Start 2019 by getting to know some of the friendliest residents in the sea! January marks the beginning of a new year and a new whale watching season in La Paz. When the season opens, whale watchers in this area are treated to an especially unique experience – a chance to get close enough to touch the majestic mammals. Grey whale calves are especially curious and have been known to nudge boats and playfully blow bubbles within arms reach of delighted travellers.
The Sea of Cortez is one of four natural protected areas around Baja California Sur. Known as “the Aquarium of the World,” the area is home to 5,000 different species. For whale watchers, this means an abundance of aquatic animals including whales that can grow up to 50 feet in length and weight up to 30 tonnes. Because of this, whale watching is one of the most popular activities among visitors to the region, with daily excursions departing from Magdalena Bay starting in mid-January.
Grey whales aren’t the only species of cetacean that can be found in the waters along the Baja Peninsula. Although grey whales are the first and most commonly seen of the migrating mammals, acrobatic humpback whales can be spotted in the southern waters closer to Los Cabos until late March. The grand finale of the migrating whale season is when blue whales travel down the Baja peninsula. These beautiful behemoths often swim alone deep under the water from January to early April looking for a mate. Sightings of blue whales are rare, but they are incredibly vocal as they serenade potential mates in the depths near Loreto, a four-hour drive north of La Paz.