BajaNomad

Whale Watching

joerover - 2-13-2011 at 09:06 PM

Whale Watching

Hey, anybody want to clue me in on some whale watching tips?
Is there a best place to sit on land and hope for a great photo op?
I´m guessing Guerrero Negro is the best place, on google maps I see a road heading NW to a pier, is this the best place?
I´m going down around the end of the month, and want to camp on the beach some where, for 3 or 4 days. Any tips would be appreciated.

Diver - 2-13-2011 at 09:19 PM

A few years ago, we camped on the beach at the GN lagoona in late February.
Not only did we see whales from shore but one morning I woke for a short walk down the beach to find 2 dolphin playing in a few feet of water trying to catch the fry fish along the beach. It was magical to be within 10 feet of them as they played !!

[Edited on 2-14-2011 by Diver]

shari - 2-14-2011 at 09:28 AM

joe rover....welcome to Baja Nomad!!! You can easily see whales from shore at the lagoon camp just south of Guerrero Negro...there are around 1,300 whales there right now if not more. I suggest camping at site #13 which is out at the corner of the birthing canal...it's at the point closest to where nursing groups hang out...you will enjoy the cacaphony of whale breathing a night and the trill of curlews feeding in the moonlight.

Also a good spot is right from the little dock where the pangas are in front of the Interpretive Center there...could get photos if ya have a long lense. maybe see ya there!!!

oh yeah...that road to the old pier wont have any whales around it but it's a great place to bird watch along that road in the estero.

[Edited on 2-14-2011 by shari]

whale watching

BajaDanD - 2-14-2011 at 10:05 PM

Just south of guerrero Negro is the turn off to ojo de Liebre where there is the whale watching station and campground Shari is talking about. There are palapas for camping and a bunch of other camp spots a resturant too. For $40 dollarsUS you can go out on a panga and get up close possably even touch a whale or two.

My wife and my dog at Ojo de Liebre

[Edited on 2-15-2011 by BajaDanD]

Mex Feb2009 003.jpg - 46kB

BornFisher - 2-14-2011 at 10:25 PM

I camped out there on Friday. I was the only camper ($5 or 65 pesos) and choose to camp on one of those spur roads that goes to the water`s edge (without shelter). The weather was warm with no wind, so my camper van was great. I drove out as far as you can go (1.5 miles?), and really loved the whole set up. With binos you can see whales spyhopping everywhere. $40 gets you a ride to pet some whales. One thing for folks planning this trip later in the year--- the campground is open only 3 months, Jan., Feb., and March.

Baja Bucko - 2-14-2011 at 10:55 PM

In the past I have taken a trip out whale watching from the Malarimo Hotel/rest. This trip coming up has me entertaining the thought of going to where you guys are describing....the "campground" out on the Ojo de Liebre road? So you can camp there AND get a boat ride out to the friendlies???(hopefully??)...So instead of getting a room at the Malarimo and going out w them I can camp and go out with the other guys??? Just want to clarify...I missed petting friendlies last trip by abt 5"....and it ain't happening again!!! The next guy who gets in front of me when I'm reaching down in that cold water is going to get their eyeballs scratched out OR pushed (accidently) overboard!!!;D

BajaDanD - 2-14-2011 at 11:57 PM

If you go out to Ojo de Liebre there will be less people on the boat. Also you can wait for a later boat if you want. If your camping there why not go out once in the morning and once in the afternoon. The campground is at the end of the road. Whale watching station and resturant and campground.

shari - 2-15-2011 at 07:39 AM

as Dan mentioned, one of the many wonderful things about camping and hanging out in the lagoon is that you can sit at the Interpretive Centers amazing patio overlooking whale parties and talk to the people coming off the pangas...if they had a friendly encounter, chances are excellent if you hop on the next panga, you will too...and you can choose what pangero you want and when the weather is perfect...water is glassy etc.

Even if you dont want to camp, you can stay in town and just drive out there and spend the whole day there too...lots to see and do.

that little canal at the end of the camp is really cool and on the point is fanastic to sit with binoculars or a spotting scope.

KurtG - 2-15-2011 at 09:27 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by shari
as Dan mentioned, one of the many wonderful things about camping and hanging out in the lagoon is that you can sit at the Interpretive Centers amazing patio overlooking whale parties and talk to the people coming off the pangas...if they had a friendly encounter, chances are excellent if you hop on the next panga, you will too...and you can choose what pangero you want and when the weather is perfect...water is glassy etc.

Even if you dont want to camp, you can stay in town and just drive out there and spend the whole day there too...lots to see and do.

that little canal at the end of the camp is really cool and on the point is fanastic to sit with binoculars or a spotting scope.


Kathy and I and our daughters will be camped there 3/18&19 this year. Looking forward to just hanging out at the lagoon and doing a couple of panga trips. Same weekend as last year when we had great "close-up" encounters. Shari, look forward to seeing you there that weekend if it is still on your schedule.
Kurt

shari - 2-15-2011 at 09:32 AM

oh yeah Kurt...it is our whale pyjamarama that weekend! see ya then!