One of the most magical things about whale watching in San Ignacio Lagoon is that no three sessions are ever the same. Every time we set out, the conditions shape a new experience—sometimes the lagoon is calm, the sun warming our faces, and all we hear is the soothing sound of whale blows echoing across the water. Other times, a soft mist settles over the lagoon, giving it a mystical aura. In those moments, when the fog lifts just enough, the silhouette of a Gray whale appears, like a guardian of this enchanted place. And then there are the days when the wind picks up, the water dances with whitecaps, and suddenly, the whales respond—one spyhop after another, as if they’re performing in perfect rhythm with the waves.

The Whales and the Tides

It’s fascinating to witness how the whales move with the tides. During slack tide, when the currents slow to a near standstill, many choose to rest, floating peacefully in the lagoon’s embrace. Others take the opportunity to forage, diving to the sandy bottom in search of food. But when the currents are strong, a different kind of scene unfolds—whales aligning, swimming steadily against the flow, like rush hour traffic in the ocean. In areas with rocky seabeds, we’ve seen spyhops happen again and again, as if the whales are carefully scanning their surroundings.

Moments of Connection with the whales

Every session brings something new—a lesson from the whales, a glimpse into their world, a reminder of how connected they are to the rhythms of the ocean. Some days, we see a mother gently nudging her calf, guiding it through the water, teaching it how to navigate its new world. Other days, a massive adult whale will roll onto its back, waving its long pectoral fins in the air as if greeting the sky. These moments remind us that we are guests in their world, privileged to witness their lives unfold in real-time.

Observing Whale Behavior

As we sit in our boats, we notice how the whales react to our presence. Some are shy, only surfacing briefly before slipping beneath the waves, while others are bold and inquisitive, swimming right up to our pangas, their enormous eyes studying us as closely as we study them. The trust they show us is humbling.

A Lasting Impact

Each encounter is a gift, a reminder that nature is unpredictable, spontaneous, and endlessly fascinating. And so, we return to shore each time with new stories, new memories, and a deeper appreciation for these incredible creatures. Whale watching in San Ignacio Lagoon is not just about seeing whales—it’s about understanding them, learning from them, and feeling an unspoken connection to the wild world they inhabit.

By Scarlett Mayorga

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Whale watching in San Ignacio Lagoon is already an unforgettable experience—but what truly makes it special is the people who bring it to life. Our team of naturalist guides isn’t just here to share knowledge; they bring passion, energy, and a deep love for the ocean that makes every outing an adventure. Each guide has their own expertise, their own stories, and their own way of making guests feel connected to the marine world.

Conversations After a Day on the Water

Every evening, after a day on the water, we gather at the bar to share what we love most—talking about marine life. It’s a time for guests to dive deeper, ask questions, and connect with the people who dedicate their lives to studying and protecting the ocean. Isabel, the queen of humpbacks, has spent years studying their movements. Eugenia, a surfer at heart, is captivated by mobulas and the rhythm of the waves. Beto is fascinated by sharks and coral reef ecosystems, while Yilmar is an expert on dolphins and an avid diver. Mauricio isn’t just a whale and diving guide—he’s also a bird lover, making birdwatching with him an unforgettable experience. Mine thrives in science and Gray whale research, while Paulina is the queen of the gentle giants, the whale sharks. And then there’s Dorjee, a passionate marine biologist, dive instructor, and lover of all things small and strange in the ocean.

Sharing Knowledge and Discoveries

Each of them brings a unique perspective to our excursions. Some days, we find ourselves captivated by stories of past migrations, tales of whale behaviors that have been observed over the years. Other times, we share in the excitement of new discoveries—perhaps a calf just days old, its skin smooth and unmarked, learning to navigate alongside its mother. We might even witness rare behaviors, like a group of whales socializing, twirling together in a playful display of movement and sound.

More Than Just a Tour—A Learning Experience

With a team like this, every whale-watching trip is more than just sightseeing—it’s a journey into the wonders of the ocean, guided by people who live and breathe the sea. Their enthusiasm is contagious, their knowledge inspiring, and their energy makes each trip not just informative but incredibly fun.

