BajaNomad

Mid Feb Whale Watching eco camp suggestions?

pacside - 12-9-2010 at 11:24 AM

Mid February looking for a place to take my 7 year old son whale watching.

We will drive ourselves from Todos Santos area and are looking for a lux eco camping type deal for one night where all we have to do is show up and everything else is taken care of like tent, food, panga excursion etc.

Si, lazy but at least I know my limitations.:dudette:

Assuming our choice would be Mag Bay as it is closest.

Is it possible to drive up the first day, spend the night and drive back the second day preferably in daylight?

Anyone have any suggestions on outfitters or other whale watching trip suggestions?

Thanks!
pacside

monoloco - 12-9-2010 at 11:53 AM

Why don't you consider hiring one of the pangeros in Todos Santos to take you out, there should still be plenty of whales around here in mid Feb.,you could also do a little fishing on the same trip and be back in time for a siesta before dinner.

pacside - 12-9-2010 at 12:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by monoloco
Why don't you consider hiring one of the pangeros in Todos Santos to take you out, there should still be plenty of whales around here in mid Feb.,you could also do a little fishing on the same trip and be back in time for a siesta before dinner.


Appreciate the suggestion. Do you know if they would get us close enough to have that 'experience' folks talk about when they get up close and personal with the whales?

Also, do you know if the pangas have to go far to see the whales? I get seasick so not looking to spend hours riding in one. I'm assuming you mean the pangas out of Punta Lobos?

pacside

BajaNomad - 12-9-2010 at 12:09 PM

You're going to want to go to San Ignacio Lagoon.

A) The whales there are considered the "friendliest" (aka - "up close" experiences more often).

B) Many/most of the camps there now are right by the whales (less of a trip in the panga).

I highly recommend Campo Cortez - and Maldo Fischer - there.

http://www.bajaecotours.com

Typically you want to go out early in the morning, so want to arrive either the night before, or VERY early that day. With this you can drive out during daylight the same day.

-
Doug

monoloco - 12-9-2010 at 12:10 PM

We see them all the time within a hundred feet of the beach, they are usually very close in by the estero in Todos Santos. If you are going to be in Todos Santos for a few days, check the weather reports to try and plan for a clam day, it makes it much easier to get up close.

pacside - 12-9-2010 at 12:20 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaNomad
You're going to want to go to San Ignacio Lagoon.

A) The whales there are considered the "friendliest" (aka - "up close" experiences more often).

B) Many/most of the camps there now are right by the whales (less of a trip in the panga).

I highly recommend Campo Cortez - and Maldo Fischer - there.

http://www.bajaecotours.com

Typically you want to go out early in the morning, so want to arrive either the night before, or VERY early that day. With this you can drive out during daylight the same day.

-
Doug


Thanks Doug...how much longer is the drive to San Ignacio Lagoon vs Mag Bay from Todos Santos? I'm only going to be down for a week in Feb.

pacside

Mulegena - 12-9-2010 at 01:01 PM

Shari is leading a few excursions to see the whales this season. We all might want to come join up with you. She's very knowledgeable about the California Grey Whale and is a Nomad to boot!

Give her a call or u2u.

mulegemichael - 12-9-2010 at 01:16 PM

i have to agree with doug on this one...the whales at san ignacio lagoon are darn right friendly, coming right up to the boat...consider staying at san ignacio springs b and b..it's a wonderful spot, fab food, and marvelous hosts..you won't soon forget your experience there.

Bajahowodd - 12-9-2010 at 03:07 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by pacside
Quote:
Originally posted by BajaNomad
You're going to want to go to San Ignacio Lagoon.

A) The whales there are considered the "friendliest" (aka - "up close" experiences more often).

B) Many/most of the camps there now are right by the whales (less of a trip in the panga).

I highly recommend Campo Cortez - and Maldo Fischer - there.

http://www.bajaecotours.com

Typically you want to go out early in the morning, so want to arrive either the night before, or VERY early that day. With this you can drive out during daylight the same day.

-
Doug


Thanks Doug...how much longer is the drive to San Ignacio Lagoon vs Mag Bay from Todos Santos? I'm only going to be down for a week in Feb.

pacside


Is it a correct assumption that you're flying back and forth? In that case, San Ignacio would not work. While I admit to having driven Cabo to San Ignacio in one shot, it was not fun and I did it when there was more daylight than you'll have in mid February.

On the other hand, you could do Guerrero Negro whale watching in a three day weekend from SoCal.

pacside - 12-9-2010 at 03:14 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Quote:
Originally posted by pacside
Quote:
Originally posted by BajaNomad
You're going to want to go to San Ignacio Lagoon.

A) The whales there are considered the "friendliest" (aka - "up close" experiences more often).

B) Many/most of the camps there now are right by the whales (less of a trip in the panga).

I highly recommend Campo Cortez - and Maldo Fischer - there.

http://www.bajaecotours.com

Typically you want to go out early in the morning, so want to arrive either the night before, or VERY early that day. With this you can drive out during daylight the same day.

-
Doug


Thanks Doug...how much longer is the drive to San Ignacio Lagoon vs Mag Bay from Todos Santos? I'm only going to be down for a week in Feb.

pacside


Is it a correct assumption that you're flying back and forth? In that case, San Ignacio would not work. While I admit to having driven Cabo to San Ignacio in one shot, it was not fun and I did it when there was more daylight than you'll have in mid February.

On the other hand, you could do Guerrero Negro whale watching in a three day weekend from SoCal.


Bajahowodd,
Yes that is a correct assumption; flying in and out from Bay Area to Cabo whilst staying in Todos Santos area for the week. So while I do realize the Scammons Lagoon trips provide more close encounters it isn't feasible for this trip.

