Welcome to Laguna San Ignacio’s premier locally owned and operated Ecolodge – Campo Cortez – located along the shores of San Ignacio Lagoon in the heart of Mexico’s largest protected area, El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve.

Gray Whales have migrated here for thousands of generations for the purpose of giving birth and mating. Over the years these whales have come to be known as “friendlies” because of their notable behavior approaching our boats encouraging us to interact with them and their newly born calves. Over the years, this has become a regular occurrence only at San Ignacio Lagoon. This unique location is the only Gray Whale birthing lagoon in the world that has been left untouched by industrialization and modern civilization and has a local community striving to keep the lagoon a sacred and protected sanctuary.

Our low impact Ecolodge is a sustainable way to come and experience this life changing event and interaction with the whales. We are one of the last remaining family-owned operators at San Ignacio Lagoon. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff have guided thousands of life-changing adventures.

During your expedition you'll stay in Loreto, Baja California Sur, Mexico at a waterfront deluxe hotel , as well as at our private ecolodge, Campo Cortez, in San Ignacio Lagoon. At Campo Cortez, you’ll experience the warm, first-class hospitality of Maldo and his family alongside our expert guides, with multiple whale watching excursions offering extraordinary up-close encounters with gray whales.

In Loreto, settle into your seaside hotel and enjoy free evenings to explore the town’s many excellent restaurants at your own pace or with fellow travelers. Whale watching and marine excursions take place in the protected waters of Loreto National Marine Park, where we search for blue whales, humpbacks, and other marine life including dolphins, sea lions, and blue-footed boobies. Your time on the water also includes a sunset cruise with snacks, offering a relaxed and beautiful way to experience the coastline while keeping an eye out for whales and other wildlife.

A visit to Coronado Island is a highlight, with its turquoise waters and dramatic lava formations. Enjoy time to walk the beach, look for shells, swim, or simply take in the scenery. Back in Loreto, there’s ample free time to relax by the pool or explore—whether that’s sightseeing, e-biking, shopping, or just soaking in the charm of this historic coastal town.

• See the best of both coasts- Sea of Cortez and San Ignacio Lagoon

• 4-6 Gray whale watching trips (trips vary)

• 1 or 2 Sea Safaris in Loreto (trips vary)

• Sunset Cruise with whale watching in Loreto

• Multiple days and nights at our private Ecolodge, Campo Cortez

• Naturalist led discussions and field excursions

• Hiking, beach strolling, tide pool exploration, constellation gazing

• Multiple nights in Loreto at Hotel La Mision

• Whale watching in with the friendly Gray Whales in San Ignacio Lagoon

• Sea Safari with Whale watching in Loreto National Park to see Blue Whales, Humpbacks, Fin Whales and other wildlife species

• Free time in Loreto to explore on your own

• Explore a local island off coast of Loreto

• All meals at Campo Cortez included and breakfast meals in Loreto are included

Situated at the heart of the Vizcaino Biosphere, Campo Cortez solar powered Ecolodge lies on the shores of San Ignacio Lagoon, at the mouth of one of the largest bird estuaries in the area, offering spectacular opportunities to view breeding and birthing Gray whales throughout the day. A variety of species of migrating birds take refuge in the mangrove forest along our shoreline, which provides excellent bird watching and tide-pool walks. The local shoreline here is covered with millions of years of ancient whale fossils, bones, and shells.

This region of the Baja Peninsula is truly a piece of paradise that has been left untouched throughout thousands of generations and offers visitors a look at how the peninsula once was before man’s arrival.

Seemingly perched on the edge of civilization, Campo Cortez is a fully off-the-grid, solar-powered ecolodge designed for comfort with minimal environmental impact. Built using local materials and traditional methods, the central palapa serves as the heart of camp life—where guests gather for meals, activities, presentations, and connection.

