Sea of cortez whale facts loreto sea and land tours. They can dive to depths of over 600 feet where, in some parts of their range, they feed on squid, lantern fish, and deep sea smelt. We spent consecutive days watching the largest animals on earth feed on krill. August to november is the season for liveaboard diving in the sea of cortez. Calm hopefully seas, small intimate boats, and all around the sound of these giants breathing. Foodies and firsttime visitors wont want to miss this comprehensive food walking tour of downtown cabo san lucas led by a local guide. Every winter, between 250 and 300 of them enter the sea of cortez to feed and nurse their young, making this mexican paradise one of the best spots on earth for blue whale encounters.
The blue whale is the largest animal to ever live on this earth and can grow to over ninety feet in length. Grey whale watching in magdalena bay was a highlight. Whale sharks migrate vast distances and make seasonal appearances but here. Gray whale watching tours in baja california on the sea of cortez. Don a mask and snorkel for a swim around the rocks and inlets of the islands and you will see why. Baja california, the sea of cortez, and whale shark tagging sites at. Whales worldwide and whale watch west cork run tours to baja and the sea of cortez every february. Apr 24, 2014 blue whales filmed by nic slocum of whales worldwide in the sea of cortez during the tour in 2014. Please keep in mind, that some sea of cortez kayak tours see whales on only a single occasion.
Local apparent abundance may be related to seasonal availability of. Stop by several culinary hotspots and hidden gems that you probably wouldnt find alone and sample a selection of local specialties, like tacos, tostadas, and more, for an authentic experience. The season officially runs from december 15th, 2011 to april 15th, 2012. A 14day whalewatching and wildlife holiday, including an 11night cruise down the western coast of. We have 30 years of baja ecotourism experience and love taking baja gray whales, baja. It has a vast coastline of over 4000 km 2500 mi and borders four states. Youll learn to recognize the importance of whale shark monitoring activities and be provided with an opportunity to participate in whale shark conservation through. Blue whales can be found in the sea of cortez during the winter months when the water is cool. Wed had a very productive time in baja mexico but we wanted to put the icing on the cake we needed to further validate snotbot as a scientific tool, and to do that we needed to fly with at least one more species of whale and this was the last day on the water, the last day. Blue whale watching tour observe the magnificent blue whale on the sea of cortez from loreto b. Aug 28, 2017 my cortez dream begins on a tarptopped panga fishing boat with four other visitors from the u. Westward voyages in the sea of cortez adventuresmith. Explain that many marine organisms migrate because of seasonal environmental changes. Jacques cousteau famously described the sea of cortez as the aquarium of the world.
We also saw blue whales, seals you could snorkel among them, mobula rays, dolphins, and a myriad of. The range of species in the sea of cortez is very impressive. Combination gray whale trips plus whale watching on the sea of cortez for the very largest whales, blue whales and gray whales. The sea of cortez offers great diving, but it is important to note that, as the sea is situated quite far north of the equator and is strongly influenced by the adjacent pacific ocean, water temperatures from december to march are distinctly cool compared with more typical coral reef locations, dropping as low as 1821c during january and. Sea quest trips have had a 95% success rate for sighting large baleen whales in the sea of cortez and we expect this to continue into the future.
Mapping blue whale migration national geographic society. An elusive porpoise known as the panda of the sea for its unique markings, the vaquita makes its habitat in the sea of cortez in the upper gulf of baja california. Experience magical, close encounters with the friendly gray whale mothers and calves of san ignacio lagoon, a unesco world heritage site. Balaenoptera musculus blue whale expert dr diane gendron believes that, what you do in your every day work is the most important thing in life, so find what pleases you the most, and do it well. The sea of cortez is frequented by the largest and most varied population of whales in the world. Sea of cortez baja california 2020 all you need to. A blue whale dives down in the sea of cortez in mexico. On our expedition of pure discovery, we sail through these islands that lie in close proximity to the baja peninsula but have a palpable feel of rugged isolation. Seven wonders of the sea of cortez constant contact. Humpback whales in cabo san lucas whale watch cabo tours.
The 10 best sea of cortez gulf of california tours. The whaleplanner december a whale watching infographic. A truly special event, head out onto the sea of cortez to swim alongside the worlds largest fish, the mighty whale shark. Frequently asked questions baja whale watching whale. Other whale and dolphin species can be seen at this time or take a combined trip when the grey whales visit. Baja airventures baja adventure travel, baja whale shark. We also visit the beautiful sea of cortez for whale watching on this weeklong.
