How to go whale watching in baja california sur, mexico. Gray whales in baja california are not like many of the other baleen whales that have numerous expandable throat pleats that are able to take in large quantities of water and food. Imagine the five to six days that you will be able to experience and learn about the outstanding baja peninsula. Every year gray whales migrate more than 10,000 miles between their summer feeding grounds in the arctic and the coastal lagoons of the southern baja peninsula. In the weeks in the whales will venture as far south as cabo pulmo and cabo san lucas to winter, before turning around and heading north again to summer in arctic waters. 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 gray whale eschrichtius robustus,1 also known as the grey whale,4 gray back whale, pacific gray whale, or california gray whale 5 is a mother gray whale with calf, eschrichtius robustus, in the san ignacio lagoon, baja california, mexico. Eschrichtius robustus migrates past the big sur coastline from november to april either going to mexico or alaska. To see the whales blowing, sounding, mating, and calving in their natural habitat is an awesome. The gray whale migrates between its summer feeding grounds in the north pacific and bering sea and its winter breeding grounds in the lagoons of baja california.
Getten, telepathic animal communicator, for an up close and intimate encounter with gray whales in baja california, mexico the only place in the world to observe gray whales calving and where friendly whales come up to boats and sometimes allow you to touch them. The combination blue and gray whale trips involve whale watching on both sides of the baja peninsula. Trips to see gray whales occur between the months of december and april, during which time the whales arrive from as far north as the bering sea to give birth, raise their young, and hide from orcas in the sheltered and shallow waters of the bay of magdalena. The main population summers north of alaska in the bering and chukchi seas and winters in the waters of baja california. The whales mate in and near the three nursery lagoons, and the females impregnated the prior winter gestation is about months, birth their calves in the.
To see the whales blowing, sounding, mating, and calving in their. If you are taking a trip to mexico, or living in mexico you cannot miss gray whale watching. A gray whale spyhops in the waters of san ignacio lagoon, baja, mexico. Gray whales baja california whales lindblad expeditions. Best time to visit baja california responsible travel. Gray whales are naturally peaceful and friendly and at times get close enough to be able to touch them. One such unexplored destination that i always wanted to travel to was baja. While reading something, i came across an article which stated that traveling to places and exploring new and unknown territories of interest can increase the longevity of life. Why are gray whales starving in the pacific quartz. Gray whale baja california one of the best places to see a gray whale up close and personal is in magdalena bay in the baja california, mexico. Gray whale migrations off of the pacific coast were observed, initially, by marineland of the pacific in palos verdes, california. For most people, being close to a massive friendly whale with a gentle disposition is one of the greatest thrills in the animal world. Gray whales tend to be seen beginning in january, as these whales finally reach their breeding grounds off the coast of baja california, after one of the longest migrations of any mammal, traveling up to 10,000 miles annually roundtrip. Friendly gray whales in baja california, mexico hd youtube.
San ignacio lagoon and sea of cortez oceanic society. Following the whale trail by ann hazard imagine this. The ocean churns as a 36ton mammal swims up to the boat. The alaskan arctic has large amounts of food amphipods for gray whales. 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. Like a house cat craving a scratch on the head, the whale pushes its rubbery skin, rough with barnacles and battle scars from boats and orcas, again. A female gray whale greets visitors to its baja california breeding lagoon during a. Pachicos eco tours is internationally known for being the whale watching pioneers of san ignacio lagoon and baja. Traveling in groups called pods, some of these giants swim 12,430 miles roundtrip from their summer home in alaskan waters to the. Fly in to our camp, get up close with the friendly gray whales. Gray whales migrate to the lagoons and bays of the baja for the winter and. A tale of extraordinary interaction with gray whale in baja. Every october, the gray whales of the pacific begin a twotothreemonth migration from the cold alaskan seas to the warm waters of baja california. When the gray whales arrive in baja to have their babies, it is a magical time.
