Every winter, grey whales migrate to the protection of shallow lagoons of Baja’s Pacific coast to mate and give birth. In the early 1900s, they were hunted here. Whalers killed the babies, knowing the mothers would stay around and could be taken next. Not without a fight, however, which earned them the name “devil fish”.
In recent years, some grey whales became friendly, even bringing their babies up to the boats to be petted. It’s a profound display of species forgiveness. The whales seem especially attracted to visit with children.
Drive across the Baja peninsula to Puerto Lopez Mateos and hop in a panga (a local motorboat) in Bahia Magdalena. The best season is from early February to mid-March. November through around January, the migratory birds on the mudflats and the mangroves are also amazing, but you won’t see whales.
The Pacific side is colder than Loreto, especially if there is a breeze. Bring a jacket. The drive takes about 2.5 hours one way, climbing up through the dramatic Sierra la Giganta mountains. Interestingly, there is no “down” on the west side of the mountains. The land slopes gradually to the Pacific lagoons, a function of the dynamic geology that continues to widen the Gulf of California and slide Baja northwest today.
This 8-hour tour with a Naturalist guide includes taxi-van ride across the peninsula, 2 hours in the motorboat, and a restaurant lunch of fish tacos and seafood, salad, and a beverage on the way back to Loreto, with a vegetarian option available. Depart from Loreto around 8am and return around 4pm. Please inquire for prices.
Please contact us to set up your tour!
info@seakayakbajamexico dot com
