Away from the whales, baja california also offers picturesque colonial towns, fine beaches and fascinating. Download scientific diagram example of a blue whale identification photograph included in the baja california blue whale catalogue. The trip set out from san diego and travelling down the baja california peninsular and into the sea of cortez. Study area around the baja california peninsula where blue whales. Up to nine species of whales visit baja on a regular basis. Whale watching season begins in baja california travel. There are so many whales here at this time, that you can just drop anchor and wait for them to swim up.
See more ideas about whale watching, whale and baja california. In this baja, the gray whales come to you photography. Mexicos sea of cortes is a whale watchers paradise. The satelliteacquired locations of 10 blue whales balaenoptera musculus tagged off southern california with argos radio tags were used to identify 1 their. Mexicobaja californiasursea of cortez whale watching holiday destination 2009. Whale watching in baja california contrasts markedly on the different sides of the peninsula. Blue whale watching in big sur california, balaenoptera. Blue whales are in the second suborder, the baleen whales. Discover whalw watching tours in mexico and get ready for a great getaway. On our first evening mark filled us in on what to expect. The blue whales of the loreto marine reserve, baja. In mexicos stunning magdalena bay, humans and whales meet.
Every winter they swim along baja california, and its possible to see them from january to april near the south, in loreto bay. Two unique baja whale watching trips on the pacific ocean and sea of cortez and one baja whale shark ecotour on the sea of cortez that world travelers rave about. Although we can organise half and fullday experiences from cabo, this signature eightday expedition delves deeper into the islandlike peninsula of baja sur for incredible wildlife encounters, breathtaking desert scenery, crumbling spanish missions, culinary exploration and a unique interaction with. Mexicos baja california sur is a whale watching paradise. Similarities in blue whale movements from year to year were also evident, particularly the consistent use of areas off the west coast of baja california and the channel islands in southern california, demonstrating that persistent oceanographic features are an important element in their seasonal distribution fiedler et al. This great whales of baja expedition is the ultimate land and sea whale watching experience. Check out these cool new baja whale watching videos. The western shore of baja is dominated by the pacific ocean and this surf pounded coast is normally restricted to only the most skilled sea kayakers.
Mothers nudge their daysold babies up to the boats, they rub against the hulls, and in some cases even come close enough to be patted on the nose. Mexico baja california sursea of cortez whale watching holiday destination 2009. Whales and dolphins you may see on our 12day searcher natural history tour. In this baja lagoon, whales seek attention from humans, turning the rules of wildlife photography on their head. Blue whale watching in big sur california, balaenoptera musculus. But it was a blue whale, not a white sperm whale, and i am not seeking revenge for the loss of my ship and leg at the hands of. The blue whales, balaenoptera musculus, can be seen from roadside turnouts of big sur and often are seen off partington point where a deep ocean trench supplies their abundant food source. The blue whale watching takes place on the sea of cortez near the town of loreto. The combination blue and gray whale trips involve whale watching on both sides of the baja peninsula.
Whale watching, baja, mexico whale tours dive discovery. Monterey whales watchers continue to be treated to a rare show as dozens of blue whales swim about feasting in the monterey bay. San ignacio lagoon and sea of cortez oceanic society. Blue whale hit by ship found dead on northern california beach. Don a mask and snorkel for a swim around the rocks and inlets of the islands and you will see why. Whale watching in cabo the blue whale itravel cabo.
Occasional sightings of mating gray whales on their way south have been reported from southern california. To this coast, after one of the longest migrations of any. When the gray whales arrive in baja to have their babies, it is a magical time. California blue whales bounce back from whaling the. Whale watching is one of the most popular activities in baja. We operate all inclusive blue whale watching tours at loreto during the months of february and march. The sea of cortez is exceptionally nutrientrich, especially around islands. In mexicos stunning magdalena bay, humans and whales meet up. We were staying right on the shore in an ecocamp but would be going out into the designated whale.
Loreto blue whales in loreto, the blue whale is our. Welcome to harbor breezes california blue whale website. Mark is addicted to baja californias whales, visiting every year. The opportunities for whale encounters here are truly exceptional. This expedition in baja california is the ultimate land and sea whale watching experience in mexico with blue, gray and humpback whales and whale sharks. Here, a cow and her calf, with the imressive mountains ob baja in the background.
