In mexicos stunning magdalena bay, humans and whales meet up. Gray whales, blue whales, humpback whales, whale sharks and sea lions are our main objective, nevertheless many other species of animals will be seen either hiding in the sand dunes of magdalena bay or jumping around some volcanic rocks in loreto or eventually flying. This great whales of baja expedition is the ultimate land and sea whale watching experience. Diving, exploring and filming throughout the baja peninsula eventually led johnny friday to san ignacio lagoon in 1989. Whale watching tours with gray whales in bajas magdalena bay. Visit our baja mexico kayak map page to view or print a larger version of this baja whalewatching tour map. Baja whale watching, san ignacio lagoon baja discovery. San ignacio lagoon and sea of cortez oceanic society. The gray whale lagoons of baja california offer the best possibility for this opportunity of anywhere in the world. Baja california has protected lagoons calm waters, protected from killer whales, so it is a relatively safe place for the females to raise their calves. Introduction to the best of baja with whale watching come with us to pet the whales, surf the waves, kayak the seas, hike the cliffs, swim with the sea lions, walk the dunes, make margaritas, and toast the stars some of the most magnificent adventures baja has to offer.
Between december and april one of the most spectacular natural shows takes place. We invite you to join us at our ecofriendly and comfortable safaristyle tent camp on punta piedra rocky point, the very best location. The new whale well struck a potentially major oil payload while drilling to about 23,000 feet. Guests witness gray whales playing, resting, and investigating their curious visitors before heading north to their arctic feeding grounds. Shell makes whale of a discovery with chevron in the gulf. Nbc, readers digest, ocean oasis imax film, new york times, national geographics intelligent traveler blog, eye of the whale. Killer whales in cabo san lucas whale watch cabo tours. Fiveday programs run from february to end of march. Whale watching, birding and botany ecotours in baja california mexico. Since 1989, baja adventure travel glamping vacations. Gray whale watching tours in baja california on the sea of. Karen passed away in 2012, and today baja discovery is run by karens niece, angie. Youve spent nearly two months swimming from the frigid waters of the bering sea toward your calving grounds in san ignacio lagoon, halfway down the coast of baja california on the pacific side of the peninsula. Whale watching videos, san ignacio lagoon baja discovery.
Baja california is fast becoming the premier location to watch whales in the world. Charles scammon was an early whaler who discovered the gray whales favored birthing spots in bajas lagoons. By lisa gilfillan, education specialist our annual baja california whale adventure, a collaboration between birch aquarium at scripps and andiamo tours mexico, is a naturalistguided adventure to the lagoons of baja california. 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. Our snorkeling adventure in cabo is a great for the whole family. Following the whale trail by ann hazard imagine this. 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. Please scroll down for available trips and to book your trip. Gray whale watching tours in baja california on the sea of cortez. Grey whale watching in baja is one of the worlds most intimate wildlife encounters.
Many whalewatching toursoff boston or maui, for exampletake place on large commercial boats where you have to strain to see around guests crowding the rail, and if you do spot a whale, its likely youll glimpse only a tail or a spout of spray on the horizon. Located off of baja californias west coast, it is the wintering grounds of the magnificent gray whale. The large concentration of gray whales that reside here each winter are extremely friendly, and regularly approach our small whale watching. 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.
Every year, the california gray whales set off on the longest migration made by any mammal. Pachico mayoral was the first person to have an encounter with a friendly gray whale. Feb 21, 2016 gopro footage shot on an 11 day whale watching trip with mark carwardine. Imagine the five to six days that you will be able to experience and learn about the outstanding baja peninsula. Spyhopping, where the animal vertically pokes its head out of the water, is a behavior exhibited by cetacean s some sharks. Although we can organise half and fullday experiences from cabo, this signature eightday expedition delves deeper into the islandlike peninsula of baja sur for incredible wildlife encounters, breathtaking desert scenery, crumbling spanish missions, culinary exploration and a unique interaction with. The whale shark is a filter feeder, preferring to eat the tiny plankton that populate the waters around baja. Whales and dolphins you may see on our 12day searcher natural history tour. They also hire local residents to work at the camp, giving them a source of income during the whale season when commercial fishing is offlimits in the. Conducting whale watching tours in san ignacio lagoon for over 45 years. Gazing into the eye of a whale is a humbling, life changing encounter you will never forget. Whale magic tours educational, intimate, naturalist.
