In san ignacio lagoon, mexico, the whales are so close you could. Grey whale watching laguna san ignacio baja california. Our gray whale watching ecotour packages in baja california include transfer by air from the u. San ignacio, and get up close with the majestic gray whales and their calves. Baja whale watching in the san ignacio lagoon with air charter from the us to the lagoon. Make time to enjoy local activities like whale watching in san ignacio. We also visit the beautiful sea of cortez for whale watching on this weeklong adventure on mexicos baja california peninsula. The town had a 2010 census population of 667 1 inhabitants and grew at the site of the cochimi settlement of kadakaaman and the jesuit mission san. The winter gray whale occupation of laguna san ignacio lsi and bahia magdalena bm in. Its baja californias friendly whales that first attract many of the people who come here from across the globe. San ignacio lagoon baja california all you need to. At san ignacio lagoons and scammons we use local licensed guides who are accompanied by your english speaking baja airventures guide.
This wildlife refuge, the largest in mexico, protects. Whale watching at scammons lagoon san felipe, baja, mexico. Thousands of them gather between late january and midapril. The ambient acoustic environment in laguna san ignacio, baja california sur, mexico article pdf available in the journal of the acoustical society of america 85. San ignacio lagoon, set among the coastal desert landscapes of the northern part of baja california sur, is one of the birthplaces of the modern whale watching industry. I traveled here with baja ecotours, taking a chartered bus with our group of 24 from san diego to ensenada, then a 2.
Located in mexicos rugged desert peninsula of baja california, san ignacio lagoon provides a perfect habitat for a grey whales life cycle. Whale watching holiday to mexico san ignacio lagoon. Double the whale watching and chances for interacting with the whales offered by the majority of the whale watching companies of san ignacio lagoon. San ignacio lagoon baja california 2020 all you need to. It is one of the winter sanctuaries of the eastern pacific gray whales eschrichtius robustus. Whale watching mexico mexico ecotourism natural habitat. My friend colleen and i moved in quiet anticipation, as we packed up her jeep for the long trek out to the san ignacio lagoon. San ignacio lagoon and the magdalena bay complex are the most popular baja whale watching destinations. Pacific gray whales in san ignacio lagoon baja expeditions. Grey whales in san ignacio lagoon, baja california sur youtube. Grey whale watching laguna san ignacio baja california, mexico. A grey whale calf approached a boat in san ignacio lagoon, mexico, where christian miller was on an expedition. Fly in to san ignacio lagoon eco camp to experience the splendor of the pacific gray whales. The laguna san ignacio ecosystem science program has been publishing reports of its findings in baja california sur, mexico since the early 1980s.
Your private charter flight will depart at about 1. Baja whale watching gray whales san ignacio lagoon baja mexico. San ignacio lagoon baja california 2020 all you need. I camp at kuyima, ready for a morning boat ride into the lagoon. Immerse yourself in endless wildlife experiences on searcher natural history tours signature 12day itinerary to baja california, mexico. We used baja ecotours to swim with sea lions and see the grey whales feeding and courting near magdalena is. The beautiful lagoon on the road into town is actually part of the rio san ignacio, one of only two real rivers in the entire state of baja california sur. In this baja, the gray whales come to you photography. The grandfather of whale watching in baja, pachico mayoral, first encountered a so called friendly in this lagoon over 40 years ago. Vizcaino desert discoverieswith two naturalist expedition leaders, explore. 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. Spyhopping, where the animal vertically pokes its head out of the water, is a behavior exhibited by cetacean s some sharks. Whale watching laguna san ignacio baja california, mexico.
Aug 25, 2017 a gray whale spyhops in the waters of san ignacio lagoon, baja, mexico. Whale watching in san ignacio lagoon this company goes all out in customer service. Baja whale watching gray whales in baja california. A gray whale spyhops in the waters of san ignacio lagoon, baja, mexico. This day was to be my first encounter with baja californias gray whale. Spyhopping, where the animal vertically pokes its head out of the water, is a. While not as close to loreto as our magdalena bay whale camp, traveling to san ignacio gives us the opportunity to have the powerful experience of getting up close to. From february 18 to 23, 2015, i traveled as a whale naturalist with 36 birch aquarium members through baja california sur, mexico, on a mission to see gray whales in the guerrero negro and san ignacio lagoons. Did a day trip from santa rosalia on a cruise ship excursion and had a great time. Set out in a panga twice a day to get close to these friendly, gentle creatures who enjoy contact with people. Whale watching at scammons lagoon san felipe, baja. This is one of the three prime whale watching areas in baja, with several hundred whales visiting each winter. Antonios ecotours whale watching at laguna san ignacio, baja california sur.
