Every year, when mobula season wraps up, I sit down and try to put into words what just happened. And every year, I realize words aren’t quite enough. But I’ll try anyway, because what we witnessed this season in La Ventana deserves to be told.
This year, people joined us from every single continent on Earth: all brought together by the ocean. That alone says something pretty special about this place.
One of the things that makes La Ventana so extraordinary is the sheer variety of life. Scientists call it a biodiversity hotspot, and after this season, I understand why more than ever.
Munk’s pygmy devil ray, spinetail devil ray, oceanic manta ray, bentfin devil ray
Bottlenose, pantropical spotted, common, spinner, Risso’s, rough-toothed
Pilot whales, orcas, false orcas
Humpback, sperm, Bryde’s, fin
Olive Ridley, green, hawksbill
Whale sharks, sea lions, cormorants, porcupine fish, marlin, octopus, mako shark, silky shark, tuna, sardines, hammerhead sharks
Not every animal shows up every day — or even every week. But the fact that all of this lives in one place? That’s La Ventana.
The water was warmer than usual this year, which brought something beautiful: incredible visibility early in the season. Crystal clear, blue, gorgeous. But here’s the thing about mobulas: they follow the plankton. And plankton blooms in cooler, murkier water. So while the visibility was stunning, the mobulas were harder to find than in a typical season. Fewer numbers, and often deeper. We still had solid encounters.
But if you came expecting massive surface aggregations, this year taught us an important lesson: the ocean always has its own plans.
Mobula mobular — the larger, rarer cousin of the pygmy devil ray — showed up in numbers we’ve never seen before. If you’ve ever watched one glide past you underwater, you know: there’s something almost otherworldly about them. Slow and elegant.
My favorite encounter of the entire season happened on a day when we were far offshore, just our small group, all by ourselves. We dropped into the water and found a fever of 12 Mobula mobular in the middle of courtship. The males were chasing the female in slow, graceful circles, spiraling upward, then deeper, then back again. They circled all around us. They didn’t leave. We didn’t leave. We stayed in the water with them for over an hour.
(My action camera had no battery that day. Of course. 😂 Thankfully a guest had their camera rolling so I have proof it happened, I promise.)
“Encounters with this species usually last seconds to minutes. An hour is something I’ll never forget.”
By late June, our captains started noticing something: fishermen were pulling up squid. More than usual. A lot more. Anyone who knows the ocean knows what squid means: the predators follow. Within days, pilot whales arrived. And they stayed.
Weeks into July, we were seeing them every single week! Pods of 50 to 300 individuals, cruising slowly at the surface like they owned the place (they do). Their rounded heads bobbing, calves swimming close to curious snorkelers completely relaxed.
Pilot whales are my favorites. I’ll say it plainly. There’s something about their calm, social energy that feels like being welcomed. I could watch them for hours.
Squid also attracted sperm whales, the largest toothed whale on Earth. May brought mostly solitary individuals, just one or two at a time. But by June they were coming in groups, and by late June and early July we had two days that I still can’t fully believe happened: pods of more than 50 to 100 sperm whales!
In Mexico we can’t swim with them, so we watched from the surface — these massive, prehistoric-looking animals logging at the surface, breathing, socializing. It’s the kind of thing that makes you feel very small in the best possible way.
Okay, I know. Some people hear “cormorants” and think: boring. Wrong. While most enjoy the sea lions near the colony, I get completely absorbed watching the cormorants hunt on the reef. Birds that dive are basically feathered freedivers. I kept trying to follow them underwater and match their breath-hold. Sometimes I managed it. Sometimes they absolutely smoked me. Fast, funny, underrated. Come for the whales, stay for the cormorants.
Every season, without fail, someone visits the porcupine fish bay and completely loses their mind with joy. These round, spiky, wide-eyed little fish have absolutely no business being that cute, and yet here we are. If you come to La Ventana and skip the porcupine fish bay, did you really go to La Ventana?
Orcas are the animal people ask about most. They’re elusive, unpredictable, and when you find them, nothing else compares. This season we saw them in May and June, but not in the numbers we hoped for. And then July happened.
Orcas. Every single week. Sometimes multiple days in a row. Cruising, hunting, socializing… in some of the bluest water ever. The best orca encounters of the entire season happened in July, in conditions that felt almost unfair in their beauty.
“Here’s what’s interesting: last year was the same. July was exceptional. Is this a pattern?”
Maybe. Orcas are notoriously hard to predict, and two or three good years in July doesn’t mean next year will be the same. But it’s an observation worth paying attention to. We’ll be watching closely.
If you’re thinking about joining us next season, here’s the most important thing I can tell you: Come with an open heart and an open mind. La Ventana is not a zoo. We can’t promise you’ll see every animal on that list. Some days the ocean gives you everything. Some days it gives you something quieter, smaller, and just as beautiful if you’re paying attention.
What I can promise is this: every single day on the water is worth it. You are incredibly lucky to be in the presence of wild animals — and that feeling never gets old, no matter how many seasons I’ve done this.
None of this happens without the people who show up. Every single guest who joined us this season, whether for one day on the water or a full expedition, brought their own curiosity, their own energy, and their own love for the ocean. And that makes every encounter richer.
