4 Most Interactive Whale Watching Experiences in Baja California Sur
Do you dream of having an up-close and personal encounter with one of the most majestic creatures that exists today? Grey and Humpback whales have been migrating to Baja California Sur for longer than all of our lifetimes - they just love to spend the winter down here. Sound familiar? Many of our Local Baja readers are snowbirds as well. Make sure you get the most of your season in Baja by participating in all that winter has to offer. Whale season is most definitely a Local Baja highlight.
Maybe you’ve seen them jumping and playing offshore but never had a chance to see one up close. Have you ever pet one? Kissed one on the face? Well in Baja California Sur, you can! Whale watching experiences are brought to a whole new level by these inquisitive and friendly giants.
Where can I meet them?
The Baja peninsula is about 1100 miles long and much of the Pacific Coast is prime for whale encounters. We’ve done the homework (really tedious whale watching homework) for you.
We’ve highlighted our top 4 whale watching spots in Baja so all you have to do is pick one and come on down. If you really are a whale lover like I am, you can do all 4 in just a week long trip.
Cabo San Lucas
This is the most widely known area in Baja for whale watching. The plus side is that you’ll be in deeper waters so you’ll probably get to see some cool jumps and twists. The whale watching season is long here so November to March is great to see these beauties.
The downside is that this isn’t where the babies are born so you may not get as up close as you would like. The cost in Cabo is also significantly higher than in other areas of Baja.
Bahia de Magdalena (Puerto San Carlos)
This little town has been the hot spot for up-close whale action for years. The whales are extremely friendly here. The proud mama whales often usher their babies up to the boats to be pet or even kissed! Now who wouldn’t want to kiss a baby whale?! The bay is shallow, beautiful and you’re pretty much guaranteed to see a good amount of sprays and tail flaunts.
The not so fun part is the distance. Magdalena is far from La Paz and even farther from Cabo, making this at least an overnight trip. There’s only one decent hotel and nothing much to do there. You just arrive, eat dinner, go to bed, see the whales, and go home.
It’s also a bit of a pain to organize tours on your own here. You’ll need help from a tour company or your concierge to plan your trip. The season is shorter here as well. You’ll want to hit Magdalena in February or the first week of March.
Lopez Mateo
Lopez Mateo is a grey whale sanctuary located 3 ½ hours from La Paz in the municipality of Comondu. The nearest city is Ciudad Insurgentes. There are a few small hotels and airbnb’s in Lopez Mateo which are likely better than staying in Insurgentes. If you are looking for a bit more of a road trip for your whale watching, LM may be your spot. They have set the precedent for respectfully interacting with the whales without disturbing their habitat. Whale season here lasts roughly from December to March.
Puerto Chale
This is an emerging favorite for Baja Californians. Puerto Chale is within the municipality of La Paz. In 2020, there were an estimated 130 whales in the bay. The local boatmen are friendly, knowledgeable and very adept at their whale spotting skills.
Prices are very reasonable and the roads are well paved and easy to navigate. They have just installed a little dock and clean bathroom facilities. There are some delicious fish tacos and empanadas to be found just next to the parking lot. For convenience, price and experience, Puerto Chale is our go to for unparallel whale experience.
Hopefully you’ll have a chance to experience each and every one of these stunning locations. As a local, you’ve probably already done at least one of these trips. Share your story below, or add any suggestions you may have. If you haven’t been, now is the time! Enjoy these beautiful creatures before the season ends.
