We sat patiently in the 22foot mexican fishing skiff that seemed to get smaller the farther we got from shore. Flying and driving to san ignacio lagoon, baja california sur. Laguna san ignacio map baja california sur, mexico. Mexico memories whales at san ignacio lagoon and san quintin march 2004. Humpback whale megaptera novaeangliae, baja california sur, san jose del. Check any national, local, and health advisories for this destination before you book. At san ignacio lagoon, the fisher families live 25 miles from the nearest electrical outlet.
Book ecotours baja sur all inclusive in san ignacio. San ignacio, baja california sur, mexico three day weather. The mexican government has thankfully granted an unprecedented level of protection to 199,040 acres of surrounding land. We visited the laguna san ignacio via the royal polaris sportfishing boat. Much like magdalena bay, san ignacio lagoon laguna san ignacio has become known for the whales that like to convene there. San ignacio lagoon is one of the best places to camp and spends days just watching whales and. San ignacio lagoon was originally discovered by whaling captain jared poole, brotherin. The settlement of san ignacio s community is located in the fertile valley of san ignacio s river which generously irrigates the land turning it into a true oasis in the middle of the desert. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you selected. Beachhopping in baja california, mexico travel the guardian. The mexican government strictly regulates access to these lagoons to ensure that any human activities do not affect the whales while they are in the quiet, protected lagoons of baja california.
Book your hotel in san ignacio and pay later with expedia. Eschrichtius robustus likelihood of encountering this species. Outstanding book that i wish that i had read before visiting san ignacio lagoon and the dessert. San ignacio lagoon whale watching trip, baja california, mexico mommy, i will never wash this hand again because it petted a whale in san ignacio lagoon, baja california, mexico. Sunrise at san ignacio lagoon, looking towards the desert. This destination may have covid19 travel restrictions in place, including specific restrictions for lodging. Kathi koontz a gray whale breaches in san ignacio lagoon, baja california, mexico. Halfway up the peninsula, san ignacio is a palm oasis town in the desert. San ignacio is located approximately 866 km567 miles from the san diego, californiatijuana border crossing, about a 10 to 12hour drive. The giants of san ignacio lagoon close encounters with the pacific gray whale author. A coa host will be at the lagoon to help ensure your comfort and enjoyment throughout your.
Mar 10, 2014 gray whales of san ignacio lagoon, baja mexico j. These are scammons lagoon, san ignacio lagoon, and magdalena bay. Not only is san ignacio lagoon a gray whale sanctuary, but it is the last and only undeveloped nursery and breeding ground in the world of the. San ignacio is a palm oasis town in the mexican state of baja california sur, located between guerrero negro and santa rosalia. You can change your dollars into pesos at the airport, banks closed on weekends and holidays or possibly a store you pay in us dollars and receive change in pesos. I traveled here with baja ecotours, taking a chartered bus with our group of 24 from san diego to ensenada, then a 2. The laguna san ignacio ecosystem science program has been publishing reports of its findings in baja california sur, mexico since the early 1980s. Gray whale spy hopping next to whale watching boat in laguna san ignacio. Laguna san ignacio map baja california sur, mexico mapcarta. Jan 01, 2000 saving the gray whale, by serge dedina, tells their story in understandable language.
The gas station in san ignacio does not take credit cards make sure you have cash for fuel after visiting the lagoon. It is one of the winter sanctuaries of the eastern pacific gray whales eschrichtius robustus. San ignacio lagoon is located in the mexican province of baja california and is one of the winter sanctuaries of the eastern pacific grey whale. Driving from the town of san ignacio to san ignacio lagoon.
Browse our publications to learn how the lagoon ecosystem and the local community have evolved and changed. San ignacio map baja california sur, mexico mapcarta. Ecotours baja sur all inclusive is located in san ignacio. For reasons that no one understands, a select number of pacific gray whales enjoy contact with people, and on these whalewatching tours you will. The resort ignacio springs resort baja california sur. Baja whale watching san ignacio lagoon sea kayak adventures. Tradeoff is you save the 3040 minute drive to the lagoon from. I dont really recommend that as the temps can get quite cool and its often windy. San ignacio lagoon is a bay in baja california sur. Students take on various roles in a debate over the development of a salt production facility at san ignacio lagoon in mexico, a reallife issue concerning one of three major gray whale mating and calving sites. Baja california whale watching season attracts a lot of wildlife amateurs and experts who come here just to see the whales for days. San ignacio lagoon baja california 2020 all you need to know.
