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. There are so many whales here at this time, that you can just drop anchor and wait for them to swim up. Us tourists travelled from san diego on selfcontained 7 to 10day cruises down to the lagoons of the baja california coast. Whale watching, cave paintings, wine tasting and more. The blue whales of the loreto marine reserve the aquarium of the world is how the great jacques cousteau referred to the sea of cortez. San ignacio lagoon and sea of cortez oceanic society. Download scientific diagram study area around the baja california peninsula where blue whales were photographed. Mark is addicted to baja californias whales, visiting every year. Getten, telepathic animal communicator, for an up close and intimate encounter with gray whales in baja california, mexico the only place in the world to observe gray whales calving and where friendly whales come up to boats and sometimes allow you to touch them. The trip set out from san diego and travelling down the baja california peninsular and into the sea of cortez. We also visit the beautiful sea of cortez for whale watching on this weeklong adventure on mexicos baja california peninsula. In this baja, the gray whales come to you photography. Most mating activity of the gray whale occurs on the way to, or near, the lagoons of baja california.
Observe one of the most miraculous natural phenomena on the planet. Feb 20, 2011 this is a day out on the water with my family watching blue whales off loreto, baja california sur, mexico. Every year, the california gray whales set off on the longest migration made by any mammal. Don a mask and snorkel for a swim around the rocks and inlets of the islands and you will see why. Go on a whale watching cruise right here in san diego with birch aquarium and flagship cruises and events. In the shallow lagoons of the baja california and the california sur, every year thousands of gray whales gather to give birth to their calves. Brodeur rd, ralston s, emmett rl, trudel m, auth td. When the gray whales arrive in baja to have their babies, it is a magical time.
Thats why the zoologist mark carwardine heads there at this time every year. 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. Baja california is fast becoming the premier location to watch whales in the world. Your hotel is situated in the heart of the city, beside one of baja californias most picturesque squares. While you are on the whale trail download the free mobile application. 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. Magdalena bay whale watching baja adventure travel baja tours. Our 3 and 4day magdalena bay whale watching tours include camping at our exclusive safaristyle basecamp set on a secluded beach. Friendly gray whales in baja california, mexico hd youtube.
In addition, whale watching is becoming more common in the sea of cortez. The best whale watching ever baja california, mexico. Gopro footage shot on an 11 day whale watching trip with mark carwardine. Heres how to see humpbacks, gray whales, blue whales and whale sharks in the. The mood is festive in this hamlet at the midpoint of mexicos baja california peninsula because today is a day the town looks forward to all year longthe opening of abalone season. Each year hundreds of whales congregate in the lagoon to reproduce and. Check out these cool new baja whale watching videos. The eye of a gray whale swimming in san ignacio lagoon. When my memory card was full the last blue whale in. 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. This great whales of baja expedition is the ultimate land and sea whale watching experience.
Whale watching at laguna san ignacio, with baja discovery. Video illustrates typical 5day whale watching tour with baja discovery at san ignacio lagoon. Discover the beauty of the baja california peninsula in mexico. Whaletrips mexico the best tips for whale watching in.
But by having the title of largest fish in the world, they get to have. The trip set out from san diego and travelling down the baja california peninsular and. See more ideas about whale watching, whale and baja california. The whale shark is a fish, not a mammal like a whale.
Friendly gray whales approach our whale watching boat in san ignacio lagoon, baja, mexico during our march 2016 expedition. 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. Mexico the best tips for whale watching in mexico whaletrips. 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. Whales, the largest known mammal, can grow up to 50 feet in. Every winter, hundreds of pacific gray whales return to their traditional breeding and birthing grounds in sheltered san ignacio lagoon on mexicos baja. Pdf trace elements in tissues of whale sharks rhincodon. Buy whales and other marine mammals of california and baja on free shipping on qualified orders. With the highest concentration of baja gray whales right offshore, theres no better place to witness the gray whales as they play. Small mexico cruise ships may provide access to whalewatching in these sites as well. In addition to these whales, whale sharks frequent baja s waters. Experience magical, close encounters with the friendly gray whale mothers and calves of san ignacio lagoon, a unesco world heritage site.
