We’re beyond excited, and hope you are too! To get you in the spirit, here’s a little something about gray whales.

Why Are Gray Whales at San Ignacio Lagoon So Friendly?

Every year, hundreds of gray whales return to their ancestral breeding grounds at San Ignacio Lagoon. For the whales, it’s the perfect place to mate, give birth, and nurse their young. For us, it’s a unique place where “friendly” gray whales actively approach boats and seem curious about people.

But why do these gentle giants behave this way?

The whales haven’t released an official statement just yet… so we don’t have a definite answer. But experts at “Gray Whale Research in Mexico” have some fascinating theories:

1. No fear of humans: Commercial hunting ended here in the late 1870s. With an average lifespan of 50–60 years, today’s whales have never been hunted and have no reason to fear us.
2. A safe, calm environment: San Ignacio Lagoon is protected within the El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve. It’s free of orcas, and whale watching is done respectfully and on their terms, creating a safe haven for them.
3. Curiosity about sound: Whales rely on sound to explore their world. The low-frequency hum of panga (local boats) engines resembles their own calls, which may explain why they come closer to investigate.
4. Touch as a form of connection: Calves spend their early months rubbing and rolling around with their mothers. Touch is natural to them, so being gently petted by curious humans might actually feel familiar and comforting.

Not every gray whale shows curiosity, so encountering a “friendly” one is always a special treat. What truly makes San Ignacio unique is the sheer number of whales that gather here. At some places, you might wait all day to catch a glimpse of just one. More than 200 whales were counted in the lagoon last season!

San Ignacio Whale Etiquette 101

By respecting these simple rules, together we can protect the whales and their vital mission — to reproduce and raise the next generation.

1. Choose expert-led trips: Not all operators offer naturalist-guided tours, but we believe it’s essential. Why? Marine biologists understand whale behaviour and can interpret their movements and group dynamics. Their expertise helps ensure encounters remain safe, respectful, and do not interfere with their mating.
2. Giving whales space: Whales approach us on their own terms. There’s never any pressure—whales either swim closer or swim away. In the lagoons, their focus is on mating or nurturing their calves Waiting patiently allows them to behave naturally while giving us the privilege of witnessing their intimate moments.
3. Respect time limits: We schedule up to three whale watching sessions a day during your visit (except your arrival and departure days, which are limited to 1–2 sessions). Each session lasts 90 minutes, with breaks in between, giving the whales the space, rest, and privacy they need.
4. Avoiding no-observation zones: Whale watching is only permitted in a specific area near the ocean entrance. About two-thirds of the lagoon remains a protected sanctuary, completely free from disturbance.

Super Savings

Don’t Miss Out: 25% Off Trip Extensions!

Now’s the perfect time to add even more adventures to your trip. Choose from exciting day trips—like scuba diving, snorkelling with sea lions, or kayaking—to unforgettable multi-day Adventure Beach Camps on Isla Espíritu Santo and more.

Book this week and get a FREE day trip — choose one of the following:

• Snorkel with playful sea lions at Espiritu Santo Island
• Kayaking at Mogote and La Paz Bay

Solo Traveler Special

Traveling on your own? On selected dates, receive a free single occupancy upgrade, no extra charge!

Featured Trips

Spots are limited and the whales are only here for a short time… now is your chance!

Not sure which trip is right for you?

Our concierges are on standby to help you find the perfect adventure. Whether you choose a 4-day gray whale and glamping experience, an activity-packed combo trip sailing in the Sea of Cortez, or want to add blue whale watching to your itinerary, we can help you plan your ideal trip.

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Nature is doing its own thing

This year, nature hasn’t followed the usual script, and that just reminds us who’s really in charge…

Gray Whales

• Gray whales gathered off Cabo San Lucas in winter and sent scouts as far north as Loreto. That kind of movement has never been seen before.
• Thirty gray whales spent the summer in Magdalena Bay instead of heading north. It raised concerns at first, but scientists observed them feeding on shrimp and confirmed they appeared healthy. Biopsies, shrimp samples, and even whale poop were collected from almost every individual. Collecting whale poop might just be one of the more unusual tasks in marine research. 🤔

Humpback Whales

Humpbacks were bubble-net feeding off Land’s End. This behavior is more common in British Columbia or Alaska, so witnessing it in Baja was a real surprise.

