Gray whales have arrived in Baja California! Every winter these marine mammals visit the lagoons of Ojo de Liebre, San Ignacio and Bahía Magdalena to reproduce and give birth.
Where is the best whale watching in Baja? There are only three locations in Baja that these Ojo de Liebre (Scammons Lagoon), Bahia Magdalena and Laguna San Ignacio. The location with the highest historic concentrations of gray whales is Ojo de Liebre (Scammons Lagoon located just outside of Guerro Negro on the Pacific coast.
Then, When can you see blue whales in Baja California? Blue Whales
The largest animal on the planet is also one of the most elusive. But during the months of February and March, blue whales can be spotted in the waters off of Loreto, six hours north of Cabo San Lucas by car on the Sea of Cortez.
Can you swim with gray whales? Unfortunately, there are no places where swimming with gray whales is permitted at this time.
FAQ
Where do the whales go in Baja California?
The Migration route of the Pacific Gray Whale is often described as the longest known mammal migration in the animal kingdom. Beginning in the Bearing and Chukchi Sea and ending in the warm water lagoons of Mexico’s Baja peninsula, their round trip journey moves them through 12,500 miles of coastline.
When can you see humpback whales in Baja? The winter months of January through March are the best time to see gray whales in the mating and breeding lagoons along the Pacific coast. The winter months of January through March are also the best time to see migratory humpback whales at peak numbers in the Sea of Cortez.
Are there whales in the Gulf of California? WWF supports scientific research on the abundance, reproduction and migration of many different types of whales that visit the Gulf of California: gray, blue, sperm, fin and humpback. Whales are monitored through photo identification, satellite tagging and genetic analysis—which shows relationships between populations.
Why is it called Scammon’s lagoon? This lagoon receives the greatest number of whales in Baja California every year. Formerly known as Scammon’s Lagoon, this huge watery complex is named for Captain Charles Scammon. Scammon charted many of these areas in the mid-1800s as he hunted gray whales.
Where is the best place to see blue whales?
The only place to see them is in the wild. And Dana Point, California, is one of the best places in the world to see blue whales. During the summer months there are more blue whales off our coast than anywhere else in the world. Blue whale watching in Southern California is typically May through October.
Can you swim with blue whales in Mexico? Other Great places to swim with whales
Head to the Sea of Cortez in Mexico for some of the best ‘big animal’ diving experience, where you can see sea lions, whale sharks and, if you’re lucky, sperm whales on the same trip. Blue whales, fin whales, and sperm whales are also often seen in Baja.
Can you go whale watching in the Gulf of Mexico?
Yes, whales can be found traveling throughout the waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Do whales like human touch? « Whales don’t have teeth like humans do. They have baleen, » he explained. « But we do know they seem to enjoy being touched in the mouth. They initiate that and open their mouths for you. »
Why are GREY whales so friendly?
The whales’ approaching behavior is probably reinforced by touching and contacting the boat, which allows them to feel the buzzing vibrations of the boat. In general, all cetaceans touch and rub each other from birth, which is believed to facilitate social bonding and reinforce companionship.
What time of day are gray whales most active?
The best time of day are mornings before the wind starts to blow, during the afternoon it can get windy, which tends to blow the spouts down making it hard for people to see them. The most popular trip is the 1 1/2 hour at 10:00am or 12:00pm.
What time of year do whales migrate to Baja California? During the months of December to early April, something incredible happens in Baja California: almost the entire world’s population of grey whales, humpbacks and 2-3,000 blue whales migrate to its shallow lagoons to socialise, mate and give birth.
Why are grey whales so friendly? The whales’ approaching behavior is probably reinforced by touching and contacting the boat, which allows them to feel the buzzing vibrations of the boat. In general, all cetaceans touch and rub each other from birth, which is believed to facilitate social bonding and reinforce companionship.
Where do whales have their babies in Baja?
There are only three lagoons in the world where gray whales give birth to their babies – Guerrero Negro, Ojo de Liebre and Laguna San Ignacio – and all three are in Baja! The lagoons are protected from the strong waves and currents of the Pacific Ocean and are shallow – creating a perfect setting.
Can you see orcas in Mexico? Killer whales are widely distributed along the Pacific coast of Mexico, although they are only occasionally seen in some areas. They are most abundant within 800 Km off shore. Their habitat in Mexican waters is quite variable. The true social structure of orcas that inhabit the Gulf of California is still unclear.
Where can you see blue whales in Mexico?
Blue Whales
The largest animal on the planet is also one of the most elusive. But during the months of February and March, blue whales can be spotted in the waters off of Loreto, six hours north of Cabo San Lucas by car on the Sea of Cortez.
Where can you see whales in Mexico? Cabo San Lucas
As you might expect from Cabo’s geography, it’s one of the best places for whale watching in Mexico. After all, the Sea of Cortez is often called the “world’s aquarium.” If there’s one place where you’re nearly guaranteed to see whales, it’s here. Whales are often sighted here from December to April.
How did Guerrero Negro get its name?
The town was named Guerrero Negro when founded in 1957 after the Black Warrior, a U.S. American whaling ship from Duxbury, Massachusetts (near Boston). That ship, captained by Robert Brown, wrecked in what was then called Frenchman’s Lagoon on December 20, 1858.
Where do the whales calve in Baja? Each winter, a substantial number of gray whales travel to one of several warm-water lagoons off the Baja Peninsula for the purpose of calving and seeking mates. From north to south, these are Laguna Ojo de Liebre, Laguna San Ignacio and Magdalena Bay.
Where do GREY whales migrate to?
Eastern North Pacific gray whales migrate annually between wintering grounds in the lagoons of Baja California, Mexico, and summer feeding grounds in the Arctic. This migration follows the coast of North America and overlaps with areas of heavy coastal shipping, commercial fishing, and resource exploration.
