Browse our publications to learn how the lagoon ecosystem and the local community have evolved and changed. Baja whale watching gray whales san ignacio lagoon baja mexico. Reservations are open for the 2020 whale watching season esta pagina en espanol antonios ecotours whale watching at laguna san ignacio, baja california sur. This wildlife refuge, the largest in mexico, protects 9,625 square miles of unique desert landscape. For most people, being close to a massive friendly whale with a gentle disposition is one of the greatest thrills in the animal world. Book your hotel in san ignacio and pay later with expedia. Whale watching laguna san ignacio baja california, mexico. 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. This is one of the three prime whale watching areas in baja, with several hundred whales visiting each winter.
A pacific gray whale in the san ignacio lagoon in baja california. Nic slocum phd frgs the pacific gray whales of san ignacio lagoon is a whale watching holiday like no other. 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. 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. We also visit the beautiful sea of cortez for whale watching on this weeklong. Baja whale watching in the san ignacio lagoon with air charter from the us to the lagoon. Antonios ecotours whale watching at laguna san ignacio, baja california sur. Indepth, upclose encounterson six separate smallgroup skiff excursions, witness the spring finale of the gray whales annual migration from alaska to baja.
Grey whales in san ignacio lagoon, baja california sur. The only whale watching operators who live full time at the lagoon. 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. 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. Baja ecotours san ignacio 2020 all you need to know. The lagoons warm and shallow waters provide a perfect habitat for the mammals. We invite you to join us at our ecofriendly and comfortable safaristyle tent camp on punta piedra rocky point, the very best location. Saving the breeding grounds of the pacific gray whale nrdc. At san ignacio lagoons and scammons we use local licensed guides who are accompanied by your english speaking baja airventures guide. San ignacio is the last whale lagoon along the baja coast undisturbed by industrial intrusion.
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. 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. The ambient acoustic environment in laguna san ignacio. We used baja ecotours to swim with sea lions and see the grey whales feeding and courting near magdalena is. It is one of the winter sanctuaries of the eastern pacific gray whales eschrichtius robustus. Fly in to san ignacio lagoon eco camp to experience the splendor of the pacific gray whales. Our usbased pilotguides will assist you every step of the way and get you to the whales faster. San ignacio lagoon baja california all you need to know.
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. The great gray whales of baja natural habitat adventures. Combine your visit to san ignacio lagoon with an expedition to the cave paintings and get the whole baja. The 5 best things to do in san ignacio updated 2020. Whale watching mexico mexico ecotourism natural habitat. 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. 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. Chilly darkness and chips of stars greeted me as i opened the door onto the predawn sky. They are extremely knowledgeable of the local flora and fauna and have been taking out whale watching tour groups for years.
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. San ignacio whale watching, mexico whale tours dive discovery. When the gray whales arrive in baja to have their babies, it is a magical time. 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. I traveled here with baja ecotours, taking a chartered bus with our group of 24 from san diego to ensenada, then a 2.
In san ignacio lagoon, mexico, the whales are so close you could. Download this whalebones on the bay of san ignacio lagoon baja california mexico photo now. The laguna san ignacio ecosystem science program has been publishing reports of its findings in baja california sur, mexico since the early 1980s. San ignacio lagoon baja california 2020 all you need to. 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. Whale watching at scammons lagoon san felipe, baja. Touching the whales in san ignacio lagoon, baja, mexico duration. On this page, you will find airport options, driving directions to san ignacio lagoon, as well as other travel options. A grey whale calf approached a boat in san ignacio lagoon, mexico, where christian miller was on an expedition. Unique whale camp at the edge of the lagoon with 16 cabanas. Whale watching at laguna san ignacio, baja california sur. Spyhopping, where the animal vertically pokes its head out of the water, is a behavior exhibited by cetacean s some sharks.
Make time to enjoy local activities like whale watching in san ignacio. 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. Located in mexicos rugged desert peninsula of baja california, san ignacio lagoon provides a perfect habitat for a grey whales life cycle. San ignacio, and get up close with the majestic gray whales and their calves. We also visit the beautiful sea of cortez for whale watching on this weeklong adventure on mexicos baja california.
Spyhopping, where the animal vertically pokes its head out of the water, is a. Whale watching is one of the most popular activities in baja. Your private charter flight will depart at about 1. We will transfer across the border in our comfortable motor coach for a short drive to the tijuana airport. A gray whale spyhops in the waters of san ignacio lagoon, baja, mexico.
Double the whale watching and chances for interacting with the whales offered by the majority of the whale watching companies of san ignacio lagoon. Whalebones on the bay of san ignacio lagoon baja california. Our gray whale watching ecotour packages in baja california include transfer by air from the u. San ignacio lagoon, baja, mexico our accommodations on bajas san ignacio lagoon greatly enhance the atmosphere and excitement of our whalewatching adventure. I camp at kuyima, ready for a morning boat ride into the lagoon. San ignacio lagoon baja california all you need to. 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 unbounds san ignacio whale watching excursion situates you right in the heart of gray whale territory, with our basecamp set up right off the shore where the pass. Experience magical, close encounters with the friendly gray whale mothers and calves of san ignacio lagoon, a unesco world heritage site.
