GRAY WHALE SIGHTSEEING

The beginning of winter season also marks the beginning of the most extraordinary nature event that may be watched in Mexico: hundreds of gray whales leave their feeding zone in Bering and Chukchi seas in Alaska, and travel 10,000 Km. south to procreate. During summer and fall seasons, they feed themselves in the Artic Polar Circle, thus storing the necessary energy reserves to start their long journey.

Their journey begins on the month of November from the North American Pacific coastline to the south, and on late December and early January they arrive to their winter sanctuaries in the calm and warm Bajacalifornian lagoons Ojo de Liebre, Laguna Manuela [Manuela Lagoon], Laguna Guerrero Negro[Guerrero Negro Lagoon] and San Ignacio, within an approximate radius of about 169 Sq. Km.

Among those refuges, Ojo de Liebre and San Ignacio are especially good for camping since they are surrounded by flatland and mountains, sand dunes, swamps, islands,  marshy zones and beaches visited by dolphins, sea wolves, seals, and sea elephants. The lagoon zone is characterized by a system of channels separated by ground floors that may be watched during low tide.

Whales make a long voyage to the pacific north in groups. Pregnant whales begin the journey first, and then female ovulating whales continue, after them adult male whales start their trip, and it finally is the turn for young and immature whales. They normally keep an itinerary at about 5 Km. away from the coastline, and travel at a variable speed of 5 to 8 Km/hr, due to which they are capable of traveling 180 Km. daily.

Whale watching season ranges from December 15 to April 15, and it is when several fisher groups, local ecologic organizations, as well as guides and tour operators carry out trips to encounter gray whales in Baja California from the port of Ensenada and up to Guerrero Negro, where you may get close to gray whales and have an unforgettable experience. Having an opportunity to watch a 12-15 meter long whale jumping out the ocean, expelling water by its nasal holes, or getting close the boat or where its offspring is, and watching it taking its huge head outside the ocean is, undoubtedly, an exceptional experience. 

What to do

• Camping
• Nature watching
• Kayaking
• Natural protected area
• Trekking
• Whale watching

How to get there

Via the Transpeninsular Highway Num. 1 until getting to Guerrero Negro, where directions to Laguna Manuela, Laguna Guerrero Negro and Ojo de Liebre are, at approximately 713 Km. away from the city of  Tijuana and  604 from Ensenada.

Permits

A special permit to visit this site is not required. The  trip is performed by an authorized guide.  

Equipment needed

Equipment needed for the trip is provided by certified local guides. We recommend you using sunblock lotion, and wearing comfortable clothing and shoes along with sunglasses, and taking your photographic camera with you.

Services Offered

There are all kinds of services to make of your visit to Guerrero Negro and San Ignacio villages a pleasing experience.