Whale Watching Archives - Baja Dive Guide

Weather Conditions Los Cabos

Sarah — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 21:49:00 +0000

Rain or shine, there is something magnificent to experience with every season in Baja Sur, Mexico. You may be wondering when is the best time to visit Los Cabos, but it depends on the goals for your vacation. The vibe in Los Cabos changes with the season, so there is something for every type of traveler. Whether you are a scuba diver chasing that unique marine life encounter, or a foodie looking to eat and drink your way through the desert, you will have a memorable experience.

Due to the wide range of outdoor activities all around the Baja peninsula, there are options for your vacation activities, regardless of weather. Take the time to plan your trip according to the seasons, but stay flexible for any weather changes that may have different plans. Even if one activity gets canceled due to weather, it doesn’t mean the day is lost, as is the case in many places around the world.

Beautiful weather with unforgettable marine encounters

Mid-December through mid-April are arguably the busiest months in the Los Cabos area, and for good reason. The weather conditions are favorable, and the whales are visiting for the winter. Make sure to check out the whale watching trip options for a once-in-a-lifetime experience with the whale species that winter in Los Cabos.

Hotels typically get booked up around the holidays, so plan ahead if you want to visit around Christmas, New Years, or Semana Santa. These are also the coolest months in the year, perfect for desert adventures, boat days, and exploring the abundant cultural beauty in Cabo San Lucas and neighboring towns.

Fewer people and warmer temperatures

May to July is an underrated shoulder season. Rest easy without the threat of tropical storms canceling your plans. Also, weather still permits experiencing the desert before the peak temperatures of summer hit. The decrease in tourist numbers is really the star during these months, so you’ll experience Los Cabos in a more laid back and natural state. Plus, there are great opportunities for shark and mobula sightings, if you choose to go on a scuba diving expedition with our favorite dive shop in Cabo San Lucas, Dive Ninja Expeditions.

Tropical storms and the hottest months

If you’re looking for heat, August and September are it. Tropical storms can be anywhere from wild to relaxing, adding an adventurous and spontaneous energy to your vacation. You can jump in the water on a snorkeling or scuba diving trip (because who cares if it’s raining when you’re already getting wet, right?) or chill out at your hotel with the sound of the rain and a good book. This is a great time to dive into the food and drink scene of the area, so grab a margarita and enjoy the culture.

Calm seas and clear skies

Skip the chance of rain to enjoy hot weather and the clearest water of the year in October and November. This is the season to get gorgeous photos and videos of your ocean adventures. This is the second shoulder season of the year, which means fewer tourists clogging up the streets and less boat traffic out on the water.

Come back year after year

Because of the wide range of seasons and wildlife, Cabo San Lucas is the perfect annual vacation spot. You can enjoy a warm winter one year and, the following year, pop down during a shoulder season for a totally different experience. It’s also easy to get to Los Cabos from the United States, and it’s relatively inexpensive, so it’s a win-win situation all the way around.

Sarah Valdez

Instructor, YouTuber, Van Dweller & Granola Girl

Website – Email – Instagram

Azul Unlimited educates scuba divers and spread the message of conservation. Sarah previously worked in communications for the nonprofit organization Community Environmental Council in Santa Barbara and is passionate about enabling action and change for the future of the ocean.

Sarah is infatuated with nature and lives in her van with her dog Abby, exploring the land and sea throughout Canada, the US, and Mexico. As a yoga instructor, she is passionate about all aspects of health and wellness. One of her favorite relaxation activities is playing the ukulele on the beach for sunset.

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Marine mammals of Loreto

Eelton John — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 18:58:03 +0000

It’s widely known that Baja California is one of the prime destinations to see marine mammals, The Sea of Cortez receives the visit of 30 species of marine mammals, including dolphins, orcas, whales and sea lions, among others.

Loreto is considered one of the best places in the world for whale watching, specially the largest whales, like the fin whale and the huge blue whale.

