WHALE WATCHING AT SAN IGNACIO LAGOON
Day 1 - Arrival and Orientation at San Ignacio Lagoon
20-Feb-2027
Arrive, Settle In, and Begin Whale Watching Adventure
Ultimate Whale Watching Experience
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. 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.
El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve:
El Vizcaino Biosphere Reservehttps://www.bajaecotours.com/map-of-vizcaino-biosphere-reserve/
Trip Overview
A great way to see the Baja landscape scenery from the air on this two-and-a-half-hour flight via our commercially chartered aircraft. On the first day you will arrive in the afternoon at Campo Cortez Ecolodge at Laguna San Ignacio where you’ll spend four days and nights in cozy, comfortable, wooden cabins with views of the lagoon, comfortable beds, and electricity to charge your camera or other small devices. Enjoy whale watching twice daily with your local guides and boat captains who are residents of the lagoon that share with you their local knowledge of this peaceful Gray Whale Sanctuary. Days are spent whale watching, bird watching, beach-strolling or joining a guided tide-pool excursion, while evenings are spent discussing the day’s events with informal lectures, videos and discussions. Enjoy delicious authentic lagoon meals made with fresh locally sourced ingredients and you’ll love the sunsets, sunrises, and dark sky constellation gazing at night.
Campo Cortez Ecolodge
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. 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.
Evening Orientation and Happy Hour
After breakfast, travel via CBX to Tijuana Airport and fly to San Ignacio Lagoon. Settle into camp, enjoy an orientation, happy hour, and dinner.
Included in your trip fee: Lodging at Campo Cortez Ecolodge, all meals and beverages (sodas, beer, wine & margaritas while at Campo Cortez), round trip transportation from San Diego to San Ignacio Lagoon, entrance fee to Vizcaino Biosphere, naturalist led walks & discussions, two whale watching trips per day, tide pool exploration. Not included: Transportation to & from San Diego, hotel stays in San Diego, breakfast and lunch the morning of departure, premium liquor or call drinks, travel insurance, staff gratuity.
Day 2-4 - Whale Watching and Ecolodge Experience
21-Feb-2027
Immersive Whale Watching and Lagoon Adventures
Whale Watching Excursions
Enjoy six unforgettable whale watching excursions over three days, observing Gray Whales up close in their natural habitat at San Ignacio Lagoon.
Guided Tide Pool Exploration and Critter Hunts
Participate in guided tide pool exploration and critter hunts, discovering marine life and learning from naturalist guides.
Naturalist Led Excursions and Lectures
Join naturalist led excursions and lectures, gaining insights into the lagoon's ecosystem and wildlife.
Bird Watching and Beach Strolls
Enjoy bird watching and relaxing beach strolls along the shores of San Ignacio Lagoon.
Evening Presentations and Stargazing
Attend evening presentations and enjoy dark sky constellation gazing after sunset.
Hiking to the Gray Whale Boneyard
Hike to the Gray Whale boneyard and explore the ancient remains along the shoreline.
Campo Cortez Ecolodge
Stay at Campo Cortez solar powered Ecolodge on the shores of San Ignacio Lagoon. 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.
Ecolodge Facilities and Amenities
The central palapa serves as the heart of camp life, where guests gather for meals, activities, presentations, and connection. 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.
Daily Schedule at Ecolodge
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.
Schedule will vary day to day based on tide movements and weather.
Included in your trip fee: Lodging at Campo Cortez Ecolodge, all meals and beverages (sodas, beer, wine & margaritas while at Campo Cortez), round trip transportation from San Diego to San Ignacio Lagoon, entrance fee to Vizcaino Biosphere, naturalist led walks & discussions, two whale watching trips per day, tide pool exploration. Not included: Transportation to & from San Diego, hotel stays in San Diego, breakfast and lunch the morning of departure, premium liquor or call drinks, travel insurance, staff gratuity.
Happy Hour Daily at 5:30pm & Dinner at 6:30pm
At day’s end you’ll be treated to coffee, margaritas and other refreshments as the sun sets over the dunes in the distance, leaving a vermilion sky in its shadow. Sunsets are followed by authentic local Mexican meals with plenty of hand-made tortillas and fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Dinner is followed by informal lectures, slide and video presentations. At the end of each evening, you’ll retire to your cabin where you’ll relax to the sounds of the lagoon with whales breathing in the distance and coyotes howling to the moon.
Day 5 - Departure from San Ignacio Lagoon
24-Feb-2027
Depart Campo Cortez and Return to San Diego
Departure from Camp
After breakfast, depart camp and return to San Diego, arriving between 1:00–4:00 pm.
Travel Day
Private Flight to Tijuana and transport to San Diego CA. Early departure from the lagoon this morning: Breakfast is served at 7am so we can get an early start back to San Diego. Before breakfast, check out of your cabin and bring your luggage to the palapa so that we can load the bus. Enjoy your last breakfast with the crew and your fellow guests. Your flight brings you back to Tijuana usually by 12:00-12:30pm local Pacific Time. After gathering luggage, we will use the CBX entry through the secure building and into US Customs and Immigration. We will not leave the secure Tijuana Terminal - CBX is designed as a solution to expedite the US Border crossing process. Once the group clears customs, you board our chartered vehicle back to the hotel. Return times to the hotel in San Diego are anywhere from 2:00-4:00pm. But delays can and do happen, so please do not plan other connecting air travel on this day. We recommend you plan your travel the following day. We have special booking rates available at our hotel.
Hilton Garden Inn San Diego Old Town/SeaWorld Area
Experience comfort at the Hilton Garden Inn San Diego Old Town/SeaWorld Area, ideally located near attractions like Old Town and SeaWorld. Enjoy the convenience of a complimentary shuttle service and unwind by the outdoor pool. With on-site dining showcasing local flavors, this hotel combines modern amenities with a welcoming atmosphere.
Information
Please use this Booking link to reserve your room for the best rate possible.
Post-Trip Hotel
Check-in: February 24, 2027
Check-out: February 25, 2027
If you would like to add additional nights after your stay, please contact our hotel representative directly:
Brandon Mata
Area Sales Coordinator
Hilton Garden Inn San Diego Old Town/SeaWorld
619-376-4974
bmata@hgioldtown.com
What's Included
