chavycha
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Whale watching in Puerto Chale / Puerto Cancun?
Anyone ever tried to do a Mag Bay whale tour out of either of these towns?
We are looking at coming up from further south and were hoping to avoid going all the way to Constitucion and then across to San Carlos.
Thanks!
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degoma
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I’ve never gone whale watching from either of those towns but here are some thoughts for you to consider:
The road to Puerto Chale is now paved almost into the town. The road to Cancun is not plus it’s longer and probably full of wash board.
The channel between Isla Santa Margarita and Isla Creciente is a known spot for whales to hang out as well as the bay beyond. Years ago there were
reports of whales surfing in that channel which elicited a minor video expedition. (I don’t think they were able to document that activity.)
Since the arrival of the paved road some of the local fishing cooperatives are offering English classes in preparation for what they hope will be an
influx of whale watchers. It’s a relatively short panga ride from the port to the channel (not so for Cancun).
The big thing is to determine if the whales have arrived that far south yet. I heard they were very slow getting down the coast in December. It’s a
very quick drive into P. Chale (now) so I guess you could pop in and ask. Worst case you have a nice boat ride, walk around on Isla Creciente a bit
and take in the view of the magnificent Isla Santa Margarita. I would say that if people are sighting whales at Cabo San Lucas there would probably
be some hanging around.
If you decide to go further north it’s my opinion that Puerto Lopez Mateos would be a better choice even though it’s about an hour more driving each
way. Boca de Soledad is very close to the port and there can be a lot of whales hanging around there. Again, the question; have the whales arrived?
I’m sure some Nomads in the area will know if that’s the case.
Good luck and have fun!
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chavycha
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Thank you degoma! Great info! Sounds like Puerto Chale would at least have boats available. I would assume they are subject to the same regulations
as operators in San Carlos, no?
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vandenberg
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| Quote: | Originally posted by chavycha
Thank you degoma! Great info! Sounds like Puerto Chale would at least have boats available. I would assume they are subject to the same regulations
as operators in San Carlos, no? |
That was the first question that came to my mind.
Since the whale watching boats are subject to strict regulations, I doubt very much that any captain in P Chale will have the governmental licensing
required since there's no demand.
But, it could be that, since it is such a backwater, that there's no oversight of any kind.  
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degoma
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I concur with vandenberg…there’s probably no oversight at all. They have been geared to fishing, not hauling touristas around. You will probably have
to search out a boat…unlike at more developed tourist areas where they find you.
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windgrrl
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Magdalena Bay whale watching tour company:
http://www.turispancho.com
When the way comes to an end, then change. Having changed, you pass through.
~ I-Ching
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chavycha
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Sounds like we'll head up tomorrow morning and hope to be in Puerto Chale by noon. We'll see what the boat/operator situation looks like and go from
there. Worst case, we continue up to San Carlos or Lopez Mateos. Thanks again for info!
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David K
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Puerto Chale in a 1970 guidebook (Cliff Cross)
What it looked like about 45 years ago:
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chavycha
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The whales were indeed in Puerto Chale this afternoon. More soon, but in short, lots of fun, of the type only found in rural Mexico!
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ligui
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Did you hook up with a boat and get out to the whales ? Like to hear more about your trip if possible .
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chavycha
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Quite the difference in the road situation between 1970 and now! We drove in on the brand-new road that branches off of the 1 in Santa Rita. 23km to
Puerto Chale in about 12 minutes. It's a fantastic road, though humorously signed at 40km/h.
We were able to arrange for a boat with one of the local fishermen, or maybe he was a fishermen's cousin's brother's brother in law, I forget (after
meeting several different people, a few phone calls, and a ride around town in the back of a pickup filled with gas cans). We loaded up, and ran out
toward the gap between Isla Creciente and Isla Santa Margarita. We stayed a mile or two inside of the bar where it was calmer. It's about a 30
minute ride out, so budget for a three or four-hour tour (hour there and back, couple hours with whales).
Sure enough, there were whales at play - mostly adults, but a few pairs with calves. We puttered and drifted around for several hours, with the
place to ourselves. There were not as many whales here as I've heard reported elsewhere, but after the first dozen or so, who's counting? The
setting can't be beat. Our 'guide' was good with his boat, though if you're looking for the full interpretive experience, better bring your own
biologist (we did). There was a good bit of afternoon windchop which made good photos difficult.
I would expect some development of the whale-watching industry here in years to come. It's significantly closer to La Paz/Cabo than San Carlos. The
boat ride out to the channel entrance is shorter in Chale than in San Carlos as well.
There are no tourist facilities in Puerto Chale, and only a couple of small abarrotes for the most basic needs. We were offered an overnight if we
wanted in one of the fishermen's houses, though that's certainly a 'your mileage may vary'. Really, that caveat should cover trying to go out of
Chale at all - while it certainly went well for us, as well or better than could've been expected, it's a tiny place and you could easily show up when
everyone's off fishing/town is out of gas/etc.
Ligui, if you're interested, U2U me and I'll dig up the number of the guy who helped us arrange the boat.
[Edited on 3-2-2014 by chavycha]
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ligui
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Thanks for giving us the inside to Puerto Chale . Sounds like a good baja fine to a new place to see whales .
Thanks again for the story ! Will be checking it out next year when we head down .
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David K
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Puerto Chale on Bing Satellite Images
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