San Ignacio Lagoon and Magdalena Bay Whale Watching Camps

Magdalena Bay Multi-Fun Camp

Choose a flexible itinerary or book one of our scheduled trips. Either way, you'll camp in comfort on the beach between experiences with gray whales, birds, 30-foot sand dunes, and mangrove swamps. Our naturalist guides provide activities for all ages on this trip. Flexible scheduling means you can start or end your trip to fit your calendar. Or, choose our 3-night scheduled departures in February.

In the warm and protected waters of Magdalena Bay, gray whale calves remain in close contact with their mothers while they grow large enough to migrate north. The surreal landscape provides a dramatic background as these noble creatures allow us to watch them roll, breach and tend to their young. Sea turtles, huge numbers of migratory birds, and dolphins also congregate here.

Water activities feature whale watching from skiffs, paddling kayaks through tangled mangrove estuaries rich with wildlife. On land, you'll have fun walking on – or tumbling down – towering sand dunes, along miles of unspoiled beaches.

Our comfortable base camp is situated on a secluded beach and equipped with every amenity, from walk-in tents to jicara-style showers.

Magdalena Bay is ranked by the World Wildlife Fund as one of the nine most important coastal habitats in all of Mexico. Evening guide-led talks about the whales and wildlife of the area will help put it all in perspective.

Value pricing and flexible scheduling—plus activities appropriate for all ages and abilities— makes this the perfect family adventure.

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Trip Map

Itinerary:

Our Flexible Itinerary allows you to choose the dates that work best for you between March 1-9, 2012.

Transportation from La Paz or Loreto to Mag Bay is not included; please call us for transportation rates and details.

Our Scheduled Trip Itinerary offers a three-night stay on selected dates in February.

Day 1 ~ La Paz to Magdalena Bay
Today is an early morning departure as we travel to Magdalena Bay. It is a four-hour van or bus ride with lunch en route or at camp. Once we arrive at the Bay, a short boat ride delivers us to our base camp, where you'll have an orientation, assignment of tents and a safety briefing. Tonight you’ll enjoy a beautiful sunset over the Bay while the staff prepares a delicious welcome dinner. There will also be an evening presentation. (L/D)

Day 2 - 3 ~ Magdalena Bay
The surreal landscape of the ever changing sand dunes provides a dramatic backdrop for exciting excursions to see the gray whales! There are two excursions each day using motorized skiffs, each lasting up to three hours. Our experienced naturalist guides will point out many behaviors of the whales, including spy hopping, mating, breaching, and nurturing their young.

In between whale watching excursions, you'll have time for walks along the beach or hikes in the dunes. You can also go kayaking on guide-led forays into the mangroves or other permitted paddling areas using our fleet of kayaks. You may opt to go bird watching, or just enjoy some "down time" as you relax with a book from our camp library.

Happy hour brings an opportunity to compare notes with fellow travelers while watching the sun disappear beneath the horizon. Following dinner, one of our experienced guides will present a natural history talk to help you learn more about the Baja Peninsula, its local people and the marine wildlife protected in Magdalena Bay. Be sure to take advantage of the opportunity to star-gaze while you are here. (B/L/D daily)

Day 4~ Magdalena Bay to La Paz
This morning, we pack and say our last good-byes to this magical place. After lunch, we'll transfer by van or bus back to La Paz. We'll check into your hotel in mid-afternoon. Dinner is on your own tonight. (B/L)

This is a general itinerary and is subject to change. Transport to and from Mag Bay is included in the price. Hotels and airfare are not included.