Thank you for trusting us with your time, your adventure, and your love for the sea. We don’t take that lightly. See you next season.
If you’re coming for a day and want to experience the magic of La Ventana, the Ocean Safari is your starting point. If you want to maximize your time in the water and have more variety of interactions, the Mobula Expedition is for you.
See you underwater. — Valentina, Freefall Academy
Have you seen countless Instagram reels of people claiming they swam with orcas in La Ventana, Baja, Mexico — and now dream of experiencing that moment for yourself?
You’re not alone. Orcas are powerful, intelligent, emotional animals. Seeing them in the wild — let alone swimming near them — can be deeply moving and unforgettable.
But before you book a trip with the sole goal of swimming with orcas, there’s something important you need to understand. This article isn’t here to sell you a fantasy. It’s here to share the truth — so your expectations can meet reality, and you can decide whether coming to Baja with the goal of swimming with orcas is truly the right choice for you.
Just a few years ago, ocean safaris and orca-focused tourism barely existed in Baja California. Operators would occasionally see orcas while traveling to fishing grounds or dive sites — a few sightings per year, if lucky. Even then, encounters were rare and unpredictable.
Back then, swimming with orcas was never something you planned for. It was something that happened by chance.
As ocean safaris grew in popularity, more boats began heading offshore specifically searching for wildlife. With more boats looking, there were more sightings — including more encounters with orcas. And with that, something shifted.
Visibility increased — not predictability. Orcas didn’t suddenly become more common. There were simply more boats actively searching for them. At the same time, social media exploded with images and videos of people swimming with orcas, creating the impression that these encounters were frequent, repeatable, and almost guaranteed. They are not.
At some point, the desire to swim with orcas crossed an ethical line. For many operators, content creation and ego — “I swam with an orca” — became more important than the animals’ wellbeing. What we started seeing more often:
These behaviors disrupt natural hunting, social bonds, and movement patterns. This is not curiosity. This is pressure.
Yes — orca content sells. A lot. But what Instagram rarely tells you:
Ask yourself: How would you feel if 20 boats chased you and your family all day, cutting you off and dropping people in front of you? That is not a natural interaction — and it is not ethical wildlife tourism. Selling guaranteed opportunities to swim with orcas in the wild is simply not honest.
Not every orca encounter is harmful. When pressure is low, when boats are respectful, when animals are relaxed — orcas can be curious, calm, and even playful. And when swimming with orcas happens under those conditions — on , terms — it can be one of the most profound wildlife experiences on Earth. These encounters still exist. But they require patience, restraint, and respect.
In response to increasing pressure on orcas, the Mexican government introduced the first management plan for swimming with orcas in 2025. This plan regulates how orca encounters should be handled in La Ventana. It is still new. It will continue evolving. And it will require enforcement. But it is a necessary step toward protecting orcas in the wild.
At Freefall Academy, we don’t sell “swim with orcas” tours or expeditions. We stand firmly by ethical wildlife encounters. That means:
This can be difficult for guests when their dream of swimming with orcas feels so close. But these are wild animals. Families. Mothers with calves. Animals with culture, communication, and memory. If they are being harassed, we choose not to participate.
Our approach is simple: we search for wildlife independently and let encounters happen naturally. Most days, we don’t find orcas. But most days, we find something extraordinary.
Coming to Baja should not be about ticking “swim with orcas” off a bucket list. While swimming with orcas is possible, it should always be the cherry on top, never the expectation. If your only goal is swimming with orcas, Baja — and especially Freefall Academy — may not be the right fit.
However, if you want:
Then you’re exactly who this experience is for.
There are no guarantees when it comes to orcas — but there are meaningful differences between our Ocean Safaris and our Mobula Ray Expeditions when it comes to search effort and time at sea.
Ocean Safaris are single-day trips, usually around 6 hours on the water. They are exploratory and dynamic, and between April and August this is when we most often encounter orcas on a day-trip basis. These trips are ideal if:
Orcas are a possibility, never an expectation. That said, in recent seasons we’ve noticed more frequent sightings from late June through July. We can’t promise that pattern will repeat, but it’s useful data if you’re planning your timing.
Mobula Ray Expeditions are multi-day expeditions designed around searching. During Abril a Junio, massive mobula ray aggregations form in this region. These aggregations sometimes attract apex predators, including orcas. What makes expeditions different:
Simply put: more days + more hours + more searching = higher chances. If seeing orcas is important to you — and you’re comfortable with uncertainty, long days, and no guarantees — a Mobula Ray Expedition offers your best shot.
Ocean Safaris are an incredible way to explore Baja’s wildlife in a single day. But if your goal is to maximize your chances of encountering orcas in the wild, expeditions — especially during mobula season — provide the most search time, the most flexibility, and the highest realistic odds. Still, orcas remain rare. And that rarity is exactly what makes the encounter meaningful.
Come with an open mind. Release expectations. Trust the process.
When you stop chasing the idea of swimming with orcas, the ocean often gives you something far more meaningful.
I just got back from Baja Odyssey… and I’m still buzzing. Four activity days. Countless species. Moments that feel impossible to explain — but I’ll try. Here’s a recap of what we lived out there. Here’s what makes this expedition so special.