Also, as monoloco writes we do see the whales right off the shore daily. But I have a full week and wanted to do something different for the kid so thought we could make the what 3 or 3 1/2 drive up to Mag Bay and make it like a camping adventure even though all the hard work was done for me :tumble:.

I will consider the panga option Mono suggested...just wanted to know if he was thinking Punta Lobos or a different area north of Todos.

I thought of Shari's excursion but think that is out of San Ignacio.

Still open to any outfitters in Mag Bay?

pacside

Loretana - 12-9-2010 at 03:18 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mulegemichael
i have to agree with doug on this one...the whales at san ignacio lagoon are darn right friendly, coming right up to the boat...consider staying at san ignacio springs b and b..it's a wonderful spot, fab food, and marvelous hosts..you won't soon forget your experience there.


I give a hearty thumbs up to Doug and MulegeMichael's suggestions.

I went last February. We stayed at the San Ignacio Springs B&B Yurts, which are clean, comfortable, and your children will play safely while there. (My dog had a great time while I went whale watching!) The dinner was included, and was OK.

The owners had a transport van ready first thing in the morning for our group, and for twenty dollars each we avoided having to drive over that rutted nasty road for an hour and a half, but had a professional at the wheel.

The whale watching at San Ignacio Lagoon is a life changing experience! The $45.00 charge included lunch when we returned. Our guides were the Baja Expeditions crew, they were very knowledgable and professional. <<www.bajaex.com>>.

We got back from our panga lagoon trip in time to drive home to Loreto before dark.

Mid February is the best time, and get on making those reservations now.

shari - 12-9-2010 at 04:14 PM

Mag Bay would be closer if you are flying into Cabo...but there arent many calves there...it's a different scene but pretty neat too...more mating, surfing at the bar etc...you could bus it to san ignacio, stay at one of the places there...but you need a reservation that time of year as it's real busy...you would need at least 3 days...have fun!

Gaucho - 12-9-2010 at 08:25 PM

We went whale watching last April with Kuyima out of San Ignacio. They were very professional and have places to stay near the take off point. Great experience, our kids loved it (7 and 5). Saw lots of mamas w/ their calves.

monoloco - 12-9-2010 at 08:38 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by pacside
Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Quote:
Originally posted by pacside
Quote:
Originally posted by BajaNomad
You're going to want to go to San Ignacio Lagoon.

A) The whales there are considered the "friendliest" (aka - "up close" experiences more often).

B) Many/most of the camps there now are right by the whales (less of a trip in the panga).

I highly recommend Campo Cortez - and Maldo Fischer - there.

http://www.bajaecotours.com

Typically you want to go out early in the morning, so want to arrive either the night before, or VERY early that day. With this you can drive out during daylight the same day.

-
Doug


Thanks Doug...how much longer is the drive to San Ignacio Lagoon vs Mag Bay from Todos Santos? I'm only going to be down for a week in Feb.

pacside


Is it a correct assumption that you're flying back and forth? In that case, San Ignacio would not work. While I admit to having driven Cabo to San Ignacio in one shot, it was not fun and I did it when there was more daylight than you'll have in mid February.

On the other hand, you could do Guerrero Negro whale watching in a three day weekend from SoCal.


Bajahowodd,
Yes that is a correct assumption; flying in and out from Bay Area to Cabo whilst staying in Todos Santos area for the week. So while I do realize the Scammons Lagoon trips provide more close encounters it isn't feasible for this trip.

Also, as monoloco writes we do see the whales right off the shore daily. But I have a full week and wanted to do something different for the kid so thought we could make the what 3 or 3 1/2 drive up to Mag Bay and make it like a camping adventure even though all the hard work was done for me :tumble:.

I will consider the panga option Mono suggested...just wanted to know if he was thinking Punta Lobos or a different area north of Todos.

I thought of Shari's excursion but think that is out of San Ignacio.

Still open to any outfitters in Mag Bay?

pacside
Yes, Punta Lobos. You will find pangeros there to take you out.

DianaT - 12-9-2010 at 08:39 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Gaucho
We went whale watching last April with Kuyima out of San Ignacio. They were very professional, eco friendly and have places to stay near the take off point. Great experience, our kids loved it (7 and 5). Saw lots of mamas w/ their calves.


Kuyima is a very professional group and there are always young intern students there, and often there is a well know whale expert, or ecologist giving a talk there to a group.

Kuyima

We have gone out to see the whales at all three lagoons, and we really prefer San Ignacio----

We stay in San Ignacio and just drive our there and catch a lancha---never a problem, but they offer several options for eco-camping.

It would be a lot further to go to San Ignacio, but so worth it---the town is also wonderful.



[Edited on 12-10-2010 by DianaT]

monoloco - 12-9-2010 at 08:50 PM

San Ignacio is about a 10 hour drive from Todos Santos.

DianaT - 12-9-2010 at 08:55 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by monoloco
San Ignacio is about a 10 hour drive from Todos Santos.


Been a while since we have been that far south---that is a LONG drive.

But for us, it would be worth it! Maybe not for someone else, however.

Kuyima

tripledigitken - 12-9-2010 at 10:03 PM

A few pics from our trip a year ago. Highly recommend.


their office in San Ignacio

briefing before you go out on the lagoon

Tres Virgenes on the horizon


mcfez - 12-9-2010 at 10:13 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by tripledigitken
A few pics from our trip a year ago. Highly recommend.


their office in San Ignacio

briefing before you go out on the lagoon

Tres Virgenes on the horizon




What they charge for something like that tour?

tripledigitken - 12-9-2010 at 10:19 PM

mcfez,

If you drive out to the lagoon, $45 including lunch.

Add $20 ea to ride in their van, I would take the Van (we didn't).


Ken