TripAdvisor 1

If you are an educator looking for an amazing experience for your students, look no further. I have just returned from a fun filled experience of a lifetime with Lela and her crew on board the MV Adventure. We were taken to places that no other travellers would ever get to experience. On water, we saw sea lion colonies, sperm whales, humpbacks, dolphins, rays, turtles and much more. On land, we were taken to a place that even the local drivers had never been… a stunning oasis in the desert. The crew took care of all of our needs and went above and beyond with service and kind hospitality. I will most certainly be planning another trip with Panterra in 2016.

Jeremy M. – Nelson, BC

TripAdvisor 2

I recently participated in a school program with Panterra as a teacher/chaperone. I had great expectations for this trip and the experience exceeded all my expectations in every way. The naturalists and crew were very experienced, professional, friendly and accommodating, and all went above and beyond to ensure our safety, comfort and happiness. The food was fantastic and the ship was very comfortable and quickly felt like home. Lela is a wonderful, warm, and funny host – her decades of experience in the Sea of Cortez were apparent as she introduced us to locals, anticipated wildlife, and shared her knowledge of the history, geography and ecology of the area. The aspect of our trip that I most appreciated was that it did not feel canned. The whole experience felt organic – it didn’t feel as if we were just being shepherded around to all the usual sights, the naturalists and crew showed genuine care for and interest in the students, and were flexible and good-natured in customizing the trip and changing plans according to the weather and the students’ interests. Our experience with Panterra was educational, awe-inspiring and loads of fun, I cannot recommend it enough!

Visited March 2014

TripAdvisor 3

This was my third trip with Panterra. The first was as a chaperone for a junior high school group, the second with teachers and travel agents, the last with our extended family. As mind blowing as the first trip was – each continues to be life changing. – Lela and her crew provide their guests with exceptional service that makes this experience memorable for each individual. Having travelled a lot this is hands down the top of my list!

Pam H. – St. Albert, Alberta – July 2016

TripAdvisor 4

This last trip was my ninth journey with Panterra and Lela and her crew continue to surpass my expectations and offer up new surprises. The new ship is large and roomy with roomy, comfortable bunk space and modern facilities. The crew were very friendly, personable, and provided for our every need without hesitation. The food was excellent, well balanced and delicious. We dined on fresh fish, skip jack (tuna) and other local fish. Lela filled every day with trips and sights and her excitement for the amazing creatures that we saw was contagious as always. We spent two (2) wonderful days swimming with the whale sharks. There was plenty of time to interact with the animals and the participants were well prepared for these sessions.

Dr. Ramierez, our Biologist, was very informative, engaging, and ensured that we had an enjoyable and engaging time. The pangas that we travelled on the waters in were covered to protect us from the sun and spacious enough for us to move around easily. The staff were very accommodating and helpful managing our equipment, and ensuring safe entries into the water and assisting us to climb back into the boat after each session. Lela brought a delightful mix of people together to share this adventure. As a hostess, she ensured that we all had plenty of time to interact socially; there was a lot of laughter and good times.

For me, it is always interesting to see what is new. Having made this journey before, coming back is like arriving at a long, lost home and taking delight in seeing old familiar faces and places again. On this journey were treated to two new experiences. On Los Isolotes, the sea lion habitat, we were treated to a show put on by the new pups. There were dozens of them, barely a month old, who came right up to the edge of the boat barking, splashing, and diving until one of the dominant males came out and herded them back to the safety of the rocks. The energy of these juveniles was amazing to behold. Lela also took us to one of the mangrove forests that was home to a rookery of magnificent frigates. There were hundreds of birds in all stages of development. I’ve always seen them soaring in the sky, but being up close and seeing the distended red throat sacks of the males was a real treat. We were also witness to one of the Baja’s legendary sunsets. The shades of orange and red were mixed in with a spectacular cloud formation. It was the perfect end to the day.

My only regret for this trip is that I could not have brought more of my Biology students as in past years. This trip shows you a side of Mexico that few people ever see. The weather, the geography, the intricate balance between the ecosystem and the fisherfolk that make this area their home, all make you appreciate the world in a different sense. I would recommend this trip to anyone wanting to experience the natural world.

Lela has spent so many years here sharing this place with everyone who wants to come and learn about the Baja. She is knowledgeable about the area, its inhabitants, the animals and plants, and the delicate ecology that persists here. She shares all of this openly with her guests, and one cannot help but be profoundly changed by a visit here with her. The phrase “highly recommended” is not nearly strong enough when exhorting people to come and experience this place. Come, travel with Panterra and become one with the Baja!

Jim D – Mapleridge BC – Visited October 2014