Day 1 – La Ventana
Within the first hour, we found mobula rays! They were super chill, so we slid in and ended up swimming with them for until we got tired. Then two humpback whales popped up. A pod of bottlenose dolphins right after. It honestly felt like the ocean was stacking encounters back-to-back. We fit in a freediving session too — a couple of students hit personal bests. And we wrapped the day having lunch on a quiet beach. Sun, sand, good food, good people. Solid start.
Day 2 – Espiritu Santo
We headed out to the island looking for the friendliest sea lions… and wow, we found them. One little puppy completely stole the show — super curious, hugging everyone, rubbing on fins like it was his personal spa day. No one told him about “keeping distance,” apparently. After a long play session, we moved to the whale shark area and got lucky with a juvenile cruising by. Not on the itinerary, but we made it happen. Another solid day.
Day 3 – Magbay
Day 3 was classic MagBay… with extra sauce. On the way out we ran into Pacific white-sided dolphins. Then we found both dynamic and static baitballs — full action — marlin and sea lions hammering the sardines. We even spotted a sailfish in the mix. More bottlenose dolphins showed up, and on our way back we had the moment of the day: a humpback whale that came out of nowhere, super close to the boat and chill, twice! Not something you see every day, which made it extra special for everyone onboard.
Day 4 – Magbay
On the last day everyone thought, “There’s no way it can get any better…” We started with a hike through the sand dunes and mangroves — calm, quiet, totally different vibes. Then on our way toward the marlin area we saw a ton of birds, so we went to check it out. Huge bait ball: sea lions and skipjack tuna feasting, pelicans and shearwaters diving nonstop. And out of nowhere… two humpback whales came in. One of those lifelong-memory moments. We wrapped the day with common dolphins bow riding and a delicious goodbye dinner. Perfect ending.
But honestly, what made this week stand out wasn’t just the wildlife. It was the people. Trevor, Ran, Jeff, Rubens, Tristan and Gilad — each of you brought your own energy, humor, curiosity, and heart into this trip. You made the Odyssey what it was. Thank you.
Here are a couple of beautifully written testimonials from our guests — and honestly, they made me tear up. I’m incredibly grateful to share my love for the ocean, freediving, and wildlife with people, and to see how these encounters can shift something inside them.
My mission has always been to help humans connect with wild animals in a deeper way — beyond a selfie or a bucket-list check. To teach their biology, their behavior, their stories… but more importantly, to show that they’re individuals with personalities and emotions. They deserve respect and admiration above anything else.
We’re just visitors with the privilege of slipping into their world for a few minutes or hours. And that alone is something to be grateful for.
Hope you enjoyed the read. With love,
Valentina
Por primera vez en la historia, nadar con orcas en México es oficialmente legal — pero solo bajo condiciones muy específicas. En julio de 2025, el gobierno mexicano publicó el “Plan de Manejo Temporal para la Interacción Responsable con Orcas en La Ventana, Baja California Sur.” Esta nueva regulación finalmente define cómo los humanos pueden entrar al agua con orcas de forma segura y ética. Hasta ahora, los encuentros existían en una zona legal gris. No había reglas — solo improvisación. Algunos capitanes se acercaban con responsabilidad; otros no. Sin límites claros, el acoso se volvió común: las embarcaciones rodeaban los grupos, los motores se acercaban demasiado, y las orcas eran perseguidas en busca de la foto perfecta. Esta nueva ley busca cambiar eso. Es el primer intento real de manejar los encuentros con orcas de una manera que proteja tanto a los animales como a las personas en el agua. No es perfecta — de hecho, es un período de prueba de un año diseñado para evaluar y ajustar el sistema — pero es un paso crucial hacia un futuro donde el turismo oceánico y la conservación puedan coexistir verdaderamente. Nuestros capitanes ahora cuentan con los primeros permisos oficiales para nadar con orcas en La Ventana, y vemos este momento como algo más que emocionante — es una responsabilidad. . .
. .. . . .
Until now, encounters existed in a legal gray area. There were no rules — only improvisation. Some captains approached responsibly, others didn’t. Without clear limits, harassment became common: boats surrounded pods, engines roared too close, and orcas were often chased for the perfect shot.
This new law will hopefully change that. It’s the first real attempt to manage orca encounters in a way that protects both the animals and the people in the water. It’s not perfect — in fact, it’s a one-year . meant to test and adjust the system — but it’s a crucial first step toward a future where ocean tourism and conservation can truly coexist.
Our captains now have the first official permits to swim with orcas in La Ventana, and we see this moment as more than just exciting — it’s a responsibility.