Trip Fee:	Scheduled 3-night departures are available on the following dates in 2012: February 2-5, February 5-8, February 8-11, February 16-19, and February 22-25. Dates shown with an asterisk () are ideal to pair with a 3-night extension to Espiritu Santo Island.* Trip Fee: $850 PP for a 3-night stay; based on Dbl Occ. Transportation between La Paz and Mag Bay is included in the price. Hotels and airfare are not included. Flexible scheduling is available from March 1-9, 2012. 2012 flexible scheduling rates: - If you are staying from 2 to 3 nights: $260 PP per night based on Dbl Occ - If you are staying from 4 to 5 nights: $250 PP per night based on Dbl Occ - If you are staying 6 nights or more: $240 PP per night based on Dbl Occ Transportation from La Paz or Loreto is not included, however we can arrange it for you for an additional fee. Please call us for details. Group rates available by request. One-night stays may be possible by request. Discounts of 30% for kids 8 - 15 years old and 50% for 2 - 7 years old. One child discount per adult. Kids will be staying in a kelty tent beside their parents' or guardians' safari-style tent.
Includes:	Both flexible and scheduled departures include: Comfortable, catered camping, with walk-in tent, cot and sleep kit (sleep kit, sleeping bag, liner and pillow). B/L/D on full days in camp, L/D on arrival day and B/L on departure day. Twice-daily whale watching excursion on full days in camp and one excursion on arrival and departure days (depending on arrival and departure times and weather permitting). Single or double kayaks in camp; services of knowledgeable guides and caring crew members; detailed pre-departure information to help you plan your trip. The Conservation Fee of $5 per day ($25 maximum) is not included in our trip fee. The Conservation Fee was designed by the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP) to raise funds for the continued protection of the shorelines, inlets, beaches and covers that make this area so extraordinary to visit.
Trip Dates:	Scheduled 3-night departures: February 2-5, 2012* February 5-8, 2012 February 8-11, 2012* February 16-19, 2012 February 22-25, 2012 Flexible scheduling is available from March 1-9, 2012. Dates shown with an asterisk () are ideal to pair with a 3-night extension to Espiritu Santo Island.* Minimum number of participants for scheduled departures - 8 Maximum number of participants for scheduled departures - 16 We reserve the right to cancel a trip with insufficient registration.

Magdalena Bay Whale Watching & Kayaking Camp* and Magdalena Bay Whale Watching & Espiritu Santo Sea Kayaking* Guide Reports:

February 23 - March 1, 2009 Magdalena Bay Whale Watching & Kayaking Camp* Guide: Carlos Means

February 27 - March 7, 2009 Magdalena Bay Whale Watching & Espiritu Santo Sea Kayaking* Guides: Carlos Means and Jose Juan Puebla-Colin

* We want you to be able to go away on holiday no matter how short your vacation time is so we changed our program into a more flexible one in 2009. The above reports of our previous programs still give you a good indication of the variety of options that are available to you on the trip.

The best advice comes from real people. That’s why we’ve made it easy for you to learn from travelers who’ve gone before you. In this section, you can read reviews from past Baja Expeditions participants, and see what they have to say about their experiences on our Magdalena Bay Whale Watching & Kayaking Camp* and Magdalena Bay Whale Watching & Espiritu Santo Sea Kayaking*.

Magdalena Bay Whale Watching & Kayaking Camp*

“Really great trip. Staff was excellent, especially Carlos. Great location Educative, too -- left with strong appreciation for conserving areas.”
—Elizabeth O'Donoghue, San Francisco, California, USA, 2009

“The entire staff is committed to excellence. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food and how well stocked the base camp is.”
—Sharon Woods, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, 2009

“Fabulous trip -- exceeded my expectations. Thanks to all the staff.”
—Richard Toone, Suffolk, UK, 2009

“Wonderful staff with great senses of humor and who obviously love what they do.”
—Cate Terhune, Portland, Oregon, USA, 2009

“Everything was great. Unreal fabulous whale experiences. We saw a mom and baby that stayed with our boat for 30 minutes. ”
—Kate Thompson, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, 2008

“The best part: touching a gray whale—a dream come true. The worst part: I can’t think of one. Expectations were more than met. I found all the camping experiences to be organized and our needs well thought-out.”
—Delanna Schneider, California, 2007

Magdalena Bay Whale Watching & Espiritu Santo Sea Kayaking*

“Thank you for all your help -- we had a brilliant time. We managed to see some fabulous wildlife and I loved the camps at Magdalena and Espiritu Santo. Juan Carlos was an amazing cook and I am missing his meals already! JJ and Carlos were excellent guides - very enthusiastic and patient and it was very kind of them to take some of us to snorkel with the whale sharks on our last day.”
—Clementine Gent, Hampshire, UK, 2009