Know Before You Go
Whether you're preparing for your upcoming adventure in Mexico or just want to learn more about the Great Gray Whales of Baja, we've got you covered. We've rounded up an array of useful resources, from wildlife guides and packing tips to compelling first-hand accounts written by Nat Hab travelers and staff.
Travel Tips
Wildlife Guide
Learn about the behaviors, migration and conservation of Pacific gray whales, along with a host of birdlife you'll find along Baja's beaches and coasts.
Weather & Climate
Discover the monthly temperatures and average precipitation in Baja, so you'll be prepared for any weather in store during your stay at San Ignacio Lagoon!
Packing List
We’ve made a comprehensive list of all the clothing and gear you’ll want to pack so you'll be well prepared for your Baja adventure.
Travel Stories & Articles
Watch WWF’s Ocean Expert Answer Questions about Gray Whales
—By Hannah Wagner
In 2020, Karen Douthwaite, WWF’s Lead Ocean Specialist, joined Nat Hab during their climate change trip series where travelers could learn about the threats to our planet while seeing some of its most...
Is the Pacific Gray Whale the Ocean’s Friendliest Gentle Giant?
—By Peter Davis Krahenbuhl
Have you ever imagined having the chance to get up close and personal with possibly the most majestic and friendly of all sea animals – the Pacific gray whale? If not, we highly recommend a journey to...
Gray Whales and Family Bonds in Baja
—By Sarah Knight
My 10-year-old daughter and I went on the Great Gray Whales of Baja trip in April, and seeing a new part of the world through her eyes was magical. Everything from getting up close and personal with mother and baby...
Nat Hab Philanthropy: Whale Disentanglement in Mexico
—By Emily Goodheart
As a part of the Global Whale Response Network, RABEN is internationally recognized for its successful rescues, having come to the aid of many gray whales, fin whales, tropical bottlenose whales and humpbacks...
Five Whale Questions with WWF’s Leigh Henry
—By WWF
It’s truly amazing all the species of whale you can find in Baja—blue, fin, humpback, sperm and gray. You can also find orcas, or “killer whales,” but these are actually a species of dolphin. On top of that, Baja is...
In Mexico: A Sanctuary for Gray Whales
—By Noah Patterson, WWF
The anticipation and uncertainty was palpable as we headed into San Ignacio Lagoon. We were strangers in this world with only a small boat between us the murky water below. We didn’t know what to...
Gray Whale – Greatest Endurance Athlete in the World?
—By Peter Davis Krahenbuhl
In 2015, a member of the critically endangered western gray whale population broke the record for longest recorded mammal migration in the world. The nine-year-old female named Varvara swam...
The Great Gray Whale in Me
—By Peter Davis Krahenbuhl
Whenever I write about a specific nature or travel topic, I try to think about the extent to which my experience with it has shaped my own life. In the case of the mystical, magical, majestic gray whale, I can only...
A Whale of a Journey: Kayaking Baja’s Sea of Cortez
—By Andrea Reynolds
Each day got better and better, the Mexican coastline grew more intriguing, and beautiful stretches of coral reefs provided amazing snorkeling opportunities. Mobula rays were the second-most interesting wildlife I...
Post-Pandemic, Learning to Trust Again from a Gray Whale
—By Candice Gaukel Andrews
On reaching Mexico’s Baja California, the gray whales find nourishing waters waiting for them. Here, cool ocean currents push oxygen and nutrients up toward the surface, where they blend with the warm sunlight...
Close Encounters with Whales: Part I
—By Wendy Redal
Just beyond an expanse of salt flats, we finally arrive at San Ignacio Lagoon. The bay glitters navy blue in the winter sunshine as we pull up to our beachside cabanas at the Kuyima whale camp, the eco-lodge that is...
Close Encounters With Whales: Part II
—By Wendy Redal
“That idea of connection without words is so amazing,” Carrie adds. “The couple of whales that stayed with us, their whole bodies were visible. We watched them torque in the water, feeling that sense of power...
