When is the best time to see Gray Whales in Baja California Sur?

The best time to see Gray Whales in Baja California Sur is from late January to early April. Peak sightings usually occur in February and March when the whales are in the lagoons for calving and nursing.

Where can we go to see Gray Whales in Baja California Sur?

The main locations for Gray Whale watching in Baja California Sur are Laguna Ojo de Liebre, Magdalena Bay, and San Ignacio Lagoon. These lagoons are protected areas where the whales come to breed and raise their young.

How close can we get to the Gray Whales during a tour?

Gray Whales in Baja are known for their friendly behavior and often approach boats, allowing for up-close encounters, and even to get a head scratch. However, we always follow strict guidelines to ensure a respectful and safe distance, allowing the whales to approach us on their terms.

What should we bring on a Gray Whale watching tour?

We recommend bringing warm clothing (layers), sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a camera, and a reusable water bottle so that you don’t need to buy plastic bottles.

Are Gray Whale watching tours suitable for children and families?

Yes, Gray Whale watching tours are family-friendly and suitable for children of all ages. The experience of seeing these magnificent creatures up close is both educational and awe-inspiring for guests of all ages.

How long do Gray Whale watching tours last?

Gray Whale watching tours typically last between 2 to 4 hours, depending on the location and tour package.

What makes Baja California Sur a unique destination for Gray Whale watching?

Baja California Sur is one of the few places in the world where Gray Whales migrate annually for calving and breeding. The shallow, protected lagoons offer a unique opportunity to observe mother whales and their calves in their natural habitat.

Are there any eco-friendly practices in place during the whale watching tours?

Yes, our tours adhere to strict eco-friendly guidelines, including responsible boat handling, minimizing noise pollution, and maintaining safe distances. We are committed to protecting the natural environment and the well-being of the whales.

What other wildlife might we see during a Gray Whale watching tour?

In addition to Gray Whales, you might also see dolphins, sea lions, various seabirds, and occasionally other whale species such as humpbacks or orcas, depending on the season. In the second part of our expedition where we explore a remote area of the Sea of Cortez, we have the chance of seeing a large variety of species such as humpback, blue, fin, sperm, Bryde’s and sei whales, dolphins, sea lions, rays, sharks, and more surprises.

Can we book a private Gray Whale watching tour?

Yes, we offer private Gray Whale watching tours for a more personalized experience. Private tours can be tailored to your group's preferences and schedule.

Baja Gray Whale
EXPEDITON

February - March

Want to join us?

Apply here

Baja Gray Whale Expedition description

Guerrero Negro is, without a doubt, the best place in the world for up-close gray whale encounters! Every year, thousands of gray whales migrate over 10,000 miles from the icy waters of Alaska to the protected lagoons of Baja California, making it the longest mammal migration on Earth.

The Laguna Ojo de Liebre, located in the heart of the El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve, is home to one of the largest gray whale aggregations on the planet. Some days, we witness over 100 whale sightings! Each trip is unique—on some outings, mothers proudly introduce their playful calves, while on others, we see an incredible amount of spy-hopping and, if we’re lucky, even breaching gray whales!

But the most magical part? These friendly gray whales often approach our boats, seeking gentle scratches and interaction! Some even stay with us for over an hour, creating a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.

With a record-breaking number of gray whales and a strong focus on ethical, sustainable whale watching, Guerrero Negro is the ultimate destination for whale lovers. Join us for an unforgettable wildlife adventure in Baja California!

Tour Information

Tap the + to expand

Wildlife Highlights by Expedition!
5-Day Expedition
- Primary focus: Gray whales
- Occasional sightings: Dolphins in the lagoons
7-Day Expedition – Main Species
- Gray Whales
- Fin Whales
- Humpback Whales
- Blue Whales
- Dolphins
- Sea Lions
Possible Surprise Encounters
- Orcas
- Sperm Whales
- False Killer Whales
- Transfer from Tijuana to the Whale Locations and back.
- All nights accommodation (double occupancy, single occupancy upgrades sometimes available)
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
- Boat tours and activities mentioned
- Marine park entrance fees
- Guide and Captains
- Photos and videos
- Flights/transfers to meeting point in Tijuana
- Extra food & drinks not mentioned in itinerary
- Snorkeling equipment for 7 Day Expedition
- We’re not fans of forced tipping culture. However, if you had an amazing time and feel we went above and beyond, any gratuity would be truly appreciated by our team! :)
For 7 Day expeditions only:
- Full snorkel gear - Snorkel, Mask, Fins, Weights and Weight Belt, Wetsuit (Recommended 5mm-7mm long - water temperatures averages range from 14°C/57°F to 19°C/66°F) We do not provide any diving equipment. In the remote village we visit there are NO rentals.
For both expeditions:
- Warm clothing - it can get cold in the early morning and with the wind.
- Waterproof clothing - if it’s windy the water can splash into the boat
- Sunscreen/protection - it can also get really sunny and warm during the day - please bring biodegradable, as normal sun protection is damaging for the reefs.
- Sea sickness pills - if you are prone to nausea - it can get quite wavey on the boat.
- A good attitude, this is nature, there are no guarantees with what we can see, we will use our experience and expertise to put you in the best places possible for sightings but there is always a chance that you won’t see anything.
5 Day: $2,500 USD per person
7 Day: $3,500 USD per person
*Group Size: Minimum 4 people, maximum 7. If your group is smaller than 4, you have the option to cover the cost for the minimum requirement.

