The 20172018 whale watching season officially opens december 8, giving everyone a chance to observe humpback whales in their natural habitat. The fishing village of puerto adolfo lopez mateos located at the north end of magdalena bay event holds the international festival of the gray whale is celebrated, whalewatching tours are also possible further south in puerto vallarta or along the riviera nayarit. Whale watching had just started here and long range trips from san diego brought americans to see gray whales on their mating and calving lagoons. During the beginning of the puerto vallarta whale watching season we typically encounter only adult humpback whales. The water is crystal clear this time of the year, meaning that when the whales come close to the boat, there are some great photos to be taken. Mar 17, 2017 a day of whale watching on scammons lagoon, guerrero negro, mexico video. Large dolphin populations swim very close to shore, and this is a unique opportunity to swim with them in their natural habitat. Whale watching season puerto vallarta forum tripadvisor.
We are looking forward to a another great whale watching season in cabo san lucas. Whale watching near sayulita sayulita mexico vacations. Swimming alongside the largest fish in the sea is one of the ultimate bucketlist experiences. In the weeks in the whales will venture as far south as cabo pulmo and cabo san lucas to winter, before turning around and heading north again to summer in arctic waters. Time of the year during the puerto vallarta whale watching season does make a difference. We also visit the beautiful sea of cortez for whale watching on this weeklong. Large cetaceans, such as gray whales and humpback whales, migrate thousands of miles every year from the frigid northern pacific waters.
At this time of the whale watching season there are new whales arriving every day, males and females. Although the film used varied by region and season. One year of whale watching in just one infographic. Every whale watching tour has to get an official authorization from semarnat for its single vessel or corporate events. Baja is a great place to see gray whales, blue whales, and finbacks. Espiritu santo island snorkel with sea lions and beautiful reef fish, kayak around the turquoise waters, and discover virgin beaches. Jan 12, 2017 therefore, in response to the growth of whale watching in baja and in an effort to reduce impacts to these marine mammals, the mexican government stablished strong whale watching guidelines nom 1semarnat2010. Sayulitas first pure whale watch and whale research company. Gray whale watching season begins in early december and moves along the pacific coast of the baja peninsula and ends in early april as the whale return north. Mexico whales watching whale watching with experts. Every year thousands of california gray whales migrate 6,000 miles from the cold waters of the bering and chukchi seas to the warm waters of baja californias central pacific coast. Whale watching season in the pacific ocean off the baja peninsula and in the sea of cortez begins in december and carries through the winter months until the end of march. Everyone at whale watch cabo is excited to extend a warm welcome to our guests for the coming season we are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the whales and you. Unlike most tours in other parts of the world, the density of whale sharks in the area nearly guarantees that youll experience an encounter.
The fishing village of puerto adolfo lopez mateos located at the north end of magdalena bay event holds the international festival of the gray whale is celebrated, whale watching tours are also possible further south in puerto vallarta or along the riviera nayarit. But the best places for spotting whales are around baja, the sea of cortez, and magdalena bay. According to rodriguez medrano, the ministry of environment and natural resources of mexico, all the captains and crew members are provided adequate training every year especially for the whale watching season. Large cetaceans, such as gray whales and humpback whales, migrate thousands of miles. The best places to swim with whale sharks lonely planet. Whale season in puerto escondido starts in december and tails off in march of every year. And, two days whale watching in san ignacio lagoon also called, laguna san ignacio, both on the pacific side of baja, mexico. These guidelines are not only to regulate sightings, but to also promote the conservation of whale species, including the gray whale. The official whale watching season begins in december and ends in march. Ive always seen some whales while on vacation in the past, always went in march or april. This signifies that the boat has a whale watching permit and that the owner has attended workshops on whale watching and agrees to follow the whale watching regulations of mexico. Lucky, then, that there are a few destinations around the world from mexico to mozambique where in season sightings of whale sharks are almost guaranteed. Todos santos whale watching baja california, mexico. Mexico just off the bow of our 22foot open boat what baja fishermen call a panga a whale spout erupts with an.
In addition, whale watching is becoming more common in the sea of cortez. The project also aims to raise awareness about the presence of whales in the region and to support the local economy through the development of responsible whale and wildlife tourism programs. If youre along the coast during peak migrating season, youre likely to spot a whale or two. I was just wondering in this timeframe if whale watching is still possible, or is the season over. Dec 20, 2017 every whale watching tour has to get an official authorization from semarnat for its single vessel or corporate events. Governmental regulations limit any whale watching tours to this time period.
You can enjoy whale watching in baja california sur. Whale sharks tours on isla mujeres mexico frequently asked. The fishing village of puerto adolfo lopez mateos located at the north end of magdalena bay event holds the international festival of the gray whale is celebrated, whale watching tours are also. Watch whales in baja, puerto vallarta and many other places in mexico. Discover the best whale watching spots in mexico and be captivated by the majestic gray, blue, and humpback whales. The humpback gets its name from its distinctive body shape. The official opening date for the whale shark tour season as set beginning may 5, 2017 and the closing date of the season is september 17, 2017.
