Get Up Close and Personal with Friendly Gray Whales
Your Ultimate Gray Whale Watching Adventure
The experience of a colossal 40-foot whale cruising up to your boat, making direct eye contact, and clearly expressing a desire for you to extend your hand into the water for a gentle touch will be unforgettable. Touch a whale and it will touch your heart!
The gray whale watching experience in Magdalena Bay is special because:
Magdalena Bay is a world of whales and wildness. Every year, gray whales travel from Alaska to Magdalena Bay to give birth, mate, raise their calves, and interact with human visitors. The protected and calm lagoon provides an ideal destination for gray whales to birth and raise their young.
Interaction with Humans: The gray whales in Magdalena Bay appear to enjoy human contact and will interact with humans if given the opportunity. They approach whale watching boats and playfully splash and interact with people for hours on end. They are known as the "friendly whale" for their curious and playful nature. This behavior is unique to the gray whales in this area and is not seen with other whale species.
Touching and Playing: Unlike most wildlife watching experiences, it is permissible to touch and play with the gray whales in Magdalena Bay. If the whales approach the boat, visitors can give them a good scratch or even a kiss. If visitors do not engage with the whales, they may appear disappointed and disinterested, and move on to another boat.
Natural Behavior: Gray whales engage in natural behaviors such as breaching the surface for air, splashing on re-entry, spouting sprays of water, and spy-hopping (peering their heads above the water vertically). Observing these behaviors in their natural habitat adds to the special experience of gray whale watching in Magdalena Bay.
Availability:
Mid December - Late March
Gray Whales
Private
Sport Pangas
Sea Lions
Get Ready for Your Whale Adventure
Wake up early in the morning to a breathtaking view of the sunrise, tranquil ocean waters, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, and locally sourced, freshly squeezed fruit juices, followed by your choice of Baja traditional homemade breakfast.
We then head out into the bay with the expert knowledge of the Magdalena Bay Whales Team to guide you to the best spots to interact with our famous gray whales, and set out in search of our first group of whales. It won't take much time before someone in our group spots the unmistakable 10-ft high whale-blow and excitedly exclaims, "Whale!" Every sighting is a truly special moment, and the real magic happens when you experience it firsthand. Soon, we'll be in the company of the friendly 35-45 ft, 40-50 ton gray whales!
As our boat approaches, they'll hear and notice us. When we spend time with the whales, our primary aim is to convey to our long-time friend that we mean no harm and are there solely to appreciate their majestic presence. Gray whales are delicate and beautiful creatures. After spending some time together, you'll start to gauge whether the whale is curious about our presence or if she intends to continue her journey, signaling her intentions by fluking her tail – a quick sign that she's about to dive deep and gracefully move away from our vicinity.
Dolphins & Sea Lions
On the water all things are possible! We've encountered pods of dolphins surrounding our boats, with numbers reaching 600-800 dolphins. We have experienced sea lions swim alongside us, creating unforgettable moments.
We will continue to explore all areas where whales play and exhibit different behavior patterns. Our guides are very knowledgeable in the ways of gray whales, and dedicate time observing and understanding their behavior.
Once we locate a friendly whale eager for a close encounter, we start communicating through calling out a name, whistling, singing, waving gently, or even playing your favorite instrument. The gray whales are made curious by so many different things!
With a positive attitude, unwavering faith, and our 40 years of expertise, knowledge, and, most importantly, our PASSION for this work, we've established an 85% success rate in providing our clients the opportunity to touch and kiss the majestic gray whales of Baja California, Mexico.
Isla de Patos – Bird Island Sanctuary
Head to Isla de Patos, an environmental bird sanctuary. Isla De Patos is a small uninhabited sand island located in the middle of the bay. If you choose we'll stop by the island and experience first hand what it is like to be amidst thousands of sea birds representing many species, at the same time. It is their sanctuary from long flights across the bay searching for food and they populate the entire island. Their sound is deafening! You are welcome to take great photos and stroll the island.
Exploring the Mangroves & Sand Dunes
Magdalena Bay is home to pristine mangroves, which play a crucial role in capturing and storing carbon dioxide, helping to mitigate climate change.
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Magdalena Bay's mangroves are a critical biodiversity hotspot, supporting a wide range of plant and animal species. These ecosystems are essential for the survival and reproduction of various marine life.
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Mangroves provide sheltered and relatively calm warm-water environments, serving as ideal calving grounds for gray whales. The shallow, protected areas in proximity to mangroves offer a safe environment for mother whales to give birth and nurse their calves away from potential predators.
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Mangrove ecosystems contribute to the overall health of the surrounding waters by acting as nutrient traps and filters. The nutrient-rich waters near mangroves can support a diverse food web, providing a supplementary food source for gray whales and their young calves during their time in these coastal areas.
Nestled along the coastline of Magdalena Bay are striking sand dunes, a distinctive feature shaping the bay's terrestrial landscape.
These dunes, sculpted by coastal winds, offer a visually striking panorama with their golden hues against the backdrop of the Pacific waters. Beyond their aesthetic allure, these sand formations serve a critical ecological function, acting as natural barriers against erosion while fostering a habitat for resilient plant species adapted to the shifting sands. You will have the opportunity to engage with this unique environment, experiencing the soft texture of the sand underfoot and appreciating the panoramic views that the dunes afford.