Want to join us?

Apply here

available dates

Baja Gray Whale Season happens from the middle of January to the end of March. However, February and early March are the best months.

7 day Expedition
Feb 23rd - March 1st: SOLD OUT
5 day expedition
Feb 8 - 12: 7 spots available
Mar 1 - 5: 7 spots available
7 day expedition
Feb 1 - 7: 6 spots available
Feb 22 - 28: 6 spots available

Group Size: Minimum 4 people, maximum 6 (7 with just 5 day expedition).

Contact us to arrange custom Baja gray whale tour dates.

Itinerary

* Please note that the Baja gray whale itinerary may change slightly due to weather, current marine life sighting reports, and other factors out of our control.

Day 1 – Arrival & Transfer to Guerrero Negro
- Meet and greet in Loreto.
- Enjoy scenic spots and lunch on the way to Guerrero Negro.
- Arrive in Guerrero Negro, check in to the hotel, and unwind.
- Evening dinner, expedition briefing and time to relax.
Days 2-4 – Gray Whale Encounters & Activities
- Morning whale-watching boat trip in the lagoons.
- Afternoon: Choose between rest or optional activities, such as:
  - Wildlife presentations
  - Sand Dunes
  - Exploring sunset salt pools
  - Cultural experiences & local activities
  - Photography & video workshops
- Overnight stay in Guerrero Negro.
Day 5 – Return to Loreto & Departure
- Breakfast & check-out in the morning.
- Drive back to Loreto, arriving at the meeting point.
- Farewells, contact exchange, and see-you-agains!
• Fly or travel back home :(
Day 1 – Arrival & Transfer to Guerrero Negro
- Meet and greet in Loreto.
- Enjoy scenic spots and lunch on the way to Guerrero Negro.
- Arrive in Guerrero Negro, check in to the hotel, and unwind.
- Evening dinner, expedition briefing and time to relax.
Days 2 & 3 – Gray Whale Encounters in Guerrero Negro
- Morning whale-watching boat trip in the lagoons.
- Afternoon: Choose between rest or optional activities, such as:
  - Wildlife presentations
  - Exploring salt pools
  - Cultural experiences & local activities
  - Photography & video workshops
- Overnight stay in Guerrero Negro.
Day 4 – Final Gray Whale Trip & Transfer to Bahía de los Ángeles
- Morning whale-watching boat trip.
- Scenic drive to Bahía de los Ángeles.
- Evening relaxation or optional activity.
- Overnight stay in Bahía de los Ángeles.
Days 5 & 6 – Marine Exploration in Bahía de los Ángeles
- Boat excursions to explore the bay’s rich marine life.
- Evening relaxation or optional activities, such as:
  - Wildlife talks
  - Sunset viewpoints
  - Stargazing
  - Photography & video workshops
- Overnight stay in Bahía de los Ángeles.
Day 7 – Return to Loreto & Departure
- Breakfast & check-out.
- Drive back to Loreto, arriving at the meeting point/airport/border.
- Farewells, contact exchange, and see-you-agains!
- Fly or travel back home :(

Imagine a place so remote there’s no mobile signal—just untouched nature and some of the most biodiverse waters on the planet. Now, add 8 of the 10 largest whale species in the world and a splash of rich Mexican culture, and you’ve arrived in Bahía de Los Ángeles, a hidden gem for whale watching in Baja California.

Here, we have the incredible chance to encounter fin, humpback, and blue whales, with possibilities of spotting orcas, sperm whales, and other rare marine life in the Sea of Cortez. Of course, nature offers no guarantees, but that’s exactly what makes our wildlife expeditions so exciting—you never know what you will find!!

Join us for an unforgettable marine adventure and experience the magic of Baja’s whale migration!

Sea safari in Bahia de los angeles*

*For 7 Day Expedition only

Want to join us?

