BajaNomad - Whale Watching and palapas for rent at Scammon's Lagoon

Whale Watching and palapas for rent at Scammon's Lagoon

Robinhood - 3-11-2015 at 05:44 PM

Mago and I are taking a group of 10-12 people to Scammon's Lagoon in Guererro Negro on Saturday to hopefullu rent a few palapas and go whale watching. We'd appreciate any input as to where to go, how to negotiate the best price for the pangas , and how much the palapas rent for. :?:

Howard - 3-11-2015 at 06:04 PM

They do not charge for the palapa's. There is a daily entrance fee of around 50-70 pesos, I forgot the exact amount but it is very nominal. The turn off is around 5 miles south of town and has a small billboard marking the entrance to the road. The road is in pretty good shape, 5 miles to the first kiosk where they will take your license plate # and there is no charge. I believe it is manned by security for the salt company. Drive another 15 miles and you will come to the entrance to the palapa's and that is where you pay the daily fee and camp almost anywhere where they have spots. The interpretive center is at that entrance and that is where you hire the boats. It is a fixed fee per person and probably not negotiable. Surprisingly, the restaurant is not bad. Bring everything with you as there is no store to buy anything.

Whale-ista - 3-11-2015 at 06:27 PM

There are some semi- private enclosed palapas/cabanas at the end of the parking lot across from the interpretive center. I've seen them used by employees for storage, also by day visitors.

I've also seen RVs parked up there and you could set up chairs or cots if people want to sleep inside.

Advantage: they are more private, and very close to the restrooms. They are also at a slight elevation so you have a good view of the lagoon.

The palapas along the road are closer to the edge of the water. They are more open to the elements but you can hang windbreakers up on the open sides if you want more privacy or protection from wind etc. some even have electricity if the ejidos solar batteries are fully charged.

As previously noted there are no supplies so bring all your own ice, drinking water etc. to supplement the food at the restaurant. Entrance fee is about $5/US

[Edited on 3-12-2015 by Whale-ista]

liknbaja127 - 3-11-2015 at 07:06 PM

Per person is $50.0, And is well worth it! See Shari, she is at the 2nd palapa . She will hook you up! and you will have a great time :bounce:

We were there 2 weeks ago, and all had a great time. Yes take what you need. not much there.

vgabndo - 3-11-2015 at 07:20 PM

I just had a call from Shari who was having trouble getting on line and asked me to pass along the word that the palapas are $5. a night, and she has #1 reserved for your group and will be looking forward to your visit. If there is anything else you need, post it here and she'll drive out to a cell signal and call me for updates which I will have by monitoring this thread.

Bajaboy - 3-11-2015 at 07:29 PM

Quote: Originally posted by liknbaja127

Per person is $50.0, And is well worth it! See Shari, she is at the 2nd palapa . She will hook you up! and you will have a great time :bounce:

We were there 2 weeks ago, and all had a great time. Yes take what you need. not much there.

$50 per person sounds steep. I thought it was more like 400 to 450 pesos each.

wilderone - 3-11-2015 at 07:36 PM

You don't need to go into Guerrero Negro unless you actually need something there - continue on Mex. 1 until you see the BIG billboard for the whales and the paved road off to your right.
For 10-12 people, he'd need more than one palapa I think. I put my tent inside the palapa - no wind. The boats start going out about 9 am - check when you get there. Then in the morning, go early, buy your tickets so you're out on one of the first boats when it is calm.

vgabndo - 3-11-2015 at 08:42 PM

Quote: Originally posted by wilderone

You don't need to go into Guerrero Negro unless you actually need something there - continue on Mex. 1 until you see the BIG billboard for the whales and the paved road off to your right.
For 10-12 people, he'd need more than one palapa I think. I put my tent inside the palapa - no wind. The boats start going out about 9 am - check when you get there. Then in the morning, go early, buy your tickets so you're out on one of the first boats when it is calm.

They'll be coming from Mulege so the turn is about 35 minutes north of Vizcaino and it is a LEFT.

BajaDanD - 3-12-2015 at 08:42 AM

just south of Guerrero Negro is the turn off to Ojo De Liebre turn there follow the road to guard shack He will write down your license plate # continue on road follow small signs to the lagoon pay the guy $5.00 at the gate. you will be able to see the palapas from there. Shari is in #2 There are 13 palapas and then a bunch of open area camp sites past them. You cannot hire a panga in the Lagoon they don't work that way. They fill the boat on a per person basis. up to 10 people per boat but usually there are only 5-6 people unless you want to keep a group together up to 10. We went out on our last day with just me the wife and daughter.
The cost to go out to see whales is $45us if you book it with Shari it is $50us

DianaT - 3-12-2015 at 09:19 AM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaDanD

.....

You cannot hire a panga in the Lagoon they don't work that way. They fill the boat on a per person basis. up to 10 people per boat but usually there are only 5-6 people unless you want to keep a group together up to 10. We went out on our last day with just me the wife and daughter.
The cost to go out to see whales is $45us if you book it with Shari it is $50us

When you say you cannot hire a panga in the Lagoon, I assume you mean unlicensed ones. Or are you referring to not being able to pay per boat instead of per person? I assume one can still just drive out there, pay the fee and go out? I assume that that the fees at Ojo de Liebre and San Ignacio are still set fees per individual and include the Reserve fee?