Touching the whales in san ignacio lagoon, baja, mexico duration. Nic slocum phd frgs the pacific gray whales of san ignacio lagoon is a whale watching holiday like no other. Chilly darkness and chips of stars greeted me as i opened the door onto the predawn sky. We will transfer across the border in our comfortable motor coach for a short drive to the tijuana airport. San ignacio lagoon and sea of cortez oceanic society.
Baja ecotours san ignacio 2020 all you need to know. The only whale watching operators who live full time at the lagoon. Our usbased pilotguides will assist you every step of the way and get you to the whales faster. We also visit the beautiful sea of cortez for whale watching on this weeklong adventure on mexicos baja california. Every year, the california gray whales set off on the longest migration made by any mammal. For most people, being close to a massive friendly whale with a gentle disposition is one of the greatest thrills in the animal world. A pacific gray whale in the san ignacio lagoon in baja california. 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. Grey whales of san ignacio lagoon mexico wildlife holiday latin.
Experience magical, close encounters with the friendly gray whale mothers and calves of san ignacio lagoon, a unesco world heritage site. In january and april we offer 2day allincluded packages with or without transportation. Up to nine species of whales visit baja on a regular basis. Ecoturismo kuyima san ignacio 2020 all you need to. Community foundation supports the longterm protection of laguna san ignacio on the pacific coast of baja california, mexico, and the gray whales who use. Whale watching at laguna san ignacio, baja california sur. Grey whales in san ignacio lagoon, baja california sur. A whale skeleton on highway 1 marks the halfway point on the long drive from tijuana to cabo san lucas and also marks the turnoff into the small town of san ignacio. February is peak month for both grey whales and visitors, and whale watching trips take place in magdalena bay and san ignacio lagoon. Whalebones on the bay of san ignacio lagoon baja california.
We also visit the beautiful sea of cortez for whale watching on this weeklong. Reservations are open for the 2020 whale watching season esta pagina en espanol. Our ecocamp features 10 small and simple raised cabanas with thatched roofs set directly on the lagoon, providing a secluded experience where guests are enveloped by the desert wilderness. San ignacio lagoon, baja, mexico our accommodations on bajas san ignacio lagoon greatly enhance the atmosphere and excitement of our whalewatching adventure. Book your hotel in san ignacio and pay later with expedia. It is located on mexican federal highway 1 between guerrero negro and santa rosalia. The sea of cortez was aptly coined the worlds aquarium by jacques cousteau. How to go whale watching in baja california sur, mexico. Apr 20, 2009 grey whale watching laguna san ignacio baja california, mexico. The gray whales of san ignacio the baja storyteller. Unique whale camp at the edge of the lagoon with 16 cabanas. San ignacio is a palm oasis town in mulege municipality of northern baja california sur state in mexico. Antonios ecotours whale watching at laguna san ignacio, baja. Baja whale watching starts in january and continues until mid april, during which the gray whales inhabit the three main lagoons on the pacific coast of baja california sur the south state of baja, mexico, to give birth, nurse, and prepare their calves for the journey back to alaska.
Sergio martinez at autonomous university of baja california sur. This exhilarating full day whale watching tour maximizes time on the water and allows you to fully experience the. San ignacio lagoon is a sheltered lagoon that is connected to the migratory path of the gray whales as they travel the pacific coast of. Whale watching laguna san ignacio road to the whales i left the town of san ignacio well before sunrise, to make the 45mile journey over terribly washboarded gravel road southwest to laguna san ignacio. Ecoturismo kuyima san ignacio 2020 all you need to know.
