Baja Women's Megafauna Expedition & Retreat
Ocean Adventure • Freediving • Somatics & Nervous System Regulation
La Ventana - Baja California Sur, Mexico
Extraordinary marine wildlife encounters thoughtfully woven together with nervous system–informed somatic practices, guided breathwork, reflective workshops, and meaningful connection within a supportive circle of women.
What’s Included
✔ 5 days / 4 nights
✔ Three guided ocean expeditions (approximately 6 hours each) featuring opportunities to encounter Baja's extraordinary marine wildlife
✔ Beachfront accommodations (double occupancy)
✔ Round-trip airport transfers between La Paz and La Ventana
✔ Daily breakfast and boat lunches
✔ Snacks, water, and soft drinks during ocean expeditions
✔ Professional captain, certified orca guide, and professional freediver
✔ Guided nervous system–informed grounding, somatic, and integration practices
✔ Reflective workshops and meaningful community connection
✔ Guided desert sunset hike
Not included
✗ Freediving equipment (rentals available)
✗ Airfare
✗ Required travel and dive insurance
✗ Dinners (we'll explore local restaurants together)
✗ Captain gratuity
Trip Details
Designed for women who love the ocean and are seeking adventure, meaningful connection, guided nervous system–informed practices, and space to reconnect with themselves through awe, presence, and nature.
Who its for
Dates
July 1–5, 2027 — Open (6 spaces available)
July 6–10, 2027 — Open (6 spaces available)
Location
La Ventana, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Suitable for confident swimmers. Basic snorkeling experience. No prior freediving experience required.
Experience
Group Size
Maximum of 6 guests
Price
$2850 USD
Terms and Conditions
-$850 USD deposit (non refundable)
Trip Overview & Itinerary
This 5-day, 4-night women's expedition thoughtfully combines extraordinary marine wildlife encounters with guided somatic and nervous system–informed practices. Set against the wild beauty of Baja California Sur, each day balances immersive ocean adventures with spacious moments for rest, reflection, and meaningful connection.
Across three days on the water, you'll have opportunities to swim alongside some of the Sea of Cortez's most extraordinary marine life while cultivating confidence, presence, and a deeper appreciation for the ocean. Back on land, you'll participate in two guided experiences led by Trang featuring breathwork, mindfulness, somatic practices, and reflective exercises inspired by nervous system science. Together, these experiences invite curiosity, presence, and thoughtful integration throughout the expedition.
From sunrise boat departures to sunset hikes, shared meals, and unforgettable wildlife encounters, this journey offers opportunities for adventure, reflection, and authentic connection within a supportive community of women.
Day 1 — Arrival in La Ventana
Upon arrival in La Paz, participants will be picked up by our driver and transferred to La Ventana, where a welcome drink will be waiting for you at the hotel. The afternoon is yours to settle in, meet the group, and soak in the laid-back atmosphere of Baja California Sur.
In the late afternoon, we'll gather for an expedition briefing where we'll review the week's itinerary, safety procedures, local conditions, wildlife, and guidelines for responsible interactions with the marine environment. Afterwards, we'll head out for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant, giving everyone the chance to get to know each other, experience authentic Mexican cuisine, and kick off the adventure together.
Day 2 — First Ocean Adventure & Desert Hike - Guided Grounding session
6:30 - Breakfast
7:30-13:30 - 6 hour ocean expedition / boat lunch
Free time to relax & recharge
17:00 - Guided desert sunset hike followed by a nervous system–informed grounding practice with Trang
19:30: Dinner at local restaurant
Day 3 — Second Ocean Adventure & Guided Somatic Session
6:30 - Breakfast
7:30-13:30 - 6 hour ocean expedition / boat lunch
Free time to relax/ journal & recharge
17:00 - Guided somatic and nervous system–informed integration session with Trang
19:30 - Dinner at local restaurant
Day 4 — Third Ocean Seafari & Journaling
6:30 - Breakfast
7:30-13:30 - 6 hour ocean expedition / boat lunch
Free time to relax, journal & recharge
17:00 - light shopping in local Stores
19:30 - Dinner at Pólvora, our favourite restaurant in La Ventana + Group sharing
Day 5 — Departure Day
After breakfast, our driver will take you back to La Paz Airport for your departing flight.
Check-out is at 12:00 pm, so if you have a later flight, you're welcome to leave your luggage at the hotel and continue enjoying the area.
We will arrange your transfer to the airport at the time that best suits your departure.
What animals can be seen this time of the year?
La Ventana sits in a corridor of marine life, so every day brings something new.
During this season, we most often share the water with:
Schools of mobula rays (Munkiana, Bentfin, Spinetail, Sicklefin — and sometimes even Oceanic mantas)
Dolphins (Risso, Common, Spinner, Bottle nose…)
California sea lions
Sea turtles
Huge variety of reef fish
And because the Sea of Cortez is so abundant and full of surprises, there’s always the possibility of encountering:
Whales (Humpback, Blue, Fin, Sperm, Bryde’s)
Orcas
Pilot whales
Whale sharks
Mola Mola
Marlins
Hammerheads
Silky Sharks
No two days are the same — that’s part of the magic of this place.
