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 interaction 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. 

Arrival in Loreto

Our 7-Day Big Whale Trip begins in the seaside town of Loreto, where we gather at a waterfront hotel overlooking the islands of the Sea of Cortez. We start with a relaxed welcome Happy Hour, giving you the chance to meet your fellow travelers, connect with your guides, and prepare for the adventure ahead.

The following morning, we walk across the street to board our boats for a sea safari into Loreto Bay National Marine Park. A full days exploring these protected waters, we search for Blue whales, Humpbacks, Fin whales, and Orcas, along with dolphins, sea lions, and blue-footed boobies. A visit to Coronado Island is a highlight, with its turquoise waters and dramatic lava formations. Enjoy time to stroll the beach, swim, hike, or simply relax before returning to Loreto. Optional add-on: In the afternoon, we get picked up and travel to Puerto Escondido to meet a catamaran for a sunset whale watch and sunset cruise. (Space limited to 16 on sunset whale watch cruise)

Journey to San Ignacio Lagoon

The next morning, enjoy an early buffet breakfast before beginning your road trip to San Ignacio Lagoon. We stop in the town of San Ignacio for lunch before continuing on.

Late in the afternoon, you arrive at Campo Cortez Ecolodge, where you’ll spend four days and nights in clean, comfortable wooden cabins with lagoon views, comfortable beds, and electricity to charge cameras and small devices.

Life at the Lagoon

Enjoy whale watching twice daily with our local guides and boat captains who are residents of the lagoon and share their knowledge of this peaceful Gray whale sanctuary.

Days are spent whale watching, bird watching, beach walking, or joining a guide-led tide pool excursion. Evenings include informal lectures, videos, discussions, and shared meals made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Sunsets, sunrises, and dark sky stargazing are all part of the experience.

Return to Loreto

On Day 6, say goodbye to Campo Cortez and head into San Ignacio town. Spend time in the plaza, visit the historic 18th-century Jesuit mission, or enjoy coffee and local treats before continuing to Loreto for your final night at the seaside hotel.

After breakfast on the final day, we shuttle to the airport. Many guests choose to extend their stay in Loreto either before or after the trip.

§ 4 up close whale watching trips in San Ignacio Lagoon

§ 2 whale watching trips in Loreto (one sea safari and one sunset cruise- limited to 16)

§ 3 nights in Loreto at seaside luxury hotel, La Mision

§ 2 full days and 3 nights at our private Ecolodge, Campo Cortez

§ Solar powered beach cabins with lagoon views

§ Naturalist led discussions & field excursions

§ All inclusive: meals, beer, wine, margaritas & happy hour while at Campo Cortez

§ Hiking, beach strolling, tide pool exploration

§ Experienced and knowledgeable local resident staff

§ Evening presentations

§ Bird watching and dark sky constellation gazing

§ Sightseeing in the historic plaza and mission in San Ignacio town

§ Round trip transportation to San Ignacio Lagoon

§ Some meals in Loreto: Breakfast buffets, welcome Happy Hour, some lunches

The town of Loreto offers a rich mix of Old Mission traditions, adventure driven lifestyles, with a wealth of Mexican Culture. Loreto was the first capital of the Californias, and the historic “Our Lady of Loreto” Mission, located in Loreto’s town square is still open to the public and for daily use. Loreto’s beautiful location is nestled between the Sea of Cortez and the Sierra de la Giganta Mountain range, giving visitors a unique mix between ocean and mountain activities.

Baja CA Sur has many amazing activities based out of Loreto: cave painting tours, sea safaris, island exploring, visiting Mission San Javier, golfing, sportfishing, birding tours in the park and desert and many more. This trip is the perfect itinerary to add extra days and activities to your Baja Adventure. If you have questions or want some suggestions, we are happy to help! Just ask us for recommended providers of adventure. 

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.

Daily Ecolodge 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

Schedule WILL vary day to day based on tide movements and weather

Ecolodge Activities:

§ Guided tide pool exploration & critter hunts 

§ Naturalist led excursions & lectures

§ Up close whale observation & interactions

§ Happy hour & incredible sunsets 

§ Hike to Gray whale boneyard

§ Beach strolling and dark sky constellation gazing

§ Bird watching

Because we value a small group size, availability is on a limited basis. Please make your reservations well in advance to secure your spots. Many of our guests plan and book their trips at least six to fourteen 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

§ Camp guidelines & whale watching information

§ Guide information & contact information 

§ Detailed packing list

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.

Your 7-Day Big Whale Adventure begins in the charming seaside town of Loreto, Baja California Sur — the historic heart of the Sea of Cortez. We gather at our waterfront hotel, where sweeping views of rugged islands stretch across the Sea of Cortez. The evening starts with a relaxed welcome happy hour, the perfect opportunity to meet your fellow travelers, connect with your expert guides, and toast to the unforgettable journey ahead.

Arrive on your own to Loreto, Baja CA Sur Mexico.

Hotel Check-in 3pm

The following morning, you’ll leave the Sea of Cortez behind and head north on Highway 1 into the rugged desert landscapes of Baja California Sur on your way to San Ignacio Lagoon. The scenic drive takes you through a dramatic panorama of towering cardón cacti, rocky mountain ranges, and sweeping desert vistas. About halfway, you’ll make a stop in the oasis town of Mulegé, where you can stretch your legs. Continuing onward, the road winds through more striking desert scenery before the arid landscape slowly gives way to the unexpected greenery of San Ignacio — a peaceful desert oasis shaded by thousands of swaying date palms and centered around a historic mission. Here we have lunch at a local restaurant on the banks of the oasis. Our final segment of the drive takes us through numerous desert ranches and to shoreline of San Ignacio Lagoon where we finally arrive to Campo Cortez Ecolodge, nestled on the shores of the lagoon in the heart of the Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve. Here, surrounded by the wilderness where desert meets water, you settle into your comfortable solar-powered cabin, enjoy a delicious dinner featuring fresh local flavors, and relax under the vast desert sky.

