Behavioural estimation of blue whale movements in the northeast. 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. Whale numbers down in baja california mexico news daily. Up to nine species of whales visit baja on a regular basis. Feb 21, 2016 gopro footage shot on an 11 day whale watching trip with mark carwardine. 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 some of the pacific bays and lagoons of baja california sur are.
Every winter the mexican peninsula of baja california plays host to an aweinspiring migration of thousands. 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. Witness and interact with the friendly california gray whale on this incredible adventure set right in the heart of bajas gray whale territory. Saving gray whales and responsible whale watching in baja. Three major lagoons in baja california are the primary destination of the southbound gray whales. The official whale watching season for baja california sur has begun.
The trip set out from san diego and travelling down the baja california peninsular and into the sea of cortez. In mexicos stunning magdalena bay, humans and whales meet. Take a stroll up and down the piers during whale season and youll come across plenty of groups advertising whale tours. The large concentration of gray whales that reside here each winter are extremely friendly, and regularly approach our small whale watching. On searcher trips, we can see the classic transient form which are known to. Whale shark facts the whale shark is the largest fish on the planet, reaching lengths of arround 18 to 40 feet 5. Data kept by the biosphere reserve indicate that on average 10,000 tourists visit the region during whalewatching season, bringing an economic spill. They came right up to the rowing boat, once even a mother whale with his baby. How to go whale watching in baja california sur, mexico. Whale watching tours, scamoons lagoon guerrero negro baja. However, these trips are not being offered in 2020, due to sheltering in place. Modern human whale encounters in the lagoons of baja california began in the mid1800s when american whaler charles melville scammon discovered the three bays almost by accident. Whale watching, cave paintings, wine tasting and more.
Whale watching and preservation of the environment in. The beautiful pristine untouched magdalena bay must not be missed during a holiday to baja california sur. 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. 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. These guidelines are not only to regulate sightings, but to also promote the conservation of whale species, including the gray whale. Day boats are for hire in san ignacio lagoon, at two villages by magdalena bay, and at other lagoons in baja california. The extent of their northward migration from baja california to washington varied. According to oral tradition, for as long as local residents could remember, whales of all sizes would show up and spend the winter in the protected waters of the three. Close encounters with bajas gray whales oceanic society. Imagine the five to six days that you will be able to experience and learn about the outstanding baja peninsula.
The sea of cortez was aptly coined the worlds aquarium by jacques cousteau. Whale season is getting underway in the mexican pacific, and baja california sur bcs is the place to be. From december to marchapril they mate and give birth in the warm and shallow waters off the baja california, mexico. Make a stop at one of baja californias premiere islands for giant cardon and barrel cactus, and incredible scenery. Every year, the california gray whales set off on the longest migration made by any mammal. Whale watching is the practice of observing whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. In mexicos stunning magdalena bay, humans and whales meet up. In isla it is juneseptember so we try to be there in september. But the highlight of your journey to loreto is undoubtedly your grey whale watching tour in magdalena bay, followed by a journey through las dunas to see the variety of bird species that inhabit the area.
Whale watching half moon bay, ca riptide sportfishing. Every year in november, more than 10 thousand gray whales trade the freezing waters of alaskas bering sea for the warmth of mexicos baja california peninsula. Killer whale season whale watch trips in april and may 2020. One year of whale watching in just one infographic. A study prepared for international fund for animal welfare in 2009 estimated that million people went whale watching globally in 2008. We have the blue whale, the largest mammal on earth. Apr 07, 2018 dreamlike pictures of gray whales from the baja california, mexico. Magdalena bay whale watching baja adventure travel baja tours. More than 20 species of whales are encountered around baja most yearround, making this area an important center for whale observation. Gray whales have come for centuries to mate, calve, and relax before heading north to their arctic feeding grounds. Explore offshore islands for birding and photography and snorkel with tropical reef fish.
Hi, i have been swimming with the whale sharks around isla mujeres, where we regularly vacation. To see the whales blowing, sounding, mating, and calving in their. We will transfer across the border in our comfortable motor coach for a short drive to the tijuana airport. Gray whale watching at san ignacio lagoon, baja california. Ever since then the popularity and thrill of being close to whales has been one of the highlights of many peoples lives. Pdf baleen whale migrations typically consist of annual movements between. Best time to visit baja california responsible travel. Jan 12, 2017 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. Sighting data from the southern goc and the pacific coast of baja california give no indication that fin whales migrate between the goc and. Gray whales are 52 feet long and weigh 36 tons, yet are gentle enough to touch and baja californias pacific coast is the perfect place to experience the thrill. Cabo san lucas whale watching season begins baja mexico. Gray whale watching tours in baja california on the sea of.
Whale watching season begins in baja california travel. The best whale watching ever baja california, mexico. When the gray whales arrive in baja to have their babies, it is a magical time. Called friendlies by whale watching tourists, many whales now seek human contact in the baja lagoons. Every year thousands of california gray whales migrate 6,000 miles from the cold waters of the bering and chukchi seas to the warm waters of baja californias central pacific coast. Theres time to whale watch offshore for bajas blue whales, fin whales, and other whales. Your hotel is situated in the heart of the city, beside one of baja californias most picturesque squares.
