MEXICO WHALES
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MEXICO WHALE WATCHING
Whales are one of the special treasures of Baja, Mexico! There are few places on the planet where these large mammals can be viewed so easily, and so close up. It only takes one whale sighting to create a memory that can last a lifetime. Come...enter the world of the whales!!!
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WHALE INFORMATION
Baja is well known as a great place to whale watch. The Peninsula is home to several different types of whales, including the California Gray whale and the Finback whale. While the California Grays are just visiting for short periods of time along the west coast, the Finbacks are full-time residents in the Sea of Cortez. Both breeds are a spectacle to behold and a true natural treasure.
The whale that seems to get everyone most excited in Baja is the California Gray whale. This magnificent creature spends summers in the waters off of Alaska, and then heads 6,000 miles south to the warmer lagoons of Baja in January, February and March. Their main reason for heading south is to mate and give birth in the protected shallow lagoons in Baja.
The three main lagoons these whales return to every year are (from north to south) Laguna Ojo de Liebre about half way down the Peninsula, Laguna San Ignacio about 100 miles further south, and Bahia Magdalena, which stretches about 100 miles from the northern end to the southern end below Laguna San Ignacio. All three areas offer an excellent venue for whale watching up close and personal, and stories of close encounters and whale "petting" are becoming increasingly common.
After being hunted to near extinction at the turn of the century for their blubber and oil, these gentle giants have grown in population to about 23,000 today. Debate about removing the California Gray from the "Endangered Species" designation and an increased level of awareness of the plight of these mammals is proof that mankind can indeed turn around an almost tragic situation.
For years the northern lagoon (often called Scammon's Lagoon after the whaler who originally discovered this 'hiding place') was the main venue for whale watching. This is where the whales were originally discovered by whalers, and this became the main location for whale watching for many years. After a while it became common knowledge that Laguna San Ignacio a bit further south was also popular with the California Gray, and in the 1990's a small contingent of boats started offering whale watching in this 15 mile long lagoon. Bahia Magdalena, another 100 miles south, is now becoming an increasingly popular whale watching location, mainly because of it's proximity to the International Airports in LA PAZ and LORETO. A small percentage of whales make it as far south as CABO SAN LUCAS and the EAST CAPE, but there are no large lagoons in those areas for viewing them.
There are several companies that specialize in whale watch tours to all three locations. Many of these companies are listed below. Most of these tours include lodging and transportation to the lagoons, and some include airfare as well. The shorter basic tours can be quite affordable, and the longer and more elaborate excursions can be expensive. So no matter how much disposable time and money you have, Baja's whales are waiting for you!
Check out ROBYN'S GREY WHALE PHOTOS for a closer look at the big guys!
WHALE WATCH COMPANIES
Companies that specialize in helping visitors views Baja's whales perform a very valuable service. Most of these companies have had years of experience, and have the whale watching routine down to an art. There are three basic methods to enjoy the whales...
LAND BASED COMPANIES * BOAT BASED COMPANIES
CARLOS FIESTA'S HOT TIP FOR WHALE WATCHING!
LAND BASED COMPANIES
Land based whale watch companies are those that provide transportation (and often lodging) to the whale watching sites by either driving down or by a combination of flying down and driving. These adventures are usually shorter in length than the liveaboard boat trips mentioned below.
For a very personalized visit with the whales in Magdalena Bay, south of Laguna Ignacio, review the web site of BAHIA MAGDALENA by local residents Manuel Simental and Victor Vargas.
AMERICAN CETACEAN SOCIETY
Telephone (310) 548-6279.
Fax (310) 548-6950.
Post Office Box 1391, San Pedro, California, 90733-1391.
E-mail: acs@pobox.com.BAJA GROUND SERVICES
Telephone (800) 352-4990.
Fax (210) 930-5707.
E-mail: carlos@bajaonly.com".
Post Office Box 171123, San Antonio, Texas, 78217.
Whale watching packages to Magdalena Bay with Loreto lodging.
Chuck out their web site for further information!BAJA AIRVENTURES
Telephone (800) 221-9283.
E-mail: timsells4u@aol.com.
Fly-in whale watch adventures to Baja's lagoons!BAJA ADVENTURE
Telephone 011-52 (624) 143-1706.
E-Mail: restless@earthling.net.
Post Office Box 2143, Port Hueneme, California, 93044.
Specialized whale watch trips out of Magdalena Bay, in Baja California Sur.BAJA DISCOVERY TOURS
Telephone (619) 262-0700.
Toll free (800) 829-2252.
Post Office Box 152527, San Diego, California, 92195.
E-mail: bajadis@aol.com.
20 years of whale watching experience in San Ignacio Lagoon!BAJA MOTION TOURS
Telephone (877) 246-BAJA.
Fax (619) 474-7166.
E-mail: bajatours@galaxymall.com".
43 East 12th Street, Suite C, National City, California, 91950.
Whale watch adventures to Baja's Scammon's Lagoon.BAJA EXPEDITIONS
Telephone (619) 581-3311.
Toll free (800) 843-6967.
Fax (619) 581-6542.
2625 Garnet Avenue, San Diego, California, 92109.
E-mail: travel@bajaex.com.BIOLOGICAL JOURNEYS
Telephone (707) 839-0178.
Toll free (800) 548-7555.
1696 Ocean Drive, McKinleyville, California, 95521.MAG BAY TOURS
Telephone (800) 599-8676.
