Avast there me hearties….
Want to leave behind the winter blues? Feel the sun on your back after all this rain? Feel the sand between your toes? AND see the Gray Whales of Baja, Mexico and their calves in the calving lagoons of Magdalena Bay? Then you know what to do…click on the link above
We are running a whale and dolphin watching holiday to Baja California Sur, Mexico – Saturday, February 25th to Saturday March 3rd 2012. This is a fully guided whale watching expedition with Nic Slocum PhD. A detailed resumé for Nic is provided below.
Our Mexican whale watching destination will be the lovely old town of Loreto which was the first Spanish settlement on Baja California Sur.The Spanish influence is still clearly evident in the old town. We will stay in the prestigious La Mision Hotel, widely considered to be the best hotel in Loreto, close to the historic district and overlooking the serene and calm Sea of Cortez; dubbed by Jacques Cousteau “The Aquarium of the World” due to it’s rich marine wildlife diversity. The Baja peninsular in Mexico is one of the finest destinations for whale watching in the world and February and March can furnish some superb sightings in the Sea of Cortez of blue, fin and humpback whales along with different dolphin species sometimes including the elusive killer whale. This provides an utterly unique and rare opportunity to view some of the largest mammals of earth.
One of the many highlights of this expedition is a visit to Puerto San Carlos and Magdalena Bay on the Pacific side of the peninsular to visit the birthing lagoons of the Pacific gray whale where close encounters with mothers and calves is a frequent occurrence and a superb opportunity for photographing and viewing these unusual animals. All boat based tours use local guides and expertise and adhere to current strict safety standards.
The unique local desert landscapes in this part of the Baja peninsular and the islands in the Bay of Loreto afford us good opportunities for the photographers amongst us.
Itinerary
Day 1. Saturday. Flight toLos Angeles arriving afternoon or early evening. Staying one night close to the airport in one of the excellent airport hotels – a chance to unwind, take a dip in the pool, have a nice meal or simply catch up on some sleep. We will fly down to Loreto the following morning – there is only the one flight a day to Loreto.
Day 2. Sunday. Mid morning flight fromLos Angeles toLoreto Baja,Mexico. A two 2 hour flight. Arriving early afternoon and settling into our hotel, La Mision on the Loreto waterfront, close to the old historic district. There are buildings in Loreto that date back to the 18th Century. Afternoon and evening free time to explore the area and get to know Loreto meeting at “La Palapa” for Marguerita’s and to discuss the weeks itinerary and activity programme.
Day 3. Monday. We take a boat based whale and dolphin watching tour out of Loreto looking for the great whales, fins and humpbacks. There is a good chance during February of catching up with the giant blue whale, the largest whale on earth. Several dolphin species frequent the area including bottlenose and common dolphins along with their larger cousins, pilot whales and killer whales. We have seen all these species in the Sea of Cortez.
Day 4. Tuesday. A day tour to Puerto San Carlos and the Magdalena Bay area on the Pacific side of Baja to see the Pacific gray whales and their two tonne calves! Although you can see the whales from the land here we hire a Panga (local boat) with a local guide and head out on the calm waters of the bay looking for these huge mammals. Prior to their arrival at Magdalena Bay these animals have made one of the longest migrations in the animal kingdom having travelled non stop from their northern feeding grounds in the Bering Sea all the way down to the bays and lagoons on the Pacific side of the Baja peninsular – a 12,000 mile round trip! The more inquisitive animals will approach the boat affording us excellent close viewings and sometimes the apoportunity to physically touch the calves.
Day 5. Wednesday. This day has a split option. Option one is to start early and head up into the mountains of the interior of the Baja peninsular, the Sierra de la Giganta, to visit the cave paintings, the Cuevas Pintas, in the rock shelters and canyons of these impressive mountains. Option two is to take a sea kayaking tour (suitable for beginners) along the spectacular coastline south of Loreto looking for that unusual seascape shot. Later there will be time for snorkelling in the shallows of the bay looking for Yellowtail and marvelling at the outstanding variety of colourful fish in this part of the Sea of Cortez.
Day 6. Thursday. A tour to Isla Del Carmen, one of the largest islands in the Bay of Loreto. After a boat based whale watching tour looking for all types of marine wildlife we will spend time exploring this fabulously beautiful island. The islands dotted around this part of the Sea of Cortez are stunningly attractive with unspoiled, sun drenched beaches and out of this world rock formations.
Day 7. Friday. Free time in the morning for final shopping in the old Spanish district of Loreto prior to making the short journey to Loreto airport for our evening flight back to Los Angeles.
Day 8. Saturday. Free day aroundLos Angeles followed by our flight home late afternoon or evening complete with sun tan and many memories.
Day 9. Sunday. Arrive home to the European weather! Sorry. But you will have memories of the hot sun on your back and lovely images of wildlife encounters with some of the largest animals that have ever lived on Earth…animals that many people will only ever dream about encountering!…
We still have spaces on this popular whale watching expedition and if you would like to be emailed a more detailed programme please email learn@thewildlifefilmschool.com
The cost of this week long opportunity is €1,950 (euro) which does not include the flight from Europe to Los Angeles.
What is included:
> Return flight from Los Angeles to Loreto on Alaska Airlines
> Hotel accommodation in La Mision, widely considered to be the best hotel in Loreto and in Los Angeles (hotel located close to the airport) on both the outward and homeward legs
> All food and boat tours and transport hire
What is NOT included:
> Flight from Europe to Los Angeles. Fares are reasonable at this time of year and we will help in reseraching the best airfares
> Items purchased while on holiday eg.Souvenirs
> Alcoholic beverages you might require
. Any tours or vehicle hire outside the published itinerary
The lead guide on this whale watching holiday will be:
Nic Slocum PhD
Nic is an experienced naturalist and wildlife guide and is best known for his escorted tours taking enthusiasts out, both in Ireland and overseas, to view and photograph whales and dolphins. Nic has maintained a lifelong passion the conservation of our wildlife and wild places and has appeared as an expert commentator on RTE, Channel 4 and ITV. A zoologist by training, Nic has published articles on conservation related issues in both regional and national newspapers. Nic Slocum lives and works in West Cork and is a director of Whale Watch West Cork which runs tours to watch whales and dolphins off the coast of southwest Ireland. Nic has been watching whales and dolphins from boats for over 25 years in places as far apart as New England, Argentina and New Zealand.
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILED PROGRAMME PDF
Whale Watching Holiday to Mexico
Hi Nick
very interested…
would I be able to slip into the water with HD camera and snorkel to film?
cheers
Vinny
Can’t see that being an issue Vinny. I am planning to get as much footage as possible as well. On the Pacific side we are viewing Grays from Pangas anyway so one is hanging over the side much of the time. They are very relaxed there and if there are enough of us then we would hire a Panga specifically for our party.