at about 830am for breakfast. The remainder of the morning will be free time to work on projects, journals, or to rest.

Afternoon:
Escape the heat and jump into the cool water at Isla El Candelero. This tiny island is a great spot to get up close to birds like cormorants, gulls, and pelicans; as this island serves as a small rookery.

Evening Presentation:
Gulf of California: Introduction to an ocean oasis: 40 minute slide show presentation that introduces students to oceanography and the physical processes which formed the Gulf of California and the biotic and abiotic factors that make it one of the most biological diverse marine systems on the planet.

After breakfast we will depart by boat and travel 30 minutes south to San Gabriel Bay to explore an archaeology site and then to snorkel El Corralito Bay. The clear, calm, sun-filled waters provide prime conditions for a very large expanse of continuous hard coral reef known as the carpet of corals.

Evening:
Research projects

Morning:

Get up close and personal with our favorite underwater “dogs.” Named the friendliest sea lion colony in North America, Los Islotes is the best place to interact with them in their natural habitat.  They dart past you, nibble on your fins, and get whisker-to-dive mask with you for great photos and videos, too.

Afternoon:

We return to Los Islotes  to explore other habitats for those who want a little more time with the sea lions.

There are many different habitats around Los Islotes, we may visit several times. On the North side of the island is a shallow reef of hard and soft corals. The water is so clear that the sunlight brings out the natural colors of the corals and fishes. It is so easy to take photos here with even the most basic of cameras. At the arch, large boulders the size of cars, are piled on the bottom forming habitat for very large groupers, eels, and Amarillo Snappers. Bright Orange Cup corals, barnacles, tube worms, and other sessile inverts cling to the rocks. This site will be your favorite for the week, if not your favorite for life!

Evening Presentation:
Empty Ocean: Human caused environmental issues threatening biodiversity of the global ocean.

Morning:
Meet with local environmental activists working on projects to help protect the Sea of Cortez. Possible presentations by scientists, as well as non-traditional science disciplines such as filmmakers, artists, and storytellers who work to study, document, and preserve the Sea of Cortez.  — Actual presentation will be determined by the availability of the speakers that day.

Afternoon:
We will visit some of the cultural attractions of La Paz, then shopping for souvenirs along the malecon.

Evening:
We’ll gather once last time at Rancho Viejo Restaurant for a mouthwatering dinner of their famous arrecherra style meat with fresh salsas and tortillas. Research project presentation this evening.

Get gill to snorkel with the largest fish on the planet. Spend 2 hours learning about the adaptations of the whale shark and snorkeling with them. 

Evening

Dinner & shopping downtown. 

Morning:
We will meet in the hotel restaurant for a hearty breakfast for your big travel day. The group will depart the hotel at 7am for 12:10 flight from Los Cabos.. You will journey by 15-passenger van to Los Cabos Airport. 

We hope you now love the Sea of Cortez as much as we do!