Whales of Baja Mexico

There is nothing quite like witnessing your very first whale. Or your second. Or, if we’re being honest, any sighting, for that matter. Whether witnessing these giants defy gravity as they corkscrew out of the ocean or the tender interaction between a mother and calf, whale watching regularly tops the bucket list for travelers. One of the best places in the world for whale watching is Baja California. Home to a wide variety of cetaceans – in fact, over one third of the world’s whale species spend time here each year. Read on to discover the whales of Baja making a splash…

Gray Whales

Gray whales are closest to our hearts here at Baja Expeditions. These gentle giants may not be the largest, swiftest, or most elegant whales in the sea, but they might just be the friendliest! Between January and March, gray whales mate and give birth in the warm, shallow waters of Baja California. And San Ignacio Lagoon is one of the best places to experience unforgettable gray whale interactions. Join our wilderness glamping expedition to this remote lagoon and witness friendly gray whales approaching our boats to be gently petted by our lucky guests. For more fun facts about gray whales, read our top ten facts about gray whales blog.

Blue Whales

Blue whales are the largest animals in the world. With mature adults reaching almost 100 feet in length and weighing 190 tons! The upwelling currents around the islands dotting the Sea of Cortez provide nutrients supporting masses of krill – the blue whale’s favorite food. They consume a colossal amount of krill per day – up to four tons in fact! Join us on a guided kayaking adventure (suitable for all ages and experience levels) or set sail on an intimate charter for eight aboard our 45-foot Leopard sailing catamaran to see these whopping great whales in the protected park off Loreto – one of the best places to see blue whales in Baja.

Fin Whales

Fin whales are the speediest whales in the world, swimming up to 25 miles per hour. Baja Expeditions has been running expeditions to Isla San José in the Sea of Cortez for 40 years, where you can witness a resident population of fin whales, thought to be a genetically isolated group, speed past our boats.

Sei Whales

Called the “cheetah of the sea” by some naturalists, because they are one of the fastest whales, reaching speeds of up to 30 miles per hour over short distances. Sei whales are currently classified as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, having only recovered to one-third of their pre-whaling population.

Humpback Whales

The incomparable opera singers of the sea, humpback whales are migratory and visit the waters of Baja each winter and spring. Known to be very active and spry, they often delight us with their acrobatic shows and lyrical songs. But did you know that only the males sing? They all sing the same song wherever they are in the world and the song gradually evolves and changes. While some whales perform like an opera singer, when we listen in with our hydrophone it becomes clear that other males are more challenged in the singing department. An adult male sings at 130 + decibels, which would be enough to stun you and likely knock you unconscious if you were close in the water. We see them from Cabo San Lucas south to Socorro and north as far as Cabo.

Bryde’s Whales

Bryde’s whales are actually a complex of two to three different species. In the Sea of Cortez, they feed on schools of sardine and herring. They’re intelligent hunters and are known to use a variety of hunting techniques, from surface skimming to bubble nets.

Sperm Whales

Sperm whales are the largest toothed whale. They dive to extraordinary depths and are known for having ferocious fights with Architeuthis, the giant squid. They hunt in the dark depths of the sea using echolocation. Following a deep dive, need to rest on the surface to reoxygenate their blood. These whales are very distinctive on the surface with their “double blow”. We’ve spotted them all over the Baja Peninsula, from the northern Sea of Cortez to the coast off Cabo San Lucas, and even as far south as Socorro. Anytime we’ve seen them, they have been “logging” or resting on the surface; they are quite a sight to behold. Watch out for Moby dick!

Minke Whales

At only about 25 feet long, minke whales are the smallest of the rorqual family. However, despite their size, they are one of the world’s most abundant whale species. Seasonal visitors to the Sea of Cortez, they travel here to breed and give birth from December through to April.

Orcas

Despite being named killer whales, orcas are not technically whales, but a part of the dolphin family. Nevertheless, killer whales are the top ocean predator, possess great intelligence and are a sight to behold. In the Sea of Cortez, they follow their primary food sources and roam the seas hunting sea lions, turtles and squid. They live in family groups and execute complex hunting strategies with cooperation.

For the most spectacular wild animal encounters, visit the Sea of Cortez between April and June. You too can witness pods of orcas hunting the annual aggregation of schooling mobula rays. Interacting with the mobula rays is an incredible experience, made totally unforgettable if you spot orcas too. You can also witness orcas from late October to December off Baja’s west coast, during the annual ‘Magdalena Bay Sardine Run’. It’s the second-largest sardine run in the world, so you’re in for a treat.

To get the chance to see the whales of Baja California for yourself… Join our Wild About Whales Week, offering four days of friendly gray whale encounters at San Ignacio Lagoon combined with three nights at our Espiritu Santo Eco-Camp.

Contact us for details on our exclusive trips to see the beautiful whales of Baja!

Photo credit: Humpback Whale and Calf’ by Craig Dietrich. ‘Fin whale’ by Aqqa Rosing-Asvid. ‘Sei Whale’ by Christin Khan. ‘Humpback Whale Breaching’ by David Seradell. ‘Bryde’s Whale’ by Jolene Bertoldi