Gray whale adventure baja california mexico mary j. The blue whales of the loreto marine reserve, baja california sur. In this baja lagoon, whales seek attention from humans, turning the rules of wildlife photography on their head. Beautiful blue whales off loreto, baja california sur, mexico. This is a day out on the water with my family watching blue whales off loreto, baja california sur, mexico.
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. Whale watching tours with gray whales in bajas magdalena bay gray whale watching guaranteed. Two adults will be taking a whale watching tour in march 09. Gray whales baja california whales lindblad expeditions. How to go whale watching in baja california sur, mexico tripsavvy. They came right up to the rowing boat, once even a mother whale with his baby. On our first evening mark filled us in on what to expect. Baja california sur is one of the best world destinations to see whales. Whale watching tours with gray whales in bajas magdalena bay. Especially gray whales, humpbacks, finbacks and blue whales are regularly seen here from december to march.
Whalewatching in baja california orange county register. 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. Download the desktop and mobile apps to get the most precise weather forecasts from weather stations in your neighborhood. Baja california whale watching, mexico ultimate travel co.
Study area around the baja california peninsula where blue whales. Mexicos baja california sur is a whale watching paradise. More than 20 species of whales are encountered around baja most yearround, making this area an important center for whale observation. Guests witness gray whales playing, resting, and investigating their curious visitors before heading north to their arctic feeding grounds.
Usually, mating occurs in groups of three whales, a female and two males. Day boats are for hire in san ignacio lagoon, at two villages by magdalena bay, and at other lagoons in baja california. Behavioural estimation of blue whale movements in the northeast. Witness the gray whale migration, one of natures most phenomenal events, and see these gentle giants upclose in the heart of their breeding grounds. Baja californias recipe for saving fishing communities. Whales and dolphins you may see on our 12day searcher natural history tour. 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. 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. Occasional sightings of mating gray whales on their way south have been reported from southern california. Baja airventures has three oneofkind soft, ecoadventure baja whale watching tours youll love. Mar 09, 2015 by lisa gilfillan, education specialist our annual baja california whale adventure, a collaboration between birch aquarium at scripps and andiamo tours mexico, is a naturalistguided adventure to the lagoons of baja california.
Up to nine species of whales visit baja on a regular basis. Baja california, on the wild pacific coast of mexico, is the best place in the world to see whales in all their glory. Grey whale watching in baja is one of the worlds most intimate wildlife encounters. Although we can organise half and fullday experiences from cabo, this signature eightday expedition delves deeper into the islandlike peninsula of baja sur for incredible wildlife encounters, breathtaking desert scenery, crumbling spanish missions, culinary exploration and a unique interaction with. Seeing the behemoths in their native lagoons is an everchanging and always thrilling experience. During the month of march, san ignacio lagoon is home to around 200 gray whale mothers and calves, many of whom take a particular interest in boats that visit the area. Females tend to be smaller, usually around 3040 feet long and weighing 1418 tons. 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 great gray whales of baja natural habitat adventures.
Whale watching is one of the most popular activities in baja. Sperm whales of baja california sur cabo whale trek. Occasionally seen in water off the coast of baja california, the sperm whale is the largest toothed whale in the world. Whale watching season begins in baja california travel. 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. Ever since then the popularity and thrill of being close to whales has been one of the highlights of many peoples lives. Feb 21, 2016 gopro footage shot on an 11 day whale watching trip with mark carwardine. Their presence gives baja californians a sense of pride because the gray whale is internationally known as a mexican whale. Immerse yourself in endless wildlife experiences on searcher natural history tours signature 12day itinerary to baja california, mexico. Whales and other marine mammals of california and baja. Males can grow up to 60 feet in length and can weigh 4050 tons, usually reaching full size around 50 years old. Aug 25, 2017 the eye of a gray whale swimming in san ignacio lagoon.
Gray whale watching tours in baja california on the sea of cortez. 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. Are we better off to go with a group such as baja adventures, etc. Whale watching in baja has become a nearly annual pilgrimage for our family.
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