Nic slocum phd frgs the amazing gray whales of baja is our flagship and most popular tour. Nov 30, 2014 a magical moment this morning kayaking in front of the rock at loreto bay. More than 400 of them were spotted feeding on spawn from the little tunny a type of tuna off the coast of isla mujeres in 2011. Cancun whale shark tours 2020 all you need to know. At the time, the island was beginning its transformation from a sharkfishing village to a premier whale sharkwatching destination, because the whale sharks congregate off the coast to feed and calve their young. We were the first ones to take a visitor out on this wonderful adventure, without knowing it was going to become such a big event every year. Cancun whale shark tours 2020 all you need to know before. Cumulative number of identifications of new whale sharks against the cumulative number of all. If you re fortunate to be visiting loreto in the months of january through march, it s likely that at some point during your stay you ll be treated to the sight of whales spouting off shore. Apr, 2015 4 responses to 6 things to know this whale shark season. Every spring the loreto national marine park is host to blue whales, the largest creatures on earth. The name whale shark comes from its size, being as large as some species of whales. Several years ago, wwf became involved with the small fishing community of holbox off the tip of mexico s yucatan peninsula. Well tell you all about the best things to do in loreto, mexico, as well as where we stayed, where we ate, and everything else in between.
Blue whale watching in loreto bay, baja california sur. Leave early in the morning to arrive first at the whale shark area. Finally after 3 summer we went to holbox and snorkeled with this amazing whales. This is our focus and our reason for being in business. Whale shark mexico tiburon ballena mexico home facebook. Likely the most beautiful beach in mexico, a visit to these turquoise waters are a mustsee. Whale watching holiday to mexico loreto whales worldwide.
Swim with these beautiful creatures as long as you want, and then relax at a beautiful beach or snorkel at a nearby reef. Experience the beauty and aweinspiring marine wildlife of the baja peninsular in mexico one. In august 2014, we traveled with friends to isla mujeres, mexico a small island about 5 miles offshore from cancun in search of whale sharks and to do some reef diving. The best riviera maya excursions and adventure tours, including mayan ruins tour packages, tulum tours, playa del carmen tours snorkeling tours and more, and other unique things to do in riviera maya. The time limit in the whale shark feeding zone is 2 hours per each group of six swimmers. Download table perceived crowding during the whale shark tour. The best places to swim with whale sharks lonely planet. The blue whales migrate into the sea of cortez during the.
The whale shark is the largest fish in our oceans and one of the most sought after by divers, who are attracted not only to their size but also their docile and curious nature. Whale shark facts the whale shark is the largest fish on the planet, reaching lengths of arround 18 to 40 feet 5. Every spring, the rich waters of the loreto national marine park draw the worlds largest animal to come feed. Whale shark encounter from san jose del cabo all mexico 365. Blue whale watching in loreto bay, baja california sur april 24, 2015 adventure sportsactivities, mexico, videos. The waters off mexicos yucatan peninsula were the site of the largest gathering of whale sharks ever recorded. Since the waters of the sea are relatively cold in the winter time. Loreto, baja california sur, mexico a whale shark feeds on plankton along the shoreline very close to town. The whale watching near loreto can be wonderful but is very different from whale watching in magdalena bay. Its prime time for spotting whale sharks in the gulf of mexico. Other good operators include cabo adventures, fun baja and manta. The gray whale spends summers in the waters off of alaska, and then heads 6,000 miles almost 10,000 km south to the warmer.
Whaleshark encounter whale shark tours cancun, isla. Mexico whale shark tour company is highly recommended. Blue whale watching tours in the loreto national marine park jan 25mar 25, 2020. When we arrived in the marina there was coffee and a light breakfast for us. According to our guide on a recent trip to mexico, their hearts alone are about the size of a volkswagen beetle. Semarnat, the environmental agency of mexico, and conanp, the national park system, restrict the number of swimmers in the water with a single whale shark to six. Loreto, mexico whales, dolphins, sea lions, and a whale shark. Its been something that i had wanted to do since i was a teenager and thought that you could only experience it when traveling to australia until recently when i.
