Whale Watching in Baja Ultimate Guide to Seeing the Magnificent Marine Giants of Baja California

Whale Watching Baja is one of the most amazing and spectacular wildlife activities that one can indulge in the world. This Baja peninsula has its main destination and breeding area of the thousands of gray whales humpback whales and blue whales that annually migrate in the cold Arctic waters to the warm and sheltered lagoons in Mexico, the Baja peninsula. By going on professional, expertly led whale viewing trips in Baja you will be able to experience these magnificent sea mammals at close quarters in their natural environment and make memories you will remember forever besides the ecotourism being responsible and sustainable.

The Reason to Choose Baja as a Whale Watching Destination?

Baja California is universally known to be one of the best whale watching in Baja destination sites in the whole world. The special geography of the Baja peninsula, characterized by the presence of sheltered lagoons, calm bays and nutrient rich waters are what provide the ideal environment of the gray whales to calve and nurse their babies during the winter season between the months of December and April. The lagoons of San Ignacio Magdalena Bay and Scammons Lagoon are specially known as far as whale watching is concerned due to their incredible whale experiences in which the gray whales are exceptionally friendly and curious to an extent that they go as close as possible to the boats and allow the visitors to view and even touch these friendly giants at astonishing proximity.

Whale species in Baja California

Gray Whales

Gray whale is the most representative and common type of whale that is commonly seen in the course of the whale watching in Baja California. These great animals have one of the longest migrations of any mammal with 10000 miles each way round trip between their Arctic feeding grounds and the warm lagoons of Baja. Gray whales are especially famous of their inquisitive and welcoming demeanor which tends to drive right up to whale watching vessels and permit the visitors watch their barnacled skin heavy flukes and curious eyes at very close quarters.

Humpback Whales

Another magnificent type of whale that is common in the whale watching tours in Baja California is the humpback whales. These acrobatic giant creatures are characterized by dramatic breaching behavior that is strong in tail slaps and hauntingly beautiful songs that one can hear even miles below the water. Humpback whales are commonly found in the waters of Cabo San Lucas Loreto and the Sea of Cortez where they can be found used to feast on large schools of fish and krill.

Blue Whales

The blue whale is the biggest animal that ever lived on the planet and the Baja California provides the best prospects in the world to view these magnificent animals. Blue whales usually spend their time in the deep water of the Sea of Cortaz and Pacific coast of Baja in the spring and summer seasons feeding on large amounts of the tiny krill in the nutrients belching areas.

Whale Watching in Baja Best Times.

The whale watching season in Baja California lasts between mid December and late April where the best season is between mid January and mid March. Thousands of gray whales gather during this season in the sheltered lagoons of Baja to have their calves born and breastfed in the sheltered lagoons before starting their great migration back to the Arctic. Humpback whales may be found all the year round in some regions of Baja, but are found in high levels especially in the winter season. The blue whales are seen mostly in the period between March and June when they transit through the Sea of Cortez in order to enjoy the seasonal supply of krill.

The Best Whale Watching Sites in Baja.

San Ignacio Lagoon is considered as one of the most superior and fine Baja whale watching spots in the whole world. This distant and isolated lagoon is a declared UNESCO World Heritage place and a vital calving and nursing area of the gray whales. The whales at San Ignacio Lagoon are legendary due to their exceptionally friendly nature that would on occasions come very close to small boats and directly engage with the visitors in what has now been known as the friendly whale phenomenon.

Magdalena Bay

Another globally renowned whale watching site is Magdalena Bay which is a site located in the Pacific side of the Baja California Sur. This extensive protected bay system offers the best conditions in the calving and nursing of gray whales and great opportunities to see the mothers with newborn whales in the shallow controlled waters. Whale watching season in Magdalena bay is normally between January and March with the month of February having the highest levels of the whales.

Cabo San Lucas and the Sea of Cortazzos.

The sea waters around Cabo San Lucas and the southern Sea of Cortaz provide an all-year long whale watching experience with various species being seen in different seasons. Gray whales go on a journey along Cabo between December and April, humpback whales between December and March and blue whales between March and June. This region is one of the best whale watching spots because of the dramatic coastal geography and the variety of species of whales.

Loreto and the Central Sea of Cortez.

Loreto and the Sea of Cortez central region is the summer place of whales and provides an excellent whale watching experience in a less busy and more intimate environment. The region is especially famous with viewing blue whales in spring and the best opportunity of seeing dolphins and sea lion and other sea animals all year round.

Whale Watching: Ethical Practices.

In whale watching in Baja it is vital to look at the tour operators that have to follow stringent responsible and sustainable whale watching policies. Qualified tour operators keep a healthy distance between whales and do not interfere with natural behaviour limit the number of boats near to the single whales and sensitize tourists about the conservation of marine environment. Through responsible whale watching you will be ensuring that future generations will be able to enjoy the wonder and magic of these magnificent creatures in the natural environment.

Whale Watching packing list.

It is advisable to come prepared with long and warm clothes when embarking on a whale watching trip in Baja since the morning in the water might be cold even when there should be winter. Sunglasses with a broad brim, a wide hat and a waterproof jacket are necessary items. https://greywhale.com/grey-whale-watching-baja