TLBaja79
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Posts: 267
Registered: 10-17-2013
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San Carlos or Lopez Mateos Whale Watching??
We are looking to go whale watching in early Feb in Mag Bay. Unfortunately Lopez Mateos/San Carlos are the only options this trip.
We have been to San Carlos many times and love it but have little kiddos now. We have heard Lopez Mateos would have a shorter boat run to see the
whales??
Is this the case? We think they will love it but an hour run in the boat is a bit much for our little ones.
Anybody have good recommendations for boat/captain in Lopez Mateos?
Are there any good hotels in Lopez Mateos?
Is Mar y Arena still operating in San Carlos? Still a nice place?
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David K
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Notice how narrow the bay is at Lopez Mateos compared to San Carlos and that is why the whales are right there.
I was at both places in August 2017. Mar y Arena was open then. Check their website or Facebook page to get current info.
In Lopez Mateos, I stayed at a motel one night. A simple, inexpensive place along the main road in town.
Here is from my trip report posted in 2017:
I drive around and go to the Hotel Refugio, recommended by 'Mula' on Baja Nomad forums, who has a home there. The hotel owner (Róman) was very nice
and the room was air conditioned, very small, but comfortable at 350 pesos (=US$20.17). The WiFi only works in the dining room area, which was not
serving food in the summer... because whales are not there then! I made a couple posts and checked email. I slept well... but the mosquitos got me
when I was in the dining room area and outside.
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BigWooo
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I've been to Lopez Mateos several times. It is a short run to where the whales are, maybe about 15 minutes. Haven't been for a couple years so maybe
things have changed, but one of the things that was really irritating is that many of the boat operators are too aggressive with, and crowd the
whales. That's one of the reasons I haven't gone there lately. If you do go, try to time it with high tide. There are more whales in the lagoon at
high tide than low.
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Mula
Super Nomad
Posts: 1655
Registered: 8-16-2011
Location: San Nicolas y Lopez Mateos
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There are 4 whale watching Co-Ops in Lopez.
You can only go out with one of them. They all have booths at the newly constructed (5 years ago but still very nice) Grey Whale Sanctuary Dock area.
The whales are here from January until the end of March.
I like to go out at 7am so have the whales to myself. By 9am the vans and tour buses show up and it is a zoo. Also Mondays and Tuesdays are slower,
so less boats out.
I am very selective which Captains I go out with. I do not like the aggressive mode.
I have a casita and a house both listed on Air Bnb. Casita in Lopez Mateos and Alex's House.
Most whale watching trips in Lopez are 1 to 2 hours.
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Don Jorge
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Never whale watched from Mag Bay but recently spent a few months in the area.
There are v ery few hotels in Lopez Mateos and nothing which compares to Fito's Mar y Arena in San Carlos which is getting better and by far the best
hotel on Mag Bay.
In Lopez Mateo I would recommend Bob and Dianne Hoyt's Mag Bay Outfitters Whale's Tale Inn. Their place has a nice Baja vibe albeit a salty,
fisherman's type, but Dianne and the staff there do a good job of softening the edges and making a stay there quite enjoyable.
Have a great trip!
�And it never failed that during the dry years the people forgot about the rich years, and during the wet years they lost all memory of the dry
years. It was always that way.�― John Steinbeck
"All models are wrong, but some are useful." George E.P. Box
"Nature bats last." Doug "Hayduke" Peac-ck
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bajalinda
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Location: Pacific Coast, BCS
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Ditto what Mula said.
I've been to Lopez Mateos twice to go whale-watching and both times were great. Yes, go out early!
Only 1 or maybe 2 motels that I remember seeing in Lopez.
We stayed in Mula's air bnb casita - great place!
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Mula
Super Nomad
Posts: 1655
Registered: 8-16-2011
Location: San Nicolas y Lopez Mateos
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There are actually 4 motels in Lopez. (very small, economy rooms and small parking areas)
And various Air BnB places. Most owned by Gringos.
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bajamary1952
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Best time to see whales is mid & late March. Babies are more friendly than in February.
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TLBaja79
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Anybody know a good laid back captain in Lopez?
Can I make a reservation or do I just show up? Since we are planning to go early Feb I figure it will be busy.
The Hotel Mangrove Inn looks pretty good? any experience there? It will just be 1 night so an AirBnB may be more than we need.
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Mula
Super Nomad
Posts: 1655
Registered: 8-16-2011
Location: San Nicolas y Lopez Mateos
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There are 4 Whale Watching Co - ops here who are the only ones permitted to take people to visit the whales. Aquendi and Union Launcheros Touristica
are the largest operators. Sergio Garcia Tours and Pirata Tours are the 2 smaller outfits.
Generally you just show up to the Grey Whale Sanctuary Dock. The 4 Co-Op booths are there. You can talk to the Captains and others wanting to go
out.
You can rent a panga to yourselves or share with others. It's all very casual here.
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