Después de años operando en una zona legal gris, México finalmente ha establecido su primer plan oficial de manejo para nadar y observar orcas — un programa piloto de un año (de agosto de 2025 a julio de 2026) en La Ventana, Baja California Sur. Este plan establece condiciones estrictas sobre quién puede entrar al agua, cuándo y cómo. Es el primer intento real de transformar los encuentros con orcas de algo caótico a algo controlado y consciente. Aquí están las reglas más importantes: 🛥 Embarcaciones: Solo se permiten lanchas pequeñas de menos de 10 metros (≈ 32 pies). Cada operador puede usar una sola embarcación autorizada. 🚤 Límite diario: Solo 24 embarcaciones por día, divididas en 8 horarios (3 embarcaciones por turno, entre las 7:00 a.m. y las 6:00 p.m.). 🌊 Distancias: Observación activa: mínimo 20 metros entre la lancha y las orcas. Embarcaciones en espera: a 60–100 metros de distancia. 👥 Personas en el agua: Máximo 5 personas, incluyendo al guía. ⏱ Tiempo: Cada encuentro puede durar hasta 30 minutos, más 15 minutos para la aproximación y salida. 🚫 Cuándo no se permite nadar: Si las orcas están cazando, descansando o alimentándose de presas grandes (>2 m) como delfines o ballenas. Solo se permite cuando las orcas muestran un comportamiento tranquilo, social o cooperativo con presas pequeñas como peces, mobulas o tortugas. 📍 Área autorizada: Las actividades están restringidas a un polígono designado cerca de La Ventana, desde Playa Central hasta Ensenada de Muertos. ⚠️ Otras restricciones: No se permiten drones, alimentación ni contacto físico. Las embarcaciones no deben bloquear la trayectoria de las orcas. Los capitanes deben permanecer a bordo; solo un guía, identificado con un marcador rojo, puede acompañar a los nadadores en el agua. Estas medidas están diseñadas para proteger tanto a las orcas como a las personas, reducir el estrés en los animales y permitir a las autoridades recolectar datos para un manejo a largo plazo. Una nota personal Este es un año de prueba — un experimento para ver cómo los operadores responsables, como nosotros, pueden coexistir en armonía con estos depredadores marinos. Seré honesta: algunas de las nuevas reglas son confusas y probablemente necesitarán ajustes. Pero por primera vez, existe estructura y responsabilidad. Es un paso adelante — imperfecto, pero necesario. . , ..
This plan sets strict conditions for who can enter the water, when, and how. Here are the most important rules:
. ..
. . — a test to see how responsible operators, like us, can coexist with these apex predators in harmony. Some of the new rules are confusing and will probably need adjustments. But for the first time, there’s structure and accountability. It’s a step forward — imperfect but necessary.
Durante años, los encuentros con orcas en México ocurrieron en una especie de “viejo oeste” del turismo marino — sin reglas, sin límites, sin verdadera supervisión. Cada operador hacía las cosas a su manera. Algunos eran respetuosos, mantenían su distancia y dejaban que las orcas marcaran el ritmo. Otros no. Los motores las perseguían. Los grupos eran rodeados por embarcaciones. La gente se lanzaba al agua demasiado cerca, demasiado rápido. A veces se volvía caótico. Nosotros siempre nos alejábamos de esas situaciones — no queríamos ser parte del problema. Y aunque muchos tenían buenas intenciones, la verdad es que sin regulación, incluso la emoción puede convertirse en acoso. Por eso esta nueva ley importa. Marca el primer esfuerzo real por manejar el comportamiento humano alrededor de las orcas, antes de que sea demasiado tarde. No se trata de quitarle emoción a la experiencia — se trata de asegurarse de que esa emoción no ocurra a costa de las orcas. Para nosotros en Freefall Academy, también se trata de responsabilidad. Siempre hemos creído que los encuentros deben suceder en sus términos — con calma, en silencio, de manera natural. El nuevo sistema de permisos finalmente reconoce y recompensa ese enfoque, estableciendo una base de respeto que el océano necesita con urgencia. Aun así, esto es solo el comienzo. El plan tiene validez por un año — una temporada piloto para recopilar datos y evaluar qué funciona y qué no. Muchas de las reglas actuales probablemente evolucionarán. Algunas tienen mucho sentido; otras parecen poco prácticas cuando estás realmente en el agua. Pero eso está bien. Los cambios en las políticas oceánicas rara vez llegan perfectos — surgen a partir de la prueba, la retroalimentación y la experiencia. Lo que esperamos es que este nuevo marco se convierta en la semilla de algo más grande: Un sistema permanente y bien diseñado que proteja a las orcas, apoye a los capitanes locales y ofrezca a los viajeros la oportunidad de vivir algo profundamente transformador — sin dañar lo que lo hace tan poderoso. Porque al final del día, el objetivo no es solo hacer legal nadar con orcas. Es hacerlo sostenible, ético y respetuoso — un modelo de cómo el turismo marino puede coexistir con la naturaleza salvaje, en lugar de ir en su contra. . of marine tourism — no rules, no limits, no real oversight. Every operator did things differently. Some were respectful, keeping their distance and letting the orcas lead. Others weren’t. Engines chased. Pods were surrounded by boats. People jumped in too close, too fast.
, .
That’s why this new law matters. It marks the first real effort to . before it’s too late. It’s not about taking the thrill away — it’s about making sure that thrill doesn’t come at the expense of the orcas.
For us at Freefall Academy, it’s also about accountability. We’ve always believed encounters should happen on , terms — calm, quiet, natural. The new permit system finally rewards that approach.
Still, this is only a beginning. The plan is valid for one year — . to gather data and evaluate what works. What we hope is that this new framework becomes the seed of something bigger: a permanent, well-designed system that protects orcas, supports local captains, and gives travelers the chance to experience something profoundly moving — without harming what makes it so powerful.