Enjoy twice-daily whale watching, with four outings in total, giving you excellent opportunities to see the whales up close. In between excursions, relax and take in the timeless rhythms of the lagoon and its remarkable wildlife. Wander the shell-strewn beaches; join an afternoon low tide exploration; play games; take a natural history excursion with our guides; or simply relax. All activities & times will be listed in the palapa on our activity board.

Depart Campo Cortez after breakfast and drive to San Ignacio Town where you will have a chance to walk around the town plaza, see the historic Jesuit 17th century mission, and have lunch before departing for the return road trip to Loreto. Dinner on your own in the evening or join our guide for farewell group dinner (dinner not included).

The next morning, after a hearty breakfast buffet, we cross the street to the marina and board our whale watching boats for an exciting sea safari inside the Loreto Bay National Marine Park. This protected paradise is one of the best places on Earth to encounter the ocean’s giants. We’ll spend the day searching for Blue whales, Humpback whales, Fin whales, Orcas, and two species of dolphins that frequently grace these nutrient-rich waters. A highlight of the day is our visit to Coronado Island. Surrounded by vivid turquoise waters and dramatic lava formations, the island is home to a lively colony of sea lions and an impressive array of seabirds — including the rare blue-footed boobie, brown pelicans, magnificent frigate birds, and ospreys. Bird enthusiasts will be in heaven. Once ashore, you’ll have free time to stroll the pristine beach, swim in the crystal-clear water, hike the island trails, or simply relax and soak in the beauty.

Afternoon: Free time to experience Loreto on your own shopping, dining, hiking, or relaxing poolside.

In the late afternoon, we head south to Puerto Escondido, where the massive Sierra de la Giganta mountains dramatically plunge into the sea, creating a jaw-dropping backdrop. Here we board a spacious catamaran for a magical sunset whale watch. As the sun dips behind the towering cliffs and islands, we enjoy drinks and snacks while scanning for whales in one of the most scenic settings imaginable (limited to 16 guests per outing; participation rotated when necessary).

We return to our hotel in Loreto by 7:45 pm for dinner and a well-earned night’s rest.

Buffet Breakfast included at Hotel La Mision. Some guests will stay on and continue their adventure in Loreto on their own or we have a morning shuttle to the airport for individual flights home.

THE ULTIMATE LUXURY IN LORETO Discover La Mision Hotel in Baja Sur, a stunning and elegant resort with a contemporary European-Mexican Hacienda Style which shows the “Old Mission” flavor of Baja Mexico.  Hotel La Mision offers a luxurious oceanfront experience for those who seek the finest hotel accommodations in Loreto, Mexico. 

Enjoy views of the Sea of Cortez from your room at this beautiful hotel. Take a stroll on the Malecon or the beach, browse local shops and eat in delicious local restaurants all a short walk from our hotel. Breakfast buffet for both mornings of your stay is a delight with fresh juices, fruit, breads, full service hot breakfast.

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

Powered by advanced solar generation systems, the lodge provides 110 AC and 12-volt DC electricity for charging phones, cameras, and other devices in the palapa and cabins during daylight hours. While we encourage guests to unplug and immerse themselves in nature, we also offer Starlink internet access and a cellular antenna booster for those who wish to stay connected.

Our eco-friendly facilities include hot showers, flushing marine toilets, hand-washing stations, and clean reverse osmosis drinking water. The palapa is stocked with coffee and tea, fresh fruit and snacks, sodas, beer, and wine. Guests also enjoy a Baja-focused book library, a large-screen TV for daily presentations, a science and weather monitoring station, and a gift shop featuring locally crafted goods.

Our beachside cabins are equipped with electricity, comfortable beds, and sturdy construction that protects from coastal winds and desert elements. Ten cabins accommodate two guests with a mix of single and double beds, and three cabins accommodate three guests with one double and one single bed. Two deluxe cabins offer a private in-room toilet for nighttime convenience (available for an additional fee).

All cabins include fresh linens, pillows, shelving, and a countertop with a mirror. Charging stations provide one standard USB and two USB-C connections. Designed to be cozy and efficient, each cabin maintains a small footprint on the land.

Special Accommodations: If you have specific needs, please let us know—we will do everything possible to ensure a comfortable stay.

CPAP Users: Two cabins provide standard A/C power throughout the night for medical devices.

Special Diets: We gladly accommodate vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and other dietary needs with advance notice.

One thing we are passionate about is respecting and honoring the whales that come here each winter. Our boat captains are all local residents of San Ignacio Lagoon and they each have decades of experience. Why does that matter? Well, maneuvering close to whales and keeping the panga steady and in perfect position is truly an art. They make it look easy but if you observe less experienced captains, you can see the difference. We respect the rules of the Lagoon to not overcrowd the whales and are considerate of other boats. Not many other camps own their own pangas or are as fortunate to have the excellent captains that we have. Our pangas are specially designed with low sides and cushioned benches to make the up close experiences easy and comfortable for our guests. Owning our boats ensures that we can keep small group sizes on each whale watch.