ABOUT US

Our Story

Who Runs Bajablue Tours?

Bajablue Tours is owned and operated by Salim Mendez, a lifelong waterman who founded the company in 2025 after more than a decade exploring marine wildlife across the Mexican coast. Salim grew up on the island of Cozumel in the Caribbean, where he began free-diving at age 8. Today he runs Bajablue with a small local team of experienced boat crew and marine guides. Our headquarters and basecamp sit in La Ventana, Baja California Sur, a quiet fishing village 45 minutes south of La Paz International Airport (LAP) and 2.5 hours from Los Cabos (SJD). From this single launch point, our boats reach the productive waters around Cerralvo Island in under 90 minutes.

The story of Bajablue starts with Salim's lifelong connection to the water. He moved to La Ventana in 2018, originally drawn by the kiteboarding wind season, and was stunned by what he found in the water: orcas hunting in open channels, mobula rays in schools of thousands, and humpback whales breaching at sunrise. The Sea of Cortez — a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005 — contains 39% of the world's marine mammal species and one of the densest concentrations of cetaceans on Earth (Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, 2005 Inscription Decision). Bajablue exists to help small groups experience that wildlife with patience, respect, and local knowledge.

Bajablue was founded on a simple conviction: ocean encounters are better when they are patient, quiet, and never forced. We never bait wildlife, never touch or feed animals, never permit swimming with whales, and cap group sizes at 8 guests so the experience stays personal and respectful.

Bajablue Timeline

• 2018 — Salim relocates from Cozumel to La Ventana, drawn by the kiteboarding season.
• 2020-2024 — Logs hundreds of independent ocean days documenting orca, whale, and mobula behavior near Cerralvo Island.
• 2025 — Bajablue Tours formally founded. Partnership with La Ventana Hostel established as basecamp.
• 2026 — Launches three-tier expedition program (Ocean Safari, Blue Expedition, Master Seafari) and digital booking platform.

Safety & Guest Care

• Small-group expeditions with a pre-departure safety briefing.
• Respectful wildlife observation practices on every outing.
• Experienced marine guides on every expedition.
• Coast Guard-grade life jackets, marine radio, GPS, and on-board first-aid kit on every trip.
• Local boat crew familiar with La Ventana, Cerralvo Island, and seasonal sea conditions.

Our Mission

"The animals come first. We don't chase, we don't crowd, and if something wants to be left alone, we leave it alone."