Unirte a uno de nuestros Ocean Safaris means becoming part of something historic. Here’s what to expect:
This isn’t about chasing the ocean’s biggest headline — it’s about showing up for whatever the sea wants to share that day. And when an orca does appear, when it chooses to approach you in its own rhythm and time, you understand why patience is part of the adventure.
This new law is a beginning — not a finish line. 2025 is a ., a test to see if humans can share the water with orcas responsibly. It’s far from perfect, but that’s how change begins — with small, imperfect steps toward something better.
Our hope is that this management plan evolves into a long-term system that works for everyone: the orcas, the captains, and the travelers who come from all over the world to meet Baja’s marine life with open hearts.
At Freefall Academy, we’re proud to help lead that movement. Every safari we run, every briefing we give, every respectful encounter we share is a statement of what ocean tourism can be when done with intention.
So if you’ve ever dreamed of meeting orcas in the wild — not in a tank, not on a screen, but . — this is your moment. Join us in Baja.
📅 Mejor temporada: Abril a Agosto
🌎 Donde: .
💙 Experiencia: Ocean Safari con Freefall Academy
The Sea of Cortez is a theater of marine life, and this mobula season was nothing short of spectacular. From breathtaking vortexes of rays to unexpected encounters with apex predators, the ocean rewarded patience, respect, and a sense of adventure.
This isn’t just a trip—it’s an Safari Marino. Some days, the sea gifts us thousands of mobulas, playful dolphins, and curious sea lions. Other days, we spend hours offshore, searching… waiting… But when the magic happens—it’s worth every second.
We witnessed their full repertoire:
Sunrise/Sunset leapers – entire schools jumping
Vortex feeders – hundreds spiraling like living tornadoes
Mating rituals – males chasing females in a beautiful courtship we call mating train
Yet the real show started when we slipped beneath the surface. Picture this: you’re finning through blue nothingness when suddenly the water darkens. A shadow rises from the depths – then another, and another – until you’re surrounded by a fever of mobulas. They are all around you, close enough to see the scars on their backs.
Resident bottlenose dolphins greeted us almost daily—sometimes in small pods of 10, other times in hundreds. They bow-rode our boat, locked eyes with us underwater, and left us grinning every time. We also encountered playful pantropical spotted dolphins, spinner dolphins, common dolphins and risso’s dolphin!
This season, we checked off marine megafauna royalty:
Sperm whales (the largest toothed whales on Earth)
Whale sharks (the largest fish in the world)
. (the largest dolphin in the world)
Blue whales (the biggest animals to ever exist)
Mola molas (the heaviest bony fish in the world)
Plus, silky sharks, pilot whales (100+ strong!), olive ridley turtles mating mid-ocean, and much more!
If you’ve been reading us, you know that we’re all about citizen science: on every trip we record data that we share the scientists to help better understand animals. This was our top contribution this season:
We photographed a massive male orca—later, comparing the dorsal for ID’s, I found a match! E221 was first documented in 2006 near Mathemathitian Seamounts in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. Since then, he’s been spotted in Costa Rica (2021, 2023, 2024)—and now, Baja (2025)! We shared this information with Marea, an NGO that names the Orcas of Baja as a community project. We suggested the name Tecpatl, which means obsidian knife in nahuatl, and we won! Nos E221 has a name, and thanks to photo ID we can write the story of Tecpatl and many other orcas to better understand their movements, the pod structure, their diet and much more!
It was Day 6 of the expedition – the last water day. After yesterday’s disappointment (very crowded orca pod being harassed all day long, we left to be one less boat with them), we decided to start early at the sea lion colony, hoping for some quiet time before the tourist boats arrived. The morning light was golden as we slipped into the water, where we swam and freedove with sea lions.
I was taking photos of Rae (a participant on the expedition) when I heard the captain screaming: “ORCAS! ORCAS!”. First I thought that he was seeing them far away, then I saw the unmistakable dorsal find right next to the boat! My brain short-circuited – they were coming straight for us. We put our heads in the water and saw them gliding past us about 5m away from us!!
What happened next was pure magic.
For three hours, we had the pod all to ourselves (only after an hour 2 then 3 boats showed up). As if rewarding our patience from yesterday, we’re getting close underwater and doing eye contact. After several jumps, we decided to watch them from the boat again and suddenly they started bow riding! Guests were crying, laughing… After a few minutes bow riding, they went under and disappeared for the day, it was like they said goodbye! That is why is why we endure the long days. Check out some photos here.
It started as one of those “let’s just check this last spot” moments. We’d already had a spectacular morning with mobulas and sea lions, but the afternoon stretched ahead with no reports of activity. The crew decided to go northeast.
Forty minutes later, we were in the middle of nowhere – just endless blue and our own wake. Then Pablo, our eagle-eyed captain, suddenly cut the engine. He saw something.
At first it looked like whitecaps on the horizon. Then the water began to boil.
As we crept closer, the scale became clear – at least 1,500 pantropical spotted dolphins, spread across miles of ocean. Not just traveling, but celebrating. Groups of 20-30 would break off to ride our bow, spinning mid-air before crashing back down.
When we slipped into the water, the real show began.
