Since 1989 the best of baja whale watching tours and whale watching trips with baja air ventures. A remote beachfront eco campovernight in solitude in private whale cabanas at our camp on the shore of san ignacio lagoon, far removed from any other visitors. Hi there, i am travelling with my family to baja california from 29th march 15th april 2015. Travels along the baja california peninsula by pina cacucci. For over 37 years, sea trek has been leading trips on the sea of cortez from our home base in loreto, california. The whale shark is a filter feeder, preferring to eat the tiny plankton that populate the waters around baja. Typically, well spend two hours on each whalewatching excursion times are strictly regulated by marine reserve regulations and make two excursions per day. In march, i found myself 450 miles 720 km south of the international border. I have done many whale watching trips around the california coast but for years i have wanted to visit the whales breeding and birthing grounds. There are 8 adults in the group, and well be travelling in an rv from san diego with the main purpose of whale watching at scammons lagoon, san ignacio, and. San ignacio lagoon pachicos eco tours baja gray whale. Vizcaino desert discoverieswith two naturalist expedition leaders, explore. The main focus of all whale watching tours lies on the curious and gentle gray. Gopro footage shot on an 11 day whale watching trip with mark carwardine.
How to go whale watching in baja california sur, mexico. San ignacio san ignacio lagoon renowned for it numerous friendly whales, laguna san ignacio is a 40mile, 1 12 hour drive west of town along a somewhat bumpy dirt road. Wildlife tours in the baja peninsula encounter the wild. Experience magical, close encounters with the friendly gray whale mothers and calves of san ignacio lagoon, a unesco world heritage site. While the migration of the gray whale with a route of approximately 7,500 kilometers, has as its main destination the magdalena bay in baja california sur, place.
In 1972, after his first friendly encounter with a gray whale, pachico began running whale watching trips in the san ignacio lagoon. The sea of cortez the worlds aquarium, as it was referred to by the famous french explorer jacques cousteau and the pacific coast of the peninsula have 80% of all marine mammals found in mexican waters. Today pachicos eco tours is the only fully locally managed whale watching outfitter in the lagoon. Whale tours from san diego california united states of america to baja mexico. Combo trips gray and blue whale watching season tours in. If you have not booked tours in advance, be sure to stop in town first to inquire about guide and panga availability, prices and road conditions.
Its time for your wonderful whale watching experience at magdalena bay. Limited to 18 travelers a very important feature of our whalewatching tours is the limited group size, as whale encounters are best experienced with fewer travelers for a more intimate nature experience. Baja california whale watching day trips to book or not. In the shallow lagoons of the baja california and the california sur, every year thousands of gray whales gather to give birth to their calves. Especially gray whales, humpbacks, finbacks and blue whales are regularly seen here from december to march. A gray whale spyhops in the waters of san ignacio lagoon, baja, mexico. With a donation or an adoption of a whale you can help to make the world a place where whales and dolphins are free and safe. We embark on a halfday cruise amongst the dolphins, sea lions and other wildlife of loreto bay. Baja whale watching and kayak classic islands skiff supported. Many stores in the area are open only on the weekends, so if you decide to take this trip on a.
Truly a surreal experience to close out my whale watching trip to all 3 gray whale birthing lagoons in baja california sur. Every year gray whales migrate more than 10,000 miles between their summer feeding grounds in the arctic and the coastal lagoons of the southern baja peninsula. Whale magic tours educational, intimate, naturalist. This is some video of my amazing whale watching trip we went with the green tortoise, camping in mexico on fantastic beaches where its warm and sunny in the winter. In addition, whale watching is becoming more common in the sea of cortez.
For those who dont have time for a full day of whale watching, we offer a 3 hour whale watching tour. Whale watching is one of the most popular activities in baja. Based on decades of respectful wildlife ecotourism, searcher is granted unique access to mexicos protected areas so our guests may enjoy this phenomenal wildlife spectacle. Its flanked on the west by the mighty pacific ocean and on the east by the nutrientrich waters of the sea of cortez, so its no surprise that the mexican state of baja california sur bcs is one of the best destinations in the world for whale watching. Gray whale watching tours in baja california on the sea of. In february and early march of each year, the whale migration comes to baja california sur. The baja california is one of the most important regions for whale watching in. Whale watching tours with gray whales in bajas magdalena bay. Mothers nudge their daysold babies up to the boats, they rub against the hulls, and in some cases even come close enough to be patted on the nose. From mexicos legendary baja california, our exciting photo tour visits the two most important nursery. Every year, the california gray whales set off on the longest migration made by any mammal.
We also visit the beautiful sea of cortez for whale watching on this weeklong. Go whalewatching during their annual migration and experience whales in their natural habitat. Gray whale watching at san ignacio lagoon, baja california, mexico. Immerse yourself in endless wildlife experiences on searcher natural history tours signature 12day itinerary to baja california, mexico. Witness the longest mammal migration in the world, when approximately 20,000 gray whales pass san diego on their annual 10,000mile roundtrip journey from the bering sea to the lagoons of baja california. Up to nine species of whales visit baja on a regular basis. Pachicos eco tours is a unique whale and wildlife watching organization that is run by jesus, son of the. Baja whale watching, san ignacio lagoon baja discovery. More than 20 species of whales are encountered around baja most yearround, making this area an important center for whale observation.