The lodge is powered by advanced solar systems, providing 110 AC and 12-volt DC electricity for charging devices in both the palapa and cabins during daylight hours. While we encourage guests to unplug and immerse themselves in nature, Starlink internet and a cellular booster are available for those who wish to stay connected.

Facilities include hot showers, flushing marine toilets, hand-washing stations, and clean reverse osmosis drinking water. The palapa is stocked with coffee, tea, fresh fruit, snacks, sodas, beer, and wine, and also features a Baja-focused library, large-screen TV for presentations, a science and weather station, and a small gift shop with locally crafted goods.

Beachside cabins are simple, comfortable, and well-built to protect from coastal winds and desert conditions. Most accommodate two guests with a mix of single or double beds, with a few larger cabins for three guests. Two deluxe cabins include a private in-room toilet for nighttime convenience (available for an additional fee). All cabins include fresh linens, pillows, shelving, a countertop with mirror, and USB/USB-C charging stations.

Special Accommodations: Please let us know in advance if you have specific needs—we will do everything possible to ensure a comfortable stay.
CPAP Users: Select cabins provide overnight A/C power for medical devices.
Special Diets: Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and other dietary needs can be accommodated with advance notice.

Walk across the street to the Marina and load into boats for a sea safari with whale watching. We will search for Humpbacks, Blue Whales, and other wildlife including blue-footed boobies, sea lions, and dolphins. A stop on Coronado Island is a highlight; turquoise water, dramatic lava flows coming from the volcano that is Coronado Island. Browse for shells, rest, swim, or hike along the island, you’ll have time to unwind before we head back to Loreto.

Enjoy an evening guided eco-tour that showcases the breathtaking natural beauty of Loreto. With a focus on wildlife observation, guests can expect to see diverse marine life and local birds. The tours are led by knowledgeable guides, ensuring a rich learning experience, while small group sizes allow for a more personalized adventure.

Spend three full days at our private Ecolodge, Campo Cortez, with two whale watching trips daily and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere - hiking, beach strolling or bird watching. Each morning, after a hearty breakfast you’ll depart on our skiffs to see the whales. Each trip lasts approximately two hours from the time we leave camp. You’ll witness the spectacular behavior of these gentle giants as they breach and spy hop all around us, sometimes approaching our skiffs for a better view of us. Observe mothers tending to their calves and males courting females. There is truly no place like this on the planet. Lunch is served midday and a second whale watch follows around 2:00pm.

Daily Schedule:

7:00am: Coffee, cereals, fruit

8:00am: Hot breakfast

8:45am: Whale Watching

12:00pm: Lunch

2:00pm: Whale Watching

5:30pm: Happy hour

6:30pm: Dinner

9:00pm: Lights out-Palapa

Activities:

• Guided tide pool exploration & critter hunts

• Naturalist led excursions & lectures

• Up close whale observation & petting

• Happy hour & incredible sunsets

• Hike to the Gray Whale boneyard

• Beach strolling and dark sky constellation gazing

• Bird watching

• Games and activities

BW1 | Feb 1–7, 2027

7 Days | From $4,200

A classic introduction to the Big Whale experience, combining time in Loreto with immersive whale encounters in San Ignacio Lagoon. Enjoy the contrast of the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific coast, with comfortable stays and a relaxed pace.

• Begins & ends in Loreto

• 3 nights in Loreto (waterfront hotel) + 3 nights at Campo Cortez

• 4 gray whale watches in San Ignacio Lagoon

• 1 Sea Safari + 1 Sunset Cruise in Loreto

• Scenic round-trip road journey across Baja

View itinerary & reserve your spot

BW2 | Feb 4–10, 2027

7 Days | From $4,400

A balanced itinerary offering the best of Baja—up-close gray whale encounters paired with marine life exploration in the Sea of Cortez, plus time to unwind in Loreto.

