Venture with us in the winter breeding grounds of the California Gray Whale. San Ignacio Lagoon is the perfect place for whale watchers to observe these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. Gray whales have gathered in San Ignacio for centuries to calve, cavort and relax before heading north to their Arctic feeding grounds.

SAN IGNACIO WHALE WATCHING

Along the west coast of the Baja Peninsula, three lagoons provide the California Gray Whale with protected waters at the end of their annual migration from the Arctic. San Ignacio Lagoon, the most remote of the three, lies midway between Scammons Lagoon to the north and Magdalena Bay to the south. Surrounded by low dunes and bordered by mangrove lined estuaries, San Ignacio Lagoon is a surreal landscape which provides a dramatic background for Baja's most celebrated and magnificent visitors, the California Gray whales.

Modeled after a "tented safari" camp, our Whale Watch Basecamp provides double occupancy dome tents with comfortable cots, warm sleeping bags with pillows and liners, and lanterns. Full meal service is provided in our dining tent serving meals with a Mexican flair in a comfortable surrounding. Enjoy a "Baja" solar heated fresh water shower after a day of whale watching. Activities to enjoy while at San Ignacio Lagoon are whale watching from outboard powered skiffs, beach combing, bird watching, natural history slide show lectures, and exploring the mangrove estuaries by skiff or a sea kayak. A library of natural history guidebooks is also available for your use. We strive to provide a high level of amenities and services using ecologically and technologically appropriate means.

Your crew consists of both American and Mexican guides, skiff drivers and cooks. Many times the crew will include guides who work in our other programs like scuba diving, sea kayaking or natural history cruises. Naturalist leaders are drawn from both sides of the border and may include professional naturalists or students with a special emphasis on gray whales.

San Ignacio Lagoon is part of the Vizcaino Biological Reserve. Like the other whale lagoons it is closely regulated by agencies of the Mexican government to insure that human activities do not adversely affect the whales. We have a special commitment to protect the land and sea environment, Baja's premier natural resource. Our activities are fully permitted and sanctioned by the appropriate agencies of the Mexican government. All participants will be advised of company and government policies designed to protect the environment and will be expected to comply fully.

Pricing and Dates:

Group Size: Maximum 24
Accommodation: Upgraded Safari Style Camping
Trip Length: 5 Days
Price: $2,395/person (double occupancy)
includes charter air flight with pick up in San Diego
The Conservation Fee of $30 is not included in our trip fee.

Dates Availability

February 7 - February 11, 2011 Available
February 11 - February 15, 2011 Available
February 15 - February 19, 2011 Available
February 19 - February 23, 2011 Sold Out
February 23 - February 27, 2011 Available
February 27 - March 3, 2011 Available
March 3 - March 7, 2011 Available
March 7 - March 11, 2011 Available
March 11 - March 15, 2011 Sold Out
March 15 - March 19, 2011 Available
March 19 - March 23, 2011 Available
March 23 - March 27, 2011 Available

* Please enquire about special pricing for charter groups

Our chartered flight will deliver you into this remote desert world. Accommodations at water's edge provides a comfortable wilderness experience with all the amenities of home. You will find our exceptionally experienced staff always ready to lend a hand or share their knowledge of this remarkable place.

Your five day trip includes three full days exploring this desert lagoon. This is plenty of time to bring home a lifetime of memories and come to respect and love Baja and the Gray Whales as much as we do.

Price Includes:

Wilderness first aid certified, bi-lingual Journey Mexico in country guide throughout; all accommodation starting with Day 1 and ending on Day 4; airport transfers; all transfers throughout starting from hotel in San Diego on Day 1 and ending in the San Diego Hotel on Day 5; certified, bi-lingual naturalist guides, single and/or double kayaks; all kayaking gear; camping equipment; all meals; camping (based on twin share) and meals while camping; local guides.

Price Excludes:

International flights, airport taxes, immigration card ($17 U.S.), accommodation preceding Day 1 in Laguna San Ignacio and following Day 4 in Laguna San Ignacio, gratuities to trip leader, local guides, cook and wait staff in Laguna San Ignacio 10% - 15% of total trip cost recommended depending on service. (see recommendations on tipping).

The Conservation Fee of $30 is not included in our trip fee. This covers the use of Mexico's new conservation passport and the support of the Fund for the Protected Areas in Southern Baja California (FOSANP). The Passport was designed by the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP) to raise funds for the continued protection of the shorlines, inlets, beaches and covers that make this area so extraordinary to visit. The passport allows you to visit Mexico's Protected Areas as many times as you wish for an entire year.

Detailed Itinerary:

Our daily itinerary is flexible, allowing us to take advantage of unexpected natural history opportunities. While we make every attempt to follow our general itinerary, weather is unpredictable and dictates our day's activities. Delays in flights or transfers may occur in the event of poor weather. Scheduled whale watching by skiff is determined by our Mexican permits.

Day 1

Meet at the Hanalei Hotel/Red Lion Inn in San Diego at 6:30-7:00 am. You will transfer by bus to airfield where we board our private charter flight. Overland shuttle from the air strip to camp is 1 to 6 hours, contingent on weather. There is an orientation to camp procedures upon arrival with time to relax or explore before happy hour and dinner. Following dinner is a presentation on whales by our naturalist.

Day 2 - 4

Days are spent whale watching from skiffs. Other activities available are hikes led by a naturalist, bird watching, sea kayaking in the mangrove estuaries, or relaxing at camp.

Day 5

After breakfast you depart to meet the incoming flight at the landing strip. Arrival back to San Diego is planned for late afternoon. Upon arrival you will be transferred back to the hotel. If you are planning your domestic flight home this evening please schedule your departure for after 7:30 pm.

We strongly suggest that you arrive a day prior and depart the day after your trip in the event of delays due to weather or unforeseen circumstances.