Sergios whale watching live the adventure with ensenadas best whale excursions join us to meet the gray whale, a beautiful example of survival, evolutionary trapped in time, crossing borders during their long annual migrations from the seas of alaska, and today, breaking the barrier of coexistence with man. Gray whale season in baja was a huge success wildcoast. Feb 10, 2015 the biggest animal on earth performs the longest mammal migration in nature. Whalewatching in baja california orange county register. Whale watching season begins in baja california travel. It is perhaps one of the main reasons why, the numbers of the gray whales here fluctuate considerable from season to season. From january through march, pods of gray whales mate, raise their young and play in baja s warm, sheltered waters. The trip set out from san diego and travelling down the baja california peninsular and into the sea of cortez.
Combination gray whale and blue whale trips each combination trip is unique with specific start and end points that vary with the itinerary date. Magdalena bay, a chain of lagoons protected by barrier islands, provides a favored sanctuary and winter nursery for the gray whales that travel over 5,000 miles from the bering strait to. In mexicos stunning magdalena bay, humans and whales meet up. We have the blue whale, the largest mammal on earth. Every year in december thru april, the eastern pacific, or california, gray whale starts a 2 3 migration route beginning in the bering and chukchi seas and ending in the warmwater lagoons of mexicos baja peninsula, their round trip journey moves them through 12,500 miles of coastline. Grey whale watching in baja is one of the worlds most intimate wildlife encounters. Magdalena bay, a chain of lagoons protected by barrier islands, provides a favored sanctuary and winter nursery for the gray whales that travel over 5,000 miles from the bering strait to baja. Whale watching mexico mexico ecotourism natural habitat.
We provide the ultimate in glamping on the shores of magdalena bay during prime gray whale season from late january through midmarch. Gray whale watching tours in baja california on the sea of cortez. Know season and schedule for baja whale watching tours and. Baja whale watching, san ignacio lagoon baja discovery. Ensenada whale watching, whale watching tours ensenada. The name whale shark comes from its size, being as large as some species of whales. 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. This behavior was first reported in 1976 from san ignacio lagoon and has grown each year.
Expect gray, blue, fin, humpback, sperm, brydes, and pilot whales. 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. Feb 17, 2017 the whale watching season officially starts on 15 th december with february being the peak month for sighting whales. Best time to visit baja california responsible travel. Bajas whale season though whale watching in baja is a yearround activity, the winter months are the height of whale season. Well go ashore for a botanical walk in an immense arroyo and then dive in for some great snorkeling.
Interestingly enough, here on the oregon coast, we also see the whales as the head north during their annual migration, then as they head back south. Whale watching san diego style we love whales and have driven deep into mexico twice to the unesco world heritage site of the whale diy baja california road trip. Sa image called friendlies by whale watching tourists, many whales now seek human contact in the baja lagoons. 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. The season usually comes with average temperatures in the mid70s and toward the end of the season, the mid80s.
Every year virtually the entire population of grays led by the pregnant females makes the 6000 mile migration to the calving lagoons of baja california. Spend indepth time with giant gray whales that migrate to the warm waters of bajas pacific lagoons each winterin the worlds best place to see them up close. Enormous magdalena bay is home to thousands of breeding gray whales. How to go whale watching in baja california sur, mexico. They came right up to the rowing boat, once even a mother whale with his baby. Every winter, hundreds of pacific gray whales return to their traditional breeding and birthing grounds in sheltered san ignacio lagoon on mexicos baja peninsula. We also have grays, humpback, fin, minke and pilots, bryan jauregui tells travel agent. Whale watching in baja has become a nearly annual pilgrimage for our family. During their northward migration blue whales sometimes hang out in the coastal waters of central and northern baja california.
In mexicos stunning magdalena bay, humans and whales meet. Up to nine species of whales visit baja on a regular basis. Dreamlike pictures of gray whales from the baja california, mexico. The whaleplanner december a whale watching infographic. And with the doubling of whales seen migrating south as reported. With all that, we do get close to the whales on every whale watching tour. Whales and other marine mammals of california and baja. The average weight is arround 15 tons the name whale shark comes from its size, being as large as some species of whales. Scammons lagoon is the largest gray whale nursery in baja, and well over whales have been counted during peak season on some exceptional seasons, whale watching baja experts counted close to 2000 gray whales, including baby whales. Several other operators offer outings during whale season, january.