Baja whale watching gray whales in baja california. The gray whales of san ignacio the baja storyteller. San ignacio lagoon baja california 2020 all you need. The friendly whales of san ignacio lagoon galivants travels. Ecoturismo kuyima san ignacio 2020 all you need to. Grey whale watching laguna san ignacio baja california, mexico. Antonios ecotours whale watching at laguna san ignacio, baja. 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. Thousands of them gather between late january and midapril.
The pacific gray whales of san ignacio lagoon tour destination. Vizcaino desert discoverieswith two naturalist expedition leaders, explore. Best time to visit baja california responsible travel. Every winter, hundreds of pacific gray whales return to their traditional breeding and birthing grounds in sheltered san ignacio lagoon on mexicos baja. California gray whale eschrichtius robustus calf above and below with whale watchers in san ignacio lagoon, baja california sur, mexico. 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. Video shows huge sea mammals curiously approaching. 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. It is located on mexican federal highway 1 between guerrero negro and santa rosalia. 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. 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. Sergio martinez at autonomous university of baja california sur. February is peak month for both grey whales and visitors, and whale watching trips take place in magdalena bay and san ignacio lagoon. Community foundation supports the longterm protection of laguna san ignacio on the pacific coast of baja california, mexico, and the gray whales who use.
We stopped at the kuyima shop in san ignacio and walked around the beautiful town before going out to their camp on the bay. Grey whales in san ignacio lagoon, baja california sur youtube. Baja whale watching, san ignacio lagoon baja discovery. 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. 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. Immerse yourself in endless wildlife experiences on searcher natural history tours signature 12day itinerary to baja california, mexico. In this baja, the gray whales come to you photography. Whale watching holiday to mexico san ignacio lagoon.
How to go whale watching in baja california sur, mexico. Its baja californias friendly whales that first attract many of the people who come here from across the globe. Baja whale watching, birding and botany ecotours gray whale watching join us on our 5day whale watching trips to laguna san ignacio in baja california sur, mexico to see the friendly gray whales up close in their winter mating and calving grounds. This wildlife refuge, the largest in mexico, protects. 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. Every year, the california gray whales set off on the longest migration made by any mammal. San ignacio lagoon was originally discovered by whaling captain jared poole, brotherinlaw to captain charles. Whale watching in san ignacio lagoon this company goes all out in customer service. Combine your visit to san ignacio lagoon with an expedition to the cave paintings and get the whole baja experience with kuyima. This day was to be my first encounter with baja californias gray whale. Whale watching at scammons lagoon san felipe, baja, mexico. Many tourists today visit san ignacio and use it as a base to see some the greatest natural wonders of baja california. Did a day trip from santa rosalia on a cruise ship excursion and had a great time.
Based on decades of respectful wildlife ecotourism. Set out in a panga twice a day to get close to these friendly, gentle creatures who enjoy contact with people. San ignacio lagoon and the magdalena bay complex are the most popular baja whale watching destinations. Whales can be seen from the camp as well as by their boats. San ignacio is a palm oasis town in mulege municipality of northern baja california sur state in mexico. San ignacio lagoon and sea of cortez oceanic society. Reservations are open for the 2020 whale watching season esta pagina en espanol. San ignacio whale watching, mexico whale tours dive. 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. Gray whales spend the summer in alaska and british columbia, and winter in the warm waters of baja california. We used baja ecotours to swim with sea lions and see the grey whales feeding and. We also visit the beautiful sea of cortez for whale watching on this weeklong adventure on mexicos baja california peninsula. Apr 20, 2009 grey whale watching laguna san ignacio baja california, mexico. 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.
The sea of cortez was aptly coined the worlds aquarium by jacques cousteau. Eastern pacific gray whales migrate to laguna san ignacio for mating and calving. Grey whale watching laguna san ignacio baja california. Aug 25, 2017 a gray whale spyhops in the waters of san ignacio lagoon, baja, mexico.
A great bonus is all the fish in addition to the sea lions. Observe one of the most miraculous natural phenomena on the planet. What follows are my top 5 reasons why you need to visit baja california sur, mexico. Protecting san ignacio lagoon lsi whale conservation fund. 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. Ecoturismo kuyima san ignacio 2020 all you need to know. The winter gray whale occupation of laguna san ignacio lsi and bahia magdalena bm in. Grey whales of san ignacio lagoon mexico wildlife holiday latin. Watching people disembark boats before sunset, i notice multiple whale spouts out on the horizon.
Pacific gray whales in san ignacio lagoon baja expeditions. San ignacio travel baja california, mexico lonely planet. The grandfather of whale watching in baja, pachico mayoral, first encountered a so called friendly in this lagoon over 40 years ago. San ignacio lagoon pachicos eco tours baja gray whale. This exhilarating full day whale watching tour maximizes time on the water and allows you to fully experience the. Then, after a long day of driving, i make it down to laguna san ignacio for some whale watching. 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. Pachicos eco tours baja gray whale watching packages in san. San ignacio lagoon has earned, quite rightly, the accolade of being one.
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