Although whale watching is considered seasonal, some local groups of big whales stay all year round in the waters of its National Park. There is a local group of fin whales that can be seen all year round, as a matter of fact, we just have seen them several times this last week!

Blue whales, and most of the other big cetaceans, can be seen between January to April, when the water is colder and rich on plankton. These “plankton booms” occur thanks to the combination of frequent upwelling currents, rich with nutrients, and colder water that is richer in oxygen.

Other whales that visit Loreto’s water for the season are the large Sei whale, Minke whale, Bryde whale and the playful Humpbacks! The latter usually put on a show for the visitors by breaching the surface and clapping their long fins against the water.

Then there are the Gray whales. Although these are technically not visitors to our waters in Loreto (except for some very rare exceptions), I’d like to include them in this post since you can easily go to the pacific side to see them from town. The Gray whales stay in the shallow lagoons on the Pacific side. From Loreto is just a short 2 hour car ride and many tourists make it a fun day trip. The Gray whales are by far the most interactive whales. They are so used to people and so confident that they will approach boats and raise their heade above the water level to look at you. Moms will even push their calves up so they can see you as well. Plot twist: they like being pet too!

By far, dolphins are the cetaceans that can be seen more often and in bigger numbers. Because their smaller size, dolphins live in pods that provide safety in the numbers, but also icreased chances of finding food, mating and protecting their offspring.

Loreto is home for several species of dolphins, among which three stand out: bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), short beak common dolphins and long beak common dolphins (Delphinus delphis).

Known for racing boats and their high jumps over the surface, the dolphins of Loreto are no exception. Bottlenose dolphins are larger and powerful and their jumps are spectacular, reaching heights of 20 ft in the air! Common dolphins usually don’t jump as high, but they are still amazing since their larger pods, sometimes of several thousands individuals! SInce their groups are so large, common dolphins become more daring and will inmediately approach the boat and race it.

Dolphins have little seasonality in Loreto and can be seen all year round in almost every trip. I’ll dare to say that we have seen dolphins in 80% of the trips we have taken, and the local operators agree with these numbers.

Although the bottlenose and common dolphins are the most frequent sightings, there are other species that can be seen occasionally, like pilot whales and false orcas. We even had the chance to swim with the latter!

Orcas are also frequent visitors of the Loreto Bay National Park. Not much is known about their travelling patterns, but we know that are spotted regularely in Loreto all year round. Although considered rare sightings, they are reported every month, and once they are spotted is not rare to see them in the general area for several days on a row.

This last week we had the tremendous luck to see several. A pod arrived and passed by very close to the shoreline. We tagged along for a long while and these gentle animals were so kind to approach to our boat and play with our wake! They also approach the sides of the vessel to look at us, funny apes, and stayed with us for several minutes. These are not the “killer whales” that TV had wanted us to believe. In fact, they are as curious and playful as dolphins to us, and one can safely swim with them if the opportunity arises.

In another occasion we had the chance to witness a very different behaviour. One time close to Carmen island, we found a pod of orcas that was hunting some juvenile dolphins. The scene was intense and well, not pleasant to behold as you can imagine, but being able to witness this frenzy was one of the highlights of mi life when it comes to nature, Impressive, it was like being in a documentary. Loreto es National Geographic material all through.

And of course, we couldn’t left out our beloved sea lions! Sometimes a bit disregarded compared to they larger cousins the whales, these sea mammals deserve more love. They might be smaller and less spectacular, but they make it up to us by being a guarantee sighting and suuuper fun tu dive with! They are like underwater dogs, so curious and playful that you would like to take one home (don’t). Loreto has two main sea lion colonies, the main one being the one in Coronado’s island. Although they are there all year round, their numbers are way larger in winter, where they can reach 250 individuals, compared to only a few in the middle of the mating season (June to August).

