Gray Whales of Magdalena Bay, Mexico

Magdalena Bay is a series of lagoons sheltered from the Pacific Ocean by low barrier islands and is the world-renowned winter nursery grounds of the California Gray Whale.  January through March, hundreds of gray whales mate and bear their young in these protected waters after traveling over 5000 miles from the Bering Strait.

The gray whale lagoons in Baja enjoy strict federal protection, and one can only whale watch with a licensed tour operator.  You can watch the whales and their newly born calves up close from the safety of motorized skiffs.  Breaching, spy-hopping and fluking, the whales will captivate your attention with their behavior.

We offer two different itineraries for you to observe gray whales and discover Magdalena Bay's diverse, fascinating ecosystem of windswept sand dunes, vibrant desert flora and mangrove-lined estuaries. Both itineraries offer guaranteed whale sightings and only Sea Kayak Adventures has exclusive permission to camp on the island.

Our five- and six-day Gray Whales of Magdalena Bay whale-watching tours include three- to four-days at our safari-style base camp situated on a secluded beach at the center of whale activity. It is the perfect place to see the gray whales as they surface and blow right in front of our camp!

The area around our camp boasts the highest concentration of whales in Baja.  Each day motorized skiffs take you out to the deeper waters of the bay, where "friendly whales" swim up to the skiffs for a head rub!. On shore your guides will take you dune hiking, beachcombing and birding in mangrove channels - a mecca for migratory shorebirds.

The camp provides all the gear and amenities you need for a comfortable wilderness experience. Your guides will give entertaining, informative presentations on whale natural history. There's also an extensive library with books on whales.  Ideal for families with children ages 8-18 and those wishing a shorter, more focused experience with whales.

For more adventure, add a day of snorkeling around beautiful Isla Coronado in the Sea of Cortez to your Baja whale watching tour. Observe sea lions on rocks, snorkel, sunbathe, eat a picnic lunch and take a nature hike on this hat-shaped cinder cone island with sandy coves. Approx $105/person includes motorboat, driver, guide, snorkeling gear, wetsuit, lunch, guide, park fee.

Click here to view a video of kayaking in the Sea of Cortez and whale watching in Magdalena Bay.

"I’ve traveled widely, and this was one of my most sublime adventures to date. Nothing could exceed the experience of lightly touching a willing gray whale or seeing them spyhopping repeatedly right off our beach campsite."
--Stuart Howard

Flights are limited from Los Angeles to Loreto, Baja for this trip.
Call us with any travel questions - 1-800-616-1943 or 1-208-765-3116

All of our Baja trips meet in Loreto. Loreto is located on the Sea of Cortez side of the Baja California peninsula and is accessible by road or by scheduled air service from Los Angeles. Please call our office if you need assistance on deciding how to get to Loreto. We are familiar with traveling to Baja and we'll be happy to help you select the best way there.

Entry into Mexico: Passports are required. No visa is necessary, but a tourist card will be issued during your flight (keep the stub and show upon your departure flight to avoid fee).

Air Flights: Alaska Airlines/Horizon Airlines, (800) 252-7522, provides direct service (75 min) between Los Angeles International airport (LAX) and Loreto airport (LTO) on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Demand is high during the winter/spring season and it is essential to make reservations early. If flights on some dates are full, you may need to come in early to Loreto or stay longer.  Another option is flying to La Paz or Los Cabos and taking a bus or rental car to Loreto. We can also arrange a preferred hotel rate for extra nights in Loreto. 

Note: We do not recommend purchasing your tickets to Mexico on the Internet unless you are diligent- or at least call the airlines directly as well afterwards, to confirm your reservation and obtain a confirmed seat assignment - very critical. Call us and go over plans before you buy.

IT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO ALLOW AT LEAST 2 HOURS CONNECTION TIME PRIOR TO YOUR LORETO FLIGHT. If you find you need to overnight in Los Angeles, we have negotiated a great rate for our travellers at the Hacienda Hotel near LAX.

