5 Night Gray Whale Watching Expedition ~ Baja Peninsula (Mexico) | February - March
Each year, gray whales make a 6,000-mile journey from Alaska's Bering Sea to the sheltered lagoons of Baja California, Mexico. Once hunted to near extinction, these incredible creatures have made a stunning recovery. On this 6-day adventure, you'll get the rare opportunity to observe them up close in the protected waters of San Ignacio Lagoon. In small, private groups, you’ll have the chance to see mothers with their calves and watch as the whales entertain with breaching, spy-hopping, and sometimes even mating displays. The friendly whales often approach the boats, creating unforgettable interactions. This is one of the best whale watching experiences in the world.
Each year, gray whales make a 6,000-mile journey from Alaska's Bering Sea to the sheltered lagoons of Baja California, Mexico. Once hunted to near extinction, these incredible creatures have made a stunning recovery. On this 6-day adventure, you'll get the rare opportunity to observe them up close in the protected waters of San Ignacio Lagoon. In small, private groups, you’ll have the chance to see mothers with their calves and watch as the whales entertain with breaching, spy-hopping, and sometimes even mating displays. The friendly whales often approach the boats, creating unforgettable interactions. This is one of the best whale watching experiences in the world.
Your Inclusions:
5 Nights in Exclusive Accommodations
Professional Expedition Leader(s) and local staff
Local San Ignacio Lagoon guide on all excursions
All meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on final day
Some alcoholic beverages
Some gratuities
Airport transfers on Day 1 and final day
All activities and entrance fees
All taxes, permits and service fees.
An Unforgettable Experience
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An Unforgettable Experience 〰️
Your Experience
Get Eye to Eye with the Gentle Giants of Baja
This is not your typical whale-watching tour. Forget the crowds, the distant splashes, and the race to catch a glimpse. On this journey, you enter the world of the grey whales of San Ignacio Lagoon, where encounters are frequent, personal, and often profoundly moving.
Over six expertly guided excursions aboard traditional pangas—small, open boats designed for manoeuvrability and intimacy—you'll come face to face with these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. The whales often approach with curiosity, sometimes even inviting touch. Mothers and calves linger near the boats, offering rare insight into their gentle nature and strong familial bonds.
Small Groups, Big Encounters
With just 8–10 guests per boat, you're guaranteed unobstructed views and meaningful time with both the whales and your naturalist guide. There's space to connect, ask questions, and share the wonder as whales rise just feet away—sometimes so close you can see the barnacles on their skin or hear their breath.
Close to Nature, Far from Ordinary
Set within the UNESCO-listed El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve, your base camp sits on the quiet shores of San Ignacio Lagoon—a remote stretch of Baja where desert, ocean, and sky meet. Here, days are spent on the water and evenings beneath a canopy of stars, in the peace and stillness of nature. Explore tidal pools, wander salt flats, birdwatch in mangrove estuaries, and soak in the silence of this sacred, untouched place.
Led by Experts Who Live and Breathe Baja
Throughout the trip, you're guided by seasoned expedition leaders and top-tier local guides who are passionate about conservation, storytelling, and helping you experience Baja through a deeper lens. Their knowledge, warmth, and enthusiasm bring the region—and its wildlife—to life in a way that’s both educational and heart-opening.
A Whale Adventure Unlike Any Other
This journey is about more than just sightings. It’s about slowing down, tuning in, and allowing the wild to welcome you. With exclusive access to the whale camp and a rhythm that prioritises presence over pace, this is your chance to experience one of nature’s great migrations in one of its most magical settings.
Location
This whale watching adventure takes place in Loreto & San Ignacio Lagoon, Mexico.
Plan to arrive in Loreto no later than 4 pm on Day 1 of the adventure, as there is a group orientation and welcome dinner at 5 pm. You are free to depart anytime on the final day.
Accommodation
Your journey begins and ends in the charming coastal town of Loreto, where you’ll spend your first and final nights at La Mision, a boutique resort that blends modern luxury with old-world Mexican charm. Nestled between the Sea of Cortez and the Sierra de la Giganta mountains, La Mision offers spacious, hacienda-style rooms with private balconies or patios, travertine marble bathrooms, and plush beds for a restful stay. Unwind by the pool, indulge in a spa treatment infused with local botanicals, or take a short stroll to explore the vibrant heart of Loreto’s historic Old Town.
In between, you’ll spend three unforgettable nights at a private eco-camp on the shores of San Ignacio Lagoon, offering an intimate and immersive stay in nature. Reserved exclusively for your group, the camp features 10 raised, thatch-roof cabanas—simple, cosy, and surrounded by desert wilderness. Each cabana includes two beds, shelving, and a private "portable-potti" for nighttime use. Shared, solar-heated showers and eco-minded facilities support a sustainable stay without compromising comfort.
Meals and evening gatherings take place in the open-air Main Palapa, where stories are shared and connections grow. While the setting is rustic, the real luxury lies in the camp’s unmatched proximity to the whales and the wild beauty of Baja.
This experience blends boutique comfort and off-the-grid adventure, giving you the best of both worlds—relaxation and charm in Loreto, and raw natural wonder in the heart of whale country.
Upcoming Dates
Gray whale tours are limited to just 18 Travellers per tour and run on set dates and often book out well in advance.
If the dates you see below don't suit reach out to our team to discuss alternatives or advance booking for the following season.
2026: Feb 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27 | Mar 2
Price
Twin share $5,818 AUD per person and solo $7,195 includes inter-island flights from Tongatapu to Ha’apai