Whale shark sightings in the gulf are recorded and tracked by the gulf coast research laboratory at the university of southern mississippi. Pulmo and occasionally at guaymas, loreto, and san. Experienced guides who are whale shark experts nat hab has a global reputation for hiring the worlds best naturalist guides. Apr 24, 2015 on a beautiful march morning in loreto bay, baja california sur, we were picked up right on the beach of our hotel by our tour boat danzante tours to ride the glassy waters out to see how many whales we could spot that day.
The one thing that i never thought i would ever be able to check off my bucket list was swimming with whale sharks. Pro dive international mexico guarantees your encounter with a whale shark from june mid september, or you can reschedule this trip for free or get a voucher for next trip to mexico. Whale watching at magdalena bay, mexico audley travel. A trip to baja california in late autumn through spring offers a chance to swim with the worlds largest fish. Baja is well known as a great place to whale watch. Baja charters and island cat, have successfully operated the premier whale shark encounter for seven years with a perfect track record of locating them, subject to weather and governmental regulations. Experience the beauty and aweinspiring marine wildlife. In search of whale sharks at isla mujeres, mexico on vimeo. Calm hopefully seas, small intimate boats, and all around the sound of these giants breathing. Cancun whale shark season 2017 mexico whale shark tours. Whale shark encounter departs from san jose del cabo the fascinating whale shark rhincodon typus is a slowmoving filter feeding shark and the largest known living fish species. The captain did an excellent job and really had his job cut out for.
If youre here just for the sea kayaking, the best time to visit baja is the end of octearly dec, as well as marapr, as the wind drops and the sea of cortez is clear and calm. Island cat baja whale shark home whale shark, cabo san. Whale shark mexico, it is a research project with more than 10 years of study, we use the knowledge to generate. February is peak month for both grey whales and visitors, and whale watching trips take place in magdalena bay and san ignacio lagoon. Ocean tours is an awardwinning riviera maya tour operator with decades of experience in the area. As of 2015 private vessels are prohibited from visitng the whale shark areas, providers authorized to tour the whale sharks are required to fly an indeification banner on the vessels visiting the area. Loreto blue whales in loreto, the blue whale is our.
Were planning another trip with even more family members. One thing that is desperately needed is a better understanding of how ecotourism activities affect whale shark behaviour and natural history. We were just in front of the 15th hole on the golf course when this baby peaceful giant decided to check us out. All you need to know about whale watching in mexico. Whale watching, baja, mexico whale tours dive discovery. We first started operating the snorkeling tour swimming with the whale sharks in holbox island in 2001. After all these years we have the best boats available on isla mujeres and holbox island. Pdf whale shark rhincodon typus populations along the west. Whale watching in mexicos magdalena bay audley travel. Private whale watching excursion to magdalena bay, mexico.
Blue whale tours, loreto sea of cortez loreto sea and. According to their data set, 85 percent of sightings in the gulf since 2002 have occurred from june to october and peaked in july. We do our utmost to provide the best possible whale watching experience. Home mexico destinations loreto loreto attractions loreto whale watching. Sustainable wildlife experiences in baja california sur lonely planet.
Since 89, the best of baja whale sharks in the sea of cortez. These animals can grow to the size of a school bus, but, they are harmless to humans. I intimated above that whale sharks generally seem indifferent to the presence of people, but there are some data that suggest a decline in both number and mean size of whale sharks at at least one popular ecotourism site in ningaloo. Our two nat hab expedition leaders who have long guided this trip have more than 19 years experience each and are among mexicos foremost authorities on whales and whale sharks. In magdalena bay charter companies take people out to the calving lagoons of the grey whales hoping for a friendly experience when a whale will approach a boat and allow people to touch it.
