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Whale Watching in Baja

Each winter, thousands of California gray whales very sensibly get the heck out of Alaska and head south to the subtropical warmth of Baja, where they spend the season mating and bearing their young. And we know the perfect place to watch these gentle giants: at Baja's famous Magdalena Bay on the Pacific Coast.

From a beach camp on an isolated barrier island, you'll venture out in 25-foot skiffs for awesome "in your face" sightings of these magnificent cetaceans as they breach, swim with their calves, and perform spy-hopping maneuvers (a kind of peek-a-boo). You can also beachcomb, go birding or clamming, and even try your hand at sea kayaking. Expert, enthusiastic naturalist guides share their wealth of knowledge, ensuring a valuable learning experience-as well as a "whale" of a good time!

Itinerary
DAY 1 ~ Fly to La Paz, Mexico
Leave your hometown and fly to La Paz, Mexico. (Our itinerary is based on AeroCalifornia flights that arrive from Los Angeles at 8:00 p.m.) Your trip leader will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.
Los Arcos Hotel

DAY 2 ~ Magdalena Bay and Island
After breakfast we'll board an air-conditioned van (seating 9-12 passengers) and drive west across the desert landscape of the Baja Peninsula to a tiny fishing village on Magdalena Bay (San Carlos or Lopez Mateos-depending on where the whales are). The drive takes about four hours and the scenery en route is fascinating: towering cacti serve as perches for numerous hawks and migratory birds that winter near the Tropic of Cancer.

At the village we board motorized skiffs for the half-hour journey across the bay to Magdalena Island, a sandy barrier island that protects the bay from the open Pacific. Arrive at camp in time for a late lunch.

Our base camp offers magnificent views of the bay where the gray whales congregate. The camp is comfortable, with large tents and a staff to cook excellent meals and drive the skiffs. It's in a seldom-visited corner of the island, and we are free to explore the shoreline and mangrove tidal forests.
B,L,D…Camp

DAYS 3-5 ~ Whale watching
Each day we journey out into the bay by skiff to view whales as they gather in the bay to mate, give birth, and frolic. The skiffs are open boats with outboard motors. Each is about 25 feet long and equipped with lifejackets. The drivers are experienced and cautious not to harass the whales or other wildlife. The exact number of excursions will be planned according to the weather and local conditions, but we generally go out on an excursion during the morning, return for lunch, then plan afternoon activities to suit the group, which may include hikes on the island, bird-watching, and walks on the beach. We have several sea kayaks at our base camp, and you can learn to paddle in the protected waters. (The kayaks are not intended for active whale watching.) Note-The water in the Pacific is cold, so swimming is only for the hardy. Since the area we camp is around mangrove forests, the snorkeling is not very good.
B,L,D each day…Camp

DAY 6 ~ La Paz
After a final excursion, we break camp and return to La Paz to explore this pleasant seaside town, do a little shopping, and have a delicious farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
B,L,D…Los Arcos Hotel

DAY 7 ~ Fly home
Transfer to the airport and depart on homeward-bound flights. Your air reservation can be booked to depart La Paz any time (most people leave on the 8:45 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. flight).


What to Expect

Expert Leadership
Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you wonders you'd never find on your own, they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. You'll be in good hands with them every step of the way.

Lissa Flemming regularly leads this trip. She has lived in Baja since 1990. Before leading our sea kayaking and whale watching trips, she worked for three years with the Marine Mammal Conservation Program assisting with research on the islands (sea lions, whales, dolphins, small mammals, shorebirds, and small-scale fisheries). She is fluent in Spanish, and has a deep appreciation and extensive knowledge of the marine life, the geographical area, and the culture of the Baja Peninsula. Thanks to her keen eyes and detailed descriptions of the flora and fauna, you'll see a world that could easily go unnoticed by the average traveler. Lissa is also an American Canoe Association Coastal Kayaking Instructor Trainer and Wilderness First Responder.

Leader assignments will be confirmed in the Final Bulletin sent to you three weeks prior to departure.

Activity Level
Mountain Travel Sobek trips are designed for flexible, energetic people who like to be active and intellectually involved, and have a spirit of adventure and a positive attitude. On a scale from 1 to 5, we rate this trip as a 1 (easy). On this trip you'll camp on beaches, take excursions in a motorized skiff, do a little sea kayaking, and take optional beach hikes, which range from easy to moderate. All meals are prepared by our camp staff.

Camp Life
Our home while at Magdalena Bay is at a comfortable, safari-like beach base camp. We'll sleep in large, walk-in tents equipped with cots. There is a large tented area for cooking, slide shows, and dining (tables and chairs provided). A solar system provides lights in the dining and kitchen areas, but you'll need to bring your own flashlight for returning to your tent.

Two toilets are set up in private locations at both ends of the camp. These are self-contained Porta-Potties with a closing toilet seat. They are walled off for privacy. A bathing tent allows fresh water rinses from solar showers (you can bathe in the bay or take sponge baths-fresh water is brought over from the mainland and is limited). Hot water is available in the mornings for washing up. Drinking water is filtered.

Weather
The weather is dry and temperate in Baja during the winter. Temperatures range from the 50s to the 70s (it can get down to the 40s at night). The barrier island protects you from the Pacific winds, but some wind and rain are possible. Layering clothing works best to adjust to temperature changes. A complete clothing list will be sent to trip members. Water temperature is approximately 65° F.

Documentation
A visa is not necessary for U.S. citizens traveling to Mexico. A valid passport or state/government issued photo ID plus certified copy of U.S. birth certificate is required. Tourist cards are issued on the plane to La Paz. Citizens of other countries should check with a Mexican Embassy or Consulate for further requirements. A driver’s license is not sufficient for U.S. citizens. You can bring a driver’s license plus an original birth certificate (or a certified copy).

Then Leave the Rest to Us
Before you go, we provide you with extensive pre-departure information, including clothing recommendations, suggested reading lists, up-to-date health advice prepared by our consulting physician (an expert in wilderness medicine), and other details.

Why Mountain Travel Sobek is Your First Choice for Adventure
Mountain Travel Sobek is the pioneer in active adventure travel. No other adventure travel company can lay claim to that title. We were the first to take Americans trekking in Nepal, raft the wild rivers of Africa, and open up many previously inaccessible corners of the world to curious travelers. We set the standard for adventure travel and have a strong reputation for excellence that we do everything we can to maintain. Since we are the leading adventure company, we have a lot to live up to, so we make sure we provide safe, quality trips and the best customer service to our passengers.

Note on Itinerary
Although we will do our very best to adhere to the itinerary schedule as listed, it is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control. Please read the Limitations of Liability and Booking Conditions in the four-page Participant Information Form.

Conditions of Participation
Your participation on a Mountain Travel Sobek trip is subject to the conditions stated in the four-page Participant Information Form, which includes the Agreement and Release from Liability and the Booking Conditions. We urge you to read this information carefully, and to call us if you have any questions.

Note on Services
We often use local suppliers who provide services that may include transportation, equipment, logistic support, and other services (hotels, restaurants, etc.). We do not own or operate these independent suppliers. We work with service providers who share our commitment to safety and quality, and work closely with them to develop itineraries unique to Mountain Travel Sobek.

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