BajaNomad

Grey Whales

bajaguy - 12-29-2011 at 08:59 AM

Interesting article/video on this years migration:

http://tinyurl.com/cb4euwh

DianaT - 12-29-2011 at 09:26 AM

We hope it is a record year for the grey whales. San Ignacio, here we come!

We never grow tired of going out to see the whales year after year. It is always a little different, and always a great experience.

sancho - 12-29-2011 at 12:33 PM

I'm no Whale expert, but have lived on the So. Cal
coast for 50 yrs., seems sometimes the Whales coming
so. swing out around the Channel Islands off Santa
Barbara, then come back in around San Diego or
into Baja. They take the whale census generally
from the LA coast. Some yrs. they stay inside, saw
5 or so a couple days back, 1 mi off the beach here.
I'm sure an accurate # would be taken in Baja, but
that may be difficult, there's Scammons, Ignacio, I believe
Mag Bay has some. Have seen a few coming no. in
Mar., sitting at Califia so. of Rosarito, the mothers hug
the kelp with junior on the inside

rhintransit - 12-29-2011 at 01:15 PM

so, when can we expect numbers enough for folks to view? I've visitors coming down who can't stay past the end of January....recommendations for the place with the best possibilities for successful viewing? I realize there won't be babies by then, but...


[Edited on 12-29-2011 by rhintransit]

Leo - 12-29-2011 at 01:20 PM

That depends on where you are. Generally December and January are the best months in Baja, but you can see good numbers already in November and into February and early March.

Bajahowodd - 12-29-2011 at 05:11 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Leo
That depends on where you are. Generally December and January are the best months in Baja, but you can see good numbers already in November and into February and early March.


Hmmm. Our experience, that is over more than two decades, is that for those who really want the up close and personal experience, should skip December and January.

Shari is the resident expert around here when it comes to whales, but after hit and miss over many years, we found that as the males begin to migrate North, leaving the females and calves alone, this is the best time to really have the touchy-feely thing.

We've narrowed down our visits to the last two weeks of February and the first two weeks of March and have been very happy with our experience.

shari - 12-30-2011 at 09:37 AM

the first gray whale babies are being born in Ojo de Liebre right now so by the end of January, this lagoon will have lots of wee ones for you to play with. I will be guiding a trip the last weekend of Jan...either the 26th or the 30th if anyone wants to join us...also some nomads getting a trip together on Feb.19th and of course on my birthday extravaganza on March 3rd if anyone wants to sing along.

DianaT - 12-30-2011 at 09:57 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by rhintransit
so, when can we expect numbers enough for folks to view? I've visitors coming down who can't stay past the end of January....recommendations for the place with the best possibilities for successful viewing? I realize there won't be babies by then, but...


[Edited on 12-29-2011 by rhintransit]


Everyone has their favorite place. We have gone out in all three bays and San Ignacio is the one we return to over and over. We like to drive out there, but many choose to book a tour in town and take the van out there.

Our favorite whale watching group is http://www.kuyima.com/eindex.html as they are very professional and very eco-conscience. However, there are also other very good whale watching groups.

The lagoon is relatively small and they only allow a certain number of boats in the viewing area at one time. It is best during high tide.

You should have no problem seeing whales at that time of the year. Where ever you go, you should have a wonderful time!