Friendly Gray Whales In Baja California

COVID slowed us down for a couple of years, and now a few health issues challenge us.  We're still traveling if not writing about it quite so much. Our goal in 2022 was get to all seven continents in one year... and we did it.

Going forward health issues may not allow us to travel.  No one can take away those memories though.  We hope all of you are well and staying safe... and that you find some inspiration here for YOUR future travels. 

The friendly gray whales in Baja California are what drew us.


When most of our friends say they’re going to Mexico...

...they usually mean Cancun or Mazatlán or Puerto Vallarta. 

If they say they’re going to Baja California...

...they mean they're going to Cabo San Lucas or someplace near there….

But we were going to see those whales, not for beach or pool time…

There weren’t any good beaches where we went….

…but there were plenty of gray whales.

We’ve always watched Gray Whales migrate south past the California coast in fall and return north in the Spring.

We had heard about those friendly whales in Baja for years. 


Travel Tip: 
Take Advantage Of Friends As Tour Guides

We had friends who had moved to Baja California, and they went down every year to see those whales in the San Ignacio Lagoon. 

When they invited us… I couldn’t resist, and we started making plans.

Well, we didn’t have to do much planning… we just had to say yes. 

They did the planning… that is, they knew where to stay and where to eat. 

As we found out that is important if you’re driving in Baja California. 

They met us at the border and off we went.


Driving Through Baja California

Driving through Baja California isn’t quite the adventure I thought it would be, but it isn’t for the faint of heart either.

Most of the road is in fairly good condition, but it is a two lane road and there are lots of trucks on it. 

The portion of the road that ISN’T in good condition is really pretty challenging. 

Plenty of potholes and dirt sections...

Be sure to have a good spare tire and repair equipment.


We Felt Safe

There were routine military checkpoints to go through.  None were intimidating… in fact, here’s a story for you….

Even with experience and careful driving, we did blow a tire on one of those potholes.  We limped along to a military checkpoint where they actually helped us and changed the tire for us.  Several miles down the road in Guerrero Negro, we found a tire dealer and got a new tire.


But What About the Whales In Baja...

That’s what this is all about, right?

It took us two days to drive to the town of San Ignacio.  We stayed at a terrific B&B there. 

It was another hour to get to the San Ignacio lagoon… one of the lagoons where the gray whales come to give birth in the winter.  The moms stay in the protected lagoons with their babies until they are big enough and strong enough to make the long migration back north.

Through the years, they have become friendly… they feel safe and will approach the boats that go out to see them.

Here a mother whale was looking us over.  This is probably my imagination, but I think she liked it when I took off my hat... she came right up to the boat.

The operators in the San Ignacio area take measures to protect the whales and make sure they are not stressed or harassed.  A limited number of boats are allowed on the lagoon at any one time, and once you are out, you can only stay in the area where the whales are for 90 minutes.

Still that is plenty of time to see them up close and get to watch some amazing behaviors.


How To Get There - Where We Stayed

There are tours you can sign up for of course, but you can drive to see the whales in baja on your own… or with the help of friends.

It’s about 530 miles (851 km) and takes about 11 hours from Tijuana to San Ignacio.  You do have to research and know where the gas stations, hotels, and restaurants are.  There are enough available, but there is a lot of open land in between.

We drove 6 hours the first day and stayed at a nice little hotel in Cataviña….

That nice little hotel is about all there is in Cataviña. 

The Hotel Mision Cataviña had a good restaurant. And it is in a pretty desert setting with interesting rocks and cactus.

There was a new mini market across the way, but no gas in the vicinity. (This hotel may previously been called the Desert Inn... not sure.)

On the way back we went past Cataviña and stayed at the Hotel Jardines Baja in San Quintin, Baja California. It was in a lovely garden setting and had a restaurant adjacent for dinner, but no breakfast.

In San Ignacio, we stayed at what our friends affectionately called "the yurts."


To See The Whales In Baja

There are a couple of hotels in the little town of San Ignacio.  The yurts we stayed in are officially called the Ignacio Springs B&B.  It was delightful with a wonderful dinner and breakfast. It really is an oasis. We called them "yurt mcmansions".