We recently returned from a small ship 11 day cruise on the sea of cortez. The sea of cortez is host to an incredibly diverse population of marine mammalsand we know where to find them. Whale watching is mostly a recreational activity cf. He says the humpbacks and finbacks have made their way from the cold waters of the northern pacific ocean into the warmer waters of the sea of cortez, the finback is the second largest whale in the world and the humpback, theyre smaller but theyre more active. Ultimate baja whale expedition natural habitat adventures. In addition, whale watching is becoming more common in the sea of cortez. The sea of cortez, or gulf of california as it is also known, is a marginal sea of the pacific ocean that separates the baja california peninsula from the mexican mainland. Today you will head out of loreto by small motorboat to spend approximately 4 hours looking for whales in the sea of cortez. Plus explore the islands dotting the azure sea of cortez, one of the best places to see marine mammals.
Row sea kayak adventures has a new trip just for you. Commune with monoliths of the ocean, california gray whales, as they breed and birth their young in the sheltered baja waters. Orcas killer whales in cabo san lucas whale watch cabo tours. Whale rescue in the sea of cortez may 24,2012 youtube. Whale sharks are the oceans largest fish and frequent a number of locations in the sea of cortez the largest confirmed individual had a length of 12. Every spring the loreto national marine park is host to blue whales, the largest creatures on earth. Enjoy the ride as an experienced captain transports you to where the whale sharks are swimming. Some 12,000 gray whales migrate from the arctic to the baja area every winter. The blue whale goes out to breathe between eight and fifteen times and then submerges for periods of three to twenty minutes. Baja sea kayaking tours sea of cortez baja whale watching trips. If youre here just for the sea kayaking, the best time to visit baja is the end of octearly dec, as well as marapr, as the wind drops and the sea of cortez is clear and calm. In part one of our series on whale sharks, sea lions and gray whales. The magnificent blue whales, the largest living creatures on earth, come to the sea of cortez each year, as do humpback whales, sperm whales, finback whales, minke whales, orcas, schools of dolphin and pilot whales, and many other creatures of sea, land and air.
During certain seasons, you may cross paths with the worlds largest animal, the blue whale, or fin whales, sperm whales, humpbacks, gray whales. Do you have some more frequently asked questions baja whale watching. It was an inaugural season for the classic ship, astoria. But this was a harmless behemoth a whale shark, the largest fish in the ocean.
We specialize in biologist led, noninvasive interactions, while introducing cabo san lucas visitors up close to the over 600 humpback whales that frequent the southern sea of cortez during the whale watching season. They have their calves here, find mates, play and eat in the warm waters. The course will also overview whale shark research and conservation worldwide. The gray whale is the most common in the sea of cortez especially in the. Journey to baja california in the spring, a season that welcomes multiple species of whalesincluding blue, sperm, pilot, fin, humpback, and brydesto the sea. Humpbacks and gray whales are the most commonly sighted. Mexico scuba diving holidays and liveaboards sea of cortez. Fortunately, there are still a few places where blue whales gather year after year. Several different species of whales migrate to the sea of cortez on an annual basis, with examples including orcas, humpback whales, california gray whales, and the largest of all the worlds animals, the blue whale. Enter the california gray whale birthing lagoons of bahia magdalena for close encounters with these gentle giants, a rare privilege in the natural world. The blue whales of the loreto marine reserve, baja. This remarkable young sea is thought to be around five million years old and home to nearly 900. Embarkation was in puerto penasco, known locally as rocky point.
The sea of cortez, also known as the gulf of california, is a unique corner of the pacific ocean. This results in a high diversity of smaller species, but have no fear, there are some large species spectacles as well. Baja airventures tours and ecolodge understands that there is a lot of uncertainty around your travel planning right. Get up close and personal with two marvels of nature on this mexico adventurebaja whale watching in the sea of cortez and copper canyons stunning scenery. The shortbeaked bottle nose dolphins can be found in the indian ocean. Fly in to our camp, get up close with the friendly gray whales. Magdalena bay is sheltered from the pacific ocean by a barrier of desert islands. The blue whales of the loreto marine reserve, baja california sur. Here in the sea of cortez we have seen large rafts of krill in the water. Observe the magnificent blue whale on the sea of cortez from loreto b. Bbc oceans the sea of cortez sperm whales of san pedro. Humpback whales are spotted in the winter, spring, and summer, and the dwarf sperm whale tends to make an appearance in the fall. The sea of cortez in mexico is unlike most of the other dive sites in this area of the pacific ocean, the reef here is flourishing and incredibly colorful. Whale watching in bajas sea of cortez sea kayak adventures.