Apr, 2015 4 responses to 6 things to know this whale shark season. Experience magical, close encounters with the friendly gray whale mothers and calves of san ignacio lagoon, a unesco world heritage site. More than 20 species of whales are encountered around baja most yearround, making this area an important center for whale observation. Other tour operators may accept tours outside these dates, but only take tours inside official tour dates and when we are confident in our ability to provide a memoriable tour without distressing. Every year, thousands of gray whales travel between mexico and alaska, one of the longest known maritime. Try to rent a thicker wetsuit as the water is cold. Saving gray whales and responsible whale watching in baja. The whale sharks visit the mexican caribbean in summertime mid may mid september.
Therefore, in response to the growth of whale watching in baja and in an effort to reduce impacts to these marine mammals, the mexican government stablished strong whale watching guidelines nom 1semarnat2010. If you do plan to book a mexico whale watching tour, you will want to do so well in advance. In mexicos stunning magdalena bay, humans and whales meet up. Mar 20, 2017 the official opening date for the whale shark tour season as set beginning may 5, 2017 and the closing date of the season is september 17, 2017. Since the whalewatching season falls during what is also mexicos busiest tourist season, hotels and mexico whales watching tours fill up quickly. The dates we take reservations for the whale shark tour season as set beginning june1, 2020 and the closing date of the season is september15, 2020. Finally after 3 summer we went to holbox and snorkeled with this amazing whales. Baja california is fast becoming the premier location to watch whales in the world. Additionally, operators are only allowed to sell humpback whale watch trips within the defined whale watch season. Another post mentioned superior tours as a good operator for a better experience. Whale watching in mexico is at its best at four seasons punta mita, including humpback whales. To see the whales you really need to take an organized boat trip or a private boat charter operated by an experienced skipper who knows where the whales are and how to approach them in the vessel without scaring them off. For more information on whales and whale watching in baja, please contact.
We also visit the beautiful sea of cortez for whale watching on this weeklong adventure on mexico s baja california peninsula. Since the whale watching season falls during what is also mexico s busiest tourist season, hotels and mexico whales watching tours fill up quickly. A day of whale watching on scammons lagoon, guerrero negro, mexico video. A total of 1184 humpback whales were identified in mexican waters between.
Its whalewatching season in mexico as the pacific gray, humpback and blue whales migrate to mexican territorial waters to breed. If they come through the cancun area at all, or somewhere nearby. Other good operators include cabo adventures, fun baja and manta. Baja california sur is one of the best world destinations to see whales. The combo trips offers three days of whale watching during peak season. The whale watching season in mexico is reasonably short.
San ignacio lagoon and sea of cortez oceanic society. Pdf population size of the humpback whale megaptera. Whale watching season in banderas bay and the pacific ocean near puerto vallarta officially begins december 8 th and runs through the winter until march 23 rd. Dolphin and whale watching in puerto escondido hecktic travels. January through early april is peak time to experience the grandeur of the grey whale in mexico. Like the gray whale, the humpback is a baleen filter feeder whale that grows to about 12 to 16 meters 39 to 52 feet. Humpback whales, however, arent afraid of people and are likely to leap out of the water right next to your boat. We offer a noninvasive, environmentally conscious option for whale watching in sayulita. Whale watching season opens in vallarta nayarit december 8.
Go ahead and pet them witnessing these majestic animals along the pacific coast of baja california sur is far different from a typical new england excursion. In this website you will find truthful, factual information, not biased by greed or by personal interests other than a deep love and respect for the gray whales. Mexico is one of the worlds best destinations to swim with whale sharks, as hundreds of these huge fish remain in the waters of the yucatan peninsula. Recent sightings whale watch cabo whale watching mexico.
Puerto vallarta, mexico offers many ecological tours, but nothing compares to the thrill of whale watching on banderas bay. Gray whales are 52 feet long and weigh 36 tons, yet are gentle enough to touch and baja californias pacific coast is the perfect place to experience the thrill. This is when the sharks are abundant in waters around cancun, isla mujeres, isla contoy, and isla holbox. Apr 07, 2014 whale season in puerto escondido starts in december and tails off in march of every year. The whales of guerrero research project was launched in 20 to generate needed data about humpback whales in the state of guerrero, mexico. At this time of the whale watching season there are. Whale watching mexico watching whales gray whales, humpbacks. Though whale watching in baja is a yearround activity, the winter months are the height of whale season.
Whale watching season begins in baja california travel. Whale watching in magdalena bay encounter magnificent gray whales and sea turtles with a whale watching trip. If you are not around in mexico in wintertime, another excellent opportunity to snorkel with whale sharks is in isla holbox or cancun riviera maya. Mexico new zealand norway south africa accommodation facts about whales whale classification breeding patterns of whales whale migration join us mexico. It has a bulky head with bumpy knots tubercles and long pectoral fins. Its whalewatching season on mexicos pacific coast, from baja to.
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