Dolphins came from every direction – some so close I could hear their high-pitched squeals reverberating through my body. A curious subgroup of about 30 formed a loose circle around us, tilting their heads to maintain eye contact as they passed. Pure magic, watch an instagram reel of the experience here.
That’s the thing about the Sea of Cortez – you never know what you’re going to find, and when you find it it’s mind blowing!
Day Trips (about 6h): Perfect for everyone — if you are coming to La Paz and only have a day or two, this is for you! You’ll have an awesome experience with wildlife encounters.
Expeditions (8-10h): More offshore time = more wildlife encounters. If you want to see more variety of animals, get a better shot, have a better chance to find more exotic animals… this is for you. More time in the water and more days, our expeditions are 5-7 days.
Spaces for next season are limited. Will you join us for the adventure?
Wild stories, ocean tips, guides & inspiration.
¿Listo para explorar el mundo submarino con el buceo libre pero no sabes por dónde empezar? Los cursos AIDA 1 y AIDA 2 son las puertas de entrada más populares a este deporte. Aunque ambos enseñan fundamentos, están diseñados para distintos niveles y objetivos. En esta guía, te explicamos las diferencias clave entre el curso de apnea AIDA 1 vs AIDA 2 para ayudarte a decidir cuál es el indicado para ti.
AIDA (Asociación Internacional para el Desarrollo de la Apnea) es una de las organizaciones más reconocidas en la formación de buceo libre o apnea. Sus cursos están diseñados para que los apneístas progresen con seguridad y confianza, ya seas principiante o avanzado.
El curso AIDA 1 Está diseñado para principiantes absolutos que quieren probar la apnea sin comprometerse a un programa extenso.
El curso AIDA 2 is the next step for those who are more confident in the water. It is not a requirement to take the AIDA 1 course in order to attend the AIDA 2 course. It’s designed to help you dive deeper and refine your techniques from zero.
Esta es una comparación rápida para ayudarte a decidir:
| Curso | AIDA 1 | AIDA 2 |
| Nivel | Principiante | Principiante |
| Duración | 1-2 días | 4 días |
| Objetivo de profundidad: | No hay un objetivo específico | 12-20 metros (40-66 pies) |
| Enfoque | Fundamentos básicos de la apnea, seguridad y relajación | Fundamentos básicos, relajación, técnica, inmersiones más profundas y más tiempo de práctica |
| Certificación | Nivel introductorio | Nivel Fundamental |
Tanto el curso de apnea AIDA 1 y AIDA 2 ofrecen oportunidades increíbles para explorar el mundo submarino, pero están diseñados para diferentes niveles de experiencia. Si estás comenzando, el curso AIDA 1 es la forma perfecta de aprender lo básico en poco tiempo. Si estás listo para dar el siguiente paso, el curso AIDA 2 te ayudará a consolidar bases sólidas en buceo libre para sumergirte más profundo y aguantar la respiración por más tiempo.
¿Listo para comenzar tu camino en el mundo de la apnea? Descubre nuestros curso de apnea AIDA 1 vs AIDA 2 y elige el ideal para ti.
Wild stories, ocean tips, guides & inspiration.
Hi friends!
We’re thrilled to introduce an initiative that creates positive impact in the local communities we work with in Baja: Dive for change.
Dive for Change is more than just an initiative; it’s a commitment to making a difference. It stems from our deep-seated belief in the environmental and social responsibility that comes with tourism and diving activities. At its core, Dive for Change embodies the idea that our actions can contribute to meaningful transformations in the world around us.
Our mission with Dive for Change is twofold: to empower individuals through freediving education and to support local communities in coastal areas. We believe that by providing access to diving courses, we not only equip people with valuable skills but also foster a deeper appreciation for marine environments and the importance of conservation efforts.
In the communities we work with in Baja, the majority are involved in the fishing industry. Some of them engage in freediving for recreation or as a tool in fishing techniques. Most fishermen are aware of the risks associated with freediving; they’ve heard stories of people blacking out, or perhaps they’ve even experienced it firsthand. However, they may not be sure how to avoid these risks, how to perform rescues, or how to dive deeper and longer while minimizing dangers.
At our core, we aim to provide them with the knowledge and tools necessary to prevent freediving-related accidents from occurring.
For every three freediving courses purchased with Freefall Academy, we pledge to gift a freediving course to one member of a local community. These courses are specifically tailored to individuals in coastal areas, including fishermen and their families, who may benefit from learning essential diving skills for their livelihoods or personal enjoyment. The courses that we will provide to them are totally free of charge.
We have two types of educational programs:
In 2023, tragedy struck one of the local communities we frequently visited. A friend and fellow diver lost his life in a freediving accident. The news sent shockwaves through the diving community, leaving us with grief.
As I looked deeper into the circumstances surrounding the accident, it became painfully clear that it could have been prevented. The diver had been diving alone and was overweighted—a direct violation of the number one rule of freediving: never dive alone. This heartbreaking incident served as a stark reminder of the importance of knowledge and safety in the world of freediving.
Reflecting on this tragedy, coupled with our regular visits to these coastal communities for unforgettable wildlife adventures, I couldn’t shake the feeling that we owed something back to these places that had given us so much. It was during this time of introspection that the idea for Dive for Change began to take shape.
