BajaNomad

Some of the Whales in San Ignacio Right Now- at the end, photo of dog cages

DianaT - 2-3-2012 at 07:23 PM

Two days ago we went out whale watching at our favorite lagoon with our favorite guides at Kuyima. Year after year, we have very positive experiences with this very eco friendly and professional group.

We never sign up in town, we simply drive out to the lagoon and it is never a problem. In another post, we will talk about a little about San Ignacio and the road to the lagoon.

A beautiful piece of art.



The main building for Kuyima where one can enjoy coffee and or breakfast before the trip out, and lunch upon return.



The eco bathrooms. Everything is done very well and the walk ways were created to keep everyone from walking just everywhere destroying plants etc.



The gift shop next to the staging area. There is NEVER any pressure to buy anything from food to a gift. They are very laid back.



Some information about the whales in the staging area where the guides talk about the whales and the rules and reg.



We always enjoy meeting with old friends who work there and the new young people that come for the season---often from the mainland. But this beautiful young lady, Paola is from Ensenada and is holding the whale she has named Lola. The stuffed whales are made locally and make a great gift for young people.



Along with a few very friendly tourists from Germany, we enjoyed our very good guide, Domingo. As it is not always the custom of the Europeans to tip, we tipped Domingo very well as he earned it.



This time of the year we did not expect the whales to be as friendly and seek as much attention as they do later in the season when the males are gone. So we were very surprised that right when we entered the viewing area and Domingo put us in neutral, we were approached by a mother and her calf. While they did not come up in the please pet me mode, they were very close and played around us for quite a while.



Mama, and she sure enjoyed spraying us a number of times! Difficult to keep the camera lens clear.





And her beautiful baby!



Just playing around the boat.



And watching mama coming back in this pose, the theme from Jaws played in my head



From there, there were a lot more whales, but none who touched the boat. They said that there were approximately 110 whales in the lagoon and more arriving every day.

Just some whales resting



Just of couple of the spy hops very close to our panga.





And a few tails--- we saw and took more tail photos than in the past. It is always different and always a wonderful experience.







The tide was lower when we returned, so we had to walk a bit through the water---just part of the fun.



And for people who want a package deal for a few days, they have these cabanas with separate baths and showers. (Also camping areas where they will provide the camping equipment or you can bring your own)



I just love this water heater!



And some really good news. They are building crates for dogs and will have shade for the crates when you are out whale watching. Not sure when it will be completed, but they are working on it now. We have never had a problem with our dogs with the way we set up the car, but the crates are a great idea!

Just a quick bird shot on our way back to shore---and bird watching is also great around there. Domingo saw that we were interested in the bird so he slowed down and went as close as he could --- it was VERY shallow.



And one of the magnificent whales waving good-bye.







[Edited on 2-5-2012 by DianaT]

[Edited on 2-15-2012 by DianaT]

tripledigitken - 2-3-2012 at 07:29 PM

Looks like you had a great time. Very nice shots Diane.

Ken

David K - 2-3-2012 at 07:40 PM

Excellent post and photos Diana!:bounce:

shari - 2-3-2012 at 07:41 PM

fantastic photos, love the mosaic whale...on that big tail shot, you can clearly see the killer whale teeth marks on the right upper tail! And my goodness....what a fantastic eye shot on that big spy hop....you must be very pleased...nice to see the camps improvements too...they have come a long way.

Ken Bondy - 2-3-2012 at 07:46 PM

What a magnificent series Diane, mil gracias!

DianaT - 2-3-2012 at 07:53 PM

Yes, we had a great time---one cannot go whale watching too often!

Thanks for the nice comments. They are appreciated.

And Shari, I would love that mosaic whale in the garden in our front yard! :yes:

[Edited on 2-4-2012 by DianaT]

Skipjack Joe - 2-3-2012 at 07:57 PM

That's a very nice expose, Diane. Perhaps your best. You've certainly made the place look attractive to all of us here.

elgatoloco - 2-3-2012 at 08:28 PM

Nice! Love it!:dudette:

woody with a view - 2-3-2012 at 08:43 PM

looks like Domingo from La Bocana!

DianaT - 2-3-2012 at 09:15 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
looks like Domingo from La Bocana!


We didn't ask--- but I am sure Blanca would know. Also, most of the families around here, La Bocana etc. came from San Ignacio and still have relatives there.

He really was a very considerate guide. It was quite windy when we started and he got us out there quite dry and without banging the poop out of our bodies. It is always calmer in the viewing area. And he worked well with the whales. We were very happy.

Baja's exceptional whales

Mulegena - 2-3-2012 at 09:33 PM

Thanks, Diana, excellent report.

Just shared this with the family.
We're all now planning to go end of February.
How many passengers per boat are allowed?

The Canadian veterinarians who are here in Mulege working this week went out with Kuyima yesterday. Each and every one of them were over the moon delighted by the experience. Just fabulous! They were all able to touch a whale when they came right up to their boat.

DianaT - 2-3-2012 at 09:46 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Mulegena
Thanks, Diana, excellent report.

Just shared this with the family.
We're all now planning to go end of February.
How many passengers per boat are allowed?

The Canadian veterinarians who are here in Mulege working this week went out with Kuyima yesterday. Each and every one of them were over the moon delighted by the experience. Just fabulous! They were all able to touch a whale when they came right up to their boat.


There were 7 in our panga and we were not crowded at all. At other times we have been in a smaller panga with only 3 to 5 people --- it depends. Check with Kuyima at http://www.kuyima.com/

Great that the Canadian Vets had such a great experience-- that is wonderful. It will probably help give them another excuse to return. :biggrin:

DianaT - 2-3-2012 at 09:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
That's a very nice expose, Diane. Perhaps your best. You've certainly made the place look attractive to all of us here.



