Baja Expeditions ITB 2024 | Baja Expeditions

50 years of adventure and eco-tourism in Baja, but first time at ITB! Baja Expeditions and company owner Mike Lever, are exhibiting for the first time in Hall 22, Booth 203 (Tourism Mexico) and are keen to make deals and establish relationships.

BajaEx specializes in unique adventures off the beaten path in Baja and Sea of Cortez. Our specialty product? 15-metre-long gray whales that “human watch” and seek actual physical affection and love in San Ignacio Lagoon. This is the most extraordinary whale encounter on the planet, combined with fly-in trips and luxury and glamping accommodation in a desert camp on the edge of the ocean.

With a wonderful, warm local staff of over 200 people and 27 boats and ships, buses, kayaks, paddle boards, and camps, we specialize in swimming with whale sharks, encounters of whales of many kinds, mobula and orca specialty trips, luxury overlanding adventures, expedition and sailing yachts, mothership and luxury kayaking and swim camps. Our Cessna spotter aircraft guides guests to the very best encounters with the most interesting animals.

Liveaboard scuba diving is a specialty with large ocean-going dive boats up to 147 feet visiting legendary destinations including Socorro Island, Sea of Cortez and Cocos, Costa Rica.

We take pride in serving guests with excellence and an authentic Mexican welcome, combined with safety standards second to none.

Contact: info@bajaex.com or +1 604-241-1918 extension 2

SAN IGNACIO LAGOON

Baja Gray Whales

This is the most amazing and spectacular whale interaction on the planet, combining glamping or luxury accommodation and a private flight in from Cabo San Lucas directly to the Lagoon.

Phenomenal, extraordinary, mind-shattering… How do you even begin to describe the experience of a giant 40-foot-long whale swimming right up to your boat, looking you in the eye, and communicating very clearly that they want you to put your hand in the water so that they can push up against it to get stroked. And… It’s not just the adults, thecalves are unbelievably cute and playful and will steal your heart.

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”.

San Ignacio Adventures

Seasons

Types of Adventure

Pricing (Pp. dbl occ.)

January – April

4 Days, 3 Nights – Glamping fly-in

$2,550

5 Days, 4 Nights – Luxury fly-in

$3,100

6 Days, 5 Nights – Glamping fly-in

$3,750

6 Days, 5 Nights – Luxury fly-in

$4,250

8 Days, 7 Nights – Expedition yacht / Glamping fly-in

$5,250

7 Days, 6 Nights – Luxury coach / Baja super explore

$3,000

11 days, 10 nights – – Baja super explore in our own luxury motor coach.

$2,985

January (Magdalena Bay)

7 Days, 6 Nights – Expedition yacht

$4,550

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 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

Camping in the desert at the edge of the ocean doesn’t mean you have to rough it! From 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.

We say “NO” to tiny tents with cots, sleeping bags and read more…

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.

Our luxury camp features all the amenities of the glamping camp, read more…

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

Join us for a read more…

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 SJD 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.