Baja Whales Photo Workshop
- 9 Days
From $6,950 - Interests
- Wildlife
- Activity Level
- Easy
- Group Size
- Max 10
A once-in-a-lifetime whale adventure
Mexico’s Baja California is home to one of the world’s most unique whale encounters. After summers feeding in Alaska, gray whales head to the San Ignacio Lagoon in Baja to give birth and nurse their calves. For an unknown reason, some gray whales are curious and crave human interaction. When and how they interact with us is up to them, but they frequently approach the pangas (small boats) to be caressed, stroked, and even kissed. We’ll also explore the Mechudo Corridor between La Paz and Loreto in search of blue whales and their calves, plus potential sightings of humpbacks, huge pods of dolphins, giant fin-back whales, and, if we’re lucky, orcas and sperm whales.
Read more about our recent encounters with gray whales in Baja.
Highlights
- Up-close interactions and photography with gray whales and their calves in San Ignacio Lagoon.
- Four days aboard a private expedition yacht exploring the Mechudo Corridor in search of blue whales, dolphins, humpbacks, fin-backs, orcas, and sperm whales.
- Spotter aircraft will support our yacht to maximize wildlife encounters.
- Stay in a luxury tent camp at the ocean’s edge in San Ignacio Lagoon.
- Enjoy snorkeling with whale sharks and sea lions.
Your Guides
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Kevin Lisota
Feb 26–Mar 6, 2025
Activity Level
Easy walks over occasionally uneven ground. You must be able to get in and out of small boats. If you are prone to motion sickness while on the water, please consider seasickness medication.
This tour has an activity level of Easy. Read more about the Activity Levels for our trips.
Itinerary
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This tour offers opportunities to photograph wildlife. We'll maximize our chances of encountering wildlife, but we want to remind you that we don't control wildlife and cannot guarantee encounters with particular species. Itineraries for wildlife trips are subject to change based on wildlife activity.
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Day 1: Cabo
Arrive at Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) before 4:00 PM on this day. Air travel delays are possible, so please consider arriving early, possibly the day prior. We don't want you to miss out on trip activities.
Check in to our hotel in Cabo, followed by a welcome dinner with the group, where we’ll discuss our upcoming adventure.
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Day 2: San Jose del Cabo/La Paz
We’ll begin our whale-watching adventure, departing San Jose del Cabo for a 5-hour boat ride looking for humpback whales. After our whale-watching cruise, we’ll transfer to La Paz via coach. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in La Paz.
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Day 3: La Paz/Isla Espiritu Santo
After breakfast, if the weather cooperates, we’ll head out for a morning snorkeling session with enormous and docile whale sharks. We’ll have a beach lunch and a chance to relax on Isla Espiritu Santo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, followed by an afternoon snorkeling excursion with sea lions. We’ll then board our 116-ft expedition yacht, our home at sea, for the next few days.
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Day 4–5: Aboard Expedition Yacht
We’re at sea, heading north towards Loreto to explore the Mechudo Corridor. Our goal is intimate encounters with the earth’s largest animal, blue whales, and their new calves. We also hope to encounter more humpbacks, huge pods of dolphins, giant fin-back whales, and, if we’re lucky, orcas or sperm whales.
Our yacht is supported by a spotter aircraft, which will help us find the action in the Mechudo Corridor. While onboard, you can take advantage of snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, paddling, and shore expeditions. We’ll also have time for image reviews and instruction.
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Day 6: La Paz to San Ignacio Lagoon
Our yacht arrives back in La Paz. We have a 1.5-hour afternoon flight to San Ignacio Lagoon, home to the world’s friendliest gray whales and our luxury camp. We’ll have a camp orientation, dinner, and a chance to relax and enjoy our camp.
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Day 7–8: Whale Watching in San Ignacio Lagoon
We’ll wake early on both days for breakfast and two gray whale-watching encounters. After a lunch break, we’ll have another session with the gray whales. After our afternoon whale watching each day, you can opt for kayaking, paddle boarding, or a walk in the desert. Evenings will have a cocktail hour around the fire pit, with dinner and evening presentations by one of the naturalists.
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Day 9: Return to San Jose del Cabo
We’ll have one more early breakfast at the camp and our final session with the gray whales. We’ll then fly back on our 1.5-hour return to Cabo. We’ll arrive at the Fbo executive terminal at San Jose del Cabo, with shuttles to either the airport terminal or back to Cabo San Lucas if you stay longer.
Book your departing flight no earlier than 3:00 PM on this day.
Accommodations
We’ve arranged unique accommodations on this trip to make your visit to Baja comfortable and memorable. Our expedition ship and luxury tents are double occupancy. We’ll match you with an appropriate roommate if you are traveling alone.
Your first two nights are spent in small boutique hotels in Cabo San Lucas and La Paz. The hotel in Cabo is single-occupancy, and the hotel in La Paz is double-occupancy.
Private Expedition Yacht
We’ll be aboard a 116-foot yacht accommodating 12 guests in 6 suites. The yacht features a main lounge and dining room with a wrap-around view, a large water-level platform, a sky lounge, a sun deck, and even a crow’s nest. Rooms are double occupancy and can be configured with a king or two double beds.
Luxury Tent Camping
We’ll camp in the desert, right at the ocean’s edge. But these tents are more like a pop-up hotel than a camp. Tents are heated, insulated, and windproof, with real beds, ensuite bathrooms and showers, hot and cold running water with good pressure, a dresser, 24-hour power, and a separate sitting area with a couch and easy chairs. The beds even have electric blankets to keep you warm at night. Our camp has a bar and lounge tent, and wifi is available throughout the camp. Tents are double occupancy and can be configured with a king or two double beds.
Why Travel With Us
Our small-group trips are designed for photographers, with guides who know the best locations and offer instruction to help improve your photography. Read more about why you should travel with us.
Dates & Prices
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Feb 26–Mar 6, 2025$6,950 USD Per PersonDouble Occupancy$175 USDSingle SupplementGuides: Kevin LisotaPayment Terms: Deposit: $2,500 USDRemainder Due: Oct 29, 2024
All of our standard Terms & Conditions apply. Be sure to read our Cancellation Policy.
What's Included
- Double occupancy lodging. Single lodging is available with payment of a single supplement fee.
- Single accommodations are only available at the hotel in Cabo.
- All transportation during the tour, including internal flights.
- All meals, soft drinks, water, and snacks during the tour.
- English-speaking local guides.
- All permits and entry fees.
- Instruction, guidance, and image reviews from our expert photography guides.
- Personal pre-trip phone consultation.
What's Not Included
- Airfare to and from destination, airport taxes, and excess baggage fees.
- Passport and visa fees, if applicable.
- Airport transfers at arrival/departure.
- Travel medical & evacuation insurance (required).
- Trip cancellation insurance (optional but recommended).
- Optional GoPro rental for $150 USD.
- Gratuities for local guides & crew.
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Any accommodations or meals before or after the tour dates.
- Items of a personal nature.