Whale Sharks

Whale sharks were only seen off La Paz from early December to late January, much shorter than usual. In spring, waters that are often full of them remained quiet. But in Bahía de Los Ángeles, they arrived six weeks late and in large numbers, and according to our Ultimate Whale Shark liveaboard guests, snorkeling with them has been spectacular! Also, In-water opportunities with sperm whales and orcas.

Blue Whales

Blue whale mothers and calves arrived in Loreto as expected, but left after a few weeks and moved 50 miles south. They completely ignored the usual timing of the great whale migration and decided to stick around. Thanks to that, we were able to enjoy sightings from February all the way into July. Not only did our Baja Ultimate Whales guests get to witness the largest animals on earth, but even some guests on our summer Mobula and Orca Expedition liveaboard did too! Blue whales don’t share their travel plans, which makes us extra grateful for our observation plane. Along with our boats, this allows us to cover plenty of ground so every trip captures as much of the experience as possible, wherever the whales choose to be.

Orcas/ Killer Whales

And the orcas? After a stretch of silence, they suddenly returned in full force. The past few weeks have been absolutely wild. Maybe they were just on vacation… Whatever the reason, they are back, and it has been epic! (Watch the video from last week!)

San Ignacio Lagoon Gray Whales

Imagine leaning over the side of a small boat, eye to eye with a 40-ton gray whale — and then heading back to your luxury tent at our thoughtfully designed, eco-friendly campsite.

Unlike most wild animals, gray whales in San Ignacio Lagoon are known for their curiosity. Instead of avoiding boats, they often choose to approach them. Sometimes they glide so close you can reach out and touch them, or even lean in for a kiss! This behavior has been happening for decades, but it still feels like a miracle every single time.

This is a rare chance to come face to face with one of the most majestic animals on Earth, in a setting that feels almost otherworldly. Our camp sits on the edge of the ocean, backed by desert sierras, inside the stunning El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s all the raw beauty of Baja, paired with the comfort of a hotel.

San Ignacio Lagoon is located on the Pacific coast of Baja California Sur, halfway down the Baja Peninsula. It might feel like the edge of the world, but getting there is easier than you think. We take care of every detail, so you can focus on the experience, not the logistics.

What’s new for 2026

• Same extraordinary gray whale experience
• New camp layouts (because we never stop improving)
• More luxury
• More bar tents
• New dining rooms
• Renovations under the watchful eye of our interior designer
• And even more activities…

More nature. More guides. More naturalist-led bird watching and beach walks. More evening presentations.

It’s an evolution of everything we already love, just enhanced. 😉

We’re also updating our afternoon activities. Kayaking in the mangroves has been transformed into a fully naturalist-led adventure, bringing the mangroves and their wildlife to life in a whole new way. The experience now combines kayaking with a walk along one of the lagoon’s most beautiful beaches, plus a visit to the nearby salt flats.

You can also visit a local turtle sanctuary in a nearby fishing village. Once a place where turtles were hunted, it’s now run by a family dedicated to protecting them as part of one of only two permitted turtle conservation programs in Mexico. This visit offers a meaningful, personal glimpse into local life and conservation efforts — all guided by our expert naturalists.

Want to visit the town of San Ignacio? No problem. It’s a beautiful afternoon trip, just a 40-minute drive from camp. The town was built around an oasis and is a sea of green in the surrounding desert. The old Jesuit mission still stands on the main square, next to a small museum, with cafés and bars dotted around the plaza. It’s a peaceful contrast to the raw nature of the lagoon.

What’s new across Baja Mexico

More animals. More nature. More adventure.

We now offer over 800 scheduled departures across the season. Custom-designed trips are also available, from quick half-day outings to full 12-day adventures.

Trip spotlight:
Whale sharks and gray whales combo

There are only two weeks each year when you can swim with whale sharks and meet gray whales on the same trip. That window is in January.

This trip includes:

• Humpback whale watching in Cabo
• Four nights at a boutique hotel in La Paz
• Two full days of whale shark activities, including visits to Isla Espíritu Santo, swimming with sea lions, and a beach lunch
• A flight to San Ignacio Lagoon and three nights in a luxury glamping camp
• Approximately eight gray whale watching sessions and additional activities
• Expert naturalist guides

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