In some elements of the world, the whales and the people aren’t round on the identical time. Fortunately for you, the Cabo San Lucas whale watching season can also be excessive season for us people. The very best time to see whales within the Los Cabos area and Baja Sur typically is January by April, simply when the northerners are coming down to flee the chilly and heat up. It is smart that we warm-blooded creatures observe the identical route.
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico is thought for its whale watching, and is likely one of the greatest locations on the earth to see these large sea creatures. The whale watching season gives guests the chance to witness the migration of whales from the colder waters of Alaska all the way down to the hotter climates of Mexico in winter.
Throughout this time, guests can take boat excursions or take part on kayaking and stand-up paddleboard excursions for the potential to get an up-close take a look at these wonderful creatures. Whale-watching excursions are supplied from a number of ports within the area, together with Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo, Todos Santos, and La Paz, all reached from the worldwide airport.
When is Cabo San Lucas Whale Watching Season?
Whale watching season runs from December to April, however the very best possibilities of seeing loads of whales is between January and March. I as soon as went out in December on the very first day of the season. The information informed us to not count on a lot, then a couple of minutes later a large humpback whale got here capturing out of the water and created an enormous splash 100 meters away.
Solely considered one of us had a digicam prepared because it was such a shock. The very best I might do was get a tail shot later:
On that very same journey I performed golf at Quivira and noticed a few whales within the distance whereas strolling to the inexperienced to make my putt. Then one other journey once I stayed on the JW Marriott Los Cabos, we noticed whales off the shore frequently from our room and whereas sitting on the pool.
Should you go to any a part of Los Cabos in January and February, you’ll in all probability have the same expertise. You might be staying at one of many accommodations in Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo, or wherever alongside the hall and likelihood is fairly good that you just’ll see a number of whales swimming by. Convey some binoculars or ask to borrow some at your lodge. A number of the most luxurious resorts, like Las Ventanas al Paraiso, have a pair in every room—or perhaps a telescope should you’re in the fitting suite.
If you wish to exit on a tour, the waters are identified to be calmer within the mornings, however afternoons and evenings can are inclined to have extra exercise due to the tides. One distinctive expertise is to get out on the water within the early morning hours previous to dawn, whenever you’ll have calm waters and dramatic lighting whenever you see whales breaking the floor or breaching.
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What Form of Whales Are in Cabo San Lucas?
In the course of the prime Cabo San Lucas whale watching season, guests can count on to see migrating whales within the waters surrounding the world. The Los Cabos area is most identified for its humpback whales, that are essentially the most generally seen within the space. Different species of whales, equivalent to blue whales, grey whales, and sperm whales, can typically be noticed as nicely, though they are often harder to identify as they have an inclination to remain additional out to sea or will nurture their younger in protected bays additional north.
Cabo San Lucas is a favourite vacation spot for humpback whales, as they migrate across the backside of the Baja Peninsula and thru the Sea of Cortez throughout winter months. The Sea of Cortez is a breeding floor for a lot of sea mammals, together with the humpback whale.
In the course of the later months of the season, grey whales can typically be seen within the waters close to the Los Cabos space. This species tends to remain near the shore, making sightings simpler.
The place Do the Whales Come From?
Unsplash picture by Mike Doherty
The waters of Baja California host extra marine life than virtually wherever else on the earth, over an unlimited area, and the whales contemplate Cabo San Lucas on the backside of the Baja Peninsula to be the right atmosphere for nurturing newborns. The whales that go to Cabo San Lucas come from the japanese North Pacific, together with Oregon and Washington, or within the case of some breeds, all the best way from the Arctic waters of northern Alaska and Russia.
Throughout this time, the whales migrate south to the world to breed and feed, and so they can usually be seen in massive pods, making for a spectacular sight.
Tour Choices for Recognizing Whales in Baja
Whether or not you’re in search of a peaceable tour to watch the majestic humpback, grey, and blue whales, or an exciting journey with up-close encounters with these majestic creatures, there’s a whale watching tour for you in Cabo San Lucas. Whether or not you select a guided tour or plan your individual tour, whale watching in Cabo is an unforgettable expertise.
The very first thing to notice is that there are totally different boat choices, from inflatable zodiacs to extra conventional catamarans, so noting your desire will assist slim down the abundance of choices when looking out to e-book. One other factor is your group desire, whether or not you don’t thoughts being grouped with different company, otherwise you’d slightly have a personal expertise in your touring group or pair.
After all, the variation in boat sort and privateness will drastically change the worth vary. Larger boats with extra facilities and personal excursions will lead to pricier choices, however the reputation of this exercise permits prime customization choices, permitting you to select from all types of gives. There are a great deal of totally different excursions and corporations out there, however we’ve compiled 4 well-liked choices of various worth factors.
Cabo Non-public Whale Recognizing Tour
Should you’re in search of a personal, intimate choice, at 500$ you may e-book a 2-and-a-half-hour private tour. Marine biologist-led and full with a scenic stroll by a few of Cabo’s greatest sights, this whale watching expertise is prime of the road. See extra information right here.
