WHALE, WHY NOT?
Embark on a 2-hour quest to find humpback whales in the Sea of Cortez. Your biologist guide and your local captain will take you to the good spots, allowing you plenty of photo opportunities with these impressive mammals. If conditions and time permit, your crew will lower the hydrophone into the water for a chance to listen to them sing.
Get your camera ready for a customary photo when you visit the famous El Arco before or after your whale watching activity. You will also receive your free souvenir pictures at the end of your excursion.
BEST TIME TO GO
Cabo whale watching season officially starts on December 15th and ends on April 15th.
PRICING
USD 115 per person, min. 4 people;
USD 110 per additional person.
Make it private: USD 920 for up to 8 people.
Pricing based on an exchange rate of USD 1 = MXN 16.50.
You will be charged in MXN.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
A captain and a naturalist guide;
Guaranteed whale sightings or a free trip on your next visit;
Opportunity to listen to whales sing;
Souvenir photos;
Bottled water.
Gratuities are not included.
Watch and Listen to Whales Up Close
Every winter, humpback whales make the long journey from arctic waters to mate and give birth in warmer temperatures around Los Cabos. Keep an eye out for puffs of air in the horizon; your captain will quickly but safely head over to where the whales are. Watch them roll, breach, or fin slap from the comfort of your 24-foot panga (fiberglass skiff).
Don’t hesitate to ask questions when there’s a break in the action, your naturalist guide will be happy to share interesting facts about these magnificent marine mammals. Having studied marine biology, oceanology, alternative tourism, and other degrees related to the marine sciences, your guides enjoy imparting their knowledge while, at the same time, continually educating themselves through practical experience.
Can we get closer to the whales?
Local regulations dictate that boats have to observe a minimum distance from the whales. Small boats can get closest to the animals, and sometimes a whale can come up to the boat for a closer look. When that happens, your captain will shift the gear to neutral so as not to accidentally injure the whale. This keeps both you and the whale safe from any untoward incident. The best way to watch and listen to whales is to do it in their own terms.
Insider Notes
Los Cabos is a strategic location for whale sightings, so it’s no surprise that crowds gather here for the whale watching season. Boats can also crowd around the whales at times. While rules are in place to ensure that they are not harassed in their habitat, there is the occasional inexperienced captain who is unaware of the correct way to approach the whales. Some of them head over to the whales at full throttle, follow right behind them, or block their path.
It is important that you choose an operator who runs whale watching tours in Cabo according to local regulations, with captains and guides who know how to interact with the whales in a respectful manner.