They can give you information on seeing those whales in Baja too.

From the sleepy little town, it is another hour drive to the lagoon.  There are a number of camps at the lagoon where you can stay in tents.  The facilities look nice but very basic.

The local operators depart from these camp areas.  We opted to go out on the pangas (that’s what they call the little boats they take out) for two days, but drive back to our B&B because it was so comfortable.


More To Do In Baja California

There is more to see if you opt for a do-it-yourself drive through Baja California. 

  • There are ancient cave paintings in some of those fantastic rock formations.
  • There is a whole up and coming wine region in the Valle De Guadalupe. 
  • And there are miles and miles of cactus covered desert to explore. 
  • There are beaches too… and fishing. 

And the whales… We loved the friendly gray whales in Baja, and we encourage you to go and meet them.  It’s sure to make a conservationist of you!

Happy travels... even if you don't travel the world... just remember that life is a journey... embrace and enjoy it! Judy and Mark

Curious about what else we've written about?  Search our site for a destination or travel tip.

But... We'd love to have you share this page or comment on it…
Thanks, Judy and Mark

New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Did it help with your travel planning and preparation? Eager to leave on that next vacation? Please leave your tips or comments in the box below.

Timely Tips

Summer Vacation
Travel is fun in the Northern summer... but don't neglect the Southern Hemisphere at this time of year.
Yes, it's winter in South Africa, but that's their dry season. It's a good time to travel there.

Lions stop traffic in Kruger NP South Africa

Sometimes you need to watch rain patterns instead of just seasons to figure the best time to travel...

Whether you're taking a road trip close to home or traveling abroad...

Whether it's summer or winter in your part of the world...
the way you pack can make it all more pleasurable.

Check out all our Packing Lists and Tips.

Need travel ideas?
Things to See in Europe
Africa Calls!
Travel In America

Don't just dream about it...
Start making plans!

Custom Tour Planning List
International Travel Planning Tips
Foreign Is Fun - Not Scary!
Get Your Passports and Visas

And Expect Good Things
There Are Tourist Angels

Search

Search MouseToursTravels
Travel questions or destination info?
Find our answers faster..
.

Translate

We want you to feel comfortable out in the world and on our pages - so surf away in your own language...

Updated Tips & New Travel Stories

  1. 2022 Travels To All Seven Continents

    After COVID, all seven continents in one year was a worthy goal for our 2022 travels..

    Read More

  2. 2021 Travels - Another COVID Year?

    Our 2021 travels were only domestic. COVID kept us close home. Road trips and a cautious flights but still fun.

    Read More

  3. 2020 Travels - What Travels?

    Our 2020 travels were slim. COVID kept us home too. One trip to the Three Guyanas, but dreaming of travel next year.

    Read More

Two Ways To Like Us!

Like Our Site Top Left
Like Our Fanpage Below
Thank You!

Navigate Our Site

Related Pages On
Travel Safety

Avoid Theft
Wear A Moneybelt
Money Safety
Travel Advisories
Travel Worries

Hotels

Hotel Security Tips
Enhanced Hotel Security

Health

Travel Health Tips
Bottled Water
Is The Water Safe
Disease Outbreaks

And A Bit Of Humor

Don't Drink THIS Water

Navigate Our Site

Related Pages
on
Foreign Rental Car Tips

Ideas

Road Trip Ideas
Packing for roadtrips

General Information
Worldwide Roadtrips
Foreign Rental Cars
Driving In Foreign Places
Driving On the Left
Toll Roads
What Is A Highway
US Highways
Highways or Backroads
Reading Roadmaps

Know The Rules
International Roadsigns
Traffic Laws Abroad
Autobahn Etiquette
Parking In Cities

RV Stuff

RV Road Trip
Rent An RV
Traveling With An RV
RV Travel In Europe
Sharing An RV

And Just For Fun

Amusing Confusing Roadsigns
Funny Polish Detour Sign
Border Crossings
Document Rental Car Damage

Ready For A New Adventure?

We escape by traveling…
But there are more ways to escape. 
Work on something you LOVE…
With A Website
SBI Teaches You Everything

First Day Of The Rest Of Your Life