Your hotel is situated in the heart of the city, beside one of baja californias most picturesque squares. Magdalena bay whale watching baja adventure travel baja tours. Whale season is getting underway in the mexican pacific, and baja california sur bcs is the place to be. On our first evening mark filled us in on what to expect. Two adults will be taking a whale watching tour in march 09. To have an excellent chance of seeing whales, visit baja between the. Fin whale movements in the gulf of california, mexico, from satellite. Are we better off to go with a group such as baja adventures, etc. Whale watching season comes to a close april 30 dont miss out. Baja california has protected lagoons calm waters, protected from killer whales, so it is a relatively. From december to april they use the tropical waters off the baja california as their winter quarters. 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. The opportunities for whale encounters here are truly exceptional.
Gray whales have come for centuries to mate, calve, and relax before heading north to their arctic feeding grounds. Up to nine species of whales visit baja on a regular basis. 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. Every year in november, more than 10 thousand gray whales trade the freezing waters of alaskas bering sea for. These guidelines are not only to regulate sightings, but to also promote the conservation of whale species, including the gray whale. Thats why the zoologist mark carwardine heads there at this.
Usually, mating occurs in groups of three whales, a female and two males. Us tourists travelled from san diego on self contained 7 to 10day cruises down to the lagoons of the baja california coast. 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. Marco of magdalena whale watching took us out and and knew how to work until the mother and calf got used to us and we got close.
Please scroll down for available trips and to book your trip. The best whale watching ever baja california, mexico youtube. 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. We also visit the beautiful sea of cortez for whale watching on this weeklong adventure on mexicos baja california peninsula. Then they go on their long journey to feed in the rich feeding grounds of the north. In this baja, the gray whales come to you photography. Whale watching is one of the most popular activities in baja. Saving gray whales and responsible whale watching in baja. The baja california is one of the most important regions for whale watching in the whole world, as various kinds of whales use the subtropical waters of the mexican peninsula as winter quarters. Feb 21, 2016 gopro footage shot on an 11 day whale watching trip with mark carwardine. A worldclass whalewatching destination, baja california is home to over a dozen different whales, including curious. Whalewatching in baja california orange county register. 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.
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. When tourists come to see gray whales that migrate to baja lagoons at calving season, it often seems the curiosity might be mutual. Mexiko vamos baja california oceano meerzeit reisen. 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 baja california peninsula, where they will mate and give birth to their young. Sergios whale watching ensenada baja california norte. Its whalewatching season on mexicos pacific coast, from baja to. San ignacio lagoon and sea of cortez oceanic society.
The best time to visit baja is undoubtedly between mid january and mid march, when the grey whales migrate to the lagoons to give birth. Scammons is also the largest of the three whale watching lagoon. How to go whale watching in baja california sur, mexico. Two unique baja whale watching trips on the pacific ocean and sea of cortez and one baja whale shark ecotour on the sea of cortez that world travelers rave about. The whaleplanner december a whale watching infographic. However, working with grey whales in baja california s san. Saving gray whales and responsible whale watching in baja california.
Discover the best whale watching spots in mexico and be captivated by the majestic gray, blue, and humpback whales. When the gray whales arrive in baja to have their babies, it is a magical time. Gopro footage shot on an 11 day whale watching trip with mark carwardine. In mexicos stunning magdalena bay, humans and whales meet. Especially gray whales, humpbacks, finbacks and blue whales are regularly seen here from december to march. 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. Each season from december 15 to april 15, enjoy the sightings of the magnificent gray whale migration on a journey from the cold northern seas of alaska to the warm lagoons located at the center of the peninsula of baja california. Whale watching season begins in baja california travel agent. Mexicos baja california sur is a whale watching paradise. Whale watching tours with gray whales in bajas magdalena bay. If you want an experience of a lifetime, magdalena bay whales is the outfit to use. Although its very late in the season for whale watching our marine.
From your room or a boat you can watch the whales baja, california offers some of the best whalewatching opportunities in the world. Every year, the california gray whales set off on the longest migration made by any mammal. 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. 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.
Every winter they swim along baja california, and its possible to see them from january to april near the south, in loreto bay. Whale watching tours with gray whales in bajas magdalena bay gray whale watching guaranteed. Baja california whale watching, mexico ultimate travel co. 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. Aug 25, 2017 i have photographed whales for almost 20 years. Although its very late in the season for whale watching our marine biologist katia and the captain were able to find a momma and baby humpback whale pair to. A migrating california gray whale lifts its tail out of the water as it lazily swims in san ignacio lagoon.