This made me rethink: how could Freefall Academy amplify its positive impact on these communities? And thus, Dive for Change was born—a project of hope, education, and empowerment for coastal communities and divers alike.
By participating in a freediving course with Freefall Academy, you’re not just embarking on an exciting diving adventure; you’re also contributing to positive change in coastal communities. Your support helps us expand access to education, promote environmental awareness, and ultimately, create a ripple effect of empowerment and conservation along our coastlines.
Are you ready to Dive for Change? Join us in our mission to make a difference—one dive at a time.
Wild stories, ocean tips, guides & inspiration.
Did you know that the largest migration of any ray in the World occurs every year in Baja, Mexico? It is one of our favorite events of the year. Who are they? The correct common name is Munk’s Pigmy Devil Ray (Mobula munkiana). In this blog post we will talk about its biology, conservation and some fun facts of Mobula Rays!
I always like to start with the basics, what are Mobulas? (if this is too nerdy for you, skip this paragraph, sorry I can’t help it, I’m a marine biologist). They are vertebrate animals that belong to the class Chondrichthyes, which are fishes whose skeleton is made out of cartilage, unlike humans’ which is made out of bone. This group includes sharks, rays and chimaeras. The rays, also called Batoidea, differentiates from sharks and rays because they have particular characteristics that are unique to them, such as having a flat body and gills positioned under the pectoral fins. There are 10 species of Mobulas (genus Mobula), here we will explore the smallest of all, Mobula munkiana.
This is a question that local scientists have been trying to answer. Mobula Conservation has found some interesting information. We know that they aggregate in hundreds or thousands and migrate to the Sea of Cortez during the spring months. We have also seen them do courtship behavior and lots of jumping in the air. But it wasn’t until 2021 when a very complete study was published where they suggest that they are coming here to mate and give birth! This is huge!
Apparently the mating and pupping season begins in April, when the water is warmer. This allows the neonates and juveniles to use shallow bays where there is food available and protection from open ocean predators. These bays are nursery areas, where the young Mobulas will spend their first months of life until they are big and strong enough to start aggregating and joining the Mobula migration.
They can jump up to 3 m in the air! Some of the hypothesis scientists have made include: mating behavior, to remove parasites, as a form of communication and for fun. I personally believe that they really want to fly and won’t give up.
Hundreds can jump at the same time, which is super fun to watch. It sounds like popping popcorn, quite the spectacle! They not only jump but do backflips, 360s, flips, flops, turns… that’s why people call them the oceans’ aerialists.
Mobulas are filter feeders, so don’t worry they won’t try to eat you! They feed on tiny animals floating on the water column called zooplankton. In Mexico they have been found to feed mostly on planktonic crustaceans like Euphausiids and Copepods.
Mobulas have a complex mate choice system. Their courtship can last several days where females are chased by different males. The male winner bites the pectoral fin of the female to be able to copulate.
Mobulas are threatened by many different factors. They are particularly vulnerable because they have only one pup per litter possibly every 3-5 years. They start reproducing probably at around 5-6 years of age and have a lifespan of around 20 years. So do the math, they are not having a lot of offspring in their lifetime. Add to the equation the fact that they migrate in up to thousands of individuals and they become particularly vulnerable to overexploitation, specifically fishing and bycatch. They are often found as bycatch in tropical tuna purse seines and longlines (the most common ways to fish tuna), so next time you eat sushi think twice! Climate change, pollution, illegal fishing and bad tourism practices are also some of the threats that Mobulas go through.
However it is not all bad! Luckily in Mexico they have been protected since 2004 against capture (fishing), trade and consumption. This is regulated by the law NOM-029-PESCA-2004. To conserve an animal you need to know them first. Mobula Conservation has a citizen science program, where you can help get data about them during our tours!
Mobulas are fascinating, so why not enjoy watching them in their natural environment? We run daily trips from Thursday to Sunday in May and June. Come join us and watch these pancakes shoot up to the sky, swim with them, watch them engage in mating behaviors and maybe even predation.
We have small groups of usually 4 but up to 6 people per day. Our guides are trained to show you the best way you can interact with them to have a respectful behavior towards them which will make them stay with us longer! If you want to swim with these incredible creatures, let us know!
Wild stories, ocean tips, guides & inspiration.
Gray whale season in Baja is officially over! It’s always a bittersweet time of year to see the whales leave: we will not see them until next year, but they’re migrating back to Alaska where they will be eating 1.2 tons of food every day to get strong and be able to come back to Baja next year. They have the longest migration of any mammal on Earth!
This season has been outstanding! We had a 100% sighting success during our daily expeditions, and we witnessed some incredible behaviors. The most unforgettable moment to me was to watch the gray whales courtship and mate! We were able to see a male following the female, showing us the pectoral fins, twirling around and even saw the 2m (6 ft) penis! The most beautiful part was when they were belly to belly mating.
If you’ve come to our expeditions, you know that it is much more than whale watching. As a marine biologist, I love educating people who come onboard about gray whale biology, behavior, reproduction, ecology, conservation and pretty much anything I know. I take data of weather conditions and sightings every day, to be able to understand the whales in a deeper way. However, the captain, José knows the gray whales like his own family. He knows what time of month and day is best according to the moon and the tides. He runs a family business, where his fisherman dad provides the food that we eat on the tour, and his wife or sister cooks it for us. Best scallop you’ll ever try!