While there’s a very high chance of seeing these creatures, encounters aren’t 100% guaranteed, as nature is always unpredictable. Sometimes, even small changes in water temperature can attract unexpected species.
Guided Integration Experiences
Facilitator, Trang Phan, LMFT
Session 1: Grounding & Presence
When? During the Desert Sunset Hike
Purpose: Arrive. Slow down. Become present.
As we walk through the Baja desert, you'll be guided through practices that invite you to engage your senses and become more aware of your internal experience. Together, we'll explore how intentionally shifting attention between the world around us and the sensations within us can cultivate presence, curiosity, and mindful awareness throughout the retreat.
Through guided mindfulness, body awareness practices, and gentle breathwork, participants are invited to notice changing sensations with openness, deepen their awareness of the mind-body connection, and develop practical skills for bringing greater presence into their experience.
Includes
Introduction to nervous system principles
Guided sensory grounding (exteroceptive orienting)
Gentle body awareness (interoception)
Guided breathwork
Intention setting
Reflection and optional sharing
Purpose: Carry the ocean home with you.
This guided experience invites participants to reflect on the moments of awe, courage, and connection that felt most meaningful throughout the expedition. Through guided reflection, resourcing practices, rhythmic bilateral experiences inspired by the natural rhythms of the ocean, and optional restorative touch, participants are invited to reconnect with the experiences and personal insights they wish to carry forward beyond the retreat.
Includes
Guided body awareness (interoception)
Resourcing and pendulation practices
Rhythmic bilateral auditory or tactile practices
Optional restorative touch (with consent)
Closing intention-setting and integration
Session 2: Integration & Resourcing
Useful Information
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18 years old
Basic Freediving/Snorkle experience
Insurance (mandatory, to get yours, visit dan.org or World Nomads)
Each participant will be required to sign a liability waiver before the expedition, the waiver can be found here.
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All accommodation is included on front beach hotel Villa Paraíso in La Ventana.
Rooms are based on double occupancy, meaning you will share the room with another guest.
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Breakfast will be served every morning at 6:30 am before heading to the ocean.
Boat lunch box will be provided on expedition days. Vegetarian and vegan options are available and must be communicated to me before the trip.
*Dinners not included (we will explore different local restaurants in La Ventana) -
Freediving equipment: mask, snorkel, fins, thin skin suit/ leggings + rashguard to protect from the sun on ocean seafari days, weightbelt and weights (freediving equipment also available for rent)
Proof of dive insurance
Spending cash money for personal expenses and tips, also some restaurants don’t take card.
Hat, buff, polarized sunglasses, warm sweater, dry bag, beach towel, dry clothes for after diving, waterproof jacket, sandals
Personal water bottle (although there will be water and drinks available on the boat)
Any special foods or medications (seasickness tablets, waterproof bandaids for fin sores, electrolytes)
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While we have a very high chance of encountering these species, sightings can never be guaranteed 100%. Ocean conditions and wildlife behavior are constantly changing, and we ultimately work with what the ocean offers us—this, however, is one of the best times of the year for these encounters.
Participants should feel confident in the water, comfortable in the open ocean, and able to enter and exit the boat efficiently (a ladder is available onboard).
Expect full days at sea, dynamic conditions, and the potential for truly unforgettable encounters.
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You can fly directly into La Paz International Airport (LAP) from Tijuana (TIJ), Ciudad de México (MEX) o Guadalajara (GDL). There are also direct flights from Los Angeles (LAX).
Another option is to fly to Los Cabos International Airport (SJD), which offers many direct flights from the United States and Europe. Please note that if you choose this option it will be at an extra cost (around 100 USD) - not included.
**Transport form SJD can be arranged, let us know with time so we can organize it for you.
Meet your hosts
Trang Phan – @depth_psychotherapy_sd
HOST & WELLNESS CURATOR
Trang Phan is a Licensed Psychotherapist (LMFT), founder of Depth Psychotherapy San Diego, and a Southern California–based certified freediver & scuba diver. Her work brings together trauma-informed psychotherapy, nervous system science, somatic practices, mindfulness, and a lifelong connection to the ocean.
Drawing from more than a decade of clinical experience, EMDR training, six years as a professional bodywork practitioner, and a 200-hour yoga teacher certification, Trang designs thoughtful, evidence-informed experiences that complement the expedition through guided mindfulness, breathwork, somatic practices, and reflective integration.
Inspired by the profound sense of awe the ocean can evoke, Trang is passionate about creating opportunities for women to slow down, reconnect with themselves, and experience meaningful connection through adventure, presence, and community.