An information map of san ignacio and trail maps are available for visitors. To find the map for the driving distance from san diego to san ignacio lagoon, please enter the source and destination and then select the driving mode. Steven swartz and his colleagues in san ignacio lagoon, baja california sur, mexico, that provides visitors a look into the human and natural history of laguna san ignacio. San ignacio lagoon laguna san ignacio is a lagoon located in mulege municipality of the mexican state of baja california sur, 59 kilometres 37 mi from san ignacio, mexico and highway 1.
The little oasis town of san ignacio makes the perfect base before and after visiting san ignacio lagoon for some gray whale watching and hopefully petting. Therefore, we recommend you bring us dollarspesos with you. This article originally appeared in the autumn of 2006. The ultimate guide to baja california whale watching i. Friendly gray whales of san ignacio lagoon, baja mexico. Sunset is reflected in the cabins just a few feet from san ignacio lagoon. This book uses the biology and politics associated with gray whales in mexican. San ignacio travel baja california, mexico lonely planet. Here, males and females congregate looking for mates and newborn calves prepare themselves for the long journey north to. Government regulations permit only two boats around one friendly whale, so we might see other boats with a friendly whale, but we might not necessarily have access to it. Extremely often during season on magdalena bay whale camp and san ignacio lagoon whale camp trips fun facts about gray whales. Camping at san ignacio lagoon we always stay at a small hotel in san ignacio and just drive out to the lagoon to whale watch, but this year we are considering camping. The grey whales come to san ignacio lagoon to give birth to their babies. Week 4 12 we visited the ecoturismo kuyima in san ignacio, baja, mexico and went out on a boat in the lagoon to go whale watching and to pet.
San ignacio lagoon and sea of cortez oceanic society. Charles melville scammon 18251911 was a 19thcentury whaleman, naturalist, and author. In the winter the river runs from 12 18 miles and in summer it becomes a spring with many fresh water pools, home to israel carp, fresh water turtles, and bullfrogs. We know there are the expensive packages for camping at the lagoon, but does any one know if it is possible to just drive out and camp out there for a reasonable fee. Flying over to san diego then a small plane the next day down the baja peninsular for 6 days of whale watching at antonios on the san ignacio lagoon. Make time to enjoy local activities like whale watching in san ignacio. Three major lagoons in baja california are the primary destination of the southbound gray whales. How to go to baja to pet friendly whales orange county register. Visit san ignacio lagoon to see gray whales and their calves as well as visit the 17th century mission of san ignacio lagoon.
Laguna san ignacio serves as primary calving ground for gray whales, and it is unique amongst baja s three lagoons visited by whales in that the lagoon remains all natural and undeveloped. We camped one night at the lagoon using kuyima ecotours tents and equipment and went on two fantastic whale watches. San ignacio lagoon laguna san ignacio is a lagoon located in mulege municipality of the mexican state of baja california sur, 59 kilometres 37 mi from san ignacio, mexico. It is close to aboriginal cave paintings and some of the most magnificent dessert terrain and scenery for hikers. The lagoon is one of three places in baja mexico where one can actually. The following figures were from baja california almanac and show the index pages from the book. Laguna san ignacio airstrip is a private dirt airstrip located in laguna san ignacio, municipality of mulege, baja california sur, mexico. San ignacio lagoon map baja california sur, mexico. Experience close encounters with friendly gray whales in bajas san ignacio lagoon, one of three main whale watching lagoons on the baja peninsula.
In 1988 mexico established the visciano biosphere reserve to include san ignacio lagoon, which is latin americas largest wildlife sanctuary. Ive always wanted to get close to whales but this trip surpassed all expectations. Petting and kissing whales in san ignacio, baja, mexico. We have comfortable tents set up for two with sleeping bags, cotton sheets, cots and pillows, for rent, but you can also bring your own. Playa club misiones at club habana resort san felipe. Rome2rio is a doortodoor travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world.