Baja california whale watching, mexico ultimate travel co. Come with me blue whale watching in loreto bay, baja california sur, mexico. Two young tourists rescued a rare fish from a beach on the eastern coast of baja california sur a. Blue whale tours, loreto sea of cortez loreto sea and. Baja californias sea of cortez is one of the best places in the world to search for these magnificent creatures. The second site, are the islands and protected areas of the gulf of california, including the bay of cabo san lucas, where whales congregate in amazing numbers during the winter months. Whale watching holidays whale watching holidays around the. There are records from the southern hemisphere of individuals over 100 feet long and weighing close to 200 tons, the. In addition, whale watching is becoming more common in the sea of cortez.
Blue whales are the largest animals to have ever lived on this planet. 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. From december to april, blue whales give birth to their calves in the gulf of corcovado. Estimating blue whale skin isotopic incorporation rates. Were an independent familyowned local tour operator in loreto, baja california sur with 20 years of experience. With the dazzling abundant variety of marine creatures in the beautiful sea of cortez, theres no shortage of photoworthy encounters to be had. Whale lovin is in the air from the mating to nursing of the calfs.
But the highlight of your journey to loreto is undoubtedly your grey whale watching tour in magdalena bay, followed by a journey through las dunas to see the variety of bird species that inhabit the area. Calm hopefully seas, small intimate boats, and all around the sound of these giants breathing. Although most tours focus on spotting grey, blue and humpback whales, baja california also sees large numbers of sperm whales, fin whales, minkes, brydes whales, orcas and the shortfinned pilot whale not to mention a huge array of other marine life, including manta rays, dolphins, sea lions and turtles. The eye of a gray whale swimming in san ignacio lagoon. Once in the mexican peninsula, around the last week of december, the gray whales begin to be in sight between todos santos islands and the ensenada bay on their way south. In order to see the blue whale, gray whale, whale shark and humpback whale in this one incredible whale. Gopro footage shot on an 11 day whale watching trip with mark carwardine. When my memory card was full the last blue whale in. We were staying right on the shore in an ecocamp but would be going out into the designated whalewatching area of the lagoon twice daily in small boats. The beautiful pristine untouched magdalena bay must not be missed during a holiday to baja california sur. Blue whales are arguably the largest animals that have ever lived.
Our excursion area includes the bay of loreto national marine park. Marchapril they mate and give birth in the warm and shallow waters off the baja california, mexico. The southern california coastline has more than just the pacific blue and gray whales. Oscar has seen his share of incredible ocean life in baja california sur. Protected from the pacific ocean by the 900 mile long baja peninsula its sheltered waters are visited by a wide variety of whales and dolphins including the largest of all, the blue whale. It gorges on nothing but mothers milk and gains about 200 pounds 91 kilograms every day for its first year. Gray whales are 52 feet long and weigh 36 tons, yet are gentle enough to touch and baja californias pacific coast is the perfect place to experience the thrill. The east coast of baja is bordered by the sea of cortez, supporting the largest and most varied population of whales in the world, as well as one of the last sanctuaries for the endangered finback and blue whales, the largest of the cetaceans twice the size of gray whale.
Baja california sur is one of the best world destinations to see whales. The blue whales of the loreto marine reserve the aquarium of the world is how the great jacques cousteau referred to the sea of cortez. In this baja lagoon, whales seek attention from humans, turning the rules of. As for the rest of the worlds blue whale populations, theres still a long way to go. Download a map of our sea kayak trip routes in baja california. Finescale population structure of blue whale wintering. This is one of the few places in the world where blue whales consistently come close to land, and scientists have long come here to study them. But it was a blue whale, not a white sperm whale, and i am not seeking revenge for the loss of my ship and leg at the hands of the creature.
Whale watching tours from loreto is a world class experience. The blue whale, the biggest animal on the planet, was hunted with abandon in the pacific ocean until the early 1970s. Whale season is getting underway in the mexican pacific, and baja california sur bcs is the place to be. How to go whale watching in baja california sur, mexico. Your hotel is situated in the heart of the city, beside one of baja californias most picturesque squares. A california classic, the resort is nestled on one of the many oceanside beaches between californias longest wooden pier and recreational harbor that includes restaurants, gift shops, and sportfishing excursions. Top 8 marine animal encounters in baja california sur cabo. We also visit the beautiful sea of cortez for whale watching on this weeklong adventure on mexicos baja california peninsula. Blue whales migrate here during the winter months, they ca. Experience magical, close encounters with the friendly gray whale mothers and calves of san ignacio lagoon, a unesco world heritage site. A california classic, the resort is nestled on one of the many oceanside beaches between california s longest wooden pier and recreational harbor that includes restaurants, gift shops, and sportfishing excursions. California may have reached its capacity for healthy and happy blue whales, but we dont want to backtrack. Download scientific diagram study area around the baja california peninsula where blue whales were photographed. Not to mention whale watchers from across the world.