E-Mail: booking@magbaytours.com.
271 Magnolia Avenue, Costa Mesa, California, 92627.
Custom whale watching tours in Baja's remote and pristine Magdalena Bay.
Great service, 15 years of Baja experience!NATURAL HABITAT ADVENTURES
Telephone (800) 543-8917.
2945 Center Green Court, Suite H, Boulder, Colorado, 80301.
California Gray Whale adventures.
Combined with trips to Loreto.
10 thatched cabanas making sleeping over with the whales fun!OCEANIC SOCIETY EXPEDITIONS
Telephone (415) 441-1106.
Fort Mason Center, Building E, San Francisco, California, 94123.
Whale tours and information.PACIFIC SEAFARI TOURS
Telephone (619) 226-8224.
Fax (619) 222-0784.
E-mail: divesd@aol.com.
2803 Emerson Street, San Diego, California, 92106.TILLIES WHALE WATCH ADVENTURES
Telephone 011-52 (646) 176-1901 extension 169.
E-mail: tillie@sannicolas.com.mx.
Custom whale watch trips from Ensenada to Guerrero Negro. Small groups...big fun!
Check out Tillie's web site for additional information!
BOAT BASED COMPANIES
Spending the night on a boat! Now there's a way to really get in touch with nature. Most of the boat-based whale watch companies offer a nice vessel with very nice accommodations. These companies offer whale watching on both the Pacific side of Baja as well as the Sea of Cortez. These adventures can last from 7 to 14 days and usually involve much more that just whale watching. Exploring Baja's empty beaches and deserted islands can also be on the itinerary.
BAJA COAST SEAFARIS
Telephone (800) 945-2742.
E-Mail: info@bajaseafaris
Marques de Leon 933, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
Custom whale watching cruises in the Sea of Cortez on the 50 foot "Irish Mist"!LINDBLAD'S SPECIAL EXPEDITIONS
Telephone (212) 765-7740.
Toll free (800) 762-0003.
720 5th Avenue, New York, New York, 10019.
Call for one of their spectacular brochures!ROYAL POLARIS
Telephone (310) 548-7562 Extension 5011.
Nine day excursion to Laguna San Ignacio aboard the 105 foot Royal Polaris.
Organized by the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, ship departs from San Diego.
For details contact Larry Fukuhara.SEARCHER
Telephone (619) 226-2403.
Fax (619) 226-1332.
E-mail: searcher@bajawhale.com.
2838 Garrison Street, San Diego, California, 92106.
Whale watching in Baja's Pacific and the Sea of Cortez on a large boat.
Drop by their web site for more information!
CARLOS FIESTA'S HOT TIP!
If you have always dreamed of seeing the California Gray Whales up close and personal, but didn't want to sign up for a package tour in the process, then this Hot Tip is for you!
Of the three main viewing lagoons for Baja whale watching, Bahia Magdalena is the closest to an international airport. And of the various whale watching sites in this 100 mile long lagoon, one particular port is especially well set up for the independent group who wants to plan their own trip. Puerto Lopez Mateos is a sleepy Mexican fishing village located less than a 2 hour drive from the airport at Loreto.
This special viewing venue has everything you need to experience the whales just like you have imagined! The 2 hour dive from Loreto airport is all on a well paved highway. The whale watch departure point has a parking lot, small restaurant, bathrooms, curious shops and boat rentals. Boats are available without reservations on a first come, first serve basis, and prices run about $50 per boat (maximum 6 people) for a 2 hour tour including a captain. These skippers know right where to go to put you in the middle of the action!
The lagoon at this location is narrow and protected, making it a great place to get close to the whales and for taking pictures.
The best month to go is February, so book your flight on AeroCalifornia (flight #263) by January to experience the trip of a lifetime. And don't tell anyone about this Hot Top...let's keep this a secret as long as possible!
WHALE ORGANIZATIONS
AMERICAN CETACEAN SOCIETY
Telephone (310) 548-6279.
Fax (310) 548-6950.
E-mail: acs@pobox.com.
Post Office Box 1391, San Pedro, California, 90722-1391.
A non-profit, volunteer membership organization established to help with the conservation of whales, dolphins, porpoises and their habitats through education, conservation and research.FRIENDLY WHALES WEB SITE
A good web site about the friendly whales of Laguna San Ignacio!
Drop by their web site for further information.GREY WHALE ADVOCATE
E-mail: keith@greywhale.com.
Located in Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
Dedicated to the protection of the California Gray Whale and the environment in which they live.NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL
Telephone (323) 934-6900.
E-mail: nrdcinfo@nrdc.org.
6310 San Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, 90048.
Helping the California Gray Whale and the Baja environment by trying to prevent the proposed salt plant at Laguna Ignacio, in Baja California Sur.OCEAN RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Telephone (888) 835-9478.
E-mail: feedback@orf.org.
Helping with whales, sea turtles, Cabo Pulmo reef, and other ocean-oriented issues in Baja.OCEANIC SOCIETY
Telephone (415) 441-1106.
Toll free (800) 326-7491.
Fort Mason Center, Building E, San Francisco, California, 94123.
Helping people enjoy and explore the whales and wildlife while contributing to their preservation.SEAWATCH
An organization of private citizens dedicated to a healthy Sea of Cortez.
They monitor destructive activities throughout the region and communicate the data they gather to the people of Mexico, the United States, and the world.
SPACE PHOTO OF GRAY WHALE LAGOONS
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