WHALE, HOW ABOUT THAT!
Greet the gray whales when they return to their summer home in the Pacific Baja. They come from as far away as the Arctic to mate or give birth in warmer waters. Experience the privilege of interacting with these friendly mammals on an unforgettable Magdalena Bay whale watching excursion.
Following your whale watching session, enjoy some birdwatching and a scenic boat tour along beaches and mangroves. Set foot on the massive sand dunes and be impressed with the view from the top. Come on your own or let us arrange your transportation.
BEST TIME TO GO
January and February
PRICING
USD 120 per person, min. 6 people
Add round-trip mini-van transfer:
USD 795 self-drive from Los Cabos;
US$ 615 self-drive from La Paz;
US$ 940 chauffeured from Loreto.
Pricing based on an exchange rate of USD 1 = MXN 16.50.
You will be charged in MXN.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
A local captain;
At least 2 hours in the whale observation area;
Birdwatching and nature exploration;
Mangrove and sand dune excursion;
Beverages and snacks.
Gratuities are not included.
Private Whale Watching and Nature Excursion
Every year, gray whales make a 2- to 3-month journey for their southbound migration, which starts from the Bering and Chukchi Seas and ends in the lagoons along Baja peninsula. Traveling day and night, they sleep on the move to cover around 10,000 km (6,200 mi) of ocean between their Arctic feeding grounds and their Pacific breeding grounds.
The first whales to arrive in Mag Bay are those who are ready pop, along with single gray females looking to hook up. The rest of the gang are not far behind. At the end of the season, the unlucky ones in love leave the mating grounds first. Lactating mothers are the last to depart with their babies in tow, only after making sure that the newborns are strong enough for the journey.
Once called “devil fish” by early whalers due to their violence when protecting their young, grays are now considered the friendliest of whales. Enjoy the privilege of interacting with these amazing animals when they approach your whale watching boat. if you’re lucky enough, they’ll let you to touch them or observe them from a distance when they roll, blow off steam, or launch themselves out of the water. They might also watch you watching them by doing a spyhop.
What We Recommend
If you are coming on your own, we suggest spending the night in town and then heading out on an early-morning tour the next day. On the other hand, arriving in the morning and going whale watching at noon would be more cost effective if you’re renting a vehicle.
Insider Notes
The protected lagoons and bays along the Baja peninsula make it the perfect place for gray whales to mate and give birth. There are several safe spots for the grays off Mexico’s Pacific coast: Scammon’s Lagoon, also known as Ojo de Liebre, is probably the most famous of them all. There is also San Ignacio Lagoon that is 3.5 hours away by road when driving south. Further down the peninsula you will find Puerto San Carlos in Magdalena Bay and Puerto Chale in Bahia Almejas. Puerto Adolfo Lopez Mateos, which is 1.5 hours north of Puerto San Carlos by car, also has access to Magdalena Bay.