Adventuresmith explorations small ship tours in baja california provide a style of. 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. Every year in november, more than 10 thousand gray whales trade the freezing waters of alaskas bering sea for. The name whale shark comes from its size, being as large as some species of whales. Populations of close to 2,000 are expected to arrive to the waters of baja, the regional delegate of the national commission of protected natural areas conanp, benito bermudez almada, announced. Limited to 18 travelers a very important feature of our whale watching tours is the limited group size, as whale encounters are best experienced with fewer travelers for a more intimate nature experience. Fin whale movements in the gulf of california, mexico, from satellite. Join our 12day tour to whalewatch for up to a dozen different species. The gray whale migrates along our coastline each year between baja california and the arctic. February is also a good time to see the big whales around the baja california, mexico. The sightings line up exactly with whale watching season that has been legally marked out by semarnat, the federal department of environment and natural resources.
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. Whale watching season has begun in baja california sur. Discover the beauty of the baja california peninsula in mexico. The mexican government strictly regulates access to these lagoons to ensure that any human activities do not affect the whales while they are in the quiet, protected lagoons of baja california. One of my early major marine conservation campaigns was to help with the protection of laguna san ignacio in baja california sur, a primary gray whale breeding and nursery estuaryand still, i. 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. Migratory species such as humpback and gray whales plan their entire lives around the seasons.
Indepth, upclose encounterson six separate smallgroup skiff excursions, witness the spring finale of the gray whales annual migration from alaska to baja. These are scammons lagoon, san ignacio lagoon, and magdalena bay. Well go ashore for a botanical walk in an immense arroyo and then dive in for some great snorkeling. The whale migration season runs from november to february but the best time to watch big concentrations of these magnificent mammals parading off the ensenada coast is the last week of january. These are panga local motorboat tours with a knowledgeable captainguide. This is a diverse and brilliant wilderness area full of contrasts. From middecember through march, scammons lagoon is the destination of the largest number of these magnificent mammals. Grey whale watching in baja is one of the worlds most intimate wildlife encounters. Gray whale watching tours in baja california on the sea of cortez. Your private charter flight will depart at about 1. 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 season begins in baja california travel agent. Us tourists travelled from san diego on selfcontained 7 to 10day cruises down to the lagoons of the baja california coast.
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. Start point san diego or you get to the ensenada airport on your own for your flight to guerrero negro. She provides a really positive experience, along with everything you need eco sunscreen. Brodeur rd, ralston s, emmett rl, trudel m, auth td.
Watch the giant sperm whales in the deep waters off the spectacular coast of kaikoura. Between december and april one of the most spectacular natural shows takes place. Baleen whale migrations typically consist of annual movements between. Whale lovin is in the air from the mating to nursing of the calfs. 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. Witness and interact with the friendly california gray whale on this incredible adventure set right in the heart of baja s gray whale territory.
Mar 28, 2016 whale watching in baja california in january, we took a whale watching excursion around the southern end of the santa monica bay. The best whale watching ever baja california, mexico youtube. Baja whale watching expeditions gentle giants expedition. San ignacio lagoon and sea of cortez oceanic society.
The 6,000 mile journey brings these magnificent marine mammals to sanctuaries situated in lagoons off the shores of baja california sur. Every spring, the rich waters of the loreto national marine park draw the worlds largest animal to come feed. 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. February is peak month for both grey whales and visitors, and whale watching trips take place in magdalena bay and san ignacio lagoon. The whaleplanner february a whale watching infographic. For gray whale trips with san diego start point, see the details below our combo trip dates. 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. Whale watching mexico mexico ecotourism natural habitat. Whale watching is mostly a recreational activity cf. This migration places the gray whale in our area usually between december through march. Scammons is also the largest of the three whale watching lagoon. The gray whale is generally dark gray in color with mottling patterns of white patches that are used by scientists to identify individual animals. Killer whales in cabo san lucas whale watch cabo tours. We had a fantastic time full of blows, flukes and even one breach.
This article originally appeared in the autumn of 2006. We are very excited today to announce the official start to the cabo san lucas whale watching season with whale watch cabo. Baja california whale watching, mexico ultimate travel co. Usually, well over whales are here during each season and, on some exceptional seasons, baja whale watching experts counted over. But in reality there are not related to whales, they belong to the shark. There are so many whales here at this time, that you can just drop anchor and wait for them to swim up. In addition, whale watching is becoming more common in the sea of cortez. 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. Bottlenose, rissos or pacific whitesided dolphins were good guesses, but thats the dorsal fin of an orca or killer whale likely a female or young animal. 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. Start point san diego or you get to the ensenada airport on. 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. 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.
Every year, over 1,500 california gray whales migrate from the cold bering and chukchi waters near alaska to the warm pacific waters off the coast of mexicos baja peninsula. Whale watching is one of the most popular activities in baja. How to go whale watching in baja california sur, mexico tripsavvy. Vizcaino desert discoverieswith two naturalist expedition leaders, explore. Small mexico cruise ships may provide access to whalewatching in these sites as well. This behavior was first reported in 1976 from san ignacio lagoon and has grown each year. Baja whale watching tours may get you close enough to touch. The season started on december 15, 2018 and ends on may 30, 2019. Feb 17, 2017 baja california sur is one of the best world destinations to see whales. Pdf behavioural estimation of blue whale movements in the. Baja california is fast becoming the premier location to watch whales in the world. 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. Whalewatching in baja california orange county register. Whale watching season has formally begun in baja california sur with the sighting of whales at puerto adolfo lopez mateos in the municipality of comondu in late december of 2015.
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