January 10, 2007
I just saw a press release from the Mexico Tourism Board with great information on Whale Watching in Baja and Loreto:
Picture of tourists touching a Gray Whale
off the Baja California coast in Mexico
Gray whales are 52 feet long and weigh 36 tons, yet are gentle enough to touch… and Baja California's Pacific coast is the perfect place to experience the thrill!Every year in November, more than 10 thousand gray whales trade the freezing waters of Alaska's Bering Sea for the warmth of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula. Traveling along the Pacific coastline at top speeds of five mph and with pregnant females in the lead, the whales take about four months to make the 10 thousand miles roundtrip.
If you are in Loreto be sure to contact the Dolphin Dive Center:
http://www.dolphindivebaja.com/
They have many services, including Scuba diving, boat trips to the neighboring islands and whale watching tours (January through March). We know Bruce, the owner, so if you see him tell him Emmanuel and Janelle say hi.
I copy the rest of the press release below, which contains more information on the whales and where to find them.
Get Ready to Whale Watch in Baja http://www.theopenpress.com/index.php?a=press&id=14917
(OPENPRESS) December 13, 2006 -- Gray whales are 52 feet long and weigh 36 tons, yet are gentle enough to touch… and Baja California’s Pacific coast is the perfect place to experience the thrill!
Every year in November, more than 10 thousand gray whales trade the freezing waters of Alaska’s Bering Sea for the warmth of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula. Traveling along the Pacific coastline at top speeds of five mph and with pregnant females in the lead, the whales take about four months to make the 10 thousand miles roundtrip.
Once the whales reach the Mexican coast, they mate, bask in soothing lagoons and give birth, making January through early April the peak time to whale watch. During these months, boat excursions are available all along Baja California, giving tourists the chance to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural environment, see the newborn calves and enjoy the blowhole water shows.
Gray whales are so friendly that on many occasions they swim right up to the boats and even allow human contact. In early spring, the calves and their mothers are the last to head back up north, and without the presence of the males, mothers are less protective, often allowing their young to approach tour boats more freely.
Where to watch
Although a small percentage of whales, particularly those that are not giving birth, make it as far south as Cabo San Lucas and the East Cape on the southern tip of the Baja, most whale-watching takes place in three major lagoons all the coastline of the Baja Peninsula.
Laguna Ojo de Liebre:
Also known as Scammon’s Lagoon, this body of water is located half-way down the peninsula on the Pacific side in Guerrero Negro, about 440 miles south of the border. It was the principal hunting lagoon used by commercial whale hunters in the 19th century. Today tourists arrive to the lagoon by car, but a national airport is also available for tourists flying in from other destinations in Mexico.
Laguna San Ignacio:
Located 100 miles south of Laguna Ojo de Liebre, access to this site is mostly through charter air service from international airports such as San Diego and Tijuana.
Bahia Magdalena (Magdalena Bay):
This bay in becoming increasingly popular for whale-watching due to its proximity to the La Paz and Loreto International airports.
How to get there
Tourists can arrive by charter plane and/or ground to the lagoons. Loreto’s International airport is the closest international airport to the lagoons, with limited service provided by Aeromexico and Aero California. Baja California’s capital, La Paz, is located approximately halfway between Loreto and Cabo and its larger airport offers more flight options.
Whale-watching options
Gray whale excursions comprise half-day or day trips, packages based out of whale-watching camps, and cruise programs that allow tourists to sleep onboard ships. There are various tour operators that specialize in whale-watching, including some major ones below.
Baja Expeditions:
Based in La Paz and one of the oldest and largest whale-watching outfitters, Baja Expeditions service both the Magdalena Bay and San Ignacio lagoons. It offers charter flights directly from San Diego to San Ignacio and five-day, all-inclusive packages, including accommodations at the camps. It also offers seven-day combined kayaking and whale-watching programs to Magdalena Bay, meeting at the La Paz International Airport. Programs run from February to end of March.
Baja Discovery Tours:
Boasting more than 20 years experience, Baja Discovery Tours it offers all-inclusive service from the San Diego International airport, including ground service to Tijuana, charter service to San Ignacio and accommodations at the San Ignacio camp. Five-day programs run from February to end of March.
Lindblad’s Special Expeditions:
This provider offers nine-day cruises featuring whale-watching at Magdalena Bay along with other destinations and activities. Groups meet in Los Cabos.
Miramar Adventures:
Offers three-day excursions to the Ojo de Liebre lagoon. Tourists arrive by car.
For those not interested in signing up for a whale-watching package, Puerto Lopez Mateos or Puerto San Carlos at Magdalena Bay are quaint sleepy villages where boats can be rented for US$50 a day, skipper included, and are located two hours by car from the Loreto International Airport.
Gray whales aren’t the only species to see while in Baja. Sea Kayak Adventures: also offers kayaking/camping adventures out of Loreto on the Sea of Cortez, located on the eastern side of the Baja Peninsula. Tourists can watch finback and blue whales, along with dolphins, sea lions and exotic fish. Apart from paddling among islands, additional activities include snorkeling and hiking up scenic canyons offering breathtaking panoramas.
Erick Laseca
Mexico Tourism Board
312-228-0517
erick.laseca@bm.com
###
Professional Free Press Release News Wire
VMC Satellite - Make Money Online
Become an affiliate of VMC Satellite and make $50 - $100 per sale. Shouldn't you make money on the internet, too?
Contact Info
Mexico Tourism Board
Phone: 312-228-0517 x14
Web site: http://www.visitmexico.com
225 N. Michigan Ave, Suite 1850
Chicago, IL 60601
Release Information
Industry: Travel & Tourism, More Press Releases from Travel & Tourism
Country: United States, More Press Releases from United States
MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area): Chicago, IL, More Press Releases from Chicago, IL
Company: Mexico Tourism Board
Posted by emmanuel at January 10, 2007 11:39 PM