Images courtesy of: Bob Bailey

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Whale Watching in Cabo San Lucas

Sarah — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 19:46:48 +0000

Sitting right at the southern tip of Baja, Cabo San Lucas is a whale watching paradise! Every winter, a great migration culminates in Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, turning the region into a the perfect destination whale lovers. The diversity is unmatched, attracting 8 of the 11 total whale species to Mexican waters each year.

Whale watching is a massive industry for business in Cabo San Lucas, so you must do your research and choose a company that follows ecotourism practices. One of my personal favorites is Dive Ninja Expeditions due to their knowledgeable team and dedication to education. I even took their Whale Defender course last year and learned a lot about these remarkable creatures!

Whale Watching Conditions

The weather conditions for whale watching are generally calmer in the morning. If you easily get seasick or simply prefer a smoother ride on the water, early morning tours are your best option. The whales usually congregate in the morning, so you have a good chance of sightings. If you can go with the flow of a bumpier ride, a good time to catch peak whale activity is in the late morning or early afternoon. The winds tend to pick up as the day goes on. As always, choose the option that is best for you, because being seasick will leave you with a less than desirable lasting memory.

Humpback Whales

Humpback Whales gather in huge numbers during the season and put on the most joyous show for whale watching tours. Although their playful antics can be seen from the shore, the best encounters occur from the boat. The closer proximity allows you to see details of their enormous bodies and cute faces. Despite their huge stature, they leap out of the water in full breach, flopping back into the sea with a huge splash. You can grab the perfect whale-tail picture before they slap the surface, also known as lobtailing.

The humpback is a baleen whale, supporting its giant body on tiny microorganisms. Humpbacks are also known as the singers of the sea. Although the precise function of these songs is still debated, the songs appear to have a roll in attracting partners, attracting other groups of whales, and locating other whale populations.

Grey Whales

Grey whales reproduce and give birth in the lagoons along the pacific coast of Baja. Each year, they make the long trip down to Baja, avoiding the cold waters in their Alaskan summer homes. The birthing season is from December to February, making the new year the best time to see newborns when you join one of the local grey whale tours in Baja. But sometimes you can even spot them cruising along the coast in Cabo. Last season I seen one right off Medano Beach! Not only are these newborns tiny compared to their 40-foot-long mothers, but they’ll also be darker in color. The ‘grey’ of their namesake comes from the parasites that attach to adult whales’ skin, resulting in a perceived lighter color body. At the end of the season, the animals make the trek back north, some with new babies whom they protect fiercely during the journey and others newly pregnant.

The grey whale is a filter feeder, which means it is one of the many baleen-bearing whale species. Baleens are plates that take the place of teeth, which allow the whales to filter seawater and eat plankton, microorganisms, or seaweed.

Other Whale Sightings in Cabo San Lucas

While enjoying a whale watching tour in Cabo San Lucas, you may be lucky enough to spot other species who make Los Cabos their winter homes. The largest animal in the world is the Blue Whale, and their giant shadow or rolling body may just sneak up on your boat. Their impressive size will make you gawk as they cruise by. These creatures are not known for hanging around, but getting even the quickest glimpse of them will leave a mark. Other large species of whales in the Los Cabos region include fin whales, which are second in length to the blue whale. They are also slender, making them wickedly fast. Orcas can also cruise through the area hunting sea lions, seals, mobula rays, and even young whale calves.

Protecting Our Whale Friends

Regardless of what you see during your whale watching trip in Cabo San Lucas, the experience is sure to leave an impact and spark your interest in learning more about them. There is something mysterious and magical about these large mammals that travel thousands of miles every single year. Seeing them now is particularly special since many species were once on the brink of extinction. Strict environmental regulations have allowed some of these creatures to bounce back from the horrors of the whale hunting era that ended only a half a century ago. One important tip, is to really look into the operator you choose for your tour. While many claim to be eco tours or doing sustainable & good whale watching practices this isn’t always the case. Choose an operator like Dive Ninja Expeditions that has a proven track record in marine conservation & sustainable tourism. Not only that, you’ll be happy to learn that they donate a percentage of your ticket price to help further marine research & conservation in Los Cabos & Baja. Their guides also collect vital information about the whales during the tours that is shared with local whale scientists.

