BajaNomad

It's Getting to be Whale Time

Bajahowodd - 12-21-2008 at 09:05 PM

I'm looking for some experiences and advice. We sort of made it a tradition to head down and play with the gray whales every Feb/Mar. Been in Ojo de Liebre both through the gates at the salt company, and at the Ejido 1/2 hour south. Been to San Ignacio. In all, we've been petting whale calves (or trying) ten times. my experience has been that there have been far more whales at Liebre, than Ignacio. However, we've had our longest, most intimate experience in San Ignacio. Here's my problem. After years of inviting a couple of dear friends, wouldn't you know, they've taken me up on the idea. These folks are not adventurous. To them, Motel 6 is camping. And they don't do camping. So, what do I do? It's a longer drive to get to San Ignacio, let alone the 40 mile trip in to the lagoon. Then, the accomodations. La Pinta might just make the cut, although, I prefer Ricardo's because of the restaurant. I could probably get them to accept Los Caracoles, if I get them one of the back, larger rooms.

Thought about flying to La Paz and going to Mag Bay. what do y'all think?

gnukid - 12-21-2008 at 09:25 PM

You could do a day trip to Puerto Lopez Mateos or San Carlos or spend the night.

# Hotel Brennan
Calle Puerto Acapulco
(613) 136-0288

# Viajes Mar y Arena
(613) 136-0076

# Brennan's y Asociados
(613) 136-0019

# Union de Lancheros y Servicios Touristicos de Puerto San Carlos (ULYSTOURS)
(613) 136-0310

# Sra. Ma. Eugenia Infante
(613) 136-0017

Bajahowodd - 12-21-2008 at 09:29 PM

Having never been at Mag Bay in whale season, how does it match up to San Ignacio and Ojo de Liebre?

baja Steve - 12-21-2008 at 09:44 PM

We have been to all three and like Antonio Ecotours in Laguna San Ignacio. I was there a couple of weeks ago and he was building hot showers, his cabins are great. It is family owned and run and they live there full time. His wife is a great cook and the fresh sea food cant be beat. 615-103-3323

Bajahowodd - 12-21-2008 at 09:47 PM

This is out at the Lagoon?

baja Steve - 12-22-2008 at 06:19 AM

Bajahowood check your U2U

shari - 12-22-2008 at 05:38 PM

oh yeah, for those guys...go the caracoles route, they have nice rooms, and a van to take you to the lagoon...it will be fine...have a great time...we are gonna do our annual nomad whale extravaganza on the last weekend in february...

mtgoat666 - 12-22-2008 at 05:48 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
These folks are not adventurous. To them, Motel 6 is camping. And they don't do camping. So, what do I do?


Stay in deluxe resort in Cabo, and make a day trip to san ignacio lagoon via charter plane.

Hire private yacht.

:lol:

Seriously, they may enjoy the rustic cabins at Kuyima better than a deluxe hotel in gritty GN. GN is kind of gritty looking for prima donnas, and prima donnas sometimes are more acccepting of rustic than urban working class.

Udo - 12-22-2008 at 07:35 PM

What is wrong with Ignacio Springs yurts? Superb place!
I seen the whales on the second week in February most of the time, and San Ignacio is by far the best between Mag Bay/San Ignacio/Ojo de Libres.
You may look at the Discover Baja caravan over several days where caravaners whale watch for two days, plus spend the night in tent cabins on the point of the peninsula. You end up watching whales well into the night while sitting on a beach chair, and then listen to them while trying to sleep.

Bajahowodd - 12-23-2008 at 11:41 AM

Shari- We've done the Caracoles version. The good- it was just the two of us in the panga. Nice hotel. great people. New restaurant/store. The bad- I thoroughly realize that it's more up to the whales than the pangueros, but alas, in all our years going, we had the least whale contact on that trip. Didn't come with 100 feet of the creatures.

Debra - 12-23-2008 at 01:48 PM

If you friends aren't happy with Rice & Beans rooms, they should probably stay home. Ricardo will radio Antonio's to set up the panga for you. Drive yourself, or it will cost $200 for the ride. $30pp for the whale adventure. Have fun!

Bajahowodd - 12-23-2008 at 03:51 PM

Last year, we stayed at Rice & Beans. When we inquired about a whale trip, we were told, urged, not to drive ourselves. We were directed to the El Padrino trailer park, where they did set us up for a van, and it did cost $100@. After making the trip, it became obvious, that in the absence of heavy rain, the drive is ok. We had a Toyota Highlander, to boot!

Lindalou - 12-23-2008 at 05:48 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by shari
oh yeah, for those guys...go the caracoles route, they have nice rooms, and a van to take you to the lagoon...it will be fine...have a great time...we are gonna do our annual nomad whale extravaganza on the last weekend in february...
Shari, you promised to let us know more about your trip so that if we are not in the states we can join the rest of you for whale watching.

shari - 12-24-2008 at 08:18 AM

For the record....whale contact depends on the whales...time of year...boat driver's behavior...who is in your boat etc..etc..in any lagoon!
OK, so our Nmad whale extravaganza will be on the last weekend in february...we will meet in GN at Santo Remedio restaurant this year, then proceed to camp in the lagoon...or if it's nasty weather...stay at Los Caracoles and just drive to the lagoon in the morning and spend the day or maybe 2 there. So anyone wanting to partake in this fun trip please U2U me so we can have some idea of numbers.

Bajahowodd - 12-24-2008 at 12:14 PM

Goat reminds me. I do agree that one could refer to GN as "gritty". Always wondered what with the decades of salt company revenue flowing through there, that a bit more wasn't directed to sprucing up the town.