We’re with you every step of the way, let’s plan your adventure
100% Gray Whale Sighting Guaranteed
We guarantee 100% Gray Whale sighting from mid December to late March. If your travel schedule allows and you are able to visit after late March, you will get to see lots of adult whales PLUS you will also have a huge chance of seeing baby gray whales.
Ask us for our post season discount! If you are interested in seeing the migration of humpback whales, we highly advise to visit between mid November to early January.
MAGDALENA BAY WHALES ISLAND GLAMPING PACKAGES
Availability:
Gray Whale Watching: Mid December - Late March
Humpback Whale Watching: Mid November - Early January
Private whale watching trips can be arranged at any time during your stay on Isla Magdalena during whale season.
Shared whale watching trips need to follow a pre-planned itinerary.
Airport/City: San Jose Del Cabo, La Paz or Loreto
Select the airport that suits you best for arrival, and feel free to choose a different one for your return journey.
ALL PRICES ARE BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY
ALL PRICES INCLUDE 16% IVA TAX
Solo Traveler Package:
A: Solo Traveler, 1 Night/2 Days, Shared Boat
603.20 USD Total
B: Solo Traveler, 2 Nights/3 Days, Shared Boat
812.00 USD Total
C: Solo Traveler, 3 Nights/4 Days, Shared Boat
1,177.40 USD Total
D: Solo Traveler, 4 Nights/5 Days, Shared Boat
1,542.80 USD Total
E: Solo Traveler, 5 Nights/6 Days, Shared Boat
1,908.20 USD Total
F: Solo Traveler, 6 Nights/7 Days, Shared Boat
2,273.60 USD Total
G: Solo Traveler, 7 Nights/8 Days, Shared Boat
2,639.00 USD Total
2 Travelers Package:
A: 2 Travelers, 1 Night/2 Days, Private Boat
1,131.00 USD Total
B: 2 Travelers, 2 Nights/3 Days, Private Boat
1,774.80 USD Total
C: 2 Travelers, 3 Nights/4 Days, Private Boat
2,664.80 USD Total
D: 2 Travelers, 4 Nights/5 Days, Private Boat
3,514.80 USD Total
E: 2 Travelers, 5 Nights/6 Days, Private Boat
4,384.80 USD Total
F: 2 Travelers, 6 Nights/7 Days, Private Boat
5,254.80 USD Total
G: 2 Travelers, 7 Nights/8 Days, Private Boat
6,124.80 USD Total
3 Travelers Package:
(1 canvas tent/2 beds and 1 room/2 beds)
A: 3 Travelers, 1 Night/2 Days, Private Boat
1,270.20 USD Total
B: 3 Travelers, 2 Nights/3 Days, Private Boat
1,960.40 USD Total
C: 3 Travelers, 3 Nights/4 Days, Private Boat
2,946.40 USD Total
D: 3 Travelers, 4 Nights/5 Days, Private Boat
3,932.40 USD Total
E: 3 Travelers, 5 Nights/6 Days, Private Boat
4,918.40 USD Total
F: 3 Travelers, 6 Nights/7 Days, Private Boat
5,904.40 USD Total
G: 3 Travelers, 7 Nights/8 Days, Private Boat
6,890.40 USD Total
4 Travelers Package:
(2 canvas tents and 2 rooms)
A: 4 Travelers, 1 Night/2 Days, Private Boat
1,484.80 USD Total
B: 4 Travelers, 2 Nights/3 Days, Private Boat
2,209.80 USD Total
C: 4 Travelers, 3 Nights/4 Days, Private Boat
3,387.20 USD Total
D: 4 Travelers, 4 Nights/5 Days, Private Boat
4,564.60 USD Total
E: 4 Travelers, 5 Nights/6 Days, Private Boat
5,742.00 USD Total
F: 4 Travelers, 6 Nights/7 Days, Private Boat
6,919.40 USD Total
G: 4 Travelers, 7 Nights/8 Days, Private Boat
8,096.80 USD Total
5-8 Travelers Package:
15% OFF FOR GROUPS UP TO 5-8 TRAVELERS
SPECIAL OFFER ALREADY APPLIED
A: 5-8 Travelers, 1 Night/2 Days, Private Boat
512.72 USD Total – Per Traveler
B: 5-8 Travelers, 2 Nights/3 Days, Private Boat
690.20 USD Total – Per Traveler
C: 5-8 Travelers, 3 Nights/4 Days, Private Boat
1,000.79 USD Total – Per Traveler
D: 5-8 Travelers, 4 Nights/5 Days, Private Boat
1,311.38 USD Total – Per Traveler
E: 5-8 Travelers, 5 Nights/6 Days, Private Boat
1,621.97 USD Total – Per Traveler
F: 5-8 Travelers, 6 Nights/7 Days, Private Boat
1,932.56 USD Total – Per Traveler
G: 5-8 Travelers, 7 Nights/8 Days, Private Boat
2,243.15 USD Total – Per Traveler