BajaNomad

Dreams come true! New Whale Magic Tour whale camp opens

shari - 1-4-2020 at 06:02 PM

NEW WHALE MAGIC TOURS WHALE CAMP at Punta Mariscal

I am so excited to announce our newest project for Whale Magic Tours for the 2020 season.
After years of dreaming and planning we are finally setting up our own private Whale Magic Camp in a newly permitted area of the middle lagoon where whales frolic very close so you can hear and watch them from shore.



This area is the narrowest part of the lagoon so there is a large concentration of whales right in front of the camp so we are with whales within moments of getting on our pangas. We have 2 pangas rated for 14 people for our groups & I personally trained our guides & pangeros to be respectful of both the whales and our guests and each panga has a naturalist of course. Your vehicles are parked in a compound & we bring you to the camp in our vans.





Whale Magic Camp is a private, intimate camp that accommodates a maximum of 14 people in beautiful, new, heavy duty springbar canvas tents with sturdy large cots & beds with memory foam mattresses on them with bedding, towels & beach chairs provided.



Listen to the whales breathing at night & enjoy the dark sky for star gazing. It is solar powered & we have a charging station for your cameras & phones. There is no cell service there but we have contact with our office via radio.



Meals will be healthy using local produce featuring seafood from the lagoon like fish of the day, lobster, crab, scallops & clams prepared by our camp cook served in the commons tent. There is a shower and latrines and you can swim right at the camp. Special dietary needs are no problem.



The area is fantastic for bike riding, hiking and fossil hunting in the afternoons or taking a siesta or a swim and watching whales from your tent, or if weather permits you can whale watch again in the afternoons. We also have a nice library of whale books to keep you busy and camp hosts are happy to talk whales all day long!





I am proud of our great staff who strive to make your visit a memorable, safe & educational one. Judith Scott, who guides whale tours all over the world will be the camp guide as well as my daughter Sirena, who was raised with whales in the lagoon. I have a wonderful docent Katelynn who will greet you upon arrival and get you settled in to your rooms the first night and our camp hosts will tend to your needs there. So come and join us for a magical experience at the new Whale Magic Camp!






[Edited on 1-5-2020 by shari]

[Edited on 1-5-2020 by shari]

advrider - 1-4-2020 at 09:04 PM

Looks amazing! Any area for camping with your own gear or offroad trailer? Will the camp be dog friendly?

Whale-ista - 1-4-2020 at 11:42 PM

Felicidades!
Looking forward to visiting.

Paco Facullo - 1-5-2020 at 07:44 AM

And what a wonderful dream it is !

Whale Magic is going to educate and bring SO much joy to so many ...

Can't wait to join in the Magic .............

shari - 1-5-2020 at 09:07 AM

Quote: Originally posted by advrider  
Looks amazing! Any area for camping with your own gear or offroad trailer? Will the camp be dog friendly?


the idea of an intimate private camp is that there are not vehicles everywhere. I have made exceptions in some cases to allow guests to bring their own vehicles if camp is full but it is a restricted area and you need a special permit we have to obtain for you in advance.

Same with dogs...nothing is more annoying when camping than a barking dog in the next tent...there are lots of coyotes so dogs will bark at them. As this is a new venture, we will try things out and see what works and what doesnt.

the ejido campground is public but no guides on the boats.

shari - 1-5-2020 at 09:12 AM

So I have a proposition for anyone traveling down to GN in mid to late January. I need to get 4 of the expedition tents down here so if you can bring one to me, there is a free hotel room for the night, hoodie or a whale watch in it for ya.
The tent is about 4'X2' and in a nice bag and can be easily picked up or delivered by my buddy who has them in San Dimas CA.

David K - 1-5-2020 at 09:27 AM

Hi Shari,
So this new camp replaces the one on the opposite shore?

wilderone - 1-5-2020 at 09:52 AM

The Pta Mariscal location is a different location. Probably much easier to transport supplies, food, people. Though I'm so glad I got the opportunity to spend 4 days at the other camp near the mouth of the lagoon. These camps are the way to go.