Car: The approximate driving time from San Diego to Loreto is 20 hours. If you found great airfare into Cabo San Lucas, the driving time north to Loreto is seven hours (or 4 hours if you are flying into La Paz).

Car Rental: You can rent a vehicle on a weekly basis from any of the major car rental agencies in Cabo or La Paz. BUDGET 016131351090 www.budgetbaja.com, HERTZ 0018006543030 www.autoturismonaver.com, EUROPCAR 016131352306 Loreto 018002013333 international reservations www.europcar.com.mx. Secure parking is available at the hotel in Loreto.

Bus Service: Aquila Transportes operates between San Jose del Cabo and Loreto (8 hours, cost: $60) as well as La Paz to Loreto (4 1/2 hours, cost: $40). Purchase tickets at the bus station (little English spoken).

Travel Agent: We recommend Robert Sulens at Kahala Travel for your travel arrangements to and from Loreto. He is familiar with flights to Baja (in business 24 years) and he can help you find the best airfare. Call him at 800-852-8338 or email: robert@kahalatravel.com.

Health: No immunizations or vaccinations are required for Mexico, but we recommend you speak to your health department or doctor. The University of Washington recommends getting hepatitis A&B, tetanus, flu, typhoid shots. Water on the trip is distilled/filtered for your extra protection. Fresh fruits and vegetables are good and plentiful (peel before eating). The restaurant food in Loreto is good and bottled water is easily available. We recommend good hand washing.

Weather: The weather in Loreto is generally mild in the winter with day-time temperatures averaging 70 to 85 degrees and night-time temperatures averaging 40 to 55 degrees between December and mid-March. Spring day-time temperatures average 75 to 90 degrees and night-time temperatures average 50 to 65 degrees between mid-March and May. Loreto is in a desert where the possibility of rain is very small, but it can happen. Winds can occur anytime but are more frequent from December through February. Magdalena Bay air temperatures are a little cooler than on the Sea of Cortez side of the Baja Peninsula. Water temperatures in the Sea of Cortez range from 65 degrees in December to 73 degrees in May requiring the use of a shorty 3mm wet suit for extended snorkeling. In October and November, air temperatures range from 80 to 90 degrees and water temperatures range from 75 to 80 degrees.

What are typical meals on the trip?
The source of many compliments, our legendary wilderness meals are prepared from fresh, healthy ingredients. Our specialty is Dutch oven cookery with savory main dishes like chicken mole, fresh fish vera cruz style, and chili rellenos; and delicious desserts from brownies to pineapple upside-down cake. We serve fresh ground coffee as well as an abundance of local fruits and vegetables. Vegetarians as well as special dietary requests can easily be accommodated. Each evening, we serve a cocktail and appetizer for "happy hour" so you can enjoy the spectacular Baja sunset while sipping a Margarita!

There's a special emphasis on our meals because we believe you are entitled to gourmet dining in the wilderness as you are at home.


What is the camping like?
Since 1993, we have created a category of travel we call "camping plus". The food served on our trips is on par with what you get in a first-rate restaurant; we provide all camping gear of the best quality: large tents, warm sleeping bags with clean linens, extra-thick self-inflating foam pads and comfortable camp chairs; you get the best beach sites and you don't have to worry about missing the wildlife. We're all about truly "getting away", but not quite "leaving it all behind". It's wilderness adventure with some worldly amenities. And best of all, you'll receive unbeatable support and camaraderie from each of our guides.

Because of the dry desert climate, we have few mosquitoes and gnats, no sand flies or ticks.  For bathing, we provide a solar shower.  We also have a portable toilet at camp.  We provide chairs and tables for dining as well as a cooler with ice for cold drinks.  There is a large community dome for inside dining and evening conversations or games.


