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Whale watching tours are exciting seasonal attractions in Baja. Forty-one species of whales exist today in the world. Some are endangered, and surprisingly, several more “unconfirmed” species are believed to exist. Every winter, thousands of Gray whales migrate to Baja California to feed, mate, give birth, and play.
Gray whales make a 6,000-mile long migration from the northern Bering Sea to Baja California Sur each fall. In the 19th century, humans drove Gray whales to the brink of extinction on the Pacific Coast, and wiped out the species in Asia. Since Grays became protected in 1946, populations have once again reached their historic high numbers of around 21,000.
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Humpback whales enjoy showing off for crowds by spouting and breaching, leaping almost completely out of the water. Herman Melville wrote in his novel Moby Dick that the humpback is “the most gamesome and light-hearted of all the whales, making more gay foam and white water than any other.”
We encountered a pod of whales off Baja late one night while under sail. The creatures sounded like Darth Vader breathing underwater in the moonless night. First mate Alex went forward to have a closer look. Suddenly, we heard a splash and a loud “Yeow!” He reappeared at the helm drenched in whale spume. A whale had spouted on him. Now there’s a yarn he can tell future grandkids!
Whale watchers are often thrilled when a mother and calf swim alongside their boat and allow folks to pet them, while Mexican children living in Magdalena Bay fish camps, swim with them. Migrating whales in season are simply a part of the environment for them. While species such as Blue, Sperm, Fin, and even Orcas may be seen on tours, whale watching is as much about having a marine life adventure as it is about the whales. Dolphins and sea lions play alongside tour boats, while mantas often launch themselves 6 feet in the air, flopping back into the water. Pelicans, gulls and frigate birds cruise above hoping for handouts.
Many people have a profoundly moving experience when catching a glimpse of a Humpback breaching, or when staring into the vast mysterious eyes of a curious Gray. Whether you’re here for a week or a month, your whale season trip isn’t complete without seeing these amazing creatures.
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Whale watching tours depart Cabo daily cruising local waters from January to March, while air tours fly to breeding grounds 200 miles north of Cabo in Magdalena Bay. According to marine biologists, some whales hang around Baja all year having become too lazy to migrate. Just like many of us.
For Whale Watching Tours contact:
• Tropicat
65’ Catamaran. Ph:624-143-3797, www.tropicat.com
• La Princesa Sailing Charters
Large Catamarans. Ph: 624-143-7676, www.cabosports.com
• Cabo Sails
28-36’ Sailboats for charter. Ph: 044 624-111-3900
• Tlaloc
33’ Private sailboat. Ph: 044 624-127-1747, www.tlaloccabo.com
• Cabo Expeditions
Ph: 624-143-2700, www.caboexpeditions.com
• Buccaneer Queen
Sail on a pirate ship! Ph: 624-144-4217, www.buccaneerloscabos.com
• Aereocalafia airlines
Magdelena Bay flights. Ph: 624- 143-4302, www.aereocalafia.com.mx
By David Mandich
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Taking Sea Turtle Protection to Hear
Of the many natural splendors one can find in Los Cabos, the wildlife is among the most spectacular. Few places offer the opportunities to see, to get as close to, and even to help these creatures like our Baja Peninsula location does. As our area grows, so too does the level of concern for the environment and animals that inhabit it: in this case, the precious sea turtles.
Worldwide, there are eight commonly recognized species of sea turtles, all of them listed as either endangered or extinct. Five of these species make their home in the waters surrounding Baja California: Hawksbill, Loggerhead, Leatherback, Green Turtle, and Olive Ridley. Olive Ridleys, the smallest in size but most numerous of the species, are known for nesting in the sands of Baja California Sur. Their nests are perennial, meaning that the adult turtles return year after year to make their own nests in the very same spot as their ancestors did.
Factors such as real estate development, poaching, bad fishing practices, and pollution have led to both decreased numbers of egg hatchings and increasing deaths of adult turtles, something many organizations are trying to combat. The rapid growth around Los Cabos means loss of nesting areas for these sea turtles on land. Fishing equipment, such as long liners and nets at sea, only add to the turtles´ struggles. Findings have shown that out of one nest containing 100 eggs, only one to five hatched baby sea turtles survive to maturity.
Rancho Carisuva’s (www.ranchocarisuva.com) Carisuva Foundation is a project that seeks to preserve Baja California's ecological environment through education of visitors and local children. They and other beach excursion tour companies, such as Baja’s Activities (www.bajasactivities.com), are involved with sea turtle nest awareness and protection by knowing where the nests are and how to avoid disturbing them, thus enjoying the beaches responsibly.
By raising money, fostering education, and providing people with a chance to take part in turtle release programs, Grupo Tortuguero (www.grupotortuguero.org), ProPeninsula, and ASUPMATOMA (Association for the Protection of the Environment and the Marine Turtle in Southern Baja) are helping these creatures to survive, and hopefully soon, thrive in our waters. Associated with ASUPMATOMA, the San Cristobal Nature Preserve is the last private nesting beach for endangered sea turtles in all of Los Cabos. It is here that visitors can adopt, name, and even release the hatchlings into the sea, as well as participate in other programs related to sea turtle awareness and preservation.
To witness the tiny creatures, in groups of perhaps 60 to 100 at a time, instinctively head for their home – the sea – is a moment of endearment and wonder as you bid them good luck and traveling mercies. Local developments like Las Mañanitas, Tortuga Bay, Casa Del Mar, and other conscientious resorts have organized turtle release parties, and hope to be welcoming back greater numbers each year. Ask your concierge if your resort participates in the turtle releases and if there is an expert on hand during the release to answer all your questions. Little by little, maybe we can make a difference.
By Kirstin Frieze
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Copyright © 2009 - Joseph A. Tyson - All Rights Reserved - www.loscabosmagazine.com
Los Cabos Magazines, Inc - Tyson Promotions, Inc - Promociones Tyson, S. A. de C. V.
Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico - Last Revision - 03 October, 2008 - fap
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