In some elements of the world, the whales and the people aren’t round on the similar time. Fortunately for you, the Cabo San Lucas whale watching season can also be excessive season for us people. One of the best time to see whales within the Los Cabos area and Baja Sur generally is January by means of April, simply when the northerners are coming down to flee the chilly and heat up. It is sensible 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 finest locations on this planet to see these large sea creatures. The whale watching season presents 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 have a look at these superb 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 late December to April, however the most effective probabilities of seeing loads of whales is between January and March. I as soon as went out in mid-December on the very first day of the season. The information instructed us to not anticipate 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 certainly one of us had a digital camera prepared for the reason that full physique breach was such a shock. One of the best I might do was get a tail shot later:
On that very same journey I performed golf at Quivira close to the Land’s Finish level 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 commonly from our room and whereas sitting on the pool.
In case you go to any a part of Los Cabos in January and February, you’ll most likely have an identical expertise. You may 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. Deliver some binoculars or ask to borrow some at your lodge. A few of the most luxurious resorts, like Las Ventanas al Paraiso, have a pair in every room—or perhaps a telescope in case you’re in the suitable 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 likely 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, once you’ll have calm waters and dramatic lighting once you see whales breaking the floor or breaching.
See our detailed Los Cabos luxurious lodge critiques.
What Type of Whales Are in Cabo San Lucas?
In the course of the prime Cabo San Lucas whale watching season, guests can ceaselessly anticipate to see migrating whales within the waters surrounding the realm. The Los Cabos area is most identified for its humpback whales, so that you’ll have the most effective probability of seeing these within the area. Different species of whales, akin to blue whales, grey whales, and sperm whales, can typically be noticed as effectively, though they are often tougher to identify as they have a tendency 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.
There are different species that grasp round the entire 12 months. You may nonetheless spot a whale exterior of the primary season and catch fin whales or Bryde’s whales since they don’t swim again up north. They’re not widespread sightings although close to the shore and even rarer is a sperm whale sighting since they have a tendency to remain within the deepest waters.
The place Do the Whales Come From?
Unsplash photograph by Mike Doherty
The waters of Baja California host extra marine life than nearly wherever else on this planet, over an unlimited area, and the whales take into account Cabo San Lucas on the backside of the Baja Peninsula to be the proper surroundings for nurturing newborns. The whales that go to Cabo San Lucas come from the jap North Pacific, together with Oregon and Washington, or within the case of some breeds, all the way in which from the Arctic waters of northern Alaska and Russia.
Throughout this time, the whales migrate south to the realm to breed and feed, and so they can usually be seen in giant pods, making for a spectacular sight through the prime whale season.
Tour Choices for Recognizing Whales in Baja
Whether or not you’re in search of a peaceable tour to look at 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 small boat tour, whale watching in Cabo is an unforgettable expertise.
The very first thing to notice is that there are completely different boat choices, from inflatable zodiacs to extra conventional catamarans, so noting your desire will assist slim down the abundance of choices when looking 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 moderately have a non-public expertise to your touring group or pair.
After all, the variation in boat kind and privateness will drastically change the worth vary. Larger boats with extra facilities and personal excursions will end in pricier choices, however the reputation of this exercise permits prime customization choices, permitting you to choose from all kinds of presents. There are a great deal of completely different excursions and firms obtainable, however we’ve compiled 4 standard choices of various worth factors.
Cabo Non-public Whale Recognizing Tour
In case you’re in search of a non-public, intimate possibility, at 500$ you’ll be able to e-book a 2-and-a-half-hour private non-public tour. Marine biologist-led and full with a scenic stroll by a few of Cabo’s finest sights, this whale watching expertise is high of the road. See extra data 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 comfy catamaran boat, set with drinks and appetizers.
Right here, you’ll be able to see the whales up shut, be taught extra about them, pay attention by means of 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. It is a easy, simple possibility in case you’re simply inquisitive 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 pictures, and a hydrophone. Though this feature is much less glamorous than the catamarans, the smaller, quicker boat offers the chance for extra vary and nearer contact with the whales.
Reserving Whale Watching Excursions
Unsplash photograph by Jorge Vasconez
It’s positively essential to e-book whale watching excursions far prematurely, with corporations which are in present operation. There was a stunning variety of cuts to boat permits this 12 months, and lots of corporations have been ready for the inexperienced mild from the federal ministry.
Since many locals depend on the business to assist the economic system and their households, this can be a probably detrimental revelation, and in addition creates a tighter business, subsequently much less obtainable excursions. In case you undergo Viator or GetYourGuide (see beneath) you’ll not less than know that the excursions are positively working. In any other case, e-book it along with your lodge tour desk since they’ll be capable of verify by cellphone.
Different suggestions to remember, convey a hat, sunscreen, sun shades, and a digital camera, and anything you might want to remain comfy in your tour. (It’s unlikely you’ll be shut sufficient to seize a great photograph along with your cellphone, so convey an actual digital camera with a zoom lens or buddy up with somebody who will share pics.) Take heed to your information and boat captain to maximise security and be respectful of the whales and their habitat whereas on the tour.
After all, at all times be ready for the potential of not recognizing any whales, however some tour corporations provide rescheduling choices upon this final result. You’ll most likely cruise by El Arco and Lover’s Seaside for some good pictures, plus the most important ships have an open bar. 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 finest 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, in case 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 for mating season, then to spawn, then to provide the infants a little bit of time to develop up and be taught. 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’ll be able to 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 many who need to really feel like actual adventurers and who need the prospect of recognizing these marine mammals swimming by within the morning: you camp on a barrier island and may typically watch whales whereas consuming breakfast! You’re taking a ship journey a number of instances, each morning and night, so your possibilities enhance effectively past what the day-trippers can anticipate.
One other great place to see whales from shore is in Loreto, a preferred spot for trip residence homeowners 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 seaside, 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 photograph of a whale’s fin with the mountains behind it.
Generally you’ll be able to see a blue whale in Loreto in case you’re fortunate, the largest creatures on the planet. We weren’t so lucky, however in case you grasp round for some time on the proper time of 12 months, perhaps happening a kayaking tour across the uninhabited islands, or on an Uncruise Baja journey, you’ll higher your possibilities.
Actually, probably the greatest methods to see whales in numerous habitats within the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California) is to affix them away from shore. In case you’re on some type of small-ship tour, you’ll be capable of get into the hidden coves and shores with no folks on them, much less noisy locations the place the whales usually tend to congregate.
Right here’s a view I received from the deck of an Uncruise ship close to San Jose del Cabo:
One of the best place to swim with whale sharks is La Paz, not far off the shore the place you’ll be able to join an tour to go snorkel alongside them in a regulated surroundings. Whale sharks should not whales although: they’re the most important fish on the planet. In contrast to most sharks although, they don’t chunk: they eat tiny sea creatures and plankton by means of 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, pictures by Timothy Scott besides the place indicated. This submit might include affiliate hyperlinks, which earn the writer a small fee from bookings. Costs would be the similar as if booked direct.