David K - 1-5-2020 at 09:54 AM

Quote: Originally posted by wilderone  
The Pta Mariscal location is a different location. Probably much easier to transport supplies, food, people. Though I'm so glad I got the opportunity to spend 4 days at the other camp near the mouth of the lagoon. These camps are the way to go.


Yes, I was only wondering if it replaced her first camp or is she operating both now?

shari - 1-5-2020 at 01:17 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  

Yes, I was only wondering if it replaced her first camp or is she operating both now?


I had set up the fishing coop Laguna Marina whale camp for the last two years and had it nearly full for this season when a few days ago, they contacted me telling me that they had forgotten to renew their permits....oooops!
My permits for our new camp came in that day so I managed to just switch everyone over to my new camp luckily!
The camp at the mouth was indeed beautiful but very exposed, windy and rougher seas for whale watching.
My new camp is in the most protected area of the lagoon so we will be able to get out in the afternoons there no problema and have much nicer whale encounters in calmer water.

David K - 1-5-2020 at 01:35 PM

Quote: Originally posted by shari  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  

Yes, I was only wondering if it replaced her first camp or is she operating both now?


I had set up the fishing coop Laguna Marina whale camp for the last two years and had it nearly full for this season when a few days ago, they contacted me telling me that they had forgotten to renew their permits....oooops!
My permits for our new camp came in that day so I managed to just switch everyone over to my new camp luckily!
The camp at the mouth was indeed beautiful but very exposed, windy and rougher seas for whale watching.
My new camp is in the most protected area of the lagoon so we will be able to get out in the afternoons there no problema and have much nicer whale encounters in calmer water.


That sounds great, Shari!
In Baja, everything works out, right?
My publishing partner (Max Kurillo) and his lady are planning to go to your tour next month, I think?
Max is the author of many books on the California missions and El Camino Real. He is the leading expert on the mission bells and reproductions used to decorate the highways of California and other applications. He was a co-host on a couple of Huell Howser's California Gold TV shows, too. He turns 90 this year and is still full of energy! His books are shown on the oldmissions.com page.

advrider - 1-5-2020 at 01:58 PM

Good point with cars and barking dogs, not everyone get it. Is there a place in town that will kennel/take care of someone's dog? We travel with ours but I would be interested in your camp even if I parked my trailer in town, if we can address the dogs.
Did I miss a website or facebook page? Would love to see what the prices are and dates.

David K - 1-5-2020 at 02:02 PM

Quote: Originally posted by advrider  
Good point with cars and barking dogs, not everyone get it. Is there a place in town that will kennel/take care of someone's dog? We travel with ours but I would be interested in your camp even if I parked my trailer in town, if we can address the dogs.
Did I miss a website or facebook page? Would love to see what the prices are and dates.

Two links are in Shari's signature with each of her Nomad posts... Here is the whale one:
https://www.whalemagictours.com/

Archie - 1-5-2020 at 02:16 PM

Good. I hope in your plans its included rebuilding the road, the wc and the cabin.

I was there the last week of december and the place was trashed by the fishermen.

The last half mile its in very bad shape and they started opening new roads trough the dunes, i received an official statement that recommends closing the place, at least until a proper road its done.

advrider - 1-5-2020 at 02:31 PM

Thanks David, forgot to look at the user link!

shari - 1-5-2020 at 05:09 PM

I am heading out there tomorrow and am sure the road is rough after high high tides and storms. The operators out there pool resources to grade the road before the season gets going so it will be fixed. It is always a problem where fishermen just make new roads through the dunes. There needs to be some education there for sure.

Our new area is not in sight of the cabin which has pretty much been taken over by one cooperativa even though it was built for everyones use as were the bathrooms & shower. I will provide my own latrines and shower most likely.

