Baja Expeditions - Plan your adventure to Baja California: Whale watching camps and cruises

Magdalena Bay Multi-Fun Camp

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.

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:

Day 1 ~ Arrive to our Magdalena Bay Multi-Fun Camp

This trips starts once you get to our camp. We will arrange transportation for you either from Loreto or La Paz (transportation is not included in the trip fee). Once you arrive at the Bay, a short boat ride delivers you to our base camp. You'll have lunch and then tents are assigned after orientation and a safety briefing. Then, its time to get ready for your first whale watching excursion! Tonight you’ll enjoy a beautiful sunset over the Bay while the staff prepares a delicious dinner. There will also be an evening presentation. (L/D)

Days in Multi-Fun Camp

The surreal landscape of the ever changing sand dunes provides a dramatic backdrop for exciting excursions to see the gray whales! Experienced naturalist guides take you out in motorized skiffs to 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 or 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)

Departure day

This morning, you pack and say your last good-byes to this magical place with a final whale watching excursion. After lunch, transportation will be ready to take you back to either La Paz or Loreto, depending on the arrangements that you have previously made with our office. (B/L)

Trip Fee:	2010 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 to Mag Bay is not included; please call us for rates and details. Group rates available by request. One night stay may be possible by request. Discounts of 30% for kids 8 - 15 years old and 50% for 2 - 7 years old. Kids will be staying in a kelty tent beside their parents' or guardians' safari-style tent.
Includes:	Comfortable, catered camping, with walk-in tent, cot and sleep kit (Therm-a-rest mattress, 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.
Trip Dates:	This trip runs form late January to early March and you can choose your preferred dates. Please call our office or request this trip to get the latest information on availability.

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