Its where the whales are friendlier and encounters more likely. See more ideas about whale watching, whale and baja california. Pdf gray whale eschrichtius robustus at calving sites in the gulf. 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. Mar 24, 2016 friendly gray whales approach our whale watching boat in san ignacio lagoon, baja, mexico during our march 2016 expedition. Today, 23,000 gray whales are found only in the pacific. Prime season for gray whale watching is late january through early april. Spyhopping, where the animal vertically pokes its head out of the water, is a. The gray whale eschrichtius robustus,1 also known as the grey whale,4 gray back whale, pacific gray whale, or california gray whale5 is a mother gray whale with calf, eschrichtius robustus, in the san ignacio lagoon, baja california, mexico.
Saving the breeding grounds of the pacific gray whale nrdc. At nearly 14,000 miles roundtrip, it is the longest annual migration of any mammal. Instead, their throats have two to five longitudinal creases that allow for little expansion. Gray whale stock photos download 982 royalty free photos. Whale watching season begins in baja california travel. Our lucky participants were met with unique and lifechanging experiences as gray whales called friendlies by some interacted with thembehavior seen nowhere. Gray whales are one of the most commonly spotted whales on whale watching trips in bcs. Close encounters with bajas gray whales oceanic society.
You can download general gray whale information on this page kindly. Whale watching tours with gray whales in bajas magdalena bay. Gray whale baja california travel destination pictures. Witness the gray whale migration, one of natures most phenomenal events, and see these gentle giants upclose in the heart of their breeding grounds. The gray whale migrates from the arctic to baja california in mexico during the winter before migrating back north in the summer. Gray whales on the move teacher handout 1 answers to gray whale migration questions 1. The common name of the whale comes from the gray patches and white. In late december the first gray whales begin to arrive in the baja, mexico. Whale watching is easy from big sur roadside turnouts. The gray whale census, an official gray whale migration census that has been recording data on the migration of the pacific gray whale has been keeping track of the population of the pacific gray whale since 1985. The large concentration of gray whales that reside here each winter are extremely friendly, and regularly approach our small whale watching. Magdalena bay is the winter breeding ground of gray whales who travel over 5,000 miles or 8,050 kilometres from their arctic feeding and mating grounds. Gray whale watching tours in baja california on the sea of. These are scammons lagoon, san ignacio lagoon, and magdalena bay.
Pachico mayoral was the first person to have an encounter with a friendly gray whale. Get your kindle here, or download a free kindle reading app. Up to nine species of whales visit baja on a regular basis. We always hope for and expect to have a close encounter that includes touching or petting a whale. Each year hundreds of whales congregate in the lagoon to reproduce and. Gray whales make the largest migration of any mammalfrom the summer feeding grounds near alaska to the winter breeding grounds along the pacific coast of baja california. Gray whale watching tour double the whale watching and chances for interacting with the whales offered by the majority of the whale watching companies of san ignacio lagoon. Of the three locations in baja california where the gray whales make an appearance each year, laguna san ignacio is regarded as the best. Gray whales of baja california sur cabo whale trek. Whales and dolphins you may see on our 12day searcher natural history tour. Baja whale watching tours may get you close enough to touch. The mexican government strictly regulates access to these lagoons to ensure that any human activities do not affect the whales while they are in the quiet, protected lagoons of baja california. The camp is constructed and deconstructed every year for the 23 months of ecotourism with the gray whales. Combination gray whale trips plus whale watching on the sea of cortez for the very largest whales, blue whales and gray whales.
Whale watching mexico mexico ecotourism natural habitat. Gray whales are traveling farther south for warmer waters. The gray whales travel to the warm lagoons of baja california to mate and give birth to their calves. San ignacio lagoon pachicos eco tours baja gray whale. Friendly gray whales approach our whale watching boat in san ignacio lagoon, baja, mexico during our march 2016 expedition. Youre a 49 foot, 73,000 pound, very pregnant gray whale. Saving the breeding grounds of the pacific gray whale may 12, 2016 patrick rogers with its warm, shallow waters bounded by vast stretches of uninhabited desert, mexicos san ignacio lagoon is a. With your arm plunged into the cool water, you await the touch of a california gray whale. 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. In the calmer, protected lagoons, the whales reproduce and rear. Their 6,000mile migration from alaskas bering sea to the warm waters of bajas pacific lagoons is the longest mammal migration on earth. Gray whale adventure baja california mexico mary j.