Close encounters with bajas gray whales oceanic society. Half day whale watching in the sea of cortez, mexico. Cabos location at the tip of the baja peninsula provides a unique. Jul 23, 2017 swimming with whale sharks and sea lions in the sea of cortez, mexico, is an unforgettable experience. San ignacio lagoon and sea of cortez experience magical, close encounters with the friendly gray whale mothers and calves of san ignacio lagoon, a unesco world heritage site. You may see fin, pilot, brydes, sperm, or possibly, even blue whales. To download the full whaleplanner as a graphic, please just click this link and. What whale species to watch according to seasons baja california peninsula is a vast territory stretching for nearly 1100 miles south from the border of californiausa with mexico. We also visit the beautiful sea of cortez for whale watching on this weeklong adventure on mexicos baja california peninsula. The sea of cortez is the exceptional home to the greatest variety of whales and dolphins in the world, with 34 species, one of them found only here the shy, endangered vaquita. The sea lions have a permanent colony off the coast of isla espiritu santo, but the whale sharks are seasonal and come into the sea of cortez from the late fall until late springwith novemberfebruary being the best time to go. Jun 01, 2012 recent rescue of whale caught up in fishing lines and other debris in the sea of cortez, about 50 miles north of cabo in the sea of cortez, zachary pilek, wa. This nonkayaking panorama of baja whales takes you from the sheltered calving lagoons of the california gray whale on the pacific side of the peninsula to the russet mountains and turquoise waters of the sea of cortez, home to the exquisite blue whale. Baja whale watching cruise copper canyon mexico apex.
Join our 12day tour to whalewatch for up to a dozen different species. Well swim and snorkel with whale sharksthe largest fish in the world. You can download general humpback whale information on this page. Your guide to diving in the sea of cortez dive the world. These include blue whales, fin whales, brydes whales, minke whales, and sperm whales.
We spent our first two days in the spectacular sea of cortez, surrounded by granitic mountains, blue skies, and rich, blue waters. July to november is the sea of cortez liveaboard season, although shore diving is possible year round. Whale watching in the sea of cortez safari endeavour. The sea of cortez is exceptionally nutrientrich, especially around islands. Blue whale expert dr diane gendron believes that, what you do in your every day work is the most important thing in life, so find what pleases you the most, and do it well. Whale watching is the practice of observing whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. Twenty different whale species have been seen around bajas sea of cortez and bajas pacific coast. Best time to visit baja california responsible travel. A study prepared for international fund for animal welfare in 2009 estimated that million people went whale watching globally in 2008. The sea of cortez is a haven for whales and dolphins having one of the most densest populations of both in the world blue whales, humpbacks and grey w our whale watching event always proves to be a uniquely memorable event for those lucky guests who travel with us to the sea of cortez in mexico. Recent rescue of whale caught up in fishing lines and other debris in the sea of cortez, about 50 miles north of cabo in the sea of cortez, zachary pilek, wa. Its beautiful, there is plenty of fish, i will have many companions and will see few humans. San ignacio lagoon and sea of cortez oceanic society. Upon arrival, jump in the water to swim next to these gentle giants.
From december to april they use the tropical waters off the baja california as their winter quarters. The 9day itinerary is timed for decemberjanuary, at the end of the rainy season, when longdormant plants flush bright green and migratory birds arrive to feast during this brief period of abundance. David wimpfheimer is a naturalist and biologist with a passion for the birds and natural history of the western united states. Close encounters with blue whales in the sea of cortez. The area is known to be a spot for blue and fin whales, which will be in the area to calve. Sea of cortez baja california cruise lindblad expeditions. Sep 04, 2008 the sea of cortez, also known as the gulf of california, is a unique corner of the pacific ocean. Swimming with sperm whales in the sea of cortez nautilus.
