San Ignacio Lagoon
Gray Whales
SEASONS
Mid-January – Early-April
Adventures from 4 – 12 days
TYPES OF ADVENTURES
Glamping & Luxury Camps
PRICING (Pp. dbl occ.)
From US$2,645
Every year something truly magical happens here.
In San Ignacio Lagoon, gray whales, guided by trust and curiosity, approach humans to seek out interactions.
This remarkable behavior, unique to this lagoon, began in 1972 when a gray whale initiated contact with a fisherman, forging an extraordinary bond between whales and humans.
Since then, gray whales have continued to swim up to boats, offering unforgettable close-up encounters. These experiences are nothing short of phenomenal, extraordinary, and utterly mind-blowing!
Will I really see gray whales on this trip?
Yes! There are plenty of gray whales in San Ignacio Lagoon, with 300 to 400 typically being friendly and interactive with humans. The whales arrive in the lagoon in December and stay through the end of April.
We operate exclusively during the peak whale season, from mid-January to mid-April, when the largest number of whales are present.
Sightings vary throughout the season. The first gray whales to arrive are usually adults coming to mate. As the season progresses, more whales fill the lagoon, and by early February, the first newborn calves begin to appear. Soon, the lagoon is bustling with mothers and babies, busy training for their long journey north. Towards the end of the season, the calves often become especially friendly.
San Ignacio lagoon is a protected whale sanctuary.
Laguna San Ignacio is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and protected whale sanctuary. We adhere to strict guidelines that ensure non-intrusive, ethical whale watching in their natural habitat. Our tours take place in a designated whale-watching zone, with a limited number of boats allowed at any time to maintain a respectful distance. Outside of this area, interacting with the whales is illegal. We never chase, feed, or coerce the whales into approaching.
Our trained guides ensure that all interactions occur only on the whales’ terms, allowing close encounters only if the whales choose to initiate them. This approach ensures that our whale-watching experience is both safe and respectful.
Glamping
From US$2,645
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
From US$3,195
but with 14 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.
Your Trip Options
More days. More adventure. Options from 8 to 12 days in Baja.
San Ignacio + Whale Sharks
8 Days / 7 Nt: $4,000
Humpback whale watching in Cabo, 4 nights in La Paz, and 2 full days of panga swim with whale sharks, sea lions, beach lunch, and UNESCO Isla Espíritu Santo. More info…
San Ignacio + Sailing Adventure
8 Days / 7 Nt: $4,000
4 nights onboard a crewed sailing yacht with captain, chef, and naturalist. Includes sea lion swims, kayaking, beach walks, and whale watching with observation airplane support. More info…
San Ignacio + Expedition Yacht
8 Days / 7 Nt: $5,095
3 nights onboard our 116 ft expedition yacht. Searching for blue and humpback whales + 1 nt boutique hotel La Paz + UNESCO Isla Espíritu Santo & more! More info…
Baja Blast: The San Ignacio+ Adventure
8 Days / 7 Nt: $4,000
Humpback whale watching in Cabo, then enjoy 4 nights in La Paz with daily adventures. Isla Espíritu Santo and snorkelling with sea lions. Panga supported kayaking. Balandra Beach. More info…
Baja Blast: The San Ignacio+ Adventure
10 Days / 9 Nt: $4,925
Everything in our 8-day Baja Blast. PLUS 2 ocean safari days searching blue, fin, and humpback whales with observation airplane support. Based in Loreto or La Paz, wherever whales lead. More info…
Baja Blast: The San Ignacio+ Adventure
12 Days / 11 Nt: $5,825
All the adventure of our 10-day trip. PLUS your choice of 2 nights at a surf camp near Todos Santos or a beach camp on UNESCO Isla Espíritu Santo. More info…
Typical Itinerary
We recommend SJD Cabo San Lucas as your gateway airport with transfers to local hotels in Los Cabos, the jumping off point for additional pre-trip adventure and relaxation before flying out to San Ignacio Lagoon. Our concierge team is on standby to assist with arrangements, special requests, and answer any questions you may have.
Day Before Boarding
Sign up ahead of time for a complimentary afternoon humpback whale watching adventure with SeeCreatures Cabo.
Pre-trip adventure; Complimentary!
Ocean safari from Cabo San Lucas. Our concierge team has full details.
Day 1: Meet the Gray Whales!
Your adventure begins meeting at SeeCreatures Cabo between 6:30 and 7 am for a private 1 hour 50 minute flight to our airstrip at the Lagoon.
Our staff will be waiting to meet you at the airstrip with welcoming smiles, glasses of champagne, and hot apple cider, followed by a 5 minute ride to camp. Once there, enjoy brunch, a welcome briefing, and a naturalist introduction to the whales and what you might see and experience this afternoon. We recommend heading out for two afternoon whale-watching encounters, but of course, it’s always your option to stay and relax at camp or try some of our other activities. In the evening, enjoy cocktail hour and watch the sunset around one of our fire pits, followed by dinner and a presentation by one of our naturalists.
Days 2 – 3: San Ignacio Lagoon
All operators in the lagoon work together to maximize guest experience while ensuring no negative impact on the whales. For this reason, all whale encounters are in a small defined area of the lagoon with pangas taking turns entering the restricted area for a maximum of 90 minutes. The timing on this is worked out between the operators which means that we abide by scheduled departure times. For this reason, unfortunately, we are not able to send pangas out “on demand”. The departure times are defined.
Option 1: 7 am breakfast after watching the sunrise over the sierras and then head out at 7:45 am for several whale watching encounters.
Option 2: Sleep in and relax. Breakfast when you are ready. With a fixed departure time of 9:45 am, if you want to join the second whale watching session of the day. The second round is around 10 to 10:30 am, depending on the availability in the area for whale watching, and then back to camp for lunch.
After lunch, enjoy another whale-watching encounter in the afternoon. Or as long as the weather cooperates, enjoy kayaking or paddleboarding in the mangroves on the other side of the lagoon, or a leisurely walk, visit a local village to experience and learn about their turtle conservation efforts, mountain biking, hiking, and bird watching with one of our naturalists or just kicking back, and relax at camp. In the evening, enjoying cocktail hour, sunset viewing, making new friends around one of our fire pits, a game of billiards, or an evening presentation by a naturalist are all fine ways to finish off your day in camp.
Day 4: Return to Cabo
Breakfast at 7 am. One more whale watching encounter (always weather dependent), and then the beautiful flight back to SJD Los Cabos, arriving by 1:30 pm. If you are flying home this day, we recommend booking a return flight after 3:30 pm. Otherwise transfer back to SeeCreatures Cabo for more adventure!
What Guests Have to Say About San Ignacio
Life Changing Experience
This has been a most incredible life changing experience. We will cherish these memories. Read full review
Charles & Deb W – Tucson USA
Everything was Perfect!
Everything has been perfect!! the staff knowledge, kind, patient and helpful. Read full review
Jane B – USA
Picture Prefect Dream
The entire experience lived up to the dream of being here. Read full review
Anthony M – Atlanta USA
Awe-inspiring Creatures
Words cannot adequately describe how awe-inspiring these magnificent and playful creatures are. Read full review
Randy S – USA
Experience That Changed My Life
Today was our second date. What an amazing experience!! I am so grateful to be here. Read full review
Anahi – Cabo San Lucas
