This unique trip will take you halfway through the Baja Península, roughly 500 miles from the US border into Laguna Ojo de Liebre, where every year Gray Whales migrate south from Alaska to the lagoons in Baja. These whales travel 10,000 to 12,000 miles (16,000 to 19,000 km) for the main purpose of mating, and giving birth to their calves.
Visiting Laguna Ojo de Liebre Lagoon to experience the Gray Whales is a bucket-list adventure because it offers a rare, intimate encounter with these magestic creatures in their natural breeding grounds. Each winter, thousands of Gray Whales migrate to the lagoon’s warm waters, where they come close to the shore, offering extraordinary opportunities for one of the best whale watching in the world. Witnessing the whales’ playful interactions and even the chance to touch them while in a boat makes this an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.
Duration: 5-day guided adventure.
We all know life can get in the way, and sometimes guests need to cancel.
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Group size: 7 guests.
Must haves: Passport required and travel insurance is highly recommended, as it can help protect you in case of last minute cancellations or unexpected changes.
Our journey will begin in San Diego, with a scheduled departure at 6:00 AM. From there, we will embark on a five-hour drive to San Felipe, where we will pause for a brief lunch while enjoying the scenic views of the Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez.
Following our stop in San Felipe, we will continue our journey to our final destination in Guerrero Negro, which entails an additional five-hour drive. Restroom facilities will be available at designated points along the route, and we will provide updates on these stops in advance.
Upon our arrival in Guerrero Negro, we will proceed with check-in and take some time to relax before dining at a local restaurant. Guerrero Negro is a small town located in the municipality of Mulegé, Baja California Sur, with a population of approximately 14,000 residents.
Guests will be picked up between 6:00 AM and 7:00 AM, with the exact time confirmed the evening prior. We will then be transported to the lagoons, approximately 50 minutes from town. Upon arrival, you will receive a briefing on safety protocols and guidelines for interacting with the whales.
Life vests will be provided before boarding our boat to embark on the Gray Whale tour, which lasts approximately two hours. We will undertake two consecutive tours, with a one-hour break in between for a light lunch provided by the Whale Watching company. We recommend bringing additional snacks if desired.
After the tour concludes, we will return to town at approximately 2:30 PM, where you will have time to relax and share your photos and videos at the hotel. Optional: We will meet at the parking lot at around 5pm to take you to a special sunset spot and a early dinner after, arriving back at the Hotel around 8pm ensuring you are well-rested for the following day.
After spending three full days with the Gray Whales, we will depart between 6:00 AM and 7:00 AM, with the exact time confirmed the night before, and begin our journey back to our initial meeting point, where the trip will conclude. The return journey will take approximately 10 to 12 hours, with an expected arrival in San Diego around 6-7 PM. (Please keep in mind we cannot guarantee a arrival time since border wait varies).
To mitigate any potential delays or inconveniences, please make sure to book your return flight for the following day.
– Roundtrip transportation San Diego – Guerrero Negro – San Diego.
– 4-night accommodation in Guerrero Negro.
– 3 full-day private whale-watching excursions with breakfast burritos and light lunch included.
– Gratuity for boat captains and drivers.
– Meals are not included, except for the ones mentioned above.
– Tip for Expedition Leaders.
– You will need your passport to travel to Mexico.
– Travel insurance is recommended.
You can expect a up close and personal interaction with Gray Whales! Guerrero Negro is also home to a variety of bird species including Egrets and nesting Ospreys.
Average daily high temperatures are 15-22°C (60’s-70’s°F) with nightly lows cooling down to 8-10°C (48-52°F). Plan to wear layers as you will be exposed to sun and wind on the boat, and cooler temperatures.
Yes! Children are welcome on this trip!
Yes, you will see gray whales! You may even have a high chance to physically interact with the whales as they often approach our boats.
We will provide as much time with the whales as possible! We offer two back-to-back tours per day, averaging 5hrs of interaction per day.
Gray whales are normally shy and reclusive but their behavior changes when they are in the Ojo de Liebre lagoon. It’s entirely their choice to approach our boats and rub up alongside to be touched and stroked. Through the years we have even noticed that the whales will leave after several minutes if we don’t physically interact with them!
Gray Whale season starts in January and ends in April, but we only operate in the peak of season (February – March) when large numbers of whales are present, giving you a greater chance of multiple interactions during our expeditions.
– Comfortable clothes (t-shirts, long sleeve t-shirts, pants).
– Sweatshirt, warm jacket and windbreaker (preferably water-resistant).
– Sun hat, sunglasses, and sunblock.
– 2 pairs of tennis shoes.
– Your essentials. Bring only what is necessary, try to travel light.- Camara gear.
– Optional: dry bags, computer or electronic devices, and binoculars.
The trip with Nats was one of the best experiences I have ever lived! It changed my life forever! Nats passion, enthusiasm and love for the beautiful gray whales is contagious. Her attention to details and careful planning made the whole experience absolutely flawless and so much fun! Can’t wait to do it again and again and again! Highly recommend!
On March 2020 we booked a trip with Nats to take our family of 4 to see the gray whales in Guerrero Negro. We were debating if we should take our boys who were 3 & 5 at the time and we were so happy we did! It was definitely a once in a life time experience. She was very helpful in making sure every aspect of it was well planned and taken care of. The best part was to see the whales and the babies so close and being able to pet them! It is an absolutely amazing adventure!
Experiencing the Gray Whales in Guerrero Negro exceeded everything I could've imagined. Every incredible encounter felt like it couldn't be topped but somehow it did. Experiencing all of this with Nats made it even better! Having a translator and a guide with local knowledge to navigate the trip made it to where your only responsibilities were to enjoy yourself and make amazing memories.
Come and explore the ocean in Baja with us. Reach out and let’s start planning your unforgettable adventure today!
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