For thousands of years, various species of whales have migrated to this region seeking out warmer waters. The type of whales that arrive every year in baja california sur are the. Whales, california and seasons researchgate, the professional network for. Humpback whale sightings are highly likely on trips during january and february. Whale watching season begins in baja california travel. Sergios whale watching ensenada baja california norte, mexico. 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. In mexicos stunning magdalena bay, humans and whales meet up. Baja california, on the wild pacific coast of mexico, is the best place in the world to see whales in all their glory. Us tourists travelled from san diego on selfcontained 7 to 10day cruises down to the lagoons of the baja california coast. The whales migrate each winter to the warm waters here. The east coast of baja is bordered by the sea of cortez, supporting the largest and most varied population of whales in the world, as well as one of the last sanctuaries for the endangered finback and blue whales, the largest of the cetaceans twice the size of gray whale. Gray whales on the move teacher handout 1 answers to gray whale migration questions 1.
Combination gray whale and blue whale trips each combination trip is unique with specific start and end points that vary with the itinerary date. Usually, well over whales are here during each season and, on some exceptional seasons, baja whale watching experts counted over. Baja california sur is one of the best world destinations to see whales. We were staying right on the shore in an ecocamp but would be going out into the designated whalewatching area.
The trip set out from san diego and travelling down the baja california peninsular and into the sea of cortez. The name whale shark comes from its size, being as large as some species of whales. Grey whale watching in baja is one of the worlds most intimate wildlife encounters. For most people, being close to a massive friendly whale with a gentle disposition is one of the greatest thrills in the animal world. With the highest concentration of baja gray whales right offshore, theres no better place to witness the gray whales as they play. 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. Baja whale watching gray whales in baja california.
Whale season starts in january and lasts until april. Watch the giant sperm whales in the deep waters off the spectacular coast of kaikoura. Heres how to see humpbacks, gray whales, blue whales and whale sharks in the region. Most mating activity of the gray whale occurs on the way to, or near, the lagoons of baja california. Usually i have to spend many weeks out at sea just to get two or three good encounters. Dreamlike pictures of gray whales from the baja california, mexico.
They came right up to the rowing boat, once even a mother whale with his baby. However, working with grey whales in baja californias san. Check out these cool new baja whale watching videos. Mark is addicted to baja californias whales, visiting every year. The alaskan arctic has large amounts of food amphipods for gray whales.
Whales, the largest known mammal, can grow up to 50 feet in. Join them on one of baja airventures sixday trips, including private flights from san diego. Sighting data from the southern goc and the pacific coast of baja california give no indication that fin whales migrate between the goc and. The impressive blue whale is the biggest whale in the world, reaching 30 meters in length and weighing 120 tons. Experience magical, close encounters with the friendly gray whale mothers and calves of san ignacio lagoon, a unesco world heritage site. The gray whale lagoons of baja california offer the best possibility for this opportunity of anywhere in the world. Baja s whale season though whale watching in baja is a yearround activity, the winter months are the height of whale season. Gray whale watching tours in baja california on the sea of. Apr 07, 2018 dreamlike pictures of gray whales from the baja california, mexico. The proprietor is considered the father of whale watching, and is a pioneer of baja whale tours.
Whale watching in baja california in january, we took a whale watching excursion around the southern end of the santa monica bay. Know season and schedule for baja whale watching tours and. Grey whale watching baja california forum tripadvisor. We were staying right on the shore in an ecocamp but would be going out into the designated whalewatching area of the lagoon twice daily in small boats.
The best whale watching ever baja california, mexico. From december to marchapril they mate and give birth in the warm and shallow waters off the baja california, mexico. 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. Visit baja california during whale shark season, august. We also have grays, humpback, fin, minke and pilots, bryan jauregui tells travel agent. To see the whales blowing, sounding, mating, and calving in their. 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. We also visit the beautiful sea of cortez for whale watching on this week. Gray whale watching season begins in early december and moves along the pacific coast ofthe baja peninsulaand ends in early april as the whale return north.
Live the adventure with ensenadas best whale excursions. Their presence gives baja californians a sense of pride because the gray whale is internationally known as a mexican whale. There are so many whales here at this time, that you can just drop anchor and wait for them to swim up. Baja airventures has three oneofkind soft, ecoadventure baja whale watching tours youll love. Take a stroll up and down the piers during whale season and youll come across plenty of groups advertising whale. Whale shark facts the whale shark is the largest fish on the planet, reaching lengths of arround 18 to 40 feet 5. Hi, my husband and i want to visit mexico next year, its my dream to see grey whales up close but with a view to whale and dolphin spotting in general and if at all possible whale shark encounters.
Occasional sightings of mating gray whales on their way south have been reported from southern california. Thats why the zoologist mark carwardine heads there at this time every year. Gray whale watching tours in baja california on the sea of cortez. Whaletrips mexico the best tips for whale watching in. We had a fantastic time full of blows, flukes and even one breach. Mar 25, 20 whale watching in magdalena bay was a once in a lifetime experience.
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