Last Updated on April 22, 2019
One of the main characteristics of Los Cabos is to provide all its visitors with what could be considered an unparalleled marine universe.
This beautiful destination is surrounded by a magnificent blue that will leave you speechless, thanks to its location between the Cortes Sea and the Pacific Ocean.
On the other hand, the marine life inside that beautiful blue water is simply impressive. This is something that without a doubt you will be able to enjoy in any time of the year through an endless number of aquatic activities that you can get by means of tours or at the moment of visiting its beaches.
However, there is a marine spectacle that Los Cabos offers and you can only attend once a year. This is considered one of the most incredible and beautiful natural events to witness in this place.
We are talking about Whale Watching – for a couple of months every year you can be part of how these giants mammals of the sea jump, sing and enjoy the warm waters of the Cortes Sea.
Ready to have a unique experience in Los Cabos accompanied by a 40-ton marine creature? Follow the lines below and discover everything you need to know about whale watching in Los Cabos, including budget, frequently asked questions (FAQ) and the best way to get to any of the tours available for this activity.
The Giants of the Sea Wait for You
The whales that migrate to Los Cabos come from the Bering Sea in Alaska, and this 7500 km approximately trip is made in order to get the ideal place to procreate and give birth.
During their stay in these warm waters, the females give birth to their calves that can measure 15 feet long and weigh up to half a ton, and this happens precisely in this area because the coast of Baja California is the ideal environment and it has the perfect temperature for the first weeks of life of the whales and, in addition to that, whales food source is abundant. .
We are practically talking about an escape and a happy moment for the whales, who take a well-deserved vacation from the cold Alaskan climate to be able to sing, jump and enjoy the first weeks of their calves precisely at the perfect destination, Los Cabos. Even whales know that Los Cabos is the ideal destination!
Now, people always wonder about this magnificent act that nature gives us, the first thing you should know about Whale Watching is that, as already mentioned, it only happens once a year and it takes place in the crystal clear waters surrounding Los Cabos. Knowing this fact, other frequent questions to answer would be the following:
When is Whale Watching Season?
Whale Watching officially begins, according to SEMARNAT, in December 15 of each year, and this spectacle extends until approximately mid-April.
This means that if you are planning an escape to Los Cabos and you are dying to have the opportunity to see this giant mammal up close, you have a range of 4 months to put a date on your trip, because precisely in these months the chances of whale sighting are quite high (especially between January and March).
Specifically, what are the Whale Watching zones?
The whales that come to these temperate waters are not in only one zone, depending on how much they swim you can find them in different places. Most of these are usually found in Magdalena Bay in Baja California Sur, a place near Cabo San Lucas (about 200 km).
On the other hand, it is also possible to get whale sightings near the Ports of San Carlos or even from La Paz, on the way to Puerto López Mateos.
What species of whales can be observed?
If you’re not too fussy about the aquatic universe, this question may not be of much importance to you, and it’s enough to see a giant, majestic creature jumping and singing over an endless blue.
However, for all those who love the marine world, it is a wonder to learn that during this season it is possible to observe 8 of the 11 species of whales that exist in the world.
The species that are observed in greater quantity is the Humpback Whale, but it has even been counted many times with the luck of seeing a Gray Whale or a Blue Whale.
On the other hand, it is important to highlight that this beautiful moment that nature offers to Los Cabos is highly appreciated and important for Mexico, so the whales have long been a protected species of the place.
What kind of Tours are available for Whale Watching?
There are a lot of tours available for whale watching. Practically your decision will be based on your budget and your location, so you can choose the one that is most accessible to you.
Among the most listened to and used by tourists are those who offer Rancho Tours, Cabo Expeditions and Cabo Adventures.
Most of these tours offer an incredible experience and what they include will depend on the company, the type of boat you want to do the tour on, among others.
Some of the tours offer snacks, transportation and the possibility of listening to the whales through a hydrophone, and in addition to that depending on the company and the tour to make you can get discounts of up to 15% if you book online.
Do these tours assure a Whale Sighting?
Although the whale season is supposed to last four months, the safest period to get a whale watching is between January and March.
However, none of the tours guarantee a sighting, as the whales are in constant movement. Therefore each tour approaches the areas where the whales are usually found and tries to follow their trail until they are found.
Therefore, if you do this activity between the recommended period, according to the experienced people who teach the Tours, 9 out of 10 tours get a sighting, so do not get discouraged … and wait to see how your luck is.
Budget for the tour?
To give you an idea of the budget you must have in order to have a magnificent experience near these beautiful sea creatures, we will talk about the prices managed by the three tour companies already mentioned.
Obviously the price will depend on how many people travel with you, because it is practically not a package that you are going to pay, but they will cancel a price per person for this tour.
- Rancho Tours: from $60 to $85 per person.
- Cabo Adventures: 85$ per person (1830 pesos adults, 1415 pesos children)
- Cabo Expeditions: 85$ Adults and 59$ children from 5-10 years old.
Are there any Restrictions on Whale Watching?
Remember that we are talking about a 40 ton mammal of impressive size. For this reason and because it is a free creature that can jump or make sudden movements, it is necessary for security reasons to keep in mind the restrictions that each company has established for their tours.
For example, some of the tours do not allow children under 5 years old or pregnant women.
Creatures of the Ocean and the Perfect Destination
Just as whales choose Los Cabos, so must you. Bearing in mind that it is an ideal destination that adapts to all tastes and will give you an unforgettable vacation.
Los Cabos has a great variety of beautiful and perfect areas for your stay to be from another world.
However, in order to have easier access to whale watching, we could recommend you to stay in Cabo San Lucas, because it is the closest point to Magdalena Bay, and also in this area you will find beautiful beaches and incredible places to enjoy.
Therefore, staying in this area you can be sure that you will be part of a unique experience accompanied by a marine universe without equal.
How to get to Cabo San Lucas?
Finally, it is important that you know that reaching this area (and any other area of Los Cabos) is extremely easy if you have the ideal transportation service.
All flights to Los Cabos arrive at Los Cabos International Airport. After this you must make sure to hire a service that is safe, comfortable and accessible so that your vacation goes the best way and you can go as soon as possible to have this unique experience with the beautiful humpback whales.
Therefore, the recommendation is:
- To use a private transportation service, as it is the safest and most comfortable way to get around in Los Cabos.
- Don’t be satisfied with any private service, always look for the Best.
Fortunately, Los Cabos has one of the best private transportation services, so you can rest assured that your trip and your experience will go perfectly.
VIP Transportation Los Cabos is willing to give you the best service and give you the perfect start to your dream vacation, being a company with an impeccable reputation that you won’t regret.
Imagine the beautiful blue sky reflected in a sea that has no end, a giant whale waving its tail and singing happily, a pleasant climate, the cool breeze that runs over the sea … all that and more is what you are missing.
Don’t miss the opportunity to live that experience.