We have plans to invite the ecotourism students out to help do a site prep in exchange for whale watching.

shari - 1-8-2020 at 06:41 AM

Just back from GN with a whale report. Many pangas are getting skunked but one of the veterans did manage to see two mother/calf pairs but whales are indeed scarce. Like last season the migration is late probably due to whales staying north longer to feed.

But the census takers in California are now spotting groups heading south every day so it wont be long. I anticipate fewer whales in the lagoons as gray whales moderate their reproduction when food is scarce and I saw hardly any mating last season so there will be fewer cow/calf pairs. But still more than enough to observe.

Yesterday we set up our new mess tent and kitchen that MMC kindly had made up...it's the bomb!!!! Lots of room for our cooks and for our camp groups to eat and play in. So now my guests can also have lunch out at the lagoon after their whale watch! Mil gracias to MMc!!

BajaBlanca - 1-8-2020 at 08:13 AM

Congratulations Shari! This is huge, what a great dream come true.

Wrinkles will iron themselves out with time. How amazing that Sirena is part of the guides.

Congrats again!

gnukid - 1-8-2020 at 08:35 AM

Wow Very nice and comfortable, keep up the great work!

shari - 1-8-2020 at 12:00 PM

thanks....we are getting an awesome tribe together and we are all thrilled with the new project.

Bump!

AKgringo - 1-14-2020 at 01:30 PM

QUOTE;
"So I have a proposition for anyone traveling down to GN in mid to late January. I need to get 4 of the expedition tents down here so if you can bring one to me, there is a free hotel room for the night, hoodie or a whale watch in it for ya.
The tent is about 4'X2' and in a nice bag and can be easily picked up or delivered by my buddy who has them in San Dimas CA."

Shari, do you have any delivery offers yet? I just returned from an unplanned trip to Anchorage, or I would have been down your way already.

I intend to be on the road soon, and although I usually avoid Southern California on my way south, I would make an exception to pick up a couple of tents (possibly all) if need be.

Would this put me in the "Items to declare" line?

AKgringo - 1-14-2020 at 03:16 PM

David, for a single traveler with a dog, car camping is a tent next to your car. A tent big enough to park your car in would be hard to explain if you have more than one of them!

boe4fun - 1-15-2020 at 11:40 AM

Few months back I took down (2) tents for Shari, and they were monsters, both of them well over 100 pounds. We had (2) vehicles in our caravan so we decided to split them up, then crossed at Tecate without problems.

sd - 1-15-2020 at 01:01 PM

Customs say "One camping tent" is allowed.

MMc - 1-15-2020 at 11:02 PM

Shari still need a couple of tents brought down to her.

MMc......

AKgringo - 1-16-2020 at 08:41 PM

Check your U2U inbox!

norte - 1-17-2020 at 06:58 AM

How do you take care of your waste out there...especially your shower and toilet waste? How have the cooperativas reacted to your new venture? I thought they had exclusive rights?

shari - 1-17-2020 at 08:03 AM

I work hand in hand with a local fishing cooperative who have the concession for whale watching and camping...the fishermen provide the boats and lancheros, I provide the passengers and they are grateful for the work.
we have sun showers and eco toilets provided by the government and recycle waste as well as recycle garbage...thanks for your concern.

norte - 1-17-2020 at 08:10 AM

No need to be snippity. It was a legit question. the solar shower water goes somewhere...and eco friendly toilets have waste that has to be put somewhere. The Mexican government is not known to be the most effective in this area. Again it was a legitimate question.

Archie - 1-17-2020 at 11:00 AM

Quote: Originally posted by shari  
I will provide my own latrines and shower most likely.


Quote: Originally posted by shari  
we have sun showers and eco toilets provided by the government and recycle waste as well as recycle garbage...thanks for your concern.


Quote: Originally posted by norte  
The Mexican government is not known to be the most effective in this area. Again it was a legitimate question.


