Whale Watching & Turtle Research in Baja California

Join Journey Mexico and members of local conservation group The Grupo Tortuguero for whale watching excursions to Laguna San Ignacio. You will get up close and personal with gray whales and learn about their annual migration all the way from Alaska. Your group will also have the unique opportunity to participate in hands-on sea turtle research with local conservationists.

Prices $2,495 per person (double occupancy)includes all in-country transportation, most meals, lodging, activities, guides, and a donation to turtle conservation (does not include airfare).

Dates: April 3 - 10

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HIGHLIGHTS

• See gray whales and calves up close on skiffs
• Participate in hands-on green turtle research
• Kayak in the mangroves of Laguna San Ignacio

FULL ITINERARY

Saturday, April 3rd: Home / Loreto, Mexico

You will be greeted at the airport and privately transferred as a Group to your hotel in the center of Loreto. Welcome Cocktail & Dinner

Sunday, April 4th: Loreto / Laguna San Ignacio

After breakfast you will transfer to Laguna San Ignacio with lunch en route (8:00 hrs). You will arrive to your eco-camp on the waters edge of the pristine and isolated Laguna San Ignacio (LSI) in the late afternoon.  

LSI is one of the three protected lagoons that provide refuge for the Pacific Gray Whale that migrates over 5,000 miles each winter from the Chiriko Basin between Alaska and Russia. In these last remaining protected waters, the Gray whales come to mate and breed; a host of other marine and terrestrial species also call the area home including endangered Sea Turtles, dolphins, rays, a wide variety of birds and more.

Accommodation is in small thatched roof cabañas, and we provide full service to our guest, this includes:

Whale watching or Sea Turtle Monitoring activity by boat (2:30 hrs.), • Overnight in a double occupancy cabin.

• Three daily meals (with two soft drinks each),
• Library and video-library service,
• Naturalist guide service,
• Extra activity in the afternoon (bird watching, mangroves hike or salt flat hike).

Monday April 5th: Sea Turtle Monitoring

Today we will join the local fishermen in their work with Grupo Tortuguero as they monitor the surrounding waters for endangered Sea Turtles. The monitoring is designed to identify still alive sea turtles that have been injured by long lines and gil nets in order to nurse them back to health and re-introduce them to their habitat. It also serves to take inventory of health sea turtles and identify species type, size and age. Lastly, a number of Sea Turtles are tagged each year so that their behavior and migrations can be tracked. You may also have the opportunity to observe Gray Whales again today depending on the timing, tides, and schedule of our Sea Turtle monitoring.

First you will travel by local fishing boat panga to your lagoon front campsite and sea turtle monitoring base. During lunch you will receive an orientation to the highlight of your trip, the in-water sea turtle monitoring with the Grupo Tortuguero. Put your marine biologist hat on, because now is your chance to accompany the team on the water to capture and collect data on foraging sea turtles before releasing them back into the wild. The monitoring team will work through the night, breaking for dinner, and into the morning hours. Participate as much as you like; they can always use a helping hand, or enjoy a complete night's rest. The time is yours.

Tuesday April 6th: Sea Turtle Monitoring

After breakfast, grab a clipboard and head down to the beach. Enjoy an early coffee and take in the birds and other natural wonders that surround your island. Or, sleep in until breakfast and then grab your clipboard and head down to the beach to measure and weigh the captured sea turtles. This data provides vital information to sea turtle biologists who study the health and growth rates of these creatures, as well as their movement throughout the region. Explore the surrounding flora and fauna by kayak, or take a ride in panga to visit isolated beaches. Or, if it's more your speed, grab a book and explore your own private island before dinner.

Wednesday April 7th: Sea Turtle Monitoring and Whale Watching

After an early breakfast, head out in the panga to explore the lagoon and maybe even a visit with local fishermen. We will get back your whale watching camp in San Ignacio lagoon by 11:30 AM for a whale watching excursion. In the afternoon you may choose to participate in a naturalist led sea kayaking of the surrounding mangrove and wet land estuary (Sea Kayaks are not allowed in the Lagoon according to Mexican Environmental regulations). Lunch and dinner are again in the communal dining area.

Thursday April 8th: Whale Watching

After breakfast we will board pangas with our local guides and head out into the protected waters of Lsaguna San Ignacio for a 2.5 exploration of the Lagoon. We return at mid-day for lunch and time to relax before an optional excursion in the afternoon (bird watching, mangroves hike or salt flat hike). Lunch and dinner are in the communal dining area at our water's edge eco-camp.  

Friday April 9th: Laguna San Ignacio / Loreto

Today after breakfast we will bid farewell to this magical place, Sea Turtles, Gray Whales, Dolphins, and all of our friends. 1-5 clients will use vans to San Ignacio Pueblo, public bus to Loreto and taxis to hotel. 6+ clients will use vans to San Ignacio Pueblo and private transportation in van or coach to Loreto. You will eat lunch en-route. You will arrive late afternoon to our hotel in Loreto’s downtown. Tonight our farewell dinner dinner will be on the town at one of the many tasty local eateries.  

Saturday April 10th: Loreto / Home

You will be privately transferred in group to the Loreto Airport in time for your onward flight home. Thank you for visiting us and come back soon! Buen Viaje!