Every winter they swim along baja california, and its possible to see them from january to april near the south, in loreto bay. On the pacific side, where the water warms up slower, stingrays are common in the summer months. Whale watching tours with gray whales in bajas magdalena bay. Below you will find a cruise ship schedule for making port in cabo san lucas for the 2019 and 2020 cabo san lucas whale watching season. Mar 15, 2018 baja s whale season though whale watching in baja is a yearround activity, the winter months are the height of whale season. In the weeks in the whales will venture as far south as cabo pulmo and cabo san lucas to winter, before turning around and heading north again to summer in arctic waters.
Their 6,000mile migration from alaskas bering sea to the warm waters of baja s pacific lagoons is the longest mammal migration on earth. Theres time to whale watch offshore for bajas blue whales, fin whales, and other whales. Here is where the gray whales migrate to, from the bering sea and north pacific. Gray whale watching tours in baja california on the sea of. 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.
Oct 19, 2017 i left the pacific ocean to go to the sea of cortez in search of the largest animal in the world. 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. Voted best casino, every month san manuel brings you exciting new casino promotions and car giveaways that are unparalleled. Their presence gives baja californians a sense of pride because the gray whale is internationally known as a mexican whale. Seeing the behemoths in their native lagoons is an everchanging and always thrilling experience. This article originally appeared in the autumn of 2006. Combination gray whale trips plus whale watching on the sea of cortez for the very largest whales, blue whales and gray whales. Aboard many boats, biologists give information about the whales annual travels to the tourists.
Baja california is fast becoming the premier location to watch whales in the world. Make a stop at one of baja californias premiere islands for giant cardon and barrel cactus, and incredible scenery. Whale shark facts the whale shark is the largest fish on the planet, reaching lengths of arround 18 to 40 feet 5. 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. Immerse yourself in endless wildlife experiences on searcher natural history tours signature 12day itinerary to baja california, mexico. The opportunities for whale encounters here are truly exceptional.
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. Of the whale watching tours we offer in baja mexico, this one is best for seeing whales at very close range, and plenty of them. The sea of cortez was aptly coined the worlds aquarium by jacques cousteau. To download the full whaleplanner as a graphic, please just click this link and save the graphic on the next page. Whales and other marine mammals of california and baja paperback january 4, 2002 by tamara eder author. Whaletrips mexico the best tips for whale watching in. Ultimate baja whale expedition natural habitat adventures. Orcas killer whales in cabo san lucas whale watch cabo tours. Whale watching tours with gray whales in baja s magdalena bay. Based on decades of respectful wildlife ecotourism. But in reality there are not related to whales, they belong to the shark. Whale watching is one of the most popular activities in baja.
For thousands of years the gray whale has been a faithful visitor of the baja california peninsula, looking for warmer waters to pass the winter season. Sergios whale watching ensenada baja california norte, mexico. To have an excellent chance of seeing whales, visit baja between the. 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. The impressive blue whale is the biggest whale in the world, reaching 30 meters in length and weighing 120 tons. Come watch the whales and, even if you get here out of season, take a boat ride on the bay. Dont miss out on a upclose encounter opportunity with these. Whalesharks frequent the back bay of rincon, but can be found in other areas as well.
During the same period, baja california sur witnessed nineteen. Get inspired whale watching baja whale watching tours. Therefore, in response to the growth of whale watching in baja and in an effort to reduce impacts to these marine mammals, the mexican government stablished strong whale watching guidelines nom 1semarnat2010. In addition, whale watching is becoming more common in the sea of cortez. The list of baja california peninsula hurricanes includes all of the tropical cyclones that impacted the baja california peninsula, which includes the mexican states of baja california and baja california sur. Mexicos whale watching industry has improved a lot in the last 20 years, resulting in great tour operators and strict guidelines for protection of the animals. You will be aware of the size, and notice it is a majestic creature, a lot larger than your boat, who is curious about you and wants to know who you are and what you are doing. Gray and humpback whale season begins with most whales arriving by late december. Here, from middecember to midmarch they will give birth and nurse their offspring. Lodging for the popular best of baja s 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.