Well, the mexican govt. was kind enought to help a gringo private business, instead of helping the local people.

[Edited on 1-17-2020 by Archie]

Mr. Bills - 1-17-2020 at 11:24 AM

So many haters on this forum.

Shari, you go girl.

David K - 1-17-2020 at 11:31 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Mr. Bills  
So many haters on this forum.

Shari, you go girl.


Seriously,
Gringo?
Do they not know that Shari is a Mexican citizen, born in Canada and since then married to an Arce and mother to a Mexican daughter? Can't be more Baja Californian than being an Arce!
Shari is the real deal!

micah202 - 1-17-2020 at 01:08 PM

Woww, sounds amazing!
I'll check out deets for a visit mid february.
Hoping to camp with my setup,, sleeping in van? <;~o

norte - 1-17-2020 at 01:41 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Quote: Originally posted by Mr. Bills  
So many haters on this forum.

Shari, you go girl.


Seriously,
Gringo?
Do they not know that Shari is a Mexican citizen, born in Canada and since then married to an Arce and mother to a Mexican daughter? Can't be more Baja Californian than being an Arce!
Shari is the real deal!


Now there is a new one. Marriage made her an Baja California Arce....I thought she went by Blondy by the way. No matter still does not tell me where her waste goes. Last time I was there (many years ago) human waste was floating with the whales becasue there was no where else to put it. Cess pools won't work because of such a high water table. I guess the eco waste goes out there as well.

David K - 1-17-2020 at 02:08 PM

Women keeping their birth name after marriage is a "progressive" idea, I thought? It is Bondy not Blondy, FYI.
If you think she wants any harm to come to the whales you are sorely mistaken. Even if your theory had any truth, don't whales poop, too? Doesn't Nature deal with mammal waste. Where do the fishermen poop? Seriously, silly distraction over jealousy of a Nomad who has brought so much joy and education to people.

shari - 1-17-2020 at 07:26 PM

I have been a Mexican citizen for many years & had lived in Guerrero Negro before most other whale company operators....geezo
My daughter's Papa was one of the first 3 fishermen to take tourists out in the lagoon way back in 1988 and I helped them develop their skills at approaching whales & dealing with tourists...before the ejido was there & before the Biosphere Reserve was there so I do have some history there and have put in my time, hard work and investment....not to mention my passionate love and respect for whales whom I have relentlessly tried to protect for going on 40 years now!

[Edited on 1-18-2020 by shari]

wilderone - 1-18-2020 at 07:41 AM

Oh fercrissake, Norte. shut it.

David K - 1-18-2020 at 08:03 AM

You can just refer to us as "fact-checkers" and Nomad friends.
You could be one too.
Going negative on Nomad-owned businesses, without any first-hand knowledge, has just what goal or benefit?

norte - 1-18-2020 at 08:20 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Women keeping their birth name after marriage is a "progressive" idea, I thought? It is Bondy not Blondy, FYI.
If you think she wants any harm to come to the whales you are sorely mistaken. Even if your theory had any truth, don't whales poop, too? Doesn't Nature deal with mammal waste. Where do the fishermen poop? Seriously, silly distraction over jealousy of a Nomad who has brought so much joy and education to people.


It all started with a question, David. No attacks. A silly question I guess, after all where do the whales poop. and what about fishermen? And after all, she is a member of the forum (huh?). I guess I should not be surprised at the chicken coop mentality, it pervades much of our politics as well. I don't swim upstream, downstream from a cesspool.

David K - 1-18-2020 at 08:41 AM

Shari answered your question right away, next reply below it, and your reply (instead of saying 'thank you') was to call her "snippity". If you can't accept the answer that is your problem, not hers. Have you gone to her website to get more info? Are you at all interested in going on a tour to see the whales up-close?

mtgoat666 - 1-18-2020 at 09:13 AM

Quote: Originally posted by norte  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Women keeping their birth name after marriage is a "progressive" idea, I thought? It is Bondy not Blondy, FYI.
If you think she wants any harm to come to the whales you are sorely mistaken. Even if your theory had any truth, don't whales poop, too? Doesn't Nature deal with mammal waste. Where do the fishermen poop? Seriously, silly distraction over jealousy of a Nomad who has brought so much joy and education to people.


