BajaNomad - Two Great Weeks Page Two Laguna San Ignacio

Two Great Weeks Page Two Laguna San Ignacio

Wiles - 2-15-2013 at 10:41 PM

Whale Close Encounters.

The most incredible encounter of God's great creation.

Mom swims with calf under our skiff.

Wiles - 2-15-2013 at 10:47 PM

Wiles - 2-15-2013 at 10:49 PM

Mom & Calf close to us.

Wiles - 2-15-2013 at 10:55 PM

It only gets better. Note, we are NOT pursing these animals. The engine is in neutral. Close encounters are initiated and ended by the whales. Thirty years and no-one had an answer. Go for yourself, let me know what you think.

Wiles - 2-15-2013 at 10:56 PM

Searcher, skiff & whale with calf in San Ignacio Lagoon, Baja

Wiles - 2-15-2013 at 11:02 PM

From left to right.....me ( Wiley) with Kayuma panga Captains Chino & Ramon.

Wiles - 2-15-2013 at 11:04 PM

HIGHTLIGHT!!!!!!

My wonderful wife Roberta is touched by a whale.

Wiles - 2-15-2013 at 11:06 PM

We like whales

Wiles - 2-15-2013 at 11:10 PM

[Edited on 2-16-2013 by Wiles]

Wiles - 2-15-2013 at 11:19 PM

Wiles - 2-15-2013 at 11:21 PM

Wiles - 2-15-2013 at 11:24 PM

After two great days in San Ignacio, we skirt around the sandbar and head for adventures south. I waved to Shari that afternoon. Maybe next time.

DianaT - 2-16-2013 at 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wiles
It only gets better. Note, we are NOT pursing these animals. The engine is in neutral. Close encounters are initiated and ended by the whales. Thirty years and no-one had an answer. Go for yourself, let me know what you think.

We have always found Kuyima to be very respectful of the whales.

That is a different way to visit Baja and it looks like you had a great time. Curious, does Kuyima send pangas out to the Searcher?

BajaBlanca - 2-16-2013 at 09:47 AM

what a different way to see Baja .... I think this is the first ever post of this kind, at least that I have seen.

TMW - 2-16-2013 at 10:17 AM

This is really great, thanks.

David K - 2-16-2013 at 11:29 AM

Sweet trip indeed!!

mulegemichael - 2-16-2013 at 02:52 PM

we'll be there in a less than a week...yahoo!

Wiles - 2-16-2013 at 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT

Quote:

We have always found Kuyima to be very respectful of the whales.

That is a different way to visit Baja and it looks like you had a great time. Curious, does Kuyima send pangas out to the Searcher?

DianaT,

Yes they do. For the past twenty years by law, only certified and trained mexican panga captains. With the five operating companies at the lagoon, no more than 16 pangas total are allowed on the Lagoon at the same time, and large areas in the lagoon are protected from all commercial traffic the entire season with the exception of researchers.

Prior to that the Searcher launched it's own skiffs and provided skippers (1986 when I was aboard).

Very few permits are issued annually by the Mexican goverrnment for vessels such as the Searcher to be in the Lagoon and can only stay for 2 days per trip. The Searcher is on it's second of six 12 day voyages each originating From San Diego and terminating in Cabo.

I know you are familiar w/ Kuyima. I have read your excellent posts in the past concerning the trip out to San Ignacio Lagoon.

DianaT - 2-16-2013 at 03:34 PM

Thanks Wiles for the answer. I knew the lagoon was well regulated and protected--- I did wonder about the permits for something like the Searcher.

While it was probably fun in the old days, I think it is a good thing that only the local trained and certified guys are allowed to be the captains.

It is good to see the cooperation between Kuyima and the Searcher as the Searcher is just another way to bring people to the lagoon which usually means there ends up being more people interested in protecting the whales and the surrounding environment. :yes:

Pacifico - 2-16-2013 at 04:21 PM

What a cool trip! Did you guys fish also along the way?