Inspiring Conservation and Connection

The impact of these guides extends far beyond the water. Many of our guests leave San Ignacio with more than just memories; they leave with a deeper understanding of conservation, of the importance of protecting these whales and the fragile ecosystem they depend on. Some return year after year, eager to see familiar faces—both human and whale. Others take what they’ve learned and carry it forward, becoming advocates for marine life and responsible ecotourism in their own communities.

A Passion That Spreads

At the heart of it all is the love for the ocean. Every guide here is driven by that same passion, that same unrelenting curiosity about the world beneath the waves. And when guests step off the boat at the end of the day, we hope they carry a piece of that passion with them, wherever they go.

By Scarlett Mayorga

The post The Heart of the Lagoon — Meet Our Naturalist Guides appeared first on Baja Expeditions.

Mobula & Orcas in the Sea of Cortez

Imagine snorkeling with ten thousand mobula rays or crossing paths with a pod of orcas in the beautiful blue waters of Baja California Sur… This is exactly what our Mobula & Orca Expeditions in the Sea of Cortez are all about. Real encounters with wild nature from March through July every year. We explore these rich waters aboard our expedition yacht, a 45-foot sailing catamaran, and from our beach camp on Isla Espíritu Santo.

Recently, wildlife filmmaker Carlos Guana — known for his work with National Geographic, Discovery Channel, and the BBC — shot this dramatic film from the Nautilus Gallant Lady: ‘Orcas Hunting Mobula Rays’. It’s raw and powerful. A reminder that the Sea of Cortez is one of the most extraordinary marine environments on Earth.

🎥 Watch the film: ‘Orcas Hunting Rays’ in the Sea of Cortez on YouTube

⚠️ Viewer warning: this is Mother Nature at work — spectacular, unpredictable, and very real.

Authentic Adventure, Not a Show

You never quite know what will happen on an orca expedition — and that’s exactly the point. This definitely isn’t a show at Disney Land; it’s a true Baja Expedition, a real adventure. Each trip includes patient search time and unforgettable moments in the water.

Our dedicated spotter airplane is our eye in the sky. It dramatically improves your chances of seeing orcas and mobula rays, and when we do, it’s the experience of a lifetime. The odds are pretty darned good, at around 75% and sightings continue to grow. In 2024, one trip had no orcas… but the very next week, we saw them five days in a row.

We’re increasingly convinced that at least three pods of orcas are now resident year-round in the Sea of Cortez—not just near La Ventana, but further north as well. Although the peak orca season runs from March through to July, our teams have spotted orcas as late as September 19th!

If you’ve ever dreamed of witnessing one of the ocean’s most intelligent predators in the wild… There’s no better place than the Sea of Cortez & Baja California Sur.

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The gray whales of San Ignacio Lagoon seek out interaction with us. We can’t explain why but, maybe, we don’t need to. Instead, we simply accept our enormous good fortune when these 40-ft marine behemoths grace us with the emotional thrill of a lifetime by swimming over, looking us in the eye and encouraging us to reach out to them. These whales start arriving in San Ignacio Lagoon in mid-December, and camp opens January 16th.

We count down and can’t wait for the excitement, joy and happiness of interacting with these extraordinary gray whales. They start arriving mid-December after their long migration down from British Columbia and Alaska. Our glamping and luxury camps start on January 16th. Everything about these trips is special, from the private flight from Cabo with a low-level view of beautiful Baja to the luxury of our desert camp with a gorgeous mountain backdrop to the amazing starlit mexico sky at night. People often ask if the camps are 5-star. We say “Heck no! We can’t count how many stars we are under the night sky at camp!”.

INSIDER TIP: Try out our outdoor billiards table for a game of pool in the desert under the stars with your favourite drink in hand.

Best of all, we have very good news. NOAA has declared that the Unusual Mortality Event involving stranded eastern North Pacific gray whales along the western coast of North America (2019 – 2023) has ended. The population has rebounded from approximately 17,400 to 21,300 whales, which we are extremely happy about. We hope the days of seeing emaciated whales in San Ignacio Lagoon are behind us.

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