Whale watching tours with gray whales in bajas magdalena bay gray whale watching guaranteed. Whale watching is one of the most popular activities in baja. The combination blue and gray whale trips involve whale watching on. 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 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. Gray whale watching tours in baja california on the sea of cortez. People, politics, and conservation in baja california society. Gray whales surface surface every three to five minutes to breath and can remain submerged for up to 15 minutes. Saving the breeding grounds of the pacific gray whale may 12, 2016 patrick rogers with its warm, shallow waters bounded by vast stretches of. Locality of gray whale calving site of tojahuiyavaros, sonora. By audrey evans, whale watching coordinator earlier this season, birch aquarium at scripps teamed up with andiamo tour mexico to embark on a remarkable expedition to two gray whale breeding lagoons in baja california, mexico. Grey whales in san ignacio lagoon, baja california sur.
Spyhopping, where the animal vertically pokes its head out of the water, is a behavior exhibited by cetacean s some sharks. The ocean foundation one of my early major marine conservation campaigns was to help with the protection of laguna san ignacio in baja california sur, a primary gray whale breeding and nursery estuaryand still, i. February is peak month for both grey whales and visitors, and whale watching trips take place in magdalena bay and san ignacio lagoon. Apr 12, 20 by audrey evans, whale watching coordinator earlier this season, birch aquarium at scripps teamed up with andiamo tour mexico to embark on a remarkable expedition to two gray whale breeding lagoons in baja california, mexico. Aug 25, 2017 a gray whale spyhops in the waters of san ignacio lagoon, baja, mexico. Of the whale watching tours we offer in baja mexico, this one is best for seeing whales at very close range, and plenty of them.
Baja whale watching gray whales in baja california. Grey whale watching in baja is one of the worlds most intimate wildlife encounters. Numbers of returning gray whales are down in baja california. Included are most meals, lodging, transportation around town and of course the whale watching. She says the hunting of gray whales in baja california lagoons during the late 1800s and early 1900s was devastating. Gray whale mating is usually seen only within the bajas bays and lagoons. The gray whale eschrichtius robustus is distributed throughout coastal areas. 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. Nasa image edited by ga whale watching boats are common along the coast of california during this seasonal migration. Baja california has protected lagoons calm waters, protected from killer whales, so it is a relatively. The gray whale lagoons of baja california offer the best possibility for this opportunity of anywhere in the world. Every year, the california gray whales set off on the longest migration made by any mammal.
Three major lagoons in baja california are the primary destination of the southbound gray whales. Observe one of the most miraculous natural phenomena on the planet. Typically pregnant mothers arrive first, followed by females who will soon mate. Gray whales in cabo san lucas whale watch cabo tours. Every winter, hundreds of pacific gray whales return to their traditional breeding and birthing grounds in sheltered san ignacio lagoon on mexicos baja peninsula. Read about camping on a gray whale lagoon, an incredible adventure. The effect of climate variability on gray whales eschrichtius. 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. This is a diverse and brilliant wilderness area full of contrasts. The gray whale is one of the animal kingdoms great migrators. The whole population of gray whales migrate past the big sur california coastline twice a year.
The gray whale eschrichtius robustus, also known as the grey whale, gray back whale, pacific gray whale, or california gray whale, is a baleen whale that migrates between feeding and breeding grounds yearly. Conducting whale watching tours in san ignacio lagoon for over 45 years. Gray whales typically mate in small nonmonogamous groups. Gray whales saved off baja california national geographic. Our lucky participants were met with unique and lifechanging experiences as gray whales called friendlies by some interacted with thembehavior seen. California gray whales leave their summer arctic feeding grounds in the chukchi and bering seas each december, swimming 5,000 miles south to the sheltered warm water lagoons of baja. Baja whale watching, san ignacio lagoon baja discovery.
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