Mar 28, 2016 ok, i have europe on my big trip planning list celebrating the high schoolers graduating, but now it looks like whale watching in baja needs to be high on my list. Here you will find the operators and licensed boats to take you live that wonderful encounter with the colossus of the sea, an extraordinary experience. Orcas are infrequent visitors to cabo san lucas, we typically see orcas in cabo san lucas 4 or 5 times in the season. Then they go on their long journey to feed in the rich feeding grounds of the north. Watch the giant sperm whales in the deep waters off the spectacular coast of kaikoura. Baja whale watching tours may get you close enough to touch.
Humpback whales also pass through the waters of bcs between december and april, and can be spotted breaching on the horizon in both the pacific ocean and the sea of cortez. On the sea of cortez side of baja, the season for stingrays is march to november. Witness and interact with the friendly california gray whale on this incredible adventure set right in the heart of baja s gray whale territory. Whale watching with baja discovery we hope to welcome you to the very best camp for watching gray whales in baja california, mexico. We cannot guarantee you will touch whales that is completely up to the whales.
Dolphins and more than 100 species of marine birds. At that time you will live a marvelous moment as the whale approaches the boat. In the period 1951 to 2000, baja california had one hurricane and three tropical storms make landfall. We always hope for and expect to have a close encounter that includes touching or petting a whale. More than 20 species of whales are encountered around baja most yearround, making this area an important center for whale observation. List of baja california peninsula hurricanes wikipedia. See more ideas about whale watching, whale and baja california. Fly in to our camp, get up close with the friendly gray whales. Called friendlies by whale watching tourists, many whales now seek human contact in the baja lagoons.
We invite you to join us at our ecofriendly and comfortable safaristyle tent camp on punta piedra rocky point, the very best location. Killer whales in cabo san lucas whale watch cabo tours. If stung, its important to flush the wound with water and follow the necessary procedures so that the wound doesnt become infected. 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. Birch aquariums th season of whale watching with flagshipsan diego. Whales and dolphins you may see on our 12day searcher natural history tour. Feb 21, 2016 gopro footage shot on an 11 day whale watching trip with mark carwardine.
A place where all year round you can experience the most incredible marine life. Most of the 20,000strong whale population heads south toward a handful of lagoons in baja. It offers charter flights directly from san diego to san ignacio and fiveday, allinclusive packages, including accommodations at the camps. Whale watching in ensenada between december and april one of the most spectacular natural shows takes place. Each year gray whales travel over 10,000 miles round trip between their nursery lagoons in baja california sur, mexico, to their feeding grounds in the arctic. 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. Between december and april one of the most spectacular natural shows takes place. San ignacio lagoon and sea of cortez oceanic society. 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.
Cabo san lucas cruise ship schedule for whale watching. There are, however, still many bad tour operators, so that you should take care to only book tours at a licensed operation. 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. This is a diverse and brilliant wilderness area full of contrasts. Magdalena bay whale watching baja adventure travel baja tours. When the gray whales arrive in baja to have their babies, it is a magical time. Visit our baja mexico kayak map page to view or print a larger version of this baja whalewatching tour map. Saving gray whales and responsible whale watching in baja. Baja discovery san ignacio 2020 all you need to know. Unfortunately, sometimes the desire to get close to whales, can sometimes stress the animals.
Experience the gray whale up close while settling into the luxury accommodations of our beautiful bayside beach camp nestled in the dunes. Especially at the end of the breeding season march and april the whales in the baja lagoons may become exceptionally friendly, allowing the whale watchers to pet them. Please scroll down for available trips and to book your trip. From december to marchapril they mate and give birth in the warm and shallow waters off the baja california, mexico. Though whale watching in baja is a yearround activity, the winter months are the height of whale season. Every year, the california gray whales set off on the longest migration made by any mammal.
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