Mexico: The aquarium of the World

Some trips redefine what it means to feel small in the best possible way. Baja California is one of those places. Out in the open ocean, surrounded by giants, you realise just how vast and alive the world is.

Our journey started in the waters of the Sea of Cortez, where the sheer unpredictability of the ocean kept us on our toes. One moment, we were gliding alongside playful sea lions, their eyes full of mischief. The next, the deep blue ocean showed it’s wonders by unleashing our very first shark - the maki shark. No aquarium could ever match the raw energy of being in their world, feeling the silent hum of the ocean’s apex predators. For me, the Mako shark is one of the most unique sharks to snorkel with as they look just like their cousins, the great white. For them we can only hope one day.

The true magic happened in the lagoons of Baja, where gray whales, gentle and curious, swam right up to our boat. I had heard stories of these whales actively seeking human interaction, but nothing prepares you for the moment a 40-ton whale drifts toward you, her eye meeting yours with a depth of intelligence and mystery. Some of us reached out, barely believing it, as she surfaced right beside us.

Baja is wild, unpredictable, and unforgettable. It’s a place where nature lets you in if only for a moment. We’ll be back again whether it’s for the whales, the whale sharks or just (or just) the shark snorkel!