I also like to show the diverse ecosystems that Baja California Peninsula has to offer. On tours, we often visit the frigate bird colony in the mangroves, or wonder in the sand dunes next to hundreds or thousands of pelicans, cormorants and seagulls.
This ballena gris en baja sur Mexico season we were very happy to see moms with calfs, and very young whales (around 1 or 2 years old) which makes me so happy to see them healthy, meaning they have survived the most critical part of their lifetime!
We can’t be grateful enough to nature and to the Gray Whales for being so generous and friendly! They made us cry tears of joy, laugh and smile. They’re presence fills us with joy and we can’t wait to see them again next season starting January 15th 2023! If you’d like more information about our daily or multiple-day expeditions, we organize tailored expeditions to fit your desires. Thank you whales and thanks to all of you who help make this happen!
Now it’s time to say goodbye to the Gray Whales, and hello to the Mobula Rays! The largest schools in the World can be found here in Baja, and it’s one of nature’s most spectacular events. Mobulas are famous for their high jumps and acrobatics in the air. Freediving with hundreds or thousands of them is a unique experience that you can’t miss. Check out our Mobula Ray Expedition on May 15-19, only 4 spots available. Mándenos correo to book your spot 🙂
Wild stories, ocean tips, guides & inspiration.
2021 has been a wonderful year in the underwater world. We’ve had so many adventures that it’s hard to put it all in one blog post, so here is a little summary of the top moments of 2021 with Freefall Academy. Let’s recap!
It all started with Gray Whale Season in january-march. We went north of La Paz on day trips to do whale watching. Gray Whales are the friendliest whales in the world. On calm days, you can see dozens of them in the shallow water lagoons of Baja Califonia. Spy hopping, breaching, head slapping, lob tailing and slapping, and pectoral slapping! Some days the friedly whales came right to the boat and allowed us to give them a good old cratch!
Then, in March-May we had the Mobula Ray season! This is one of my favorite times of year because we are often surprised by unexpected visitors. On 2021 mobula season we also watched or swam with: turtles, sharks, dolphins, yellowtail fish and orcas! The mobulas didn’t disappoint, they showed as all their best acrobatic tricks from topside. And underwater they gracefully danced all around us. Imagine freediving and being surrounded by mobulas everywhere you can look. A truly magical experiece.
At the end of May, Freefall Academy team took a different path and sailed across the Pacific Ocean to French Polynesia! The navigation took 18 days from Cabo to Nuku Hiva Island. It was a crew of three: Tyler, Oli and Valentina. The trip was far from easy, we started off by running from two tropical cyclones, then hit inconsistent winds. However, we had glorious days, breathtaking night watches looking at the universe, pods of dolphins riding the waves and uncountable learning lessons. Just this section deserves a blog post itself. You can read a little more about it here if you’re interested.
June to beginning of september we were in French Polynesia. We had many underwater adventures exploring the crystal clear waters of FP. However my favorite one was an encounter with a humpback whale calf, mom and escort. We were on the boat waiting for them to come up to breath, and suddenly the calf came right under the boat. I was in the water next to the boat, it showed us its belly and flipped its tail out of the water. The calf was looking at me and playing with the air in her jaw, making a lot of noice! Then mom and escort came up to breathe, they all showed me some dance moves and then went back down.
September to december it’s my favorite season to teach freediving courses and trainings because of the environmental conditions. The 31 st of October I got an Orca report from the captain, so the 1st of nov we went out on a mission. We were lucky to be the first boat who found them. A split pod of 5 orcas, including one mom and calf. We decided to give some space to mom and baby, and we stayed with a very curious young male that kept coming so close to us! A day I will never forget.
October to beginning of december is the best time of year to go to Cabo Pulmo. This specific day we had an incredible day freediving with the famous school of jacks, as well as freediving with about 6 bull sharks. We were surrounded by a huge school of yellow snapper, then a bull shark gracefully came very close to us to check us out. But the cherry on top was being eye to eye with a Pacific Goliath Grouper that looked as big as the bull sharks! An overfished species that is rare to see, but is now more common to watch in Cabo Pulmo due to its protection as an MPA. They’re usually shy in scuba, but when freediving they come very close!
Marlin season this year was outstanding! Not only we saw dozens of baitballs being hunted by marlins, but so much more! Mahi mahi, sea lions and wahoo joining the hunt. Superpod of thousands of common dolphins. Bryde’s whale eating the baitballs. Humpack whales dancing with dolphins. 100+ marlins on the same baitball. One of my favorite days out at sea guiding with Nakawe Project, we found a pod of hundreds of Pacific White Sided Dolphins. We spent hours having intimate interactions with them. As we freedived down, the dolphins would follow us and look at us in the eye. They were so curious! I have to admit I had tears of joy. For marlin expeditions, email us.
But what is the common characteristic of every single adventure? We are surrounded by people that love the ocean, like you! Our passion is to share these kind of adventures with people, and make them fall in love with the Ocean. Join us this 2022 and create unforgettable memories with us.
Thank you from Freefall Academy team! We wish you a wonderful 2022 full of magical underwater adventures.
Wild stories, ocean tips, guides & inspiration.
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