Luxurious Catamaran Whale Watching Expertise
From Cabo Adventures at 119$ per individual is the Luxurious Catamaran Whale Watching Expertise. This expertise takes place on a double-decker catamaran boat, set with drinks and appetizers.
Right here, you may see the whales up shut, study extra about them, hear by the on-board hydrophone, and total, get pleasure from a once-in-a-lifetime expertise. Reserve your spot right here.
Whale Watching Catamaran Expertise
This different catamaran expertise is priced at 85$ per individual, which incorporates cruising by well-known landmarks in addition to whale watching. This can be a easy, simple choice should you’re simply curious about seeing the whales of their glory.
Zodiac Journey Tour
Right here’s an instance of what a zodiac expertise is like if you wish to be proper on the water. This 79$-per-person inflatable boat tour sticks to small teams of 10 or much less, full with a marine information, free photographs, and a hydrophone. Though this feature is much less glamorous than the catamarans, the smaller, sooner boat offers the chance for extra vary and nearer contact with the whales.
Reserving Whale Watching Excursions
Unsplash picture by Jorge Vasconez
It’s positively necessary to e-book whale watching excursions far upfront, with corporations which are in present operation. There was a stunning variety of cuts to boat permits this yr, and plenty of corporations have been ready for the inexperienced gentle from the federal ministry.
Since many locals depend on the trade to assist the economic system and their households, this can be a probably detrimental revelation, and likewise creates a tighter trade, subsequently much less out there excursions. Should you undergo Viator or GetYourGuide (see beneath) you’ll no less than know that the excursions are positively working. In any other case, e-book it together with your lodge tour desk since they’ll be capable to examine by telephone.
Different ideas to bear in mind, carry a hat, sunscreen, sun shades, and a digicam, and the rest you could want to remain snug in your tour. (It’s unlikely you’ll be shut sufficient to seize a very good picture together with your telephone, so carry an actual digicam with a zoom lens or buddy up with somebody who will share pics.) Take heed to your information to maximise security and be respectful of the whales and their habitat whereas on the tour.
After all, all the time be ready for the potential for not recognizing any whales, however some tour corporations provide rescheduling choices upon this end result. Once more although, that is uncommon in January and February. Most significantly, have enjoyable and benefit from the expertise!
See tour choices and costs right here. Or click on on any of those different greatest whale watching excursions in Cabo San Lucas:
The place Else to See Whales in Baja
As we famous on this earlier submit on seeing child whales in Baja, should you head north from Los Cabos there are two spots in the identical state which are like nursery areas for grey whales. The moms and dads migrate south to those calm waters to mate, then to spawn, then to offer the infants a little bit of time to develop up and study. When the kid whales are prepared for the lengthy swim again to the Arctic waters, they head north, often round Could.
Earlier than that, after the males have already left, you may catch the moms and infants being surprisingly social in two spots: Magdalena Bay and San Ignacio Lagoon. The latter is extra distant and tougher to get to, however has the benefit of some semi-permanent camps on the shore.
Magdalena Bay is healthier for individuals who need to really feel like actual adventurers and who need the possibility of recognizing whales swimming by within the morning: you camp on a barrier island and may typically watch whales whereas consuming breakfast!
One other great place to see whales from shore is in Loreto, a well-liked spot for trip residence house owners and retirees that has its personal airport. The primary time I visited there on a Baja journey tour, I checked into my room, walked out to the seashore, and watched a humpback whale swimming alongside parallel to my stroll. It was shut sufficient that I might have kayaked out to it. The following day we went out puttering round in a motorboat and I caught this picture of a whale’s fin with the mountains behind it.
Generally you may see a blue whale in Loreto should you’re fortunate, the largest creatures on the planet. We weren’t so lucky, however should you grasp round for some time on the proper time of yr, possibly happening a kayaking tour across the uninhabited islands, or on an Uncruise Baja journey, you’ll higher your possibilities.
In truth, the most effective methods to see whales in several habitats within the Sea of Cortez is to hitch them away from shore. Should you’re on some sort of small-ship tour, you’ll be capable to get into the hidden coves and shores with no individuals on them, much less noisy locations the place the whales usually tend to congregate.
Right here’s a view I obtained from the deck of an Uncruise ship close to San Jose del Cabo:
The very best place to swim with whale sharks is La Paz, not far off the shore the place you may join an tour to go snorkel alongside them in a regulated atmosphere. Whale sharks aren’t whales although: they’re large fish. Not like most sharks although, they don’t chunk: they eat tiny sea creatures and plankton by their large mouths.
Have you ever managed to benefit from the Cabo San Lucas whale watching season in Baja? Inform us the way it went within the feedback!
Textual content by Alina Leffel, photographs by Timothy Scott besides the place indicated. This submit might comprise affiliate hyperlinks, which earn the writer a small fee from bookings. Costs would be the identical as if booked direct.
