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Mexico and The Sun Eclipse 2024
D1024040208
Dates
04/02/24 - 04/10/24
Ship
SH Diana
Duration
8 Nights
Guests
2 Guest
Price From
-
Per Person
Trip Details
Explore the unique beauty of Mexico's Pacific Coast and one of the most biodiverse marine regions in the world on this Mexico and the Sun Eclipse 2024 cruise. Your boutique expedition ship departs from Acapulco before setting sail along the Gulf of California off the coast of Baja California Sur, visiting remote islands. Sail through the narrow Canal de San Jose to the Sea of Cortez. This marine region is known as the Baja California Corridor, and it is home to an abundance of marine life, including whale sharks, dolphins, sea turtles, coral, and sea lions. Experience the eerie silence of the 2024 solar eclipse at sea as the skies slowly darken. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness this natural phenomenon in a truly unique way. Your adventures at sea come to an end in the port and beach resort of Pichilingue in La Paz, the capital of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur.
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Itinerary Map
Itinerary
Acapulco Day 1

Acapulco, nicknamed ‘Pearl of the Pacific’, is Mexico’s most glamorous pacific resort that rose to fame in the jet-set era of the 1950s. Located on a deep, semi-circular bay, Acapulco is located southwest of Mexico City. With an average of 360 days of sunshine per year, the weather here is famously amicable. The city originated as a port city for Spanish galleons sailing between Spain and the Far East. Learn more about the city’s past at the Acapulco Historical Museum. Or perhaps head out on a bird-watching trip at Coyuca lagoon with a local ornithology expert. Pass through lush vegetation and native flora on the lookout for some of the 250 species of birds that call the lagoon home.

Shore Excursion
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Acapulco Walking Tour
  • Duration: 02 h 30 m
  • Optional
  • Stroll through one of Mexico's oldest beach resorts
  • Visit the Fort of San Carlos, one of the most important Spanish fortifications along the Pacific coast
  • Discover the rich mask tradition of the State of Guerrero at the Museum of the Mask
City Tour & Cliff Diver
  • Duration: 04 h 00 m
  • Optional
  • The cliffs of La Quebrada are home to the daredevil cliff divers
  • Witness the courageous cliff divers as they soar from dizzy heights into shallow waters below
Day at sea Day 2

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

Maria Madre Island, Puerto Balleto Day 3

Maria Madre Island, the largest and most populated of the Islas Marías archipelago, a group of four islands off the coast of Nayarit, Mexico. A place where you can experience the nature, history, and culture of this remote region. It is home to Puerto Balleto, a town that was once the main settlement of the Islas Marías Federal Prison, which operated from 1905 to 2019. Now, it is an environmental education center and a tourist destination that offers various activities and attractions. You can visit the museum that showcases the history and life of the prison, the monument to José de San Martín, the national hero of Argentina who was exiled on the island, and the mosque that a Moroccan king built as a gift of fraternity. You can also enjoy the pristine beaches, the turquoise water, and the wildlife of the island, such as dolphins, seals, and birds.

Cruising Cabo Pulmo Day 4

Cruising Cabo Pulmo is a unique experience that allows you to explore one of the most biodiverse marine areas in the world. Cabo Pulmo is a national park and a marine protected area on the eastern coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico. It is home to the only living coral reef on the continent's western side, as well as a variety of fish, turtles, rays, sharks, and whales. Cruising Cabo Pulmo lets you enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the Sea of Cortez and the colorful corals and marine life.

Isla Cerralvo (Isla Jacques Cousteau) Day 4

Isla Cerralvo, also known as Isla Jacques Cousteau, is located in the Gulf of California, off the coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico. It is the ninth-largest island in Mexico, with an area of 136 km2. It is named after the famous French oceanographer who explored its waters and praised its biodiversity. Isla Cerralvo enjoys part of the only living coral reef on the continent's western side, as well as a variety of fish, turtles, rays, sharks, and whales. The island is also a popular destination for fishing enthusiasts, who can catch marlin, tuna, dorado, and other game fish. It has no permanent inhabitants.

Isla Santa Catalina Day 5

Today we will be exploring Santa Catalina, a rocky island not far from California’s south coast. One of the first things you might notice about the island is the endemic giant barrel cacti, of which there is no shortage. Whilst here we will be searching for reptiles that have adapted well to the local arid climate. We will be keeping an eye out for lizards, geckos, iguana, and the endemic Santa Catalina rattlesnake. This snake is not your typical rattlesnake in that it lost its rattle at some point along its evolutionary journey.

Loreto Day 5

Loreto is a charming town on the eastern coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico. It is the oldest town in Baja and the first capital of the Californias. It has a rich heritage and a beautiful natural setting, surrounded by the Sierra de la Giganta mountains and the Sea of Cortez. You can visit the Misión de Nuestra Señora de Loreto, the first mission in Baja, and a museum showcasing Loreto's history. You can also stroll along the Malecón, a seaside promenade that offers stunning views of the bay and the islands. Loreto is also a gateway to explore the islands of Loreto Bay National Park. This marine reserve hosts a variety of wildlife, such as whales, dolphins, sea lions, and birds.

Shore Excursion
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San Javier Mission Expedition
  • Duration: 04 h 00 m
  • Optional
  • The mission, which is officially named Misión San Francisco Xavier de Viggé-Biaundó, is one of the best-preserved missions in Baja
  • Enjoy the beautiful landscapes on the way to San Javier town
Isla San Jose, Punta Colorado Day 6

One of the larger islands in the Sea of Cortez, there are plentiful activity options on Island San Jose. Photograph the ochre cliffs of the island’s eastern shore or visit the abandoned salt works. Or perhaps discover something rare and unusual as we search the mangroves and lagoons for lizards and songbirds. This afternoon, we sail to Isla San Francisco. With its red sea cliffs, sweeping desert beach and a deep blue half moon bay, it is one of the most striking islands in the region. Immerse yourself in the rugged beauty of this place as you snorkel, hike and relax your afternoon away.