Heres how to see humpbacks, gray whales, blue whales and whale sharks in. Movements of north pacific blue whales during the feeding season. Epic moment a blue whale sneezes and blasts an overhead. Las animas ecolodge on the sea of cortez has year round fin whales and blue whales and more. The rest of the year we work as saltwater fly fishing guides. Baja airventures has three oneofkind soft, ecoadventure baja whale watching tours youll love. Blue whales can be found off of big sur california june through october, during times of abundant krill. Blue whale marine mammal institute oregon state university. After about a year inside its mothers womb, a baby blue whale emerges weighing up to 3 tons 2. Dozens of blue whales surface off the coast of southern california, drawing hundreds of tourists and locals.
Blue whale calves enter the world already ranking among the planets largest creatures. Most mating activity of the gray whale occurs on the way to, or near, the lagoons of baja california. This is a day out on the water with my family watching blue whales off loreto, baja california sur, mexico. Humpback whale megaptera novaeangliae, baja california sur, san jose. The blue whales of the loreto marine reserve, baja california sur. The second site, are the islands and protected areas of the gulf of california, including the bay of cabo san lucas, where whales congregate in.
Scientists and onlookers gathered saturday at a northern california beach to view a 79footlong blue whale a member of the largest species on. Some of the finest whale and dolphin watching encounters around the globe occur in some of the remotest and most difficult to access locations whales. Feb 21, 2016 gopro footage shot on an 11 day whale watching trip with mark carwardine. Usually, mating occurs in groups of three whales, a female and two males. Why baja california is one of the best places on earth to.
Gray whales migrate every year from the cold waters around alaska where they spend the summer to the warmer waters of baja california in winter. Every year, the california gray whales set off on the longest migration made by any mammal. Grey whale watching in baja is one of the worlds most intimate wildlife encounters. Example of a blue whale identification photograph included in the.
Sep 05, 2014 california may have reached its capacity for healthy and happy blue whales, but we dont want to backtrack. More than 20 species of whales are encountered around baja most yearround, making this area an important center for whale observation. Blue whale watching tours in the loreto national marine park jan 25mar 25, 2020. This study provides information indicating that blue whales wintering in the gulf of california are part of a single population unit and showed a. There is no experience in the world like looking a wild whale in the eye, then reaching out and gently rubbing her face while she lays on her side with her pressed against the side of our small launch. Nov 19, 2017 monterey whales watchers continue to be treated to a rare show as dozens of blue whales swim about feasting in the monterey bay. We are delighted to inform you about our fun, informative, and exciting blue and gray whale watching cruises. Blue whale balaenoptera musculus, baja california sur, loreto, motorized small. The species has been rebounding ever since, but a slowdown in the growth of the population frequenting waters off the california coast was a concern. Whales, the largest known mammal, can grow up to 50 feet in. Heres how to see humpbacks, gray whales, blue whales and whale sharks in the region.
These are panga local motorboat tours with a knowledgeable captainguide. Based out of loreto on the baja california peninsula, sea kayak baja mexico. Top 8 marine animal encounters in baja california sur. The best time to visit baja is undoubtedly between mid january and mid march, when the grey whales migrate to the lagoons to give birth. A whale of a recovery for californias blue whales the. Baja california is fast becoming the premier location to watch whales in the world. Usually, mating occurs in groups of three whales, a. Beautiful blue whales off loreto, baja california sur, mexico. Whale watching in ojo del liebre lagoon in baja california mexico. The impressive blue whale is the biggest whale in the world, reaching 30 meters in length and weighing 120 tons. Aug 25, 2017 the eye of a gray whale swimming in san ignacio lagoon. Blue whale watching in baja california sur youtube. Jul 31, 2012 specializing in marine tours, from kayaking in the scenic waters of cabo, to swimming with majestic whale sharks, oscar has seen his share of incredible ocean life in baja california sur.
Immerse yourself in endless wildlife experiences on searcher natural history tours signature 12day itinerary to baja california, mexico. Jun 01, 2015 come with me blue whale watching in loreto bay, baja california sur, mexico. Nov 21, 2017 whale season is getting underway in the mexican pacific, and baja california sur bcs is the place to be. Every spring the loreto national marine park is host to blue whales, the largest creatures on earth. Its the first time in 30 years, some say, that such an even. Taken by christian miller, the footage shows his teams pioneering drone the snotbot passing over the whale in baja california as it.