Only a limited number of boats are allowed in the whale watching areas and they must have a maximum of 68 passengers, a guide and a boat handler. February 610 sold out waitlist available february 1014 open. The alaskan arctic has large amounts of food amphipods for gray whales. 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. Know season and schedule for baja whale watching tours and. Combination gray whale trips plus whale watching on the sea of cortez for the very largest whales, blue whales and gray whales. Up to nine species of whales visit baja on a regular basis. Gray whales on the move teacher handout 1 answers to gray whale migration questions 1. Join us at san ignacio lagoon for an unforgettable gray whale watching experience. 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. In addition, whale watching is becoming more common in the sea of cortez. Thank you to our guests and staff that contributed videos. Called friendlies by whale watching tourists, many whales now seek human contact in the baja lagoons.
The best whale watching locations in baja california, mexico. The magic begins when an intimate group of whale enthusiasts step into the panga and set out to make friends with the gentle giants. Boasting more than 20 years experience, baja discovery tours it offers allinclusive service from the san diego international airport, including ground service to tijuana, charter service to san ignacio and accommodations at the san ignacio camp. February 610 sold out waitlist available february 1014 open february 1418 sold out waitlist available february 1822 open february 2226 sold out waitlist available february 26march 1 sold out private group. For most people, being close to a massive friendly whale with a gentle disposition is one of the greatest thrills in the animal world. San ignacio lagoon pachicos eco tours baja gray whale. More than 20 species of whales are encountered around baja most yearround, making this area an important center for whale observation. Gray whales my twenty years of discovery keith e jones on. Baja whale watching tours may get you close enough to touch. Gray whale watching season begins in early december and moves along the pacific coast of the baja peninsula and ends in early april as the whale return north. Youre a 49 foot, 73,000 pound, very pregnant gray whale. Baja adventure travel, baja whale shark, baja whale. Starting from 2018 cabo trek offers this 8 days 7 nights excursion to explore in depth the baja california sur peninsula.
Get your kindle here, or download a free kindle reading app. The camp location is the best you can watch whales from inside your tent. Mar 15, 2018 the whale shark is a filter feeder, preferring to eat the tiny plankton that populate the waters around baja. When the gray whales arrive in baja to have their babies, it is a magical time.
Introduction to the best of baja with whale watching. A gray whale spyhops in the waters of san ignacio lagoon, baja, mexico. Whale watching mexico mexico ecotourism natural habitat. 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.
February is peak month for both grey whales and visitors, and whale watching trips take place in magdalena bay and san ignacio lagoon. Whale watching skiffs in the baja lagoons are highly regulated by the local people. Snorkeling is a mustdo on your list of things to do on your vacation. Panga, embarcadero, baja discovery whale watching camp. Aug 25, 2017 a gray whale spyhops in the waters of san ignacio lagoon, baja, mexico. Baja discovery provides natural history tours and adventure travel in baja california, mexico. We always hope for and expect to have a close encounter that includes touching or petting a whale.
Baja discovery whale watching camp at rocky point photo gerald corsi baja discovery s whale camp at punta piedra kap by oscar frey panga, embarcadero, baja discovery whale watching camp. Meet baja discoverys staff baja whale watching, eco. Gopro footage shot on an 11 day whale watching trip with mark carwardine. In mexicos stunning magdalena bay, humans and whales meet. Pachicos eco tours is internationally known for being the whale watching pioneers of san ignacio lagoon and baja. Baja whale watching gray whales in baja california. Learn more about what youll see and do on a lindblad expeditions cruise. Our baja whale experience couldnt be more different.
