CC BY-SA 4.0, Purecabo, Wikimedia Commons

Wildlife· Baja California Pacific coast (Ensenada to Cabo Falso)· Mexico

Laguna San Ignacio Gray Whale Lagoon

26° 54.0′ N · 113° 13.0′ W

A UNESCO World Heritage gray whale nursery stretching about 16 miles into the desert, where mother whales famously bring their calves alongside pangas to be touched.

Practical

Coordinate from Wikipedia (lagoon centre). Private yachts and dinghies may not enter the whale refuge: anchor off Punta Abreojos, 13-15 nm away, and book half-day seats on a licensed park-guide panga (hail 'Whale Park Guide' on VHF 16 and 22). Buy a CONANP Conservation Passport for each person beforehand (Ensenada; 3,760 MXN for a one-year passport in 2026). Whales arrive from November; The Log rates mid-February to late March as best for calves. Part of the El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve and a Ramsar wetland. Anyone observing whales at close range must use an authorized provider.

Best for

Touching a gray whale calf

Season

Jan-Mar (best mid-Feb to late Mar)

Nearby