Get a glimpse of blue, gray whales in Mexico
To have an unforgettable encounter with majestic gray and blue whales, consider visiting Pueblo Magico (Magical town) Loreto in Mexico’s Baja California Sur.
Loreto is an oasis trapped between the waters of Mar de Cortes and the desert lands of Sierra Giganta. It’s the remote land that the Jesuits used to start their pilgrimage to evangelize and colonize Baja and Alta California.
It’s also the largest temporary home to gray and blue whales in the world. It is in front of a set of islands declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Every January, its waters receive dozens of blue whale specimens, the largest mammal in the world, which arrive to complete their reproduction process through mating and breeding.
To observe them, visitors have to navigate to Parque Nacional Bahia de Loreto (Loreto Bay National Park), where service providers take them for passive observation, following rules for not affecting the species.
Once the boat locates a whale, usually guided by the jet of water expelled when breathing or by showing their back, they approach slowly and maintain a 328-foot distance, so tourists must keep their eyes open so as not to miss their serene swim.
In cases where the specimens naturally approach the boat, visitors shouldn’t touch it or scream, and certainly not jump into the water to try to swim with it.
During the blue whale watching season, which runs from January to March, travelers also have the privilege of observing another species: the gray whale. To do this, they must leave Loreto by boat until they reach Bahia de Magdalena, two hours away.
This specimen, especially the younglings, has the characteristic of jumping and approaching boats more confidently. Remember to follow the rules in both cases so their natural behavior isn’t affected.