We were very fortunate to encounter friendly whales who swam up to us and let us pet them… The credit for our fabulous and memorable time goes to Carlos. Unfailingly cheerful, kind, knowledgeable, helpful, he arranged everything. Speaking perfect English, he answered all our many questions about whales, geography, and himself. He was particularly engaging with my friend’s 10-year-old grandson who was never left to feel excluded.
See Gray Whales in the Bay
Explore Dunes & Mangroves
Support the Local Community
One of the Top Spots for Baja California Whale Watching
Embark on a Magdalena Bay whale watching adventure and visit one of the best places to see gray whales interact with each other. Mag Bay is an annual breeding ground for the magnificent California gray whales and with us, you will have the opportunity to witness extraordinary scenes and behavior. Choose the itinerary that fits your schedule, from one day to an overnight trip or the full 3 days and 2 nights. Whatever the length, you’re guaranteed to see a wide variety of wildlife and spectacular landscapes. We work with local islanders and ensure that our tours benefit the community.
The Extra Special Moments
See gray whales up close in their annual breeding ground
Witness calves learning to breathe, breach, and dive
Visit different ecosystems: sand dunes, mangroves, and beaches
Sample fresh, local seafood such as fish and lobster
Observe a variety of sea birds and enjoy opportunities to spot sea lions, eagles, dolphins, and coyotes
Stay overnight in Magdalena Island, and feel the sensation of being in nature and an isolated fisherman town.
Full-Day Trip Details
Full-Day Trip Details
Price
$5,000 MXN ($270 USD*) per person
*USD prices are approximate and final checkout will be in Mexican pesos (see book now button for details)
Departure time
6 AM
Meeting point
Pick up from your Todos Santos, Pescadero or La Paz accommodation or the Todos Santos Surf Shop
Location of the Todos Santos Surf Shop
https://maps.app.goo.gl/z9CG5U1L8jZqZ1Pw8
https://maps.app.goo.gl/z9CG5U1L8jZqZ1Pw8
Availability
Monday to Sunday, January 15th to March 15th
Duration
10-11 hours (3 hours whale watching)
Group size
4 to 8 people
Good to know
- The ideal tour for people who have one day to see whales in Baja California.
- February is peak season.
- The drive from Todos Santos is 3-4 hours one way.
- We respect wildlife, hire local people and support local culture.
Included
- 3 hours whale watching
- Optional beach walk (weather permitting)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Drinks
- Snacks
- Round trip transportation from Todos Santos to Puerto Chale
Not included
Gratuities
What to bring
- Warm clothes
- Hat & sun protection
- Water bottle to refill
About your guide
Certified Driver
Expert bilingual guide
Certified local captain
Magdalena Bay Day Trip Itinerary
Our 6 AM departure gives us plenty of time to travel from Todos Santos to Magdalena Bay. Once we arrive, we’ll leave our van behind and board the boat to start spotting the majestic gray whales. Sail away from a sleepy little fishing town in the middle of Baja, observing whales from close by as they roam around their breeding grounds in the sheltered waters of the bay. On our travels, we may be visited by frigate birds and other local sea life.
Support local businesses while eating fresh and delicious food from ranchers and fishermen’s families. By running these tours, it allows fishermen a new form of income and means that they reduce the amount of time they spend fishing, which helps replenish the ecosystem.
We abide by all procedures to protect the whales and other wildlife.
Overnight Trip Details
Price
$19,000 MXN ($950 USD*) per person
*USD prices are approximate and final checkout will be in Mexican pesos (see book now button for details)
Departure times
8 AM
Meeting point
Pick up from your Todos Santos, Pescadero or La Paz accommodation or the Todos Santos Surf Shop
Location of the Todos Santos Surf Shop
https://maps.app.goo.gl/z9CG5U1L8jZqZ1Pw8
https://maps.app.goo.gl/z9CG5U1L8jZqZ1Pw8
Availability
Monday to Sunday, January 15th to March 15th
Duration
2 days and 1 night
Group size
4 to 8 people
Good to know
- Please book this tour at least two months in advance in order to ensure your hotel reservation.
- Magdalena Bay is a 3-4 hour drive from Todos Santos each way.
- Conscious experience respecting nature and supporting local community.
- We respect wildlife, hire local people and support local culture.