Cruising Canal de San Jose Day 6

San Jose, Baja California Sur, is a place where the vast blue ocean meets the golden sand beaches, creating a breathtaking view that will leave you in awe. The warmth of the sun on your skin and the sound of the waves crashing on the shore create a serene atmosphere that will calm your mind and soothe your soul.

Sun Eclipse Day 7

A sun eclipse, or a solar eclipse, is a rare and spectacular phenomenon that occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, blocking some or all of the Sun’s light from reaching a part of the Earth. Depending on the position of the Moon and the Sun, a sun eclipse can be partial, annular, total, or hybrid. This natural phenomenon has fascinated people for centuries. Some cultures considered it a sign of divine intervention or a bad omen. Today, scientists use it as an opportunity to study the Sun and its atmosphere. A sun eclipse is also an unforgettable experience for travelers who seek to witness this celestial wonder. A rare and beautiful event that you don’t want to miss if you have the chance.

Isla Partida Day 8

Also a UNESCO biosphere reserve, Isla Partida is uninhabited with no marinas or hotels. Enjoy a swim in the warm aquamarine waters, relax on one of the white-sand beaches or hike the surrounding desert trails. You can also explore the waters via kayak or snorkelling, looking out for sea stars, sea urchins, colourful fish and playful sea lions.

Isla Espiritu Santo Day 8

The Sea of Cortez, also known as the Gulf of California, is a unique corner of the Pacific Ocean. The sea here is thought to be around five million years old, relatively young for a sea, and home to nearly 900 species of fish. Espiritu Santo Island is an archipelago located in the Sea of Cortez and has been a UNESCO biosphere reserve since 2005. The uninhabited islands here support a diverse range of wildlife including several endemic species. Los Islotes is located at the northernmost point of the archipelago and is home to a large colony of sea lions. We will explore Los Islotes and Espiritu Santo, hiking and snorkelling where possible. The seas here are also home to healthy populations of humpback whales, orca and dolphins.

Pichilingue (La Paz) Day 8-9

Pichilingue (La Paz) is a port and a beach resort on the eastern coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico. It is located 18 km from La Paz, the capital of the state, and it offers a variety of attractions and activities for travelers. You can sunbathe, swim, and sport fish on the sandy shore or enjoy a meal and a drink at one of the restaurants along the waterfront. Pichilingue is where you can enjoy the sun, the sea, and the culture of Baja California Sur.

Shore Excursion
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Perlas de Cortez, City Tour La Paz
  • Duration: 08 h 00 m
  • Optional
  • Visit of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace located in the main square of the city
  • The Old Government House Territory is the Popular Culture Center, where art exhibitions, traditions of the state and the rest of the country can be appreciated
  • Discover why the city of La Paz is known as the black pearl center of the world
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Rates Include
Regional flights to the port of embarkation and/or disembarkation (ONLY available for Antarctica cruises starting or ending in Ushuaia, Arctic cruises starting and ending in Longyearbyen and Kangerlussuaq)
Group return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included accommodation where applicable)
One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or onboard
All meals onboard
Onboard accommodation in a stateroom selected category
24-hour room service
Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day
Lecture programmes by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
One selected shore excursion/expedition activities per port of call (Kayak not included, bookable for a fee on board)
Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions
Standard WiFi
Onboard gratuities & port taxes
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Itinerary Map

We are providing a list of sample excursions that Swan Hellenic may offer on this itinerary, which are subject to change. We constantly update our shore excursion program with exclusive and genuine experiences, so please do not hesitate to review your excursion program choice closer to your departure date.

We invite all guests to visit swanhellenic.com for the most updated information.

09:00 AM – 05:30 PM (EST)

+1 (800) 537 6777
ARRANGE A CALLBACK
Stateroom
Number of Guests
Oceanview D4
20 m2 Sleeps 2
Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
Price From
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Oceanview M4
20 m2 Sleeps 2
Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
Price From
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Balcony D5
28 m2 Sleeps 2
Located on decks 5, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or a double bed, distinct bedroom and living room areas, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6 sq. m balcony.
Price From
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Balcony M5
28 m2 Sleeps 2
Located on decks 5, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or a double bed, distinct bedroom and living room areas, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6 sq. m balcony.
Price From
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Balcony D6
28 m2 Sleeps 2
Located on decks 6, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or a double bed, distinct bedroom and living room areas, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6 sq. m balcony.
Price From
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Junior Suite
35 m2 Sleeps 2
SH Diana’s Junior Suite features a Super King Size bed, separate living room area, walk-in closet, luxurious ensuite bathroom, and a 7 sq. m private balcony.
Price From
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Suite
44 m2 Sleeps 2
Our Suites feature a Super King Size bed and separate living room with a soothing flame-effect fireplace, a luxurious ensuite bathroom, a walk-in closet, and a 6 sq. m. private balcony.
Price From
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Premium Suite
47 m2 Sleeps 2
SH Diana’s Premium Suites feature a Super King Size bed, separate living room with homely flame-effect fireplace, luxurious ensuite bathroom, spacious walk-in wardrobe and a 12 sq. m private balcony.
Price From
-

We are providing a list of sample excursions that Swan Hellenic may offer on this itinerary, which are subject to change. We constantly update our shore excursion program with exclusive and genuine experiences, so please do not hesitate to review your excursion program choice closer to your departure date.

We invite all guests to visit swanhellenic.com for the most updated information.

09:00 AM – 05:30 PM (EST)

+1 (800) 537 6777
ARRANGE A CALLBACK