An afternoon of kayaking and beachcombing.
Exploring a mangrove.
Exploring the geology of the islands.
Discovering how plants survive in a harsh environment.
Hiking in the sandstone formations.
A lizard plays host to our outdoor classroom.
Exploring locally mined salt pans (sea salt).
Discovering a fossilized sea turtle carapace.
Off to explore the intertidal zone.
The underside of a rock in the intertidal zone.
Brittle seastar
Sally Lightfoot crab
Afternnon of snorkeling and exploring.
Seastar with tube feet showing.
King Angelfish
Puffer fish
Brown booby/Blue-footed Booby birds.
Male and female Brown Pelicans.
Touring the sea lion colony of Los Isolotes.
California sea lions chillaxin'.
Bottlenose dolphin swims along side the ship.
A pod of playful Common dolphins.
A Blue whale surfaces along side the ship.
A playful Humpback whale puts on a show for us.
Fishermen unloading their days catch.
A student handles a Hammerhead shark.
Working on the Panterra Expedition Workbook.
A student shows off her artistic ability in her workbook.
A visit to the remote community of Palma Solo.
A friendly game of volleyball at Ensenada de Cortez.
A visit to the remote community of Ensenada de Cortez.
Our “Journey to the Sea of Cortez” is truly a voyage of discovery. With the birth of the San Andreas fault and the colliding of a land mass originating from southern mainland Mexico into what is known today as southern California, the basin of the Sea of Cortez was created. In the wake of the movement and ultimate collision, deep underwater structures, canyons and troughs were created.
It is the depth of these structures that causes the upwelling of nutrient-rich waters creating the basis for a highly productive marine food chain. Starting with the simplest of oceanic plant life, phytoplankton, to the top of the food chain, sharks and killer whales, this is where the educational component of our “Journey to the Sea of Cortez” begins.
This 8 day, all inclusive, live-aboard adventure departs on the 110 foot MV Adventure, from the beautiful city of La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Each day at sea will offer new activities and encounters as we explore the semi-arid desert islands and cruise through the blue waters of the Sea of Cortez.
Activities include snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, beach-combing, low tide exploration and visits to remote communities of fishermen and goat herders. Anticipate encounters with whales, dolphins, sea lions, manta rays, spectacular bird life and an amazing array of undersea life. We might even get into a game of soccer or volleyball with one of the communities visited.
On this expedition we will endeavor to include the Baja Gifts Program and, at least one, of the two Wildlife Conservation Projects.
Our expedition to the Sea of Cortez has been ongoing for over 15 years. Most of the schools that participate in the program have been with us for many years returning with younger siblings of past participants. We look forward to having you onboard our 110′ liveaboard ship!
Group size: based on 16 – 18 students and 2 accompanying teacher supervisors.
Season: Feb. — July
Cost: $3195.00 per person, teacher participation is cost-free
2013 Dates:
1. Mar. 6 – 13 -
2 Mar. 15 – 22 – tentatively booked by VH/CLS
3. Mar. 24 – 31 – tentatively booked by BS
4. Apr. 2 – 9 – tentatively booked by MH
5. Apr. 13 – 20
6. Apr. 21 – 28 – tentatively booked LWS
7. May 1 – 8
8. May 11 – 18
9. May 20 – 27
10. July 2 – 9 – tentatively booked by MS
11. July 11 – 18 – tentatively booked by GGC
12. July 20 – 27- Summer Cruise for Teachers – Professional Development
Please note: These dates are tentative and may change by a day or two as we accommodate school requests. Also, please let us know your tentative date(s) as soon as possible so that we may attempt to place all school bookings. School bookings will be confirmed by deposits received in the spring of 2012.
2013 Forms:
1. Journey to the Sea of Cortez - Program Outline for students, teachers and parents “Young Naturalist Expeditions – Journey to the Sea of Cortez”.
2. Participant Information Form (must be filled out by ALL participants and submitted with second payment – Sept. of year preceeding trip date)
3. Consent To Travel (to be signed by a notary and carried with group during travel)
Our “Journey to the Sea of Cortez” expeditions leave from La Paz, Baja California Sur Mexico. La Paz is a few hours north of the famous Cabo San Lucas and south of scenic Loreto.
A testimonial from a student:
In 2005 I participated in the Journey to the Sea of Cortez expedition with my school. My initial thoughts were that it was going to be an amazing trip, where I would see and learn some really cool things. The experience I had rose above and far beyond that. It took me a few years to fully realize the impact that you, your staff and the program had on me, but you have truly blown my mind.
You showed me that humans aren’t the most important things on this earth, and we have a responsibility as creatures with the ability to have the greatest impact on our environment, to go out into the world and make positive changes. We are part of a system far greater than we are, and every living thing deserves the right to quality of life just as we expect it for ourselves.
I’m now studying at the University of British Columbia – Okanagan campus in Kelowna. After two years of being totally uninterested in general arts, I decided to take a year off and look at what really mattered to me. I realized that I want to work in wildlife conservation with a focus on endangered species. For such amazing creatures to be threatened because of human-related factors is not something that I can comfortably sit and see happen. I’m now pursuing a degree in zoology, and afterwards I’m planning on obtaining a degree in conservation as well.
This past summer, I worked for the Gibsons Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre on the Sunshine Coast. Orphaned, sick, and injured animals were what we cared for and treated. The dedication and passion these people worked with was absolutely inspiring, and further drove me to pursue a career in the wildlife field.
I guess what I really wanted to say, was thank you. Thank you for opening my eyes to the world around me, and the importance in protecting it. You stated in your bio on the Panterra website that “your goal throughout your career has been to make a difference in the lives of students you’ve come in contact with, turn them on to further learning, and instill in them the great importance and responsibility of being the future guardians of our planet”. Mission accomplished. I never thought anyone could ever have such an impact on the course my life would take, but you have become that person. Thank you so much for everything and if there’s any way that I can get involved, please let me know.
Eric Becker – Meadowridge School