Are there any physical requirements?
It is important to understand that this is a camping trip and we want to be sure that you are prepared, both mentally and physically, for the challenges it will present, and have clear expectations about the trip.

During the day, we'll spend two hours on the water in motorized skiffs (called pangas) whale watching.  While whale watching from a boat is not strenuous and the water is usually calm, the bay can be choppy when it is windy, so if you are susceptible to seasickness, bring medicine or whatever you need

The hiking could best be described as leisurely on our barrier island, as the terrain is composed of sand dunes and flat sandy beaches. Although most of our group hikes are no longer than one to two hours, there are literally miles of uninhabited, remote beaches to explore.  We do require that anyone over 70 or with any health or weight concerns consult us before signing up to make sure you are up to fully participating.


What is the minimum age limit?
Our Gray Whales of Magdalena Bay base camp trips are ideal for families with children as young as 8.


What if I'm by myself?
If this is your first adventure tour, and you are naturally a little apprehensive about going solo, we will support you each step of the way. We get a mixture of singles, couples, families and friends. Please call if you have any concerns.


What about safety?
Your safety, comfort and enjoyment are our priorities. Any concerns about risks and physical abilities are handled with the greatest care by our office staff and trip leaders. Your guides are always in close proximity, well equipped with First Aid kits and specially trained in Wilderness First Aid to handle emergency situations. Your trip leader will provide a comprehensive camp orientation and safety discussion at the start of the tour. We take your concerns or apprehensions to heart - to make whale watching a positive, fulfilling experience for you.


When is the best time to see whales?
We design our wilderness adventures to provide you with the best whale encounters imaginable. Magdalena Bay is a whale-watchers' paradise.  From late-January to mid-March is the best time to see gray whales.

Can I kayak with the gray whales?
No kayaks or private boats are allowed in the nursery lagoons of Baja’s Pacific Coast including Magdalena Bay.  Only licensed Mexican whale watching boats are allowed in the lagoons when the whales are present.


What should I bring?
We provide the camping equipment so you only need to bring your personal belongings and avoid having to check-in luggage on your flight. Upon signing up, you'll get an informative trip handbook that includes a detailed list of clothing and other recommended items for your whale watching trip.

Do I need a passport to enter Mexico?
Yes, passports are required to enter Mexico.  Click here for the U. S. Department of State’s Passport Requirement page.

What do the trip costs include?
Skilled professional guide services, airport transfer upon arrival, ground transportation, motorized whale watching skiffs, camping equipment including tents, sleeping bags, liners, and sleeping pads. Our camping trips include all meals from lunch on the first day to lunch on the last day.


What is not included?
Pre- and post-trip accommodations and meals, airfare, and gratuities.

Five Day Itinerary Below

Five-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Loreto airport. Meet our ground service and transfer to your hotel. Check into pre-assigned rooms (included in trip cost). Pre-trip meeting at the hotel later in evening.

Day 2: Meet 8 AM in hotel, van transportation 2 hours to Magdalena Bay. From there we'll take a short boat ride across the bay to our base camp on a sandy barrier island located at the heart of whale watching activity. After settling in, we'll go whale watching for several hours in a skiff.

Day 3: Your day is filled with whale watching, hiking along the sand dunes and beachcombing the Pacific beaches. In the morning we will take a motorized skiff into the bay for close encounters with gray whales.

Day 4: Several motorized skiffs will meet us at camp for 2 hours of whale watching in Boca Soledad before returning to Puerto Lopez Mateos and van ride to Loreto. Evening at hotel. Farewell dinner with guides.

Day 5: You are on your own for transportation to the airport for your flight homeward. You can use C&C English-speaking, air conditioned van transport for $8 each, or taxis (Spanish-speaking) are easily found, approximately $5-6/person; BUT depart for the airport no later than 2 hours before flight.

* Note on Itinerary: We will do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above. However, the itinerary may change due to reasons beyond our control such as wind, waves or inclement weather.