Our snorkeling adventure is allinclusive so get ready for a memorable adventure. Baja whale watching trips, baja whale shark tours, sea kayaking baja. Go whale watching during their annual migration and experience whales in their natural habitat. Join us for gray whale watching at laguna san ignacio, or join us on a custom birding. Browse by location and view stunning images of destinations around the world. Guest tents at baja discovery camp, san ignacio lagoon. Videos from baja discovery whale watching trips at san ignacio lagoon, baja mexico. Orcas are infrequent visitors to cabo san lucas, we typically see orcas in cabo san lucas 4 or 5 times in the season. Whale watching is one of the most popular activities in baja. Karen organized and lead trips to mexico for over 28 years. Baja whale watching, birding and botany ecotours gray whale watching join us on our 5day whale watching trips to laguna san ignacio in baja california sur, mexico to see the friendly gray whales up close in their winter mating and calving grounds. Whale watching at laguna san ignacio, with baja discovery. Since 1991, we have arranged whale watching trips utilizing the best dive and land adventure specialists.
Baja discovery is a leading ecotourism company providing natural history trips and tours in baja california mexico, including gray whale watching at san ignacio lagoon, sea kayaking, pack trips to visit cave paintings, and custom tours and treks for birding and botany. Enjoy our fabulous whale watching base camp at laguna san ignacio, the worlds premier gray whale watching destination, known for its high percentage of friendly whales. There he met local fisherman and whale watching guide, maldo fischer. Baja california has protected lagoons calm waters, protected from killer whales, so it is a relatively. Its time for your wonderful whale watching experience at magdalena bay. Please contact rosa maria at andiamo to make your reservation or to ask questions. Baja whale watching allows you to get up close and personal with gorgeous gray whales in magdalena bays calving lagoon. This is a diverse and brilliant wilderness area full of contrasts. This behavior was first reported in 1976 from san ignacio lagoon and has grown each year. We do our utmost to provide the best possible whale watching experience. Karens first career was as a social worker in chicago, before she embarked in 1984 on a career leading natural history trips in baja california. 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. Tour baja with us to experience the best of baja in comfort and indulge your spirit for adventure.
Shell makes whale of a discovery with chevron in the. Baja adventure travel, baja whale shark, baja whale watching. Conquer the oceans of cabo san lucas and snorkel in the beautiful baja waters. Baja discovery san ignacio 2020 all you need to know. This is our focus and our reason for being in business.
You will learn about the baja california lagoons where the babys are born and where they. During friendly encounters, a gray whale approaches a whale watching skiff, eyes the passengers, and may come alongside and surface so that the tourists can touch or sometimes even kiss the. Spyhopping, where the animal vertically pokes its head out of the water, is a. 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.
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. 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 baja california peninsula, where they will mate and give birth to their young. Thank you to our guests and staff that contributed photos. The trip set out from san diego and travelling down the baja california peninsular and into the sea of cortez. The orcas we encounter on cabo san lucas whale watching tours are individuals from the eastern tropical pacific population that is known to travel between the baja and sea of cortez down to costa rica. Royal dutch shell said wednesday it made a new discovery in the western gulf of mexico with chevron. Arrive in cabo and transfer to todos santos 90 minute drive. Whale watching with baja discovery we hope to welcome you to the very best camp for watching gray whales in baja california, mexico. In this baja, the gray whales come to you photography. Imagine the excitement youll feel getting closer than the average human to these incredible creatures.
November 3 11, 2019 baja california sur is a natural and cultural paradise from land to. Over two decades of adventure in baja california, mexico. Fly in to our camp, get up close with the friendly gray whales. Sometimes we have two separate groups that are in the same location at the same time. 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.
Video illustrates typical 5day whale watching tour with baja discovery at san ignacio lagoon. You are so close, you can literally pet whales as they bob their head up out of the water to say hello. Baja airventures tours and ecolodge understands that there is a lot of uncertainty around your travel planning right. Video by jose luis zuniga lopez, baja discovery staff if you are having trouble viewing these videos, see baja discovery s channel on youtube. Combination gray whale and blue whale trips each combination trip is unique with specific start and end points that vary with the itinerary date. Our staff is highly experienced in baja whale watching.