Baja California's San Ignacio Lagoon is the primary calving ground for eastern Pacific gray whales and part of Mexico's El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve—the largest wildlife refuge in Latin America. The large concentration of gray whales that reside here each winter are extremely 'friendly,' and regularly approach our small whale watching pangas (skiffs) in a moving display that occurs nowhere else. The whales are the focus of our trip, and we will have three full days to observe them. We expect to see large numbers of gray whales, including cow-calf pairs, courting whales, and others.
At the start of our trip, we also take two days to explore the Sea of Cortez, one of the most productive and diverse seas on the planet. From our base in the quaint town of Loreto we will make a private boat excursion to search for marine mammals and to enjoy the outstanding landscapes of the Gulf of California. Here we have the possibility to see blue whales, the largest animals ever to exist on Earth, fin whales, Bryde's whales, sperm whales, humpbacks, and herds of dolphins.
>> See a day-by-day trip log, photos, and species list from our March 2017 departure.
>> See photos & video from our 2016 Baja: San Ignacio Lagoon & Sea of Cortez expedition.
The highlight of our trip will be the three full days spent with gray whale mothers and their curious calves in San Ignacio Lagoon. The protected lagoon is also a wintering ground for migrating birds, and we may see White Ibis, Elegant Terns, Reddish Egrets, Brown Pelicans, Brandt's Cormorants, Brant Geese and others.
We also explore the wildlife of the productive and diverse Sea of Cortez, which is home to more than 650 tropical and temperate fish (90 of them endemic) and one-third of the world's whale and dolphin species. On land, an exceptional 695 vascular plant species are scattered among colorful and rugged desert landscapes. On our excursions we have the possibility to see humpback, blue, fin, Bryde's, and sperm whales, dolphins, sea lions, "flying" rays, and many bird species.
2021: February 12–20 | March 12–20* | March 16-24 SOLD OUT | March 20–28. $3,750 per person.** Group limit 8.
* There is one space remaining on this departure, for a single traveler paying a single supplement fee ($800).
** Trip price does not include international airfare. There is a single supplement fee of $800. Click here for our full expedition terms and conditions.
Oceanic Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (EIN: 94-3105570), and every trip supports ocean conservation.
- Christine Sartori, 2015 traveler
Roger Harris is a long-time Oceanic Society naturalist with 30 years of experience working as a guide. In addition to working with Oceanic Society, Roger has frequently worked as a naturalist for Lindblad Expeditions and the National Audubon Society. As a naturalist he has led eco-tours in Honduras, Belize, Kenya, Great Barrier Reef, Galapagos, Baja California, and SE Alaska. Roger is also a professional conservation biologist specializing in endangered species, wetlands, and native habitat restoration. He earned a graduate degree in ornithology from U.C. Berkeley, and is both a NAUI diver and an expert world birder.
Chris Biertuempfel manages Oceanic Society’s California-based programs, continuing the non-profit’s tradition of ocean faring expeditions that began in 1972. Also, he leads whale-centric expeditions in California and Mexico as a naturalist. His work as a photographer from such trips has been featured in several media outlets, including the San Francisco Chronicle and ABC News.
Slater Moore is a professional photographer, drone pilot, and naturalist based in Monterey, CA and specializing in marine mammals. He is passionate is about marine life and capturing images and video to pull people closer to the wild world. Slater got his start working on fishing and whale watching boats in California as a deckhand, a captain, and a tour leader. You can find his photography on Instagram @slatermoorephotography or online at https://www.slatermoore.photography/.
Samantha Whitcraft holds a bachelor in Natural Sciences from Harvard University and earned her master of Marine Affairs and Policy at the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. As a conservation biologist, she has worked with National Geographic, WildAid and local communities to research and develop sustainable ecotourism and "citizen science." A resident of Florida, her fieldwork has taken her to the Amazon, Kiribati, the Bahamas, Fiji, and the Galapagos.
>> See our naturalist's day-by-day trip log, photos, and species list from our March 2017 departure.
Day 1: Arrive in Loreto
Arrive in Loreto, Baja California Sur. You will be met at the airport and transported to our comfortable accommodations. Gather for dinner and briefing with your guide.
Day 2-3: Exploring the Sea of Cortez & Loreto
Enjoy two full days of whale and wildlife watching by private excursion boat in the Sea of Cortez, including island exploration with a picnic lunch on the beach (approximately 6 hours out on the water). In your downtime enjoy the quaint, historic town of Loreto, home to a mission founded in 1697 that is considered the "mother" of all missions in Baja California.
Day 4: Loreto - San Ignacio
Depart for San Ignacio Lagoon by private van to your safari-style tented camp on the beach. Our leisurely 5-6 hour drive includes stops to observe bird life and sites of interest. Visit the town of San Ignacio and its historic mission before arriving in time for dinner. Lunch along the way is included.
Day 5-7: San Ignacio Lagoon
We will spend three full days observing gray whales from our small pangas (skiffs) which provide excellent opportunities to approach the graceful gray whales closely and unobtrusively. We use sturdy, twenty-two foot Mexican panga boats operated by local fishermen under the guidance of our naturalist. Photographic opportunities are excellent. The lagoon, which is part of the El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve (the largest wildlife refuge in Latin America), is also a wintering ground for migrating birds, and we will look for White Ibis, Elegant Terns, Reddish Egrets, Brown Pelicans, Brandt's Cormorants, and Brant Geese.
Day 8: San Ignacio - Loreto
After breakfast, we'll return to Loreto and check into your comfortable hotel. The afternoon is at leisure for exploring the historic town of Loreto.
Day 9: Fly home
Enjoy a farewell breakfast, then transfer to the airport for your flight home.
During the Loreto / Sea of Cortez portion of the trip, we stay in comfortable hotels and enjoy meals in local restaurants. In San Ignacio Lagoon we stay in a catered camp situated on the water's edge, with safari-style tents that have solar-powered lights and platform beds. A spacious palapa lounge offers a comfortable place to enjoy delicious meals, listen to natural history presentations, relax with a book, or enjoy refreshments from the fully stocked bar. At night, enjoy the outstanding Baja night sky.
All excursions are in private boats, offering excellent whale watching and wildlife exploration by day and enjoying terra firma land-based accommodations each night.