Discover the natural wonders of baja mexico and the sea of cortez, and witness the gray whale migration on an expedition cruise with national geographic. The orcas we encounter on cabo san lucas whale watching tours are. There are so many it looks like you could climb out of the boat and walk on the krill. Part of the joy of an expedition is standing on deck with binoculars in hand watching. Admire the rays as they glide along the surface of the sea accompanied by dolphins and whales, in a wonderful exhibition of life in this underwater world. After the sighting of a humpback whale, hundreds of common dolphins escorted us towards four blue whales. She was so close to the young whale she could reach out and touch him but she didnt. The blue whales of the loreto marine reserve the aquarium of the world is how the great jacques cousteau referred to the sea of cortez. Cabo san lucas whale watching season begins baja mexico. Baja whale watching and kayak classic islands skiff supported. While the pacific is cold, the sea of cortez is at its warmest so many boats change their itineraries during these months.
Spot whales and dolphin pods, kayak waterlevel caves teeming with sea life, and visit santa rosalia on an 8day wildlife cruise through the sea of cortez. High season in the sea of cortez runs from midjanuary to april because thats when migratory whales arrive in the area after their sojourn from arctic. In the 193031 season alone, 29,410 blue whales were killed in antarctic waters. Other whale species that frequent the sea of cortez include the sperm whale, minke whale, fin whale, and more. She says this with a knowing smile on her face and with her being an expert in her field, leading a fulfilled life after 20 years of research work in baja california, as sarah markworth found out.
But the best time to schedule your trip is during the annual migration. Blue whale research in the sea of cortez the blue whale. In february and early march of each year, the whale migration comes to baja california sur. Onboard naturalists will educate us about the wildlife as we watch for whales and dolphins, hike, swim, kayak, paddleboard, snorkel with sea lions, and bird watch. Blue whale encounters in the sea of cortez huffpost. In mexico we find it on the western coast of the baja california peninsula and the sea of cortez.
Setting sail for the sea of cortez for a whale of a story. You can only go out with a licensed tour operator like the cortez. Baja california, cabo san lucas, cabo san lucas whale watching, cabo san lucas whale watching season, cetaceans, sea of cortez. Swim or snorkel with sharks in the sea of cortez and pacific ocean during this halfday tour from cabo san lucas. Most of the sea of cortez dolphins are the longbeaked species. Our sea of cortez kayaking and magdalena bay whale watching combo tours let participants get close to whales, explore desert islands by sea kayak and snorkel along isolated coves in warm, turquoise waters. On past olivia trips, we have seen over 50 whalesincluding blue the worlds largest mammal, humpback, pilot, sperm, and othersand several schools of dolphins, numbering. You can download general orca killer whale information on this page. Designated by unesco as a marine world heritage site and dubbed by jacques cousteau, the worlds aquarium, the islands of the sea of cortez are places of legendary biodiversity.
And theres no more exhilarating place for it than mexicos baja peninsula, where gray whales shelter in protected pacific lagoons to mate, give birth and nurture. Whale watching tours from loreto is a world class experience. Please call the owner of baja airventures kevin warren at 16194212235 or 8002219283 toll free. Swimming with whale sharks in the sea of cortez saturday, april 5, 2014 5. Many sea of cortez visitors hope to add some whale watching to their agendas, and it is easy to understand why. Sperm whales in the sea of cortez day 4 diving, diving, and more diving at danzante. Your guide ensures a memorable and safe experience in the waters of baja california as you look for blue sharks, silky sharks, mako, smooth hammerheads, and other marine life, and get a close look at the arch of cabo san lucas and sea lion colony.
Youll learn to plan, organize, and execute a divesnorkel with whale sharks in a safe manner. Apr 07, 2015 then the whale begins its dark descent, up to 500 meters below the surface of the sea. We always hope for and expect to have a close encounter that includes touching or petting a whale. Download scientific diagram baja california, the sea of cortez, and whale shark. Hensler says january and february are the best months to watch the whales because its mating season. They are also the loudest, a screaming blue whale can be heard for several miles underwater. Blue whale tours, loreto sea of cortez loreto sea and. The east coast of baja is bordered by the sea of cortez, supporting the largest and most varied population of whales in the world, as well as one of the last sanctuaries for the endangered finback and blue whales, the largest of the cetaceans twice the size of gray whale. Experience the unforgettable discovering the sea of cortez. The sea of cortez is blessed, maybe not with such great concentration of whales per square mile, but with a variety of whale species, and high chances that you will see some whale activity practically any time of the year some species live here all year, see table above. Baja airventures tours and ecolodge understands that there is a lot of uncertainty around your travel planning right now. Adventurous travelers seeking a rich diversity of wildlife can find what they are looking for in the sea of cortez.