Ocean Safaris — Local services in Santa Cruz

Did someone say Orca ? WHAT A CHANCE OF A LIFETIME THAT WAS. An opportunity came up with some friends to go snorkeling and swim with Mobulas and Orcas in the open ocean of the Sea of Cortez. After doing some diligent homework, the trip was set up with Ocean Safaris based on safety and exquisite communication.

Never seeing an Orca ever in my life, I wasn't sure what to expect. Spotting them was a 50/50 chance during our 7 night and 8 day expedition. Knowing that going in, there was a possibility we might not see them and accepted that. I was really hoping that we were able to see them. Looking for them in such a vast open ocean can be looking for a needle in a haystack. I remained optimistic.

After 2 wonderful days of swimming with Mobulas for hours, watching Humpbacks, Sea Turtles, Fin Whales, pods of dolphins, dolphins every day, dolphins every where, even a pod of several hundreds of dolphins, Bio Luminescense, not to mention the gazillion stars in the sky at night and so much more. On day #3 we were fortunate enough to be greeted by the Orcas. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Was this really happening? Yes, yes it was!

Although I feel very comfortable in the water, I was nervous on my first jump. I'm not going to lie, my first jump sent a feeling of vulnerability throughout my body. That feeling was valid because feeling nervous comes from the unknown. Until you do it for the first time, then you will want to do it again and again. Then there is no turning back. I guarantee it. I was like, "OMG! I am in the middle of the freaking ocean with an Orca and her baby." Seeing a baby swimming with their mother in clear open water was out of this world.

James is extremely respectful of the Orcas space. We spent hours observing them. About 6 hours in fact. Watching the babies tail slap, breech and spy hop. We watched them feed each other sea turtles while the babies still continued to splash the water with their little tails. We watched them well into the sunset with the most ultimate ideal conditions. It couldn't of been more perfect.

The next day, on day #4, we woke up at daylight and headed out on the zodiac. Again, at 9am, they showed up and observed them for 11 hours this time. For 2 consecutive days straight, we had Orcas. This was the same pod of 6 from the previous day. 4 adult females with 2 babies. Not only did we watched them for 11 hours, we yet again, watched them well into the sunset. What set aside day #3 and day #4 was, day #4 we watched them hunt a dolphin. Watched them hunt, watched how they all worked together, watched the whole event from the start to the end. All of this took place about 50 yards in front of the vessel. It was beyond exhilarating.

The boat is very clean and sanitized. Trust me, I was paying very close attention to that. Most importantly, I felt safe.

This trip has above and beyond exceeded my expectations. I actually cried on the bus on the way home. When I book my next trip, it will definitely be with James Moskito with...

1 393 / 5 000 We strongly do not recommend. We bought 3 trips from James Moskit for which we paid 4500 dollars!!! We flew to the USA for the whales, which James knew very well. The first trip was about nothing. We did meet the whales, but after a while we were told that they were not cooperating and that he would rather show us the sharks. Great! The second trip was ok, but only because it was a Saturday and there were a lot of people at sea who were navigating James and giving advice on what to do and where to look for whales. It cheered us up a bit until the day the third trip came. It was very foggy and cold, really bad weather. Already in the harbor we begged James not to sail, that we were afraid we would not see anything. Still, he insisted. Why? Because he only cares about money. We had our young daughters on the boat. That winter was really cruel, the fog was so thick that you couldn't see at all. For five hours, my children and I froze in the middle of the Pacific, staring into the fog. Any pleas for us to return to port were useless. No attempt to compensate. The trip cost $1500 and we saw nothing! Just fog and a few birds. He told us it was life and that was it. He didn't care that it was really big money for us and that we had flown halfway around the world. Any empathy in this person, if you can even call it that, is simply not to be found. I recommend not to take anything from him and rather sail from Monterey Bay Whale Watch, who know what they are doing and you will save a lot of money.And at the end of the delay. We noticed that the positive reviews are written by the wife and acquaintance of Mr. James, so be careful. Don't get caught...

I recently had the pleasure of experiencing Ocean Safaris, and I must say, it was an unforgettable adventure! From the moment we stepped onto the comfortable boat at Santa Cruz Harbor, I knew we were in for a treat.

The morning was crisp, the seas were smooth, and our guide, James, immediately set the tone for an incredible journey. James’s expertise and enthusiasm were infectious, and it was clear that he had an intimate knowledge of the area’s marine life.

What truly set this experience apart was James’s uncanny ability to find sea life. It was as if he had a sixth sense for knowing exactly where to go. We were fortunate to witness the breathtaking sight of momma and baby whales gracefully swimming alongside our boat. The playful dolphins danced in our wake, and the seals came to greet us, making for some incredible photo opportunities.

The icing on the cake was the diverse birdlife we encountered throughout the trip. It was like a nature lover’s dream come true.

But what really makes Ocean Safaris exceptional is James himself. His passion for marine life is palpable, and he shares that excitement with every passenger, whether you’re a seasoned sea adventurer or a first-time visitor. James’s knowledge and warmth made the experience not only educational but also incredibly enjoyable.

If you’re looking for an adventure that combines comfort, excitement, and a deep connection to nature, I can’t recommend Ocean Safaris enough. James and his team provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the wonders of the sea, and I can’t wait to embark on another journey with them...