BajaNomad

Whale Watching

Ahab - 10-11-2009 at 10:54 AM

Where is the best place with the most whales? Pangas?:tumble:

mtgoat666 - 10-11-2009 at 11:09 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ahab
Where is the best place with the most whales? Pangas?:tumble:


all of the primary locations have sufficient whales, it really doesn't matter which lacation has the most whales.

i think san ignacio lagoon is best destination for a variety of reasons: remote, interesting place; good operators; good cooperative; good pangero respect for whales; etc.

people have different preferances, so you will get diff answers.

you name yourself ahab, so perhaps most of us whale lovers would prefer you stay away?

DianaT - 10-11-2009 at 11:20 AM

We have had positive experiences at Ojo de Liebre, San Ignacio, and Bahia de Magdelena, but also prefer San Ignacio---it will be less remote when they finish paving the road.

It is different at different times during the season----see more out of water action earlier when the males are there, but the mothers and babies seem to come closer toward the end of the season when the males are leaving or have left.

Tis good to go more than once during the season if possible. We never grow tired of going---it is always a different experience.

Have fun

Bajahowodd - 10-11-2009 at 01:32 PM

Totally agree with DianaT. Certain personal considrations may affect which place is best for you. First, where will you be coming from? What mode of travel? How much time will you have? Mag Bay is best for folks who have flown to BCS. Ojo De Liebre is closest to the border and is a shorter drive from town (Guerrero Negro) than San Ignacio (San Ignacio). If you're well-heeled, there are companies that will fly you from San Diego to the lagoon at San Ignacio, where you stay in their facilities.

Personally, been to all three. There are actually more whales in Ojo De Liebre and a number of hotels in Guerrero Negro can arrange a trip right from your room. But we've had a more up close experience in San Ignacio. Also, during whale season it is adviseable to make reservations for lodging in advance as many of the hotels have a small number of rooms and fill up often.

[Edited on 10-11-2009 by Bajahowodd]

Ken Bondy - 10-11-2009 at 04:58 PM

Like the other opinions expressed, I too have played with the whales in all three calving lagoons, on numerous occasions over many years, and prefer Laguna San Ignacio. Remote, beautiful, and for some reason we have had MANY more close encounters with the animals in San Ignacio. Best time, IMHO, is late in the season (March and early April), when the males have headed north leaving the cows and calves. It is very unnerving, but nonetheless thrilling, when a 50-ton animal tries to climb in the panga with you.

Russ - 10-11-2009 at 05:11 PM

Ahab A trick name I would have use. Baja backwards

Ahab - 10-12-2009 at 09:11 AM

Thanks folks, we wil be coming through the 2nd week of January towing a TT.

tunaeater - 10-12-2009 at 09:19 AM

What are the average prices for a whale tour in the pangas ?

woody with a view - 10-12-2009 at 09:22 AM

at ojo it was about $35/person a few years back... worth every penny!

Baja&Back - 10-12-2009 at 11:04 AM

Malarrimo's is the best tour. $48 p/p includes transportation, lunch & gov't wristband.
http://www.malarrimo.com/ingles/img/watching.swf

Bajahowodd - 10-12-2009 at 11:17 AM

Actually, both Caracoles and Cowboy hotels have a similar package right from the door. That is, if you consider a bologna sandwich lunch. That said, if Ahab is towing a trailer, Malarrimo is probably the best facility.

DianaT - 10-12-2009 at 11:34 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Actually, both Caracoles and Cowboy hotels have a similar package right from the door. That is, if you consider a bologna sandwich lunch. That said, if Ahab is towing a trailer, Malarrimo is probably the best facility.


If he does go to Guerrero Negro/Ojo de Liebre and does not need hook-ups and does not mind a good dirt road, camping out at Ojo de Liebre is beautiful----another option.

Bajahowodd - 10-12-2009 at 11:44 AM

Oh. You're just a Vizcaino junkie!:lol:

DianaT - 10-12-2009 at 02:41 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Oh. You're just a Vizcaino junkie!:lol:


Who me? OK, guilty ---it is such an unappreciated area by so many. :yes:

Oggie - 10-12-2009 at 03:34 PM

We went to San Ignacio lagoon last March. We stayed in town and drove out to the lagoon. Next time I would pay for transport to the lagoon , because the road was rough in our F350 Duelly truck. We made reservations, in the town squares, with Kuyima Tours, and they were great.
Whale watching only was $40.00 US per person.

Bajahowodd - 10-12-2009 at 03:41 PM

As far as I know, there has not been any additional paving done on the road to the lagoon. Anyone with more recent knowledge, help me here. Basically, there was about 7km of paved road on a 40+ mile trip. I don't know if Ahab is in to pulling a trailer on almost 40 miles of bad road. Just thinking that given his dates, he's not going to benefit in nay way by going to San Ignacio. Early-mid January, the experience is not the same as would be in March when the males are basically gone and the females encourage their calves to get up close and personal. given the timeframe, Ahab should look to going to Ojo de Liebre. Calves are not ready for prime time in January.