The gray whale spends summers in the waters off of alaska, and then heads 6,000 miles almost 10,000 km south to the warmer lagoons of baja in january, february and march. We were just in front of the 15th hole on the golf course when this. A wahoo or common dolphin fish coryphaena hippurus. Mexico whale shark cancun all you need to know before you. The blue whale is the largest mammal on the planet. Several years ago, wwf became involved with the small fishing community of holbox off the tip of mexicos yucatan peninsula. I intimated above that whale sharks generally seem indifferent to the presence of people, but there are some data that suggest a decline in both number and mean size of whale sharks at at least one popular ecotourism site in ningaloo, australia. In loreto, the reported boats 2 boats does not exceed norm crowding 3. Our range of whale shark trips take you to the worlds finest locations for diving or snorkelling with whale sharks. Mexico whale shark cancun all you need to know before. Whale shark mexico, it is a research project with more than. Download scientific diagram baja california, the sea of cortez, and whale shark tagging sites at bah. The official opening date for the whale shark tour season as set beginning may 5, 2017 and the closing date of the season is september 17, 2017.
Cancun whale shark tours a top rated tour company as determined by our past clients via trip advisor. Eco explorer vallarta immerses you in the great wonders of loreto, mexico, where your soul of explorer will be filled with exciting adventures to be in real contact with majestic humpback whales, dolphins and endless beautiful creatures that live underwater. Baja california, the sea of cortez, and whale shark tagging sites at. Loreto, mexico is a great place for a family vacation. The largest confirmed individual had a length of 41. The amazing gray whales of baja is our flagship and most popular tour. Whale sharks swimming in cancun, mexico ocean tours. Now we are known as being the best whale shark tour company in cancun, mexico. This is one of the many treats we get to experience while fishing off loreto in the. Gray whales are 52 feet long and weigh 36 tons, yet are gentle enough to touch and baja californias pacific coast is the perfect place to experience the thrill.
Sometimes we have two separate groups that are in the same location at the same time. Whale shark mexico is proud to be responsible for a continuous monitoring program on the distribution and abundance of. You can also research whale sharks and accompany baby turtles into the. Heres what you need to know to plan an unforgettable, ecofriendly encounter with these gentle giants. We operate all inclusive blue whale watching tours at loreto during the months of february and march. In this loreto travel guide, well share how we spent one week in loreto, mexico.
Whale watching tours from loreto is a world class experience. Mexico whale shark cancun 2020 all you need to know. A magical moment this morning kayaking in front of the rock at loreto bay. If you re fortunate to be visiting loreto in the months of january through march, it s likely that at some point during your stay you ll. Discover whalw watching tours in mexico and get ready for a great getaway.
Enjoy the experience snorkeling tour swimming with whale sharks in. Loreto, mexico whales, dolphins, sea lions, and a whale. The 10th annual whale shark festival is kicking off soon on isla mujeres as hotels in mexico roll out new familyfriendly offerings. Welcome to loreto blue whales read about and enjoy photos of whale watching at loreto and book your tour were an independent familyowned local tour operator in loreto, baja california sur with 20 years of experience. Whale shark, mexico and sharks researchgate, the professional network for scientists. Try to rent a thicker wetsuit as the water is cold. The experience was a once in a lifetime and a must do if youre ever in cancun.
Whale shark mexico is proud to be responsible for a continuous monitoring program on the distribution and abundance of the species in the gulf of california. Swimming with whale sharks in isla mujeres, mexico mexpro. Midriff islands, sea of cortez, baja, mexico one of the worlds best places to see whale sharks only 300 miles south of san diego call 8002219283 today for an amazing bucket list. Enjoy the experience snorkeling tour swimming with whale sharks in mexico, the biggest fish in the ocean. Whale sharks arent dangerous at all, they are filter feeders, like whales. These are panga local motorboat tours with a knowledgeable captainguide. This is the perfect choice for couples or families. I would like to do it swimm with giant whale shark. Some say it is winter and early spring, when others say that july to september is the best time to spot them in the sea of cortez, baja california. Mexico the best tips for whale watching in mexico whaletrips. Whale shark mexico is a research project focused on conservation, education and sustainable management of the charismatic whale sharks.