Baja Pacific Gray Whale Adventure, March 11 - 19, 2025!
With Tour Leader and Nature Photographer/Instructor - Roger Neckles
(Max 6 person) Must book early, very, very popular adventure!
UPDATE: PROMOTION... SAVE USD $500. on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure! This tour never disappoints—clients are left speechless after every spiritual encounter. As one client put it, "This is not a whale watching tour; it's a Whale Adventure... Huge difference!" And it's true! THIS OFFER ENDS OCTOBER 25, 2024
ABOUT THE TRIP
Back in 1998 I was Photographer and Public Affairs Consultant to Latin America and the Caribbean for the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). My assignments were primarily Cetaceans and I worked alongside some of the finest Marine biologist Directors and Cetacean experts, such as Patric Ramage and Dr. Roger Payne (founder of Ocean Alliance). My name sake Roger is famous for his discovery of the Humpback Whales “Sing Songs” and for theorising correctly that the sounds of Fin and Blue Whales can be heard across oceans.
It was an honour to work alongside such esteemed directors and associates of IFAW and work with Cetaceans that included the largest animal known to have ever lived on earth, and is still with us today, the Blue Whale, which I photographed out in the seas off Nova Scotia.
After many Whale assignments in Canada and the Caribbean I was assigned to document Whales and people interacting with them in La Guana San Ignacio, Baja Mexico: an assignment I had no idea would change my life and perception of Cetaceans forever. Pacific Grey Whales calf in the protected, warm, shallow waters of the San Ignacio Lagoon. They exercise their calves in the lagoon, getting them strong enough for the very long perilous journey North to the Bering Straits, where they spend much of the season. I was tasked to urgently document tourists, local fishermen and members of the community having fun and making a living respectively off the spectacle of the whales and their calves.
The urgency hinged around the Japanese Mitsubishi Corporation’s plans to ravage the lagoon by turning it into a giant desalination plant.
IFAW put a lot of resources into highlighting the negative societal and conservation impacts of this plan to the world. Many celebrities such as Pierce Brosnan and his wife, Super model Lauren Hutton, Robert Kennedy (Son of the Late Bob Kennedy, who was an environmental attorney), and many famous artistes and actors from Japan took up the cause. It was an amazing show of solidarity proving how making a conservation stand can bring a positive outcome to the negative and sinister footprints of man.
Since my work there, I went back leading a group of 10 Californians who were blown away with their encounters of the baby Whales. I remember grown men crying with joy with their amazing encounters. After a few years away, as of 2023 I will be back in Baja every year, such is the allure and magic of this beautiful place.
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ITINERARY: Pacific Grey Whales & Baja Adventure | March 11 - 19, 2025
March 11:
Arrival in Loreto
- Arrive in Loreto, Baja California Sur.
- Check into a comfortable hotel in Loreto. Enjoy an introductory tour or select from optional activities such as exploring the Loreto Bay National Park, Coronado Island, or the historic Mission San Javier.
- Dinner at a local restaurant serving fresh seafood and traditional Mexican cuisine. Overnight in Loreto.
March 12:
Exploring Loreto and Drive to San Ignacio Town
- Spend the morning enjoying activities in Loreto, such as snorkeling or kayaking in the Loreto Bay Marine Park, or birdwatching.
- In the afternoon, depart on a scenic drive to San Ignacio town (approximately 7 hours). We’ll break up the drive with stops for sightseeing along the way.
- Arrive in San Ignacio town in the evening and check into a hotel for an overnight stay. Rest and prepare for the whale-watching adventure at Laguna San Ignacio the next day.
March 13:
Whale Watching at Laguna San Ignacio
- After breakfast, drive to Laguna San Ignacio (about 1.5 hours from the town of San Ignacio). Upon arrival, check into Antonios Camp.
- Begin our Bucket List Adventure with the Pacific Grey Whales and their newborn calves. Head out for your first whale-watching experience in the pristine bay, known for its shallow waters that provide a sanctuary for the whales.
- After lunch at camp, choose from optional activities like a mangroves tour, birding, kayaking, or cycling—or opt for an additional whale-watching excursion ($55 per person).
- Overnight at Antonios Camp.
March 14:
Full Day of Whale Encounters
- After a delightful Mexican breakfast, prepare for a full day of unforgettable whale encounters. We’ll go out in Pangas, small seaworthy boats, and have a chance to interact with these majestic creatures as they approach the boats.
- Lunch back at camp, followed by a second whale-watching trip in the afternoon. Each excursion is unique—expect surprises and once-in-a-lifetime moments with the whales and other marine life such as dolphins or seals.
- In the evening, relax over dinner and enjoy the spectacular, star-studded night skies of Baja.
March 15:
Final Whale Encounter and Return to Loreto
- After breakfast, take one last adventure out with the grey whales before bidding them farewell.
- Depart from Laguna San Ignacio and drive back to Loreto in the afternoon.
- Arrive in Loreto by evening, check into the hotel, and unwind after your magical experience with the whales.
March 16-18:
Exploring Loreto & Surroundings
- Spend these days further exploring Loreto’s scenic beauty and cultural sites. Options include:
- A boat tour to Isla del Carmen for snorkeling and marine wildlife viewing.
- A visit to the historic Mission San Javier, a well-preserved mission in the mountains.
- Relaxing on the beaches or taking part in water sports in the Sea of Cortez.
- Evenings are free for dining at Loreto’s finest restaurants and soaking in the town’s peaceful atmosphere.
March 19:
Departure Day
- After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home, bringing with you unforgettable memories of this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
PRICE AND CONDITIONS
Minimum 4 Persons to run this trip
Maximum 8 Persons
Total Cost from Loreto Baja
| 4 PERSONS USD $5,600. 5 + PERSONS USD $4,800. Per Person |
| A non refundable USD200. Deposit is required to hold your place, prior to your initial Down payment! |
Price Includes:
- ✓Accommodation in hotels**
- ✓Loreto Hotel;
- ✓San Ignacio Hotel
- ✓San iIgnacio Lagoon Lodge: All meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner. (A la carte)
- ✓Open Bar on drinks at Baja Lodge (does not include wines)
✓ Permits where applicable
- ✓Professional Naturalist Guides and Photography Instructor
- ✓Daily Whale Tours on Day 3, 4 and 5 Two Whale Tours on Day 2
- ✓Daily afternoon choice of excursions (Except Day 2)
Not included:
- ✓Additional Whale Tours $55 per person per tour.
- ✓Local and International Swift Money Transfer Fees
- ✓Single Suppliments Accomodation charges
- ✓Travel/Medical Insurance
- ✓Laundry service
- ✓ Calls abroad.
- ✓ Tips, personal expenses.
- ✓ Alcoholic beverage described above
- ✓ Consumption of additional drinks and contents of hotel refrigerators.
- ✓ Other things not described above.
- ✓Special Note: Tour starts and ends in Loreto Baja.
- ✓**All Cabins in Baja are double occupancy,
- ✓If you require special services: dietary, medical or otherwise, please make your needs known before the trip so that we can do all in our power to accommodate you.