The Great Gray Whales of Baja

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. On this eco-travel adventure, we have exclusive use of our private waterfront camp. We divide our group into smaller numbers for whale-watching excursions, with each boat generally accommodating eight to nine guests.

Accommodations, services of Nat Hab's professional Expedition Leader(s) and local staff, a local San Ignacio Lagoon guide on all excursions, all meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on final day, some alcoholic beverages, some gratuities, airport transfers on Day 1 and final day, all activities and entrance fees, all taxes, permits and service fees.

Travel to and from the start and end point of your trip, some alcoholic beverages, some gratuities, passport and visa fees (if any), optional activities, items of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry and internet, etc.), airline baggage fees, airport and departure taxes (if any), required medical evacuation insurance, optional travel protection insurance.

Easy, with these important considerations
This adventure is not strenuous and does not require a high degree of physical fitness, however there are a few taxing physical elements that could be challenging for some participants. The long round-trip drive from Loreto across the Baja Peninsula to San Ignacio takes place in a large shuttle on rugged, narrow, winding roads that cross mountains and skirt sheer cliffs. It could be taxing for any guests susceptible to motion sickness, vertigo, or who have back or neck issues. Though our drivers are experts, the drive can be uncomfortable for some travelers. Many locals and tourists also use the same highway, and we frequently deal with passing vehicles. Once we reach San Ignacio town, we switch to smaller vans for the rest of the journey to Whale Camp on San Ignacio Lagoon. It's a 1.5 mile ride on extremely bumpy, washboard dirt roads that can quickly turn into thick, immovable mud after a rain. The washboard portions of the roads are so intense that it can be difficult to sustain a conversation on this section of the drive, and the bumpiness can be very jarring for anyone with back or neck issues. There are no paved roads after we leave San Ignacio town, so all extra activities from Whale Camp require navigating these rough dirt roads.

Once we arrive, you must be able to walk unassisted for a minimum of one-half mile in order to participate in this trip. Some of our group meals in Loreto are a short walk from the hotel, and an alternate means of transportation is unavailable. You must be able to walk up and down stairs, wade through shallow water to step in and out of the open panga excursion boats, and sit on bench seats for long periods of time while whale watching. Getting in and out of the boats, guests will also have to shuffle through water potentially thigh-high over stretches of uneven sand, thick layers of seashells and slick mossy rocks. Boarding the pangas may require use of an unstable metal ramp, which guests must be able to navigate. Depending on weather and sea conditions, boat excursions to the whales can be rough, bumpy and wet. Winds may be strong, water may spray into the boat, and temperatures may be cold. Optional nature walks will also be available, and in order to participate in these, you must be able to walk unassisted for at least 1 mile. All activities are completely optional, and travelers should only participate in those activities they feel comfortable with. If you are concerned about your personal physical capabilities with regard to the demands of this trip, please contact our office for further details, in addition to your own physician for his or her opinion.

This rare adventure offers the closest possible whale encounters and is a must for lovers of marine wildlife! Here are some important aspects of the trip you should be aware of.

Early Booking Advised for Flights to and from Loreto, Mexico
Please be aware that flights to and from Loreto, our start and finish point, are often very limited. We strongly advise signing up for this trip as early as possible to avoid problems with flight availability and expensive fares. Additionally, airlines tend to alter flight schedules on this route fairly often, so please be aware that we may need to address a schedule change after flights have been booked.

Seasonality of Whale Behavior
Our current whale-watching season runs from early February to early March. With climate-related changes, we are observing the whales’ migration timing and seasonal behavior patterns slowly shifting. Visitors in the first part of February will be more likely to see active whales engaging in playful behavior, courtship and mating, with plenty of spy-hopping and dramatic breaches. Earlier in our season, mothers and calves are less visible as they remain in the upper protected areas of the lagoon where whale watching is not allowed, so as not to disturb the calves as they gain strength and weight. Later in February and into March, we are more likely to see mothers with calves, and “friendly” whale behavior, approaching our pangas at close range and sometimes coming directly alongside our boats.  

San Ignacio Lagoon Permitting
Part of what makes San Ignacio Lagoon such a pristine whale-watching environment is the unique permitting structure formed and managed by the local community. In addition to regulations set by the Mexican government, the lagoon camp operators and fishermen developed a permitting system to fairly manage the demand for whale-watching tourism while maintaining protection of the lagoon and the whales. The system involves a limited set number of permit-holders allowed to operate in the lagoon, and an even smaller number of permitted pangas that can enter the lagoon at a given time. Once a panga has entered the whale-watching area, it is allowed to remain up to 90 minutes before it must exit and allow other pangas to enter. Each panga must wait a minimum of 20 minutes between scheduled times in the whale-watching area, meaning no operator can have a panga in the whale-watching area for more than 90 minutes at a time. This can mean that at times, we must wait for a short period at the entrance to the whale-watching area until the sheriff permits our panga to enter. During this time, distant whale behavior can still be spotted in the viewing area.

Plan to arrive in Loreto no later than 4 pm on Day 1 of the adventure, as there is a group orientation and welcome dinner at 5 pm. You are free to depart anytime on the final day.

We can best serve you if our Natural Habitat Adventures Travel Desk makes your reservations, as we are intimately familiar with the special requirements of this program and can arrange the most efficient travel. Please call us at 800-543-8917. Note that while we offer you the best possible rates available to us on airfare and additional nights' accommodations, you may find special web rates or better fares online.