San Ignacio Lagoon
Gray Whales
Every winter, Eastern pacific gray whales migrate home to Baja, Mexico. Males cruise in and out of every bay, harbour, and lagoon in central Baja looking for females. Females do the same. San Ignacio is whale central, with 5,000 to 6,000 whales visiting the lagoon between December and May.
Our incredible good fortune began in 1972 when the gray whales started actively participating in more and more “human watching and interaction” in one of the deep water channels in the lagoon. Picture this, 40-ft whales swimming up to our idling pangas and communicating very clearly that they want us to stroke, caress, and even kiss them. It’s truly an astonishing experience.
But the magic doesn’t end there. The lagoon is also a nursery for an average of 30 adorable calves every winter, and these super cute little guys will swim over with Momma to meet us, hangout, play, interact, and touch our hearts in the most wonderful way. This is what we call “The Whales’ House”.
SEASONS
Mid-January – Mid-April
4 Days, 3 Nights
7 Days, 6 Nights
8 Days, 7 Nights
TYPES OF ADVENTURES
Glamping & Luxury Camp
Combo Expedition Yacht
Combo Overlanding
PRICING (Pp. dbl occ.)
Glamping Tent: From US$2,495
Luxury Tent: From US$3,045
Wild Experience
Interaction with the whales is entirely on their own terms. We never, ever chase or crowd the whales. It is up to the whales to decide to approach us. Whale interaction only happens in one small, designated part of the lagoon. The whales know where to find us if they want to play!
The Eastern Pacific gray whales are the the last significant population of these spectacular animals. In the 19th and 20th centuries, they were mostly wiped out by whaling. It brings tears of gladness to our eyes and hearts to see that this population is now healthy and stable.
Our San Ignacio Different Camps
fine dining to internet connectivity, 24-hour power and heat to ensuite bathrooms, and showers with hot and cold running water to 24-hour AC power, there is a joyful contrast between the desert with the beautiful sierras in the background and some of the luxuries of home. What we are most proud of is our people. Warm. Authentic. Many are local. And all are genuinely vested in giving you the best vacation possible. 2024 is our 50th anniversary, and it shows!
Glamping Tents
From US$2,495
4 Days, 3 Nights. Pp. dbl occ.
a couple of shared toilets and showers for the whole camp! Our tents are windproof, insulated and heated for maximum comfort, with ensuite bathrooms and showers, hot and cold running water with good pressure, and 24-hour power. Not to mention “real beds” with fine linen.
Enormous thought has gone into every detail, from a fire pit to a fine selection of wine, craft beer, single malt scotches and fine dining. We even have a bar and lounge tent and Wi-Fi-access throughout the camp.
Luxury Tents
From US$3,045
4 Days, 3 Nights. Pp. dbl occ.
but with 12 large and luxurious tents, ensuring the utmost privacy. Each tent features an ensuite bathroom, a dresser in the bedroom as well as a separate sitting area with a couch and easy chairs – perfect for relaxing after a day of adventure.
Think of our luxury camp as one of the world’s best pop-up hotels.
Sample Itinerary
We recommend SJD Cabo San Lucas as your gateway airport for seamless transfers from the arrivals hall to Cabo San Lucas.
Our concierges will be on standby to assist with arrangements, address special requests, and answer any questions you might have. We recommend flying into Cabo early to enjoy and partake in our Baja hospitality.
Day Before Boarding
complimentary morning photo and video workshop at SeeCreatures Cabo, followed by an afternoon ocean safari searching for humpback whales and sea lions.
Day 1: Meet the Gray Whales!
Our staff will open SeeCreatures at 6:30 am with coffee and a light continental breakfast to help you wake up and prepare for the 7:00 am coach transfer to the executive airport terminal at SJD. Boarding your Cessna Caravan for a 1 hour 50-minute flight to camp, where you’ll be welcomed by trays of champagne and more of our wonderful staff. Enjoy brunch and a welcome briefing at camp, followed by two afternoon whale watching excursions.
Days 2 – 3: San Ignacio Lagoon
It’s your vacation, and it’s your schedule. Many of our guests choose an early breakfast and a 7:30 a.m. panga ride to get an early start on the day’s whale watching, which we recommend so that we are in the reserve before other boats start showing up.
Alternatively, you can sleep in with a late breakfast and enjoy a more leisurely pace. Lunch. Relax. One more afternoon whale watching encounter or perhaps a walk along a hiking path, a visit to the incredible, blindingly white Salinas salt flat, mountain biking, or a game of billiards in the desert! Cocktail hour around the fire pit watching the sunset. Fine dining and then relax with a drink and an evening presentation by one of our naturalists. Please note that the number of actual whale encounters varies depending on Mother Nature. If it’s too windy, it might not be safe to be out on the water, in which case we will provide an alternate activity.
Day 4: Return to Cabo
Early breakfast and one more whale watching encounter before your flight back to Cabo. You should be on the ground between 12:30 and 1 pm and able to connect to airline flights at SDJ leaving at 2:30 pm or later.
Of course, we hope you will come back to Cabo with us and continue with more adventures, whether it’s swimming with whale sharks, scuba diving, snorkelling, or heading out for some overlanding.
Looking for a longer experience?
Baja Ultimate Whales Combo 116-ft Expedition Yacht. $5,000
8 days / 7 nights
It doesn’t get any better! Combine San Ignacio Lagoon adventure with a transfer and hotel stay in La Paz, swimming with whale sharks (weather permitting), snorkelling with sea lions, a visit to Isla Espiritu Santo, and then spend 3 nights on our Gallant Lady expedition yacht with aerial spotter support. Voyage up to Loreto National Park to experience giant blue whale mommas and calves. Humpback whales and babies, as well as fin whales, are very common this time of year, as are our mega pods of dolphins. Fingers crossed for orcas and sperm whales!
San Ignacio 7-Days
7 days / 6 nights
These special trips feature 3 additional days in camp include an adventure up into the mountains to explore cave paintings as old as 15,000 years, visiting the serene incredibly still and quiet brilliant white Salinas salt flats with our naturalist. a guided tour into the town of San Ignacio to visit one of the best restored missions in Baja and visit the local museum. Hiking. Kayaking. Relaxing.
Lagoon Combo Guided Overlanding, Complete with Fine Dining
7 days / 6 nights, Or call for a custom overlanding package.
Combine a San Ignacio Lagoon gray whale adventure with guided overlanding. Typically, fly one way and drive and exploring the other way in our Tacoma TRD Pro’s. Accompanied by a guide and a naturalist in a lead vehicle and supported by our chef and base vehicle. This is luxury overlanding, complete with hot shower and facilities. We have meticulously mapped out and tested routing options, from camping in the sand dunes at the edge of the ocean to adventure in the high sierras, including old missions and cave paintings.