Gracias. It is a beautiful place

goldhuntress - 2-3-2012 at 10:57 PM

Wow, what a wonderful time you had! I'll be down in a few weeks going out of GN. Now I really can't wait!

DianaT - 2-4-2012 at 08:07 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by goldhuntress
Wow, what a wonderful time you had! I'll be down in a few weeks going out of GN. Now I really can't wait!


I am sure you will have a wonderful time and see lots of whales. They are so beautiful and I never stop being amazed at how big they are.

While I know a few people who have gone out once and say, OK, that is enough, and some local fishermen who are fearful of going out in the lagoons with the whales, but most people want to do it again and again.

Udo - 2-4-2012 at 09:03 AM

Thanks for the fotos, Diana. Excellent photographic presentation!

Ateo - 2-4-2012 at 09:20 AM

Thanks Diana T.

I've never been to Baja to see the whales. This is getting me stoked to go! I need to plan a non-surf trip sometime and get to the lagoon!

Thanks.

woody with a view - 2-4-2012 at 09:29 AM

do like we did last year. go for a week. leave the beach at noon and drive to GN. eat, sleep. get up in the morning and go to OdeL and do your thing. back to the beach by lunch or so.

see when Shari has a trip planned. well worth it to get in on that trip.

msteve1014 - 2-4-2012 at 11:01 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
looks like Domingo from La Bocana!


Nope, Otro Domingo.

ps, great pictures.

DianaT - 2-4-2012 at 11:04 AM

Thanks Udo

ateo---it is a good idea to do a combination trip no matter which lagoon you visit. It is well worth the break from surfing, but then again, for hard core surfers, maybe not. :biggrin:

watizname - 2-4-2012 at 11:16 AM

Two more weeks for us, really excited that so many whales are around now, and your report says more arriving. Sounds encouraging. Great Pics:yes:

Natalie Ann - 2-4-2012 at 12:29 PM

Ah the call of the whales! You've done a great job with this, Diane.
I especially like the bookend spy hops.

nena

Skipjack Joe - 2-4-2012 at 06:43 PM

And I've always looked forward to when the whales fly back to capistrano.

Pompano - 2-4-2012 at 07:00 PM

Whales? Where? ...Hey...

WHALE!! I can just make one out now..way, way out there in the bay....could it be....? It's coming..closer now...can make out it's...wha??





.
.
.
.

Shoot...just my neighbor with a snorkel.


I'm heading for the lagoon and watch/pet/eyeglass the real thing.

Roberto - 2-4-2012 at 07:13 PM

Eco bathrooms? Sounds ... interesting :lol::lol:






[Edited on 2-5-2012 by Roberto]

DianaT - 2-4-2012 at 08:47 PM

Thanks Nena---and yes Igor, the whales are calling us again---way south of Capistrano. :biggrin:

Roger good luck---we hope your neighbor does not follow you with his snorkel!

Roberto---great photos---the smile on that woman's face says it all.

And I did not say ECHO bathrooms. Should I call out the spelling police. :lol::lol:

[Edited on 2-5-2012 by DianaT]

Pescador - 2-5-2012 at 02:53 PM

We were there yesterday and as soon as I mentioned Diane and John they had to show me where you had signed the guestbook. We had a great day and the water was clearer than I had seen it on other times so you could look down into the water and see the whales very well.

DianaT - 2-5-2012 at 04:28 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Pescador
We were there yesterday and as soon as I mentioned Diane and John they had to show me where you had signed the guestbook. We had a great day and the water was clearer than I had seen it on other times so you could look down into the water and see the whales very well.


That is great that the water was so clear! It is fun to see them underwater. Guess we may need to head back down again before we have to return to the states!

Roberto - 2-5-2012 at 07:41 PM

Yes, the smiles say it all. It was a wonderful day.







[Edited on 2-6-2012 by Roberto]

BajaBlanca - 2-5-2012 at 09:30 PM

those photos Diana and Roberto are positively fabulous .... I love whale watching .. I think I have gone 3 times but Les has gone many more than that.

an experience of a lifetime in my opinion.

that is indeed NOT Domingo from la bocana but ...probably a relative ... there are cousins and second cousins and so on and so forth.

DianaT - 2-5-2012 at 10:48 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaBlanca[/

that is indeed NOT Domingo from la bocana but ...probably a relative ... there are cousins and second cousins and so on and so forth.


Thanks Blanca--- and yes, this Domingo could well be a cousin.

DianaT - 2-14-2012 at 07:45 PM

Kuyima now has the cages available for you to leave your dog! We did not leave Tommy in their today as it was OK in the car, but it is a good option and we made him act as a model. :-)





Another great day at the lagoon.

Loretana - 2-14-2012 at 07:50 PM

This is one of the best experiences on the planet, IMHO.

Diana, your shots are gorgeous!!

And the rest of you need to put it on your Bucket List. :saint:

bajadogs - 2-14-2012 at 11:14 PM

Thanks Diana,
Beautiful photos and words make me want to go back to Kuyima. Its been quite a few years and there is nothing more humbling than a grey whale playing and toying with you. I miss that.

Bajamatic - 2-15-2012 at 09:21 AM

Great pics. I need to do that trip some day.

DianaT - 2-15-2012 at 06:11 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajadogs
Thanks Diana,
Beautiful photos and words make me want to go back to Kuyima. Its been quite a few years and there is nothing more humbling than a grey whale playing and toying with you. I miss that.


Thanks---it is always different, and always wonderful. There are other very good official tour guides on the lagoon, so while Kuyima is our favorite, others have other preferences. It is all good and the town is so great.

And I agree, that if one has not done it---do it! :yes: