BajaNomad - San Ignacio-Whales

San Ignacio-Whales

Gaucho - 3-7-2010 at 09:45 AM

When visiting the whales do the pangeros prefer to be paid in pesos or U.S. dollars? We will be booking our trip when we get there, not from the U.S.

DianaT - 3-7-2010 at 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gaucho
When visiting the whales do the pangeros prefer to be paid in pesos or U.S. dollars? We will be booking our trip when we get there, not from the U.S.

Kuyima you can either book a ride in town or we usually just drive out there and pay there. Their prices are in dollars and only have pesos when we are there. So they call and get the current exchange rate----so either dollars or pesos will work.

Kuyima does not ask us to pay until after the tour because you can also have coffee and breakfast. And if you go in the morning, they will ask you if you want lunch---so you pay for everything at one time.

We like the mornings because the water is usually calmer and it is better for leaving our dogs. However, check the tides and do try to go when it is high. At real low tide, many of the whales are not in the viewing area.

Have fun

Gaucho - 3-7-2010 at 10:09 AM

Thanks Diana!

woody with a view - 3-7-2010 at 10:12 AM

fyi, winter time = highest tides in the morning.

San Ignacio Lagoon

Loretana - 3-7-2010 at 11:27 AM

We had a fantastic trip two weeks ago to the lagoon with Baja Expeditions (www.bajaex.com) and they took dollars or pesos.
Our coordinator was Emily Evans, a marine biologist/costal resources specialist and our panga guide was Alex Romero. They were extremely professional and well informed. They had a nice fish taco lunch for us after our two and a half hour encounter with at least four pairs of mama and baby whales. The cost per person was $45.00 US for the lagoon trip.
We paid $20.00 per person for a van ride out to the lagoon from The San Ignacio Springs Yurts and we were glad we took the van as opposed to driving out there ourselves. The road is not in good condition, and having a driver made our trip a lot more enjoyable.

[Edited on 3-7-2010 by Loretana]

[Edited on 3-7-2010 by Loretana]

shari - 3-7-2010 at 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Loretana
They were extremely professional and well informed. They had a nice fish taco lunch for us after our two and a half hour encounter with at least four pairs of mama and baby whales.

I thought Dianne T said the whale encounters were limited to 90 minutes according to the regulations?

capt. mike - 3-7-2010 at 12:02 PM

Kuyima figures on 2 hour trip usually:

15 min to the zona
90 min encountering
15 min back.

most people are ready to exit the boat after 2 hours of getting splashed and or cold. or have to whizz.

Loretana - 3-7-2010 at 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by shari

Quote:

I thought Dianne T said the whale encounters were limited to 90 minutes according to the regulations?

We were in the waiting area while the panga that arrived before us enjoyed their time up close and personal. We waited nearby, but were able to observe everything. When they moved on after their encounter, we probably had at least 90 minutes in the whales presence. I don't believe any regulations were broken. On the return to the base, we saw many spy hops and breaching behavior. But all total, we were out in the panga at least two and a half hours.

DianaT - 3-7-2010 at 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by shari

Quote:

I thought Dianne T said the whale encounters were limited to 90 minutes according to the regulations?

No, wrong person---someone else mentioned that.

I do know that Kuyima says the price includes 90 minutes in the viewing area---but sometimes it is longer depending on how many boats are out there and what is happening. I have no idea if it is a part of the regulations, or an agreement between companies as the number of boats in the viewing area is regulated.

Loretana, glad you had a great time---it is a wonderful place to be. I know that while we have our favorite outfitters, there are others at San Ignacio that are also very experienced and professional. The owner of the hotel where we stay keeps trying to get us to change to Antonio's---they are relatives. :-) But just like we have always had a great time at the Hotel Posada and don't want to change, we stay loyal to Kuyima.

Capt. Mike, the last thing you mentioned is why I am usually ready to head back to shore. :-)

shari - 3-7-2010 at 12:15 PM

i stand corrected thanks..dianne, do you have a copy of the regs? you might post it?

DianaT - 3-7-2010 at 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by shari
i stand corrected thanks..dianne, do you have a copy of the regs? you might post it?

As I said, I have no idea if the 90 minutes is a part of the regulations or not, no I do not have a copy of them---

For those interested in San Ignacio, here are a couple of websites for the people we use, the one I think Loretana used, and Antonio's.

They all offer packaged deals for those who want that, and they all offer just the whale watching cheaper way to go.

Kuyima

Link that Loretana posted

Antonio's

I am sure others have other favorites and other favorite ways to arrive at the lagoon.

Woody, I guess not being a surfer or fisherperson, I never paid a lot of attention to when the winter high tides are---THANKS

BajaRat - 3-7-2010 at 12:40 PM

Hey Woody in OB,
Hope all is well. Do you mean the potentially highest tides occur on winter mornings?

woody with a view - 3-7-2010 at 12:42 PM

yes. highest tides in the winter months are usually mid morning going out to the super low afternoon tides. summer time add 10 hours to each tide....

Baja Expeditions

Loretana - 3-7-2010 at 03:00 PM

I incorrectly posted the web site for our San Ignacio Lagoon outfitter. It should be www.bajaex.com.

[Edited on 3-8-2010 by Loretana]

DianaT - 3-7-2010 at 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Loretana
I incorrectly posted the web site for our San Ignacio Lagoon outfitter. We went www.bajaex.com.

The names are so close---both of them have nice web-pages, but it is good to know the one with which you were so pleased.