Included
- Round trip transportation from todos Santos area to Puerto San Carlos
- 1 night in a hotel in San Carlos
- 2 whale watching experiences
- Beach walk on pristine sand dunes and a Pacific beach
- Breakfast, 2 lunches, and dinner
- Drinks
Not included
- Gratuities
- Alcoholic beverages
What to bring
- Warm clothes
- Hat & sun protection
- Water bottle to refill
About your guide
Certified Driver
Expert bilingual guide
Certified local captain
Magdalena Bay Overnight Trip Itinerary
This overnight whale watching experience gives you two opportunities to spot the beautiful gray whales in their breeding grounds. We’ll drive from Todos Santos to the bay through desert landscapes where you will spot different types of cacti and desert wildlife. On one of your days here, you will head out in Bahía Magdalena from Puerto San Carlos and the other expedition will be in Puerto Chale. See young gray whale calves learning to breathe, breach, swim against the current, and dive as they accompany their mothers through the waters of the bay.
Explore the impressive sand dunes on Isla Magdalena and sail through the mangrove channels – you’ll be amazed by how many ecosystems have evolved in such a small area. Your meals will consist of fresh local seafood such as fish and lobster, caught by local fishermen. You’ll spend the night in a hotel by the bay and be treated to dinner under the stars.
Whale watching in Magdalena Bay is an experience you’ll never forget.
2-Night Trip Details
Price
$28,000 MX ($1,500 USD*) per person
*USD prices are approximate and final checkout will be in Mexican pesos (see book now button for details)
Departure times
7 AM
Meeting point
Pick up from your Todos Santos, Pescadero or La Paz accommodation or the Todos Santos Surf Shop
Location of the Todos Santos Surf Shop
https://maps.app.goo.gl/z9CG5U1L8jZqZ1Pw8
https://maps.app.goo.gl/z9CG5U1L8jZqZ1Pw8
Availability
Monday to Sunday, January 15th to March 15th
Duration
3 days and 2 nights
Group size
4 to 8 people
Good to know
- Please book this tour at least two months in advance in order to ensure your hotel reservation.
- Magdalena Bay is a 3-4 hour drive from Todos Santos each way.
- Conscious experience respecting nature and supporting local community.
- We respect wildlife, hire local people and support local culture.
Included
- Round trip transportation to Puerto San Carlos
- 2 nights in a house on Magdalena island
- 3 whale watching trips
- A walk on pristine dunes and Pacific beaches
- Guided visit to mangroves & seabirds
- 2 breakfasts
- 3 lunches
- 2 dinners
- Snacks throughout the whole trip
- Drinks (beer and wine with dinner)
Not included
- Gratuities
- Extra alcoholic beverages
What to bring
- Warm clothes
- Hat & sun protection (the boat is shaded)
- Water bottle to refill
About your guide
Certified Driver
Expert bilingual guide
Certified local captain
Magdalena Bay 2-Night Trip Itinerary
This is the ultimate Baja California whale watching experience. Spend more time on the magical Isla Magdalena and get a feel for the real Baja lifestyle. You’ll stay in the house of a local fisherman in a mystical fishing village and enjoy meals of fresh seafood such as fish and lobster.
You’ll embark on three whale-watching expeditions with no time limit. Over the three days you can expect life-changing encounters with the majestic California gray whales that congregate in the sheltered bay which is one of their breeding grounds. Watch mothers teach their calves how to breathe, breach, and dive, and you may be treated to the spy-hopping phenomenon.
As well as sunrises and sunsets over the bay, you will explore the area with visits to the beautiful mangroves, walks over the sand dunes, strolls along the Pacific beaches peppered with sand dollars, and sightings of various wildlife that live in the area.
Explora Baja are dedicated to working hand in hand with the islanders and ensuring that the tours we provide leave no impact on the environment and can provide livelihoods for the local community.
Read What Our Guests Have Said...
Our Explora Baja whale watching trip was everything we dreamed it would be. Guides, Carlos and Paula, are accommodating in every way, have great personalities, good driving skills, and tons of knowledge to share from their experiences and MS degrees in Oceanography and Marine Biology.
Awesome experience, best thing ever. Service was outstanding. We had a great time with friends, whale watching is one of the most beautiful experiences we’ve ever had.