When the gray whales arrive in baja to have their babies, it is a magical time. The great gray whales of baja natural habitat adventures. Reservations are open for the 2020 whale watching season esta pagina en espanol antonios ecotours whale watching at laguna san ignacio, baja california sur. California gray whale eschrichtius robustus calf above and below with whale watchers in san ignacio lagoon, baja california sur, mexico.
Saving the breeding grounds of the pacific gray whale nrdc. We used baja ecotours to swim with sea lions and see the grey whales feeding and. San ignacio lagoon laguna san ignacio is a lagoon located in mulege municipality of the mexican state of baja california sur, 59 kilometres 37 mi from san ignacio. San ignacio travel baja california, mexico lonely planet. Then, after a long day of driving, i make it down to laguna san ignacio for some whale watching. On this page, you will find airport options, driving directions to san ignacio lagoon, as well as other travel options.
Combine your visit to san ignacio lagoon with an expedition to the cave paintings and get the whole baja. San ignacio whale watching, mexico whale tours dive discovery. The pacific gray whales of san ignacio lagoon tour destination. They are extremely knowledgeable of the local flora and fauna and have been taking out whale watching tour groups for years. San ignacio lagoon is a sheltered lagoon that is connected to the migratory path of the gray whales as they travel the pacific coast of north america from alaska to mexico. San ignacio lagoon laguna san ignacio is a lagoon located in mulege municipality of the mexican state of baja california sur, 59 kilometres 37 mi from san ignacio, mexico and highway 1. Browse our publications to learn how the lagoon ecosystem and the local community have evolved and changed. Based on decades of respectful wildlife ecotourism. San ignacio lagoon has earned, quite rightly, the accolade of being one. Whale watching is one of the most popular activities in baja.
Indepth, upclose encounterson six separate smallgroup skiff excursions, witness the spring finale of the gray whales annual migration from alaska to baja. San ignacio whale watching, mexico whale tours dive. We invite you to join us at our ecofriendly and comfortable safaristyle tent camp on punta piedra rocky point, the very best location. The friendly whales of san ignacio lagoon galivants travels. The lagoons warm and shallow waters provide a perfect habitat for the mammals. Witness the gray whale migration, one of natures most phenomenal events, and see these gentle giants upclose in the heart of their breeding grounds.
Best time to visit baja california responsible travel. A great bonus is all the fish in addition to the sea lions. Baja whale watching, san ignacio lagoon baja discovery. Observe one of the most miraculous natural phenomena on the planet. San ignacio is the last whale lagoon along the baja coast undisturbed by industrial intrusion.
Many tourists today visit san ignacio and use it as a base to see some the greatest natural wonders of baja california. What follows are my top 5 reasons why you need to visit baja california sur, mexico. Combine your visit to san ignacio lagoon with an expedition to the cave paintings and get the whole baja experience with kuyima. San ignacio lagoon baja california all you need to know. This exhilarating full day whale watching tour maximizes time on the water and allows you to fully experience the gray whales and the lagoon surroundings. To visit the gray whales you first have to get to san ignacio lagoon which is located about halfway down the baja california peninsula, on the pacific side. San ignacio lagoon was originally discovered by whaling captain jared poole, brotherinlaw to captain charles. Protecting san ignacio lagoon lsi whale conservation fund. San ignacio has been a favorite for travelers since the mission days, surrounded by mesas, the oasis, being a respite for many a traveler from whatever baja journey they may be on. I left the town of san ignacio well before sunrise, to make the 45mile journey over terribly washboarded gravel road southwest to laguna san ignacio. Gray whales spend the summer in alaska and british columbia, and winter in the warm waters of baja california. 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. 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.
Were honored to be granted permits from mexico to share this remarkable place with. It offers charter flights directly from san diego to san ignacio and fiveday, allinclusive packages, including accommodations at the camps. Eastern pacific gray whales migrate to laguna san ignacio for mating and calving. If you wan to see a classic little baja pueblo oasis in the vizcaino desert, get off baja highway one at san ignacio and be sure to take the time to. Watching people disembark boats before sunset, i notice multiple whale spouts out on the horizon. We stopped at the kuyima shop in san ignacio and walked around the beautiful town before going out to their camp on the bay. This wildlife refuge, the largest in mexico, protects 9,625 square miles of unique desert landscape. The ambient acoustic environment in laguna san ignacio.