Tania Panés – @tania.apnea
HOST, EXPEDITION LEADER & GUIDE
Tania Panés is a freediving instructor, Scuba Divemaster, and competitive athlete, holding five Spanish National Records in freediving. With years of experience in the water, she has built a career dedicated to exploring the ocean and sharing its wonders through meaningful expeditions.
She is the founder of Beyond the Blue Expeditions, a company specializing in small-group marine wildlife expeditions that combine adventure, education, and genuine encounters with the natural world. Over the past several years, Tania has designed and led expeditions in destinations including Mexico, Dominica, Egypt, and the Maldives, creating immersive experiences that foster a deeper connection with the ocean while promoting respectful interactions with marine wildlife.
Alongside her expedition work, Tania coaches a select group of freedivers and teaches workshops internationally, sharing her expertise through personalized training, mentorship, and ocean education.
The Hotel
Welcome to Villa Paraíso — Your oceanfront sanctuary in La Ventana.
For our expeditions, we’ll be staying at Villa Paraíso, a beautiful 3-star beachfront villa that feels like a quiet slice of luxury in the heart of Baja. Just steps from the turquoise waters of Playa La Ventana, this property blends comfort, nature, and simplicity in the best possible way.
Wake up with the sound of the waves, enjoy your morning coffee with sweeping ocean views, and unwind in the garden or on the villa’s private beach area — reserved exclusively for guests. The property features a spacious outdoor swimming pool, a sun-drenched terrace, and cozy common areas where our group can relax, connect, and recharge after long days at sea.
With its beachfront setting — where our boat will pick us up directly from the shore — Villa Paraíso is the ideal home base for our adventure in the Sea of Cortez.
Ready to join us?
FAQs
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Beyond the Blue retreats were intentionally co-created with Depth Psychotherapy San Diego to offer more than an unforgettable ocean adventure. Tania brings her expertise in ocean expeditions and extraordinary wildlife encounters, while Trang brings her experience as a Licensed Psychotherapist, thoughtfully weaving guided experiences inspired by mindfulness, nervous system science, and embodiment throughout the retreat.
Rather than separating time in the ocean from time on land, these guided experiences are intentionally woven throughout the journey to help participants become more present, deepen their connection with themselves and one another, and fully receive the transformative power of the ocean.
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La Ventana days are full of adventure on the water. We’ll set out early, around 7:00 am, and won’t return until about 1:00 or 3:00 pm, spending roughly 6 to 8 hours at sea. Get ready to fully embrace the present moment! Our goal is to make the most of each day and provide you with an unforgettable experience. And don’t worry—when you’re immersed in the magic of the Sea of Cortez, time feels like it stands still. You’ll hardly notice the day has flown by until we start heading back. 😊
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We count with snorkeling fins, mask and snorkel on the boat.
**Freediving Equipment rental such as weightbelt + weight, long fins freediving mask is available (not included) -
A freediving certification is not required, but participants must be able to swim at least 250 meters unaided, feel comfortable in the open ocean, and be capable of jumping in and out of the boat (a ladder is available for ease). This expedition requires a certain level of comfort and experience at sea. However, if you prefer to stay dry or limit how often you jump in, you can still enjoy incredible wildlife encounters from the boat. There’s plenty of action to witness from above the water too!
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Water temperature in the Sea of Cortez near La Ventana varies across the year, but even in May it stays comfortable for swimming: averages around 25-28°C / 77-82°F depending on day, tides and currents.
Because conditions can change with depth, wind or thermoclines, we recommend wearing a 3 mm wetsuit — mainly for sun‑protection, comfort, and to guard against possible colder patches when diving or snorkeling. -
The guided experiences are thoughtfully designed to complement your time in the ocean.
Grounding & Presence, offered early in the retreat during our desert sunset hike, invites participants to slow down, engage their senses, and become more aware of their internal experience. Through guided mindfulness, sensory grounding, body awareness practices, gentle breathwork, reflection, and optional sharing, participants are introduced to practical nervous system–informed skills that support greater presence throughout the expedition.
Toward the middle of the retreat, Integration & Resourcing creates space to reflect on the moments of awe, courage, and connection that felt most meaningful throughout the week. Through guided reflection, body awareness practices, resourcing, rhythmic bilateral experiences inspired by the natural rhythms of the ocean, and optional restorative touch (with consent), participants are invited to reconnect with the experiences and personal insights they wish to carry forward beyond the retreat.
Together, these guided experiences are designed to complement the adventure by creating intentional opportunities for reflection, mindfulness, and meaningful connection throughout the journey.
Our intention isn't to change your experience of the ocean, but to create space for a deeper experience of it.
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No. While Trang is a Licensed Psychotherapist and her professional background informs the design of the guided experiences, this retreat is not psychotherapy and does not provide mental health treatment, counseling, or clinical services.
Instead, the guided experiences are educational and experiential, drawing from mindfulness, nervous system science, embodiment, and the restorative effects of time in nature. Their purpose is to support presence, self-awareness, meaningful connection, and overall wellbeing while complementing the extraordinary ocean experiences that are at the heart of the retreat.