smithfamilybajabound - 1-21-2022 at 12:06 PM
I am flying down to Loreto and want to see the Whales and calfs around the 20th of February. First of all, should also go out of Loreto and see the
whales. If so I want to view them at a close proximity (I know there are some restrictions) so where should I go around Loreto if you recommend?
Secondly, what do you recommend?
San Ignacio v Mag Bay
Whatever your choice please provide a good option for accommodations, good company to go out on for whales, good seafood dinner (lobster sounds good)
, and uniques places to visit in the area? Thanks Mike
mtgoat666 - 1-21-2022 at 09:21 PM
I recommend San Ignacio over mag bay. sI is more wild, less developed. Try pachico’s, kuyima, campo Cortez.
Mag Bay
geraldalexander7 - 1-21-2022 at 09:49 PM
I have been to both but choose Mag Bay nowadays. Often we can
touch the whales. I have good captains that follow all the regs.
I'm running 2 trips in Feb. 
Gerald
Alan - 1-22-2022 at 08:29 AM
Haven't been to San Ignacio but as far as Mag Bay goes, my favorite is Puerto Lopez Mateo as it is a more condensed area and I have always had better
interactions with the whales there. Puerto Chale and San Carlos put you right into the open bay and the whales are very spread out.
Don Jorge - 1-22-2022 at 01:51 PM
Agree that Puerto Lopez Mateo is the best option on Mag Bay and also that San Ignacio is a better option overall than anywhere on Mag Bay. Loreto
whale watching would be just that, watching for whales. Not much touchy feely interaction with the whale species typical to Loreto.
Regarding secondary activities San Igancio is better imo. There is the Mission, the estuary where kayaks or canoes can be rented for exploring and
nature watching and it also pretty close to some good cave painting sites in the Sierra de San Francisco.
Access to the archeological sites in the Sierra de San Francisco is from either of the small towns of Santa Marta or San Francisco. Transportation
can be arranged to either place in San Ignacio. From there you can also make arrangements in to have local guides meet and greet you at either spot.
The local guides, which are required to accompany tourists, can show you the way and provide mules if that is what you want. Even for a day trip
mules can do the work for you while you enjoy the scenery and time with your family in a special place.
If you are in a rental car then the trip would be to San Francisco as the access roar from Highway to San Francisco is paved but from Hwy 1 to Santa
Marta is sometimes rough, sorta graded road and pretty rocky in places.
If you make it Santa Marta or San Francisco be sure to sample and buy some goat cheese and cajeta. Have fun and post a trip report when you can!
BajaMama - 1-23-2022 at 12:04 PM
We visited San Ignacio Lagoon the last full week of February 2020 and stayed in Kuyima's eco cabins - had a fabulous time, got to pet mama and baby
whales. Type in their name if you want to reserve online, their office in on the town square in San Ignacio. Normally they are sold out at least a
year in advance for the cabins but who knows with covid.