Lodging for the popular best of bajas whales, dolphins and sea lions includes a bed and breakfast stay on the pacific ocean, as well as time spent at our famous las animas ecolodge, where you can experience sea lions, dolphins, and more whales. The gray whale migration the first months of the year gray whales and humpback whales come close to shore on their annual migration from the cold alaska waters to the warm lagoons at the center of the. Whale watching mexico mexico ecotourism natural habitat. Here, we will board motor boats and travel to the heart of the lagoon in search of close encounters with the grays and their calves three hours on the water, active whale watching. Go on a whale watching cruise right here in san diego with birch aquarium and flagship cruises and events. We offer a variety of mexico tours, from relaxing, boatsupported vacations to challenging, expedition style adventures. Our 9 night10 day escorted minibus tour of the baja california peninsula includes whale watching, swimming with whale sharks and sea lions, wine tasting, cave paintings and more. Best time to visit baja california responsible travel.
The trip set out from san diego and travelling down the baja california peninsular and. Las animas ecolodge on the sea of cortez has year round fin whales and blue whales and more. A worldclass whalewatching destination, baja california is home to over a dozen different whales, including curious gray whales of laguna san ignacio and earths largest inhabitants, blue whales. Read about camping on a gray whale lagoon, an incredible adventure. We offer the best gray whale watching safari camp experience in our baja trip, in the very best location for gray whale watching in baja, mexico, and maybe anywhere. If youre here just for the sea kayaking, the best time to visit baja is the end of octearly dec, as well as marapr, as the wind drops and the sea of cortez is clear and calm. The baja california is one of the most important regions for whale watching in the whole world, as various kinds of whales use the subtropical waters of the mexican peninsula as winter quarters. The first months of the year gray whales and humpback whales come close to shore on their annual migration from the cold alaska waters to the warm lagoons at the center of.
Driving across the spine of narrow baja california to the pacific ocean today, we follow the scenic sea of cortez coastline northward before turning west to. The best whale watching spot in baja is at puerto lopez mateos in magdeliena bay. In this baja, the gray whales come to you photography. Grey whales mothers often seek out human interaction as they approach our boats to present their newborn calves to us while encouraging visitors to scratch their head, back and baleen as. The highlight of the day is whale watching in scammons lagoon, the primary calving waters for gray whales in baja. Shoot pacific gray whales at extreme close range, plus blue whales, dolphins and colonial mexican architecture. All reservations must be made through andiamo travel and cannot be made through the birch aquarium ticketing office. The great gray whales of baja natural habitat adventures. Baja california sea of cortez pacific coast mexico. Visit our baja mexico kayak map page to view or print a larger version of this baja whalewatching tour map. Come and enjoy an exciting, educational ride aboard one of our pangas on san ignacio lagoon, the premier destination for whalewatching in baja. The sea of cortez was aptly coined the worlds aquarium by jacques cousteau. Laguna san ignacio in baja california sur, mexico is one of 3 lagoons on the southwest coast of baja that are the winter home of the gray whale. After our whale shark and sea lion swims, yann and manolo escorted us to a semiprivate white sand beach and served up a fresh, authentic and delicious lunch as we overlooked the turquoise sea of cortez waters.
Baja california is fast becoming the premier location to watch whales in the world. Maria helena, albuquerque, nm fantastic trip is an understatement jess, london, uk. Baja, mexico sea kayaking sup sea of cortez kayak in baja. Spyhopping, where the animal vertically pokes its head out of the water, is a. Our 9day midwinter kayaking adventure in the sea of cortez with whale watching in magdalena bay, offers the experience of a lifetime for kayakers, bird and wildlife lovers, whale watching enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers.
Whaletrips mexico the best tips for whale watching in. The rest of the day is yours to explore loreto, the historic first capital of the californias. Based on decades of respectful wildlife ecotourism. When i was there last year mother grey whales would push their calf to you and the boat, some times for up to 15 min. Mexico the best tips for whale watching in mexico whaletrips. Perhaps the most extraordinary wildlife encounter on the planet is a visit to san ignacio lagoon to meet up close 40 ton grey whales and their newborn calves. If you are taking a trip to mexico, or living in mexico you cannot miss gray whale watching. Located off of baja californias west coast, it is the wintering grounds of the magnificent gray whale. Humpback whale sightings are highly likely on trips during january and february. Embark on an unforgettable whalewatching journey with the ocean experts at birch aquarium at scripps. When the gray whales arrive in baja to have their babies, it is a magical time. February is peak month for both grey whales and visitors, and whale watching trips take place in magdalena bay and san ignacio lagoon. Explore the best of both baja, mexico coasts on an oars baja sea kayaking and whale watching adventure.
San ignacio lagoon and sea of cortez oceanic society. Baja california sur is one of the best world destinations to see whales. We have combined what we consider to be the two best whale watching trips anywhere into one exciting adventure package. Epic four day valentines wine and whale trip on 54 passenger luxury charter bus.
Between december and april one of the most spectacular natural shows takes place. She provides a really positive experience, along with everything you need eco sunscreen. Gray whales migrate every year from the cold waters around alaska where they spend the summer to the warmer waters of baja california in winter once in the mexican peninsula, around the last week of december, the gray whales begin to be in sight between todos santos islands and the ensenada bay on their way south the whale migration season runs from november to february. If you are flying you should fly into the town of loreto, from there vans travel to the calving grounds. Naturalist guide shari bondy and her crew invite you to experience the magic with them in the gray whale calving lagoon near guerrero negro, baja california sur, mexico. Indepth, upclose encounterson six separate smallgroup skiff excursions, witness the spring finale of the gray whales annual migration from alaska to baja. Grey whale watching in baja is one of the worlds most intimate wildlife encounters. Baja airventures tours and ecolodge understands that there is a lot of uncertainty around your travel planning right now. Whale watching trip mexico ecotourism natural habitat. Since 89, the best of baja whale sharks in the sea of cortez. The magic begins when an intimate group of whale enthusiasts step into the panga and set out to make friends with the gentle giants.
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