Get Up Close and Personal with Friendly Gray Whales

The experience of a colossal 40-foot whale cruising up to your boat, making direct eye contact, and clearly expressing a desire for you to extend your hand into the water for a gentle touch will be unforgettable. Touch a whale and it will touch your heart!

Wake up early in the morning to a breathtaking view of the sunrise, tranquil ocean waters, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, and locally sourced, freshly squeezed fruit juices, followed by your choice of Baja traditional homemade breakfast.

We then head out into the bay with the expert knowledge of the Magdalena Bay Whales Team to guide you to the best spots to interact with our famous gray whales, and set out in search of our first group of whales. It won't take much time before someone in our group spots the unmistakable 10-ft high whale-blow and excitedly exclaims, "Whale!" Every sighting is a truly special moment, and the real magic happens when you experience it firsthand. Soon, we'll be in the company of the friendly 35-45 ft, 40-50 ton gray whales!

As our boat approaches, they'll hear and notice us. When we spend time with the whales, our primary aim is to convey to our long-time friend that we mean no harm and are there solely to appreciate their majestic presence. Gray whales are delicate and beautiful creatures. After spending some time together, you'll start to gauge whether the whale is curious about our presence or if she intends to continue her journey, signaling her intentions by fluking her tail – a quick sign that she's about to dive deep and gracefully move away from our vicinity.

Magdalena Bay is a world of whales and wildness. Every year, gray whales travel from Alaska to Magdalena Bay to give birth, mate, raise their calves, and interact with human visitors.
The protected and calm lagoon provides an ideal destination for gray whales to birth and raise their young.

Interaction with Humans:  The gray whales in Magdalena Bay appear to enjoy human contact and will interact with humans if given the opportunity.
They approach whale watching boats and playfully splash and interact with people for hours on end. They are known as the "friendly whale" for their curious and playful nature. This behavior is unique to the gray whales in this area and is not seen with other whale species.

Touching and Playing:  Unlike most wildlife watching experiences, it is permissible to touch and play with the gray whales in Magdalena Bay. If the whales approach the boat, visitors can give them a good scratch or even a kiss. If visitors do not engage with the whales, they may appear disappointed and disinterested, and move on to another boat.

Natural Behavior:  Gray whales engage in natural behaviors such as breaching the surface for air, splashing on re-entry, spouting sprays of water, and spy-hopping (peering their heads above the water vertically). Observing these behaviors in their natural habitat adds to the special experience of gray whale watching in Magdalena Bay. 

On the water all things are possible! We've encountered pods of dolphins surrounding our boats, with numbers reaching 600-800 dolphins. We have experienced sea lions swim alongside us, creating unforgettable moments.
We will continue to explore all areas where whales play and exhibit different behavior patterns. Our guides are very knowledgeable in the ways of gray whales, and dedicate time observing and understanding their behavior.

Once we locate a friendly whale eager for a close encounter, we start communicating through calling out a name, whistling, singing, waving gently, or even playing your favorite instrument. The gray whales are made curious by so many different things!

 Registration/Deposit $600

   $100 = Registration fee to Alt Esc. Refundable for two weeks from registration date.

   $500 =Submitted to supplier to reserve space on tour. This is refundable for 90 Days from registration date - up until Nov 2, 2025, then it is nonrefundable.

     November 2, 2025 - Final Payment Due

Many travelers prefer to book their own international flights. Some want to use miles or credits and others want to control their departure and arrival times - possibly adding a pre or post trip to this adventure.

If you would like, Alt Esc Travel can assist you in booking your flights, just ask!

Overnight: La Mision Loreto Hotel

After breakfast, we will embark on a breathtaking journey with our Coronado Island Adventure. This tour promises a half-hour scenic boat ride from Loreto, where we're likely to spot playful sea lions, diverse bird colonies, and perhaps even dolphins. Dive into an underwater spectacle with our snorkeling experience, witnessing the rich marine life beneath the waves.

The highlight of the tour is Coronado Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasting stunning landscapes and a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. After exploring the island, unwind on its immaculate white beaches with a delightful picnic lunch, soaking in the serene beauty of this natural paradise.

This adventure isn't just a tour; it's a must-do experience, offering an unforgettable blend of relaxation, exploration, and wildlife encounters. A true jewel of La Baja's calm and captivating environment.

Included: Access fee to Loreto Islands National Park, Certified Staff, Beach chairs, Use of Snorkeling equipment, Lunch Picnic (Menu: Fresh fish ceviche, burritos, sliced fruit, granola bars and chips Soda/Pop)

We will return to our hotel for an afternoon siesta before we walk into the center of town for a delicious home-cooked dining experience!

Overnight: https://www.lamisionloreto.com/

Meals, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast