Puerto Chale Whale Watching from La Paz
Just a short trip from La Paz, Puerto Chale offers one of Baja’s most incredible wildlife experiences, where you can observe gray whales in their winter calving grounds up close. These gentle giants, often traveling with their newborn calves, make the warm bays of Puerto Chale their home each season, giving you the rare chance to witness their friendly and curious behavior up close. From your small boat, you may see mothers nudge their calves toward you, offering a truly unforgettable encounter.
Accompanied by experienced naturalist local guides, you’ll learn about the whales fascinating migration, their life cycle, and the importance of the ecosystem supporting their calving and nursing. Our team works with local fishermen and follows all regulations to ensure the whales remain safe and undisturbed, giving you a responsible and educational experience in the process.
Even in just a single day, you’ll connect with the rhythms of Baja’s Pacific coast and the wildlife that thrives here. Alongside gray whales, keep an eye out for dolphins, seabirds, and the stunning desert landscapes that make this region so unique. It’s an accessible, awe-inspiring adventure that shows the best of Baja’s natural wonders all in one extraordinary day.
Just under a three hour drive from La Paz!
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Itinerary
Day 1
Sample Itinerary:
*Below is a general outline of our Puerto Chale day tour itinerary. Please note that this is our ideal schedule; however it may be adjusted due to weather or other items outside our control. Your adventure consultants and guides will brief you with any updates prior to your departure.
7:30am - Meet in the Hotel Lobby
Meet at our designated hotel lobby to meet your Sea Kayak Adventures guides. *Please have breakfast on your own before meeting the group as it is not included in your itinerary.
8:00am - Depart for Puerto Chale - Almejas Bay
Get an authentic glimpse of Baja as your traverse across the interior of the peninsula during the roughly 2.5 hour drive. The rolling hills, quaint towns and cacti make for pleasant scenery along the way.
10:00am - Arrive at our Whale Watching Location
Your guides provide a short whale watching orientation before you board a local panga for your 3-hour whale watching session. During the whale watching session you are accompanied by a local driver and one of our guides who share with you detailed information about the gray whales of Baja. Due to the high number of whales who inhabit the bay during the months of January - March, whale observations are plentiful and typically begin shortly after you leave the launch point.
1:00pm - Conclude Whale Watching and Lunch
Once we wrap up our three hour whale watching journey, your guides will accompany you at lunch at a local restaurant on the way back to La Paz. Over lunch we refelect on the incredible whale encounters and further connect with other travelers.
2:00 - 4:30pm - Return Drive to La Paz
What to Bring:
Note: Please dress appropriately for the days weather and for being outside in the elements during your whale watching session. Weather on the Pacific can vary and change quickly, so dressing in layers is always a good practice.
- Waterbottle
- Sunglasses
- Sun protective clothing and hat
- Chapstick
- Small day pack or hip pack with any personal items
- Light jacket or sweater
- Camera (get ready for some superb images!)
MEALS INCLUDED : Lunch
Tour Extensions
Dates & Rates
Supplementary Information
Trips run every day from January 24 - March 23rd, 2026!
**ALL PRICES ARE IN USD
1-Day Tiered Tour Rates
- 2-3 guests: $320 per person
- 4-11 guests: $220 per person
INCLUDED
- Full service of our Adventure Consultants
- Professional, bilingual Sea Kayak Adventures guides
- 3 hour whale watching session
- Transportation to and from Puerto Chale
- Authentic Mexican lunch
- Taxes
NOT INCLUDED
- Airfare
- Transportation to and from the airport
- Hotel before and after activities
- Gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
*Note on wildlife encounters: We are passionate about offering our guests the chance to experience the natural beauty of wildlife in its most authentic form—wild and free. While our sea kayaking and whale watching tours explore regions rich with diverse marine life, it’s important to understand that these encounters are always on nature’s terms. Wildlife sightings are unpredictable and unplanned, which is part of their enchantment and wonder. We cannot guarantee specific sightings or interactions, as each trip holds its own unique discoveries. The thrill of the unexpected and the privilege of observing animals in their natural habitat makes each journey special. Our guides are dedicated to enhancing your understanding of the ecosystems we visit, making every experience a meaningful one, regardless of what wildlife we may or may not encounter. Thank you for joining us with an open mind and an adventurous spirit as we celebrate the wonder of wild places.
Reviews
FAQ & More
Do I Get to Touch the Whales and What is a "Friendly" Whale?
Some of the gray whales in Baja exhibit what is known as "friendly" behavior. While they have the entire sea as their home, some whales choose to come very close to our boats to interact. When this happens, there are times when it is appropriate to touch the whales. In fact, if we don't interact they will sometimes swim away in search of another boat of humans to play with. We can't know the emotion that the whales are experiencing, but clearly they have a choice to approach the boats or not. Equally fascinating is the fact that often these friendly whales bring their babies up close as well, sometimes even pushing the calf closer to the whale-watching skiffs. On some tours the whales choose not to get close to us and it's important to remember that these are whale watching trips, not whale touching trips.
*Note on wildlife encounters: We are passionate about offering our guests the chance to experience the natural beauty of wildlife in its most authentic form—wild and free. While our sea kayaking and whale watching tours explore regions rich with diverse marine life, it’s important to understand that these encounters are always on nature’s terms. Wildlife sightings are unpredictable and unplanned, which is part of their enchantment and wonder. We cannot guarantee specific sightings or interactions, as each trip holds its own unique discoveries. The thrill of the unexpected and the privilege of observing animals in their natural habitat makes each journey special. Our guides are dedicated to enhancing your understanding of the ecosystems we visit, making every experience a meaningful one, regardless of what wildlife we may or may not encounter. Thank you for joining us with an open mind and an adventurous spirit as we celebrate the wonder of wild places.
What are your Terms and Conditions?
Please see our full Terms & Conditions HERE.
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