• Begins & ends in Loreto

• 3 nights in Loreto + 3 nights at Campo Cortez

• 4 gray whale watches

• 1 Sea Safari + 1 Sunset Cruise

• Scenic road trip through the Baja peninsula

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BW3 | Feb 7–13, 2027

7 Days | From $4,400

A well-paced adventure with rich wildlife experiences on both coasts, ideal for travelers wanting a mix of comfort, exploration, and meaningful time with the whales.

• Begins & ends in Loreto

• 3 nights in Loreto + 3 nights at Campo Cortez

• 4 gray whale watches

• 1 Sea Safari + 1 Sunset Cruise

• Road transfer between Loreto and the lagoon

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BW4 | Feb 10–17, 2027

8 Days | From $5,500

Our Deluxe itinerary adds more time at the lagoon and a seamless return by private flight—maximizing your time with the whales while still enjoying Loreto’s coastal beauty.

• Begins & ends in Loreto

• 3 nights in Loreto + 4 nights at Campo Cortez

• 6 gray whale watches

• 1 Sea Safari + 1 Sunset Cruise

• Scenic road trip to lagoon + return via private flight

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BW5 | Feb 13–20, 2027

8 Days | From $5,800

A premium cross-peninsula journey combining extended lagoon time with two Sea of Cortez explorations, ending with a convenient return to San Diego.

• Begins in Loreto, ends in San Diego

• 3 nights in Loreto + 4 nights at Campo Cortez

• 7 gray whale watches

• 2 Sea Safaris + 1 Sunset Cruise

• Road transfer to lagoon + private flight return to San Diego

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BW6 | Mar 16–23, 2027

8 Days | From $5,950

The most seamless and efficient Deluxe itinerary—private flights in both directions paired with extended time in both regions for a true “best of Baja” experience.

• Begins in San Diego, ends in Loreto

• Private flights to/from San Ignacio Lagoon

• 4 nights at Campo Cortez + 3 nights in Loreto

• 6 gray whale watches

• 2 Sea Safaris + 1 Sunset Cruise

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BW8 | Mar 23–29, 2027

7 Days | From $4,200

A late-season departure with excellent whale activity and a relaxed rhythm—ideal for those looking for fewer crowds and great conditions on both coasts.

• Begins & ends in Loreto

• 3 nights in Loreto + 3 nights at Campo Cortez

• 4 gray whale watches

• 1 Sea Safari + 1 Sunset Cruise

• Scenic round-trip road journey

View itinerary & reserve your spot

• Lodging at Campo Cortez Ecolodge

• Hotel Stays at La Mision Hotel

• All meals & beverages: sodas, beer, wine & margaritas while at Campo Cortez

• Breakfast daily while in Loreto

• Naturalist led walks & discussions

• Two whale watching trips per day while at Campo Cortez

• Sea safari with whale watches in Loreto

• Sunset Cruise in Loreto

• Tide pool exploration

• Transportation to trip beginning point and ending point

• Dinners and lunches on your own in Loreto

• Travel insurance

• Staff gratuity

Availability is on a limited basis. Please make your reservations well in advance to secure your space on the aircraft and at camp. Many of our guests plan and book their trips at least six to twelve months in advance. For your comfort, space is limited at camp and all our reservations are made on a first come basis. Please call or email us to check our schedule for availability.

Before your departure, you’ll receive from us:

• Comprehensive itinerary package, travel information & Detailed Packing List

• Camp guidelines & whale watching information

• Guide information & contact

We are consistently rated the #1 Travelers’ Choice on Trip Advisor year after year for one reason, our Staff and Owners - who are residents and locals to San Ignacio Lagoon. We are four generations of family living and working in the lagoon since the settlement of San Ignacio Lagoon. We take pride in our efforts at our Ecolodge to have a low-impact environmentally and the responsibility that we carry as Ambassadors to the lagoon and its many wildlife residents.

USA: +1-619-819-2966

Toll Free in Canada and USA:
877-506-0557

UK: +44-207-993-8877

EMAIL: info@bajaecotours.com