Pachicos eco tours baja gray whale watching packages in san. San ignacio lagoon s significance to the world community. Laguna san ignacio airstrip is situated 4 km southeast of laguna san ignacio. Our gray whale watching ecotour packages in baja california include transfer by air from the u. Home to about 700 people, the village is beside a lake fed by fresh springs and one of the regions few rivers.
San ignacio airfield is a public paved airstrip located 4 kilometres northwest of san ignacio, municipality of mulege, baja california sur, mexico. Here, males and females congregate looking for mates and newborn calves prepare themselves for the long journey north to their summer feeding grounds in the arctic. Whalewatching in baja california orange county register. Guided trip by bus to san ignacio lagoon where you have the opportunity to see a bit more of baja. Sep 30, 2012 friendly gray whales at san ignacio lagoon, baja discovery, april 2012.
From the months of december to april, visitors can find gray. San ignacio serves as the gateway to san ignacio lagoon, the winter time sanctuary of the pacific gray whale. San ignacio lagoons significance to the world community. Baja californias san ignacio lagoon is the primary calving ground for. Laguna baja is a classically styled vienna lager in the mexican mode, rich dark amber, with a malty aroma and a full, creamy body. Casa leree san ignacio, baja california sur, mexico. Legendary san ignacio lagoon in baja is one of our two locations for one of lifes most soulstirring experiences. Located north of baja california sur, 46 miles west from santa rosalia, 92 miles southeast from guerrero negro, at a 394 feet altitude above sea level. Dedinas description of the fishing families who struggle to survive amongst them makes the drama all the more compelling. Laguna san ignacio is a peaceful natural lagoon that opens to the pacific and lies some distance 40 miles to the west of san ignacio. The large concentration of gray whales that reside here each winter are extremely friendly, and regularly approach our small whale watching. I definitely missed highlights that i would have enjoyed.
Not only is san ignacio lagoon a gray whale sanctuary, but it is the last and only undeveloped nursery and breeding ground in the world of the pacific gray whale. Iconic adventures for mindful travelers of all ages baja. In 1874 he wrote the book the marine mammals of the northwestern coast of north america, which was a financial failure. Laguna san ignacio mexico attractions lonely planet. San ignacio is an excellent area for the ecotourist.
The inhabitants of san ignacio lagoon and magdalena bay are helping us to. The town had a 2010 census population of 667 inhabitants and grew at the site of the cochimi settlement of kadakaaman and the jesuit mission san ignacio founded in 1728 by juan bautista luyando. The road from the town of san ignacio to the lagoon is approximately 53 kilometers 33 miles. Baja california adventure viaggi avventurosi in bassa. Gray whales of san ignacio lagoon, baja mexico youtube. One can travel on mexican federal highway 1 by vehicle to arrive in san ignacio. We were in the middle of the emerald green san ignacio. Get the monthly weather forecast for san ignacio, baja california sur, mexico, including daily highlow, historical averages, to help you plan ahead. Pachicos ecotours at san igancio lagoon is a great place to see them. San ignacio lagoon baja california 2020 all you need. If you have ever thought of seeing the gray whales in baja, do not hesitate. The road to the lagoon used to be difficult and daunting.
San ignacio lagoon baja california 2020 all you need to. Packing list what to bring to san ignacio lagoon, baja. Turn left at the top of this hill again, signs mark the way. San ignacio lagoon baja california all you need to know.
Whale watching with pachicos ecotours, san ignacio lagoon. Our usbased pilotguides will assist you every step of the way and get you to the whales faster. San ignacio lagoon is the place with the highest percentage of friendly encounters and it is up to all of us to make sure we do everything we can to continue the tradition. You may not know it, but gray whales belong to the. Depending on the vehicle you choose, you can also calculate the amount of co2 emissions from your vehicle and assess the environment impact. San ignacio lagoon baja california all you need to. This wildlife refuge, the largest in mexico, protects. Saving the gray whale, by serge dedina, tells their story in understandable language. Pachicos eco tours the original gray whale watching operation in san ignacio lagoon, baja california mexico, now under new administration where the entire. Laguna baja mexicanstyle dark lager north coast brewing co.
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