San Ignacio Lagoon
Friendliest Gray Whales on the Planet

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SEASONS

Mid-January – Mid-April
4 Days, 3 Nights

TYPES OF ADVENTURES

Glamping & Luxury Camp

PRICING (pp. dbl occ.)

Glamping Tent: US$2495
Luxury Tent: US$3045

Destination Overview

There is much more to Baja than the resort towns of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. At Baja Expeditions, we are the original and oldest eco-tourism company in Baja in continuous operation since 1974. We specialize in going way off the beaten path for adventures, the animals and the people.

San Ignacio Lagoon
Friendliest Gray Whales on the Planet

This is the most amazing and spectacular whale interaction with humans on the planet.

Whales are sentient and very intelligent animals and much like your puppy looking you in the eye and communicating that they want you to scratch behind their ears, the whales in this breeding and birthing lagoon will look you right in the eye and choose to swim over to your panga to be caressed, stroked, rubbed (and yes, kissed) and even roll onto their backs so that you can scratch their bellies.

Wild Experience

The interaction is entirely on their terms. Mamas will even push their babies up against our pangas to be stroked. The first whale interaction happened in 1972 and just gets more incredible every year.

This is the last significant remaining gray whale population in the world with a second very small population near Japan.

Be ready to create a deeply personal connection that will stay with you for a lifetime.

Camps

Camping in the desert at the edge of the ocean doesn’t mean roughing it! Choose from either our glamping or luxury camps with all the amenities you might expect from hot and cold running water and showers and bathrooms in each tent to fine dining to attentive service.

Glamping Tents

US$2500*

We say “NO” to tiny tents with cots, sleeping bags and a couple of shared toilets and showers for the whole camp! Our tents are windproof, insulated and heated for maximum comfort, with ensuite bathrooms and showers, hot and cold running water with good pressure, and 24-hour power. Not to mention “real beds” with fine linen.

Enormous thought has gone into every detail, from a fire pit to a fine selection of wine, craft beer, single malt scotches and fine dining. We even have a bar and lounge tent and Wi-Fi-access throughout the camp.

Virtual Glamping Tent Video

*Inclusions: accommodation, meals, average of three whale panga sessions per day, non-alcoholic beverages, complimentary internet access.

*Exclusions: 5% tax, park fee $35, bar, gift shop, crew gratuities.

Luxury Tents

US$3000*

Our luxury camp features all the amenities of the glamping camp, but with 12 large and luxurious tents, ensuring the utmost privacy. Each tent features an ensuite bathroom, a dresser in the bedroom as well as a separate sitting area with a couch and easy chairs – perfect for relaxing after a day of adventure.

Think of our luxury camp as one of the world’s best pop-up hotel.

Virtual Luxury Tent Video

*Inclusions: accommodation, meals, average of three whale panga sessions per day, non-alcoholic beverages, complimentary internet access.

Exclusions: 5% tax, park fee $35, bar, gift shop, crew gratuities.

Sample Itinerary

Fly into SJD. Cabo.

Day before boarding. Complimentary Backscatter photo and video workshop at SeeCreatures San Jose. Afternoon ocean safari searching out humpback whales.

Day 1 • Meet the Gray Whales!

07:00 – 07:15 pickup to FBO executive airport terminal. 1 Hour 50 minute flight to the airstrip at camp. Greeted by camp manager and hosties with champagne on silver trays. Brunch at camp and then out for your first whale encounters on the lagoon.

Day 2 – 3 • San Ignacio Lagoon

Your choice of an early breakfast and 07:30 panga ride to get an early start on 2 whale watching encounters. Or sleep in for late breakfast and one leisurely encounter. Lunch. Relax. One more afternoon whale watching encounter. Go for a kayak or paddle board or walk in the desert. Cocktail hour around the fire pit as the sun goes down. Dinner (fine dining of course) and an evening presentation by one of our naturalists.

Day 4 • Return to Cabo

Early breakfast and one more whale watching encounter before your 1 hour 40 minute flight back to Cabo (we should have a tailwind). 12:30 arrival at the SJD FBO.

Frequently Asked Questions

What am I going to see ?

You can expect up close and personal interactions with Pacific gray whales! San Ignacio Lagoon is also home to a variety of bird species including nesting ospreys and egrets.

When should I go?

We only operate in peak season when large numbers of whales are present, from January through April.

Why do your trips leave out of San José del Cabo?

Because the shortest charter flight to the Lagoon is from San José del Cabo which is super easy to get to with service from 15 different US cities, most of Mexico and even direct flights from overseas. Because San José in the winter and spring is a really fun place to visit!! Because you won’t have any border crossing hassles. And because we offer all sorts of other activities from our San José del Cabo base including swimming with whale sharks and other adventures into the Sea of Cortez, scuba diving including our Socorro giant manta liveaboard trips, Backscatter photography workshops and much more.

Is there another way to get to camp or do I have to fly with you from San José del Cabo?

If you are traveling with a large, group we are happy to host your group no matter which way you arrive from camp and you will save money with a self-arrival. It’s a +20 hour drive plus border crossing from California or a six hour drive from Loreto. Pilots are welcome to fly in to the 4000 ft dirt airstrip close to our beach camp. Alternatively, there is an 8000 ft paved runway 2.3 hours away at Guerrero Negro with either charter flight or ground transfers to the Lagoon. The Guerrero Negro airport is tightly guarded by the military and your airplane will be happy and safe while you are in camp. Please contact our office so that we can help you plan your trip.

What’s included in the trip?

Return chartered flight from San José del Cabo. Hotel transfers in San José del Cabo. Accommodation, activities, meals, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages plus unlimited whale watching subject to capacity control and weather. On-site naturalist. Park fees, gift shop, bar, gratuities and camera rentals are NOT included.

What airport do I fly into?

SJD Los Cabos International for both commercial airlines and private aircraft.

SJD Los Cabos International for both commercial airlines and privaPrivate aircraft are welcome to use the 3000 ft compacted sand strip at our camp. There is a 6000 ft paved airport 1.5 hours away at Guerrero Negro with connecting transfers.te aircraft.