Whale Watching in San Ignacio Lagoon: Where the Gray Whales Call the Shots

Gray whales approach boats with a friendly curiosity like no other. They come up to you, lift their heads above the water, and let you gently stroke them. This friendly behavior is one of the many wonders that make whale watching in San Ignacio Lagoon, Baja California Sur so special.

The History of the Gray Whales of San Ignacio Lagoon

It’s hard to believe that, just a century ago, these same beautiful whales were hunted to near extinction in these very waters!

Back then, whalers targeted the nursing lagoons where pregnant mothers gathered to give birth and care for their calves. Gray whales were hunted for their blubber, which was used to make oil for lamps. Tragically, whalers would often target the babies, whose loud cries would bring the gray whale mommas rushing to the surface to protect their young. That’s where big harpoons waited for them. In response, gray whales fought back and whalers started to call them the “Devil Fish”. But really, all they were doing was fighting for survival.

The Beginning of Friendship

As whaling stopped, the fishermen who remained in the lagoon were cautious and wary of these “Devil Fish”. They kept to the shallower parts of the lagoon, hammering on the hulls of their pangas (local fishing boats) in an attempt to scare the whales away. It wasn’t until 1972, when something truly extraordinary happened: a fisherman had the first friendly, up-close interaction with a gray whale! This marked the beginning of an incredible bond between humans and our beautiful and actually very friendly gray whales, right here in San Ignacio Lagoon in Baja California Sur.

Gray Whales Today: A Conservation Success Story

Today, this lagoon is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a protected sanctuary for the Pacific gray whale. It’s a safe haven where almost thousand whales return every year, many whale mommas bringing their babies right up to the boats, teaching them that humans are friends, not foes. It’s an incredible tradition that has been passed down through generations of both whales and humans.

Thanks to strict protection laws and the incredible efforts of the Mexican government, gray whales have made a stunning comeback! Their population has almost bounced back to pre-whaling levels, and that’s something to celebrate, it’s one of the rare success stories for a species that almost vanished.

Ethical and Respectful Whale Watching in San Ignacio Lagoon in Baja California Sur

To keep our whale watching trips in San Ignacio Lagoon ethical and sustainable, we adhere to the guidelines set by the the Biosphere Reserve regulations:

• Only licensed boats are allowed in the lagoon (permitted by CONANP and licensed by SEMARNAT)
• The number of boats is limited to ensure a respectful distance
• We stay within designated whale watching zone
• We never chase, feed, or pressure the whales to engage with us

Licensed operators like us follow strict rules to ensure that every whale watching experience is respectful and non-intrusive. The local captains are experts at making sure all encounters happen naturally and only if the whales are comfortable.

At Baja Expeditions we have a marine biologist onboard on each of our pangas (boats) – there to interpret whale behavior, answer questions, and help guide safe and respectful encounters.

Can We Touch the Whales?

While wildlife regulations typically prohibit touching marine mammals, San Ignacio Lagoon has a small, designated whale watching area that is an exception. Whale watching in San Ignacio Lagoon, Baja California Sur is uniquely regulated; this ecotourism zone is carefully managed by Mexican authorities, and outside of this area, interacting with whales is illegal.

Most whales stay away from the designated watching area and don’t come close to humans all season. And then there are others who will swim right up to the boat, seeking human interaction.

Why do they do that? We’re not entirely sure, but maybe it’s their way of saying hello, or maybe they just enjoy cuddles like we do. Or perhaps they see us as playful friends and want to join in on the fun!

The fact that they approach us here is a sign of their trust and comfort, and it’s something we will never take for granted!