Apply here

Our Migration

We start the trip at our meeting point in Tijuana, from here we've got quite the road trip ahead of us—roughly 10-12 hours of open highway. It'll be a full day's drive there and another back, but don't sweat it! We've planned some fun stops in between to break it up with cool places to visit: small family-owned restaurants, viewpoints, kayaking, and cave paintings.

Think about it this way: if those gentle giants can make a massive migration traveling up to 22,000km from the Arctic Circle to the warm lagoons of Mexico over 2-3 months just to say hello to us, then surely, we can make a mere 24-hour round-trip journey to wave back. Here's to our own little one-day migration adventure!

USEFUL Information

Dec-Mar: 15-19°C / 59-66°F
Averages:
Day: 24-26°C / 75-79°F
Night: 10-16°C / 50-61°F
*Mornings on the boat are cold! So bring warm clothing!
Baja has a sunny, dry climate and only sees about 25cm/10 inches of rain in an entire year. Most of this rain falls from late August through September. The rest of the year we barely see rain.
Wind Season: Mid November to Mid April - during this time often the mornings are calm and the wind tends to pick up around 11 - we can still get shelter from the wind in various areas of the bay, don’t worry :) If the wind reports show the wind to be too strong and not enjoyable we will have to reschedule the trip.
We do still have days and even weeks with low wind where the conditions are great!
Loreto is an international airport,

Anything Else?

Please note that it is prohibited to swim with whales in Mexico, especially in the lagoons, this section of the tour will be from the boat only an not snorkeling. The Seafari in Bahia de Los Angeles is a snorkel tour, and we can be in the water if you want to!

Please feel free to bring your own camera, although we do our best to take the perfect photos and videos for you, it’s always fun to take your own. perspective.

Both Locations are very small and not well developed, please be aware that we will not be staying in luxurious accommodation, and it is possible things may not go as planned, we want positive people that won’t be upset if somethings changes which is out of our control.

Want to join us?

Apply here

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

No, it’s not permitted to swim with whales anywhere in Mexico by law, so all whale activity will be from the boat, but they get up close and personal that from the boat is often better anyway!!
The best time to see Gray Whales in Baja California Sur is from late December to early April. Peak sightings usually occur in February and March when the whales are in the lagoons for calving and nursing.
The main locations for Gray Whale watching in Baja California Sur are Magdalena Bay, San Ignacio Lagoon, and Laguna Ojo de Liebre in Guerrero Negro. These lagoons are protected areas where the whales come to breed and raise their young.
Gray Whales in Baja are known for their friendly behavior and often approach boats, allowing for up-close encounters. However, we always follow strict guidelines to ensure a respectful and safe distance, allowing the whales to approach us on their terms.
Yes, Gray Whale watching tours are family-friendly and suitable for children of all ages. The experience of seeing these magnificent creatures up close is both educational and awe-inspiring for guests of all ages.
Baja California Sur is one of the few places in the world where Gray Whales migrate annually for calving and breeding. The shallow, protected lagoons offer a unique opportunity to observe mother whales and their calves in their natural habitat.
Yes, our tours adhere to strict eco-friendly guidelines, including responsible boat handling, minimizing noise pollution, and maintaining safe distances. We are committed to protecting the natural environment and the well-being of the whales.
In addition to Gray Whales, you might also see dolphins, sea lions and various seabirds.
There are a few options, here are our recommended ones:
LORETO:
1) Fly
Loreto is an International airport with direct flights from:
USA
Los Angeles
Phoenix
Dallas/Fort Worth
San Fransisco

Canada
Calgary
Mexico
Tijuana
La Paz
TIJUANA:
1) From LA to Tijuana:
- Fly to Los Angeles.
- Travel to San Diego (taxi/train/drive)
- Cross the border on foot to Tijuana (this is safe and we haven’t heard of any issues - best to do in the day time as easier to see everything)
- Take a taxi/uber to the hotel.
2) From Mexico City or Guadalajara to Tijuana:
- Fly to Mexico City or Guadalajara.
- Take a flight to Tijuana.
- Directly to San Diego with CBX Crossing:
3) Fly directly to San Diego.
Use the CBX crossing to walk over the border to Tijuana. You will need to get either a shuttle or taxi from San Diego Airport to the CBX border crossing.
Note: CBX requires a flight into or out of either San Diego or Tijuana.
Recommendation:
Book a hotel the night before the road trip (departure at 6 am).
Hotel Astor in Tijuana is recommended (comfy and conveniently located).
If booking a different hotel, guests are requested to take a taxi/Uber to arrive at Hotel Astor at 6 am.