Your video is great! Fun times.

David K - 3-12-2015 at 09:27 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Bajaboy

Quote: Originally posted by liknbaja127

Per person is $50.0, And is well worth it! See Shari, she is at the 2nd palapa . She will hook you up! and you will have a great time :bounce:

We were there 2 weeks ago, and all had a great time. Yes take what you need. not much there.

$50 per person sounds steep. I thought it was more like 400 to 450 pesos each.

The $ symbol is used by Mexico for pesos, as well as it is used for dollars. If one adds MN in front of the $, it would help the confusion... MN$50.00 for example, would be US$3.34 at 15 pesos to the dollar.

Whale-ista - 3-12-2015 at 09:33 AM

Quote: Originally posted by vgabndo

I just had a call from Shari who was having trouble getting on line and asked me to pass along the word that the palapas are $5. a night, and she has #1 reserved for your group and will be looking forward to your visit. If there is anything else you need, post it here and she'll drive out to a cell signal and call me for updates which I will have by monitoring this thread.

She has access to palapa 1? I guess that means the French visitor who had moved his tent into palapa 1 for the duration has finally departed- he was a bit of an odd duck...

Maps for mileages

David K - 3-12-2015 at 09:42 AM

Bajaboy - 3-12-2015 at 10:43 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Quote: Originally posted by Bajaboy

Quote: Originally posted by liknbaja127

Per person is $50.0, And is well worth it! See Shari, she is at the 2nd palapa . She will hook you up! and you will have a great time :bounce:

We were there 2 weeks ago, and all had a great time. Yes take what you need. not much there.

$50 per person sounds steep. I thought it was more like 400 to 450 pesos each.

Huh?

I'm not sure why one would use dollars instead of pesos. I always get a better deal using pesos when in Mexico.

[Edited on 3-12-2015 by Bajaboy]

Alm - 3-12-2015 at 11:22 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Bajaboy

$50 per person sounds steep. I thought it was more like 400 to 450 pesos each.

I think they were talking about $50 pesos "gate fee". $ sign does not translate as $US. Hiring a boat may indeed cost 450 pesos each.

[Edited on 3-12-2015 by Alm]

Alm - 3-12-2015 at 11:26 AM

Quote: Originally posted by DianaT

I assume one can still just drive out there, pay the fee and go out?

Yes. But you can't go out in your own boat. You need to hire a licensed panga - they are all licensed in this lagoon, not other boats are allowed.

Whale-ista - 3-12-2015 at 11:39 AM

Entry fee: MX$65 pesos - US$5 approx.

Not certain if this is per night, or per entry. (They have not been rigorous collecting this each night if you stay and camp for more than a day or two.)

+New this year- FREE if you tell them you are with Shari- ask her for details.

Panga fee/person: US$45, children under 12 US$35
- includes a wristband for the biosphere reserve, life jackets.
- bring your own lifejackets for very small children, those that are carried etc. The ejido has jackets, but on busy days may run out of small sizes.

Bring own water, snacks- non provided. Restaurant sells bottled water.

Typical outing is 2-3 hours depending on conditions, whales, etc.

If you go with Shari, it costs an additional US$5, and you get wonderful interpretation, information not available otherwise, and the best pangeros operating the boat.

Meals at restaurant: inexpensive and tasty. Please support their efforts- they contract each season with the ejido and rely on your patronage.

Limited electricity= solar only. If overcast, lights out early at the Interpretive Center/restaurant.

Bring lanterns if you want to hang out in restaurant after hours and the solar batteries are depleted. It may look closed, but they keep cooking w/gas until 7 pm.

Hope this helps you plan! Enjoy the trip- it's an amazing/interesting year on the lagoons.

[Edited on 3-12-2015 by Whale-ista]

motoged - 3-12-2015 at 12:46 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Whale-ista

Entry fee: MX$650 pesos - US$5 approx......

Don't you hate it when your math and currency conversion skills are spread all over the internet... :biggrin:

BajaDanD - 3-12-2015 at 03:46 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Alm

Quote: Originally posted by Bajaboy

$50 per person sounds steep. I thought it was more like 400 to 450 pesos each.

I think they were talking about $50 pesos "gate fee". $ sign does not translate as $US. Hiring a boat may indeed cost 450 pesos each.

[Edited on 3-12-2015 by Alm]

Whale watching cost $45.00us per person $35.00us for children
$5.00us to camp per night

chavycha - 3-12-2015 at 04:07 PM

The price is well worth it, no matter what currency you're measuring it in.

Estrella - 3-12-2015 at 04:17 PM

We have been wondering if that would be possible when traveling down with a camper or trailer. Thank you for making it clear on how we can do it!

Whale-ista - 3-12-2015 at 04:46 PM

Quote: Originally posted by motoged

Quote: Originally posted by Whale-ista

Entry fee: MX$650 pesos - US$5 approx......

Don't you hate it when your math and currency conversion skills are spread all over the internet... :biggrin:

... and t gets worse when I try to calculate the bill after a few Pacificos...