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Marine Life Los Cabos

Sarah — Thu, 08 Sep 2022 17:59:10 +0000

No matter what time of year you want to visit Los Cabos, Mexico, there is an unbelievable amount of marine life waiting for you on your dives. The biodiversity is on another level. You can see everything from whales and apex predators like hammerhead sharks to nudibranchs, turtles, and huge schools of snapper and jacks, all within a short distance from Cabo San Lucas proper. There are even unique sightings like the enormous Mobula ray schools (which can draw in hunting orcas!)

Why is Cabo San Lucas so abundant with wildlife?

Cabo San Lucas is at the tip of Baja California and benefits from the mixing of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez, making it the perfect balance of nutrients for tropical creatures, while keeping the water cool enough as a safe haven for migratory pelagic animals.

The other side of the Los Cabos success story is the conservation effort. Marine sanctuaries and the UNESCO World Heritage site El Arco have been protected for decades, making it a safe space for creatures to call home. Here you will see large quantities of different species and animals that have been able to grow large due to their protected status.

Diving in Cabo San Lucas is breathtaking all year round

It’s always a good dive day in Cabo San Lucas. Marine life regulars, regardless of the season, include sea lions, turtles, nudis, frogfish, sea horses, white tip reef sharks, hammerheads, dolphins, bull sharks, goat fish, puffers, and jacks, along with the standard tropical creatures like angelfish, snappers, lobsters, moray eels, rays, and many more.

When choosing your trip date carefully, you could also have a chance to see whale sharks, whales, sharks (mako, blue, silky, bull), and Mahi Mahi, to name just a few! The fact that there are so many unique seasons of marine life in Los Cabos means that it is the perfect place to visit year after year to see everything there is to offer.

The Winter time is for the whales

Around here, we refer to our friendly migratory whale population as gentle giants. Humpbacks make a show on the surface where you can see them on a standard whale-watching tour or you could even get lucky to catch a glimpse of them underwater at the Gordo Banks dive site. Grey whales are sometimes spotted cruising through the area and orcas can make appearances on snorkel tours, leaving you breathless as you watch them hunt for rays. Even the enormous blue whale, the largest of all the whales, makes their rounds in these abundant waters. Mobs of mobula rays also make a quick appearance late November, early December so if you’re lucky, you could see them too!

Spring and Summer are for the sharks and rays

There’s nothing like being face to face with a shark, and Cabo San Lucas is bursting with a variety of our toothy friends. Bull sharks hang out in Cabo Pulmo, while hammerhead sharks cruise around Gordo Banks. White tip reef sharks are spotted at various sites in the bay and the corridor, while numerous pelagic sharks can be found off-shore like Makos, Blue, Silky, and even the elusive smooth hammerhead. Although sightings of specific shark species can never be guaranteed, this part of the coast is usually good for memorable shark dives throughout the year except when the water gets super warm in the early autumn. Cabo San Lucas plays host to thousands of Mobula rays that aggregate around the area in the late spring & early summer. There’s also a chance of spotting the famous Guitar ray in the springtime, if you’re lucky!

Fall is the warmest, clearest water

Not only is the water gorgeous, but it’s also booming with huge schools of sardines, snapper, jacks, puffers, goat fish, and even cow nose rays. The clear water offers up great photo opportunities for all the usual suspects which can be found year round in Los Cabos, including frog fish, sea horses, and rays. This is also a great time to head to Gordo Banks to look for hammerhead sharks.

Thinking about booking a dive trip to Cabo San Lucas? Check out this marine life calendar to choose the correct season for the creatures you want to see!

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