It all started with a question, David. No attacks. A silly question I guess, after all where do the whales poop. and what about fishermen? And after all, she is a member of the forum (huh?). I guess I should not be surprised at the chicken coop mentality, it pervades much of our politics as well. I don't swim upstream, downstream from a cesspool.


Norte,
You ever been whale watching at SI or GN?
Perhaps you should pair up with DK and do a road trip together to see the whales, and work out your differences!

norte - 1-18-2020 at 09:30 AM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by norte  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Women keeping their birth name after marriage is a "progressive" idea, I thought? It is Bondy not Blondy, FYI.
If you think she wants any harm to come to the whales you are sorely mistaken. Even if your theory had any truth, don't whales poop, too? Doesn't Nature deal with mammal waste. Where do the fishermen poop? Seriously, silly distraction over jealousy of a Nomad who has brought so much joy and education to people.


It all started with a question, David. No attacks. A silly question I guess, after all where do the whales poop. and what about fishermen? And after all, she is a member of the forum (huh?). I guess I should not be surprised at the chicken coop mentality, it pervades much of our politics as well. I don't swim upstream, downstream from a cesspool.


Norte,
You ever been whale watching at SI or GN?
Perhaps you should pair up with DK and do a road trip together to see the whales, and work out your differences!


Many years ago. Take the time to read the posts above. You seemed to have joined the coop.

mtgoat666 - 1-18-2020 at 09:46 AM

Quote: Originally posted by norte  
Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by norte  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Women keeping their birth name after marriage is a "progressive" idea, I thought? It is Bondy not Blondy, FYI.
If you think she wants any harm to come to the whales you are sorely mistaken. Even if your theory had any truth, don't whales poop, too? Doesn't Nature deal with mammal waste. Where do the fishermen poop? Seriously, silly distraction over jealousy of a Nomad who has brought so much joy and education to people.


It all started with a question, David. No attacks. A silly question I guess, after all where do the whales poop. and what about fishermen? And after all, she is a member of the forum (huh?). I guess I should not be surprised at the chicken coop mentality, it pervades much of our politics as well. I don't swim upstream, downstream from a cesspool.


Norte,
You ever been whale watching at SI or GN?
Perhaps you should pair up with DK and do a road trip together to see the whales, and work out your differences!


Many years ago. Take the time to read the posts above. You seemed to have joined the coop.


Yes, I am a skinny foghorn leghorn with a northern accent :lol:

shari - 1-18-2020 at 10:48 AM

you know what is really ironic...when Norte first asked about waste etc., I answered him nicely and thanked him for his concern which was sincere and not snippety at all.....I appreciate when people are concerned about our environment...but dont appreciate being accused of being snide when it wasnt my intention at all.

there are 59 permits for whale operators in the zone and they employ over 2,500 people and have very beneficial economic spin offs and dont seem to disturb the whales at all.

I have studied whale behavior since before whale watching was even thought of and although in some areas like the feeding grounds, tourism can have an adverse affect by disturbing whales trying to eat...I have seen very interesting changes in whale behavior in the baja lagoons.
Once they lost their fear of boats and being killed by boats, they started to trust humans and now they push the babies up to us to babysit! Crazy but true.

In the beginning of the whale watching craze, I was very concerned about how pangas would affect the whales in this most sensitive area, and put forth the idea of to just have anchored viewing platforms near the canals the whales use. Whale watchers would be ferried out to them but would not approach whales. I still love this idea but doubt it will ever happen.

My point is, I have always cared about the protection of the environment and it's creatures and have walked the walk...have you?