BajaNomad

Scammons whale visit- late!

thebajarunner - 4-10-2009 at 05:49 PM

We went out on a morning trip couple weeks ago (March 25) and while this is really late in the season we still saw several dozen whales.

This completed my personal "trifecta" as I had previously spent a week at Magdalena and two days at San Ignacio for whaling.

It is probably not fair to make judgement, based on the late time of season, but I thought that this was the least interesting whaling experience.

San Ignacio wins that prize, hands down,
but it was good to complete the cycle, so to speak.

woody with a view - 4-10-2009 at 05:52 PM

why hands down? is it the lagoon or the number of whales or the outfitters?

thebajarunner - 4-10-2009 at 05:56 PM

Scammons' whales have an "attitude."
They are about as friendly as an ex-wife at a family reunion.

San Ignacio whales try to climb in the boat with you.

Udo - 4-10-2009 at 06:44 PM

BR,
I think that your late vist to Scammons may have had something to do with the 'tude of the whales.
Yes, San Ignacio's whales and babies are friendlier, but I personally have found that Scammons' are just about as friendly, and for the most part equal that of San Ignacio. The skizier whales are at Magdalena bay. Although the captain of the panga needs to very experienced and know where to park the boat and let the whales be the curious ones. In 40 years of Baja I have made 11 whale trips, and each one has been a different experience.

Bajahowodd - 4-10-2009 at 11:56 PM

Gotta understand that the whales are on a three year cycle. So, if you go there next year, it won't be the same creatures. That being said, you didn't mention your outfitter. My experience has been (unfortunately) taking a tour that goes through the gates of the salt facility takes you to an area of the lagoon that is not well inhabited by whales. If you drove down to the ejido, you may have found a greater concentration of whales.

I have had the most intimate experience in San Ignacio, but there are far more whales in Scammons. So, I think it's close to being a draw.

I guess I need to give Scammons an early season look

thebajarunner - 4-11-2009 at 12:30 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by udowinkler
BR,
I think that your late vist to Scammons may have had something to do with the 'tude of the whales.
Yes, San Ignacio's whales and babies are friendlier, but I personally have found that Scammons' are just about as friendly, and for the most part equal that of San Ignacio. The skizier whales are at Magdalena bay. Although the captain of the panga needs to very experienced and know where to park the boat and let the whales be the curious ones. In 40 years of Baja I have made 11 whale trips, and each one has been a different experience.


There was nothing "friendly" out there on our visit.
They all looked to be in a hurry to get somewhere else, and none had the slightest interest in our boat, nor any of the other boats in view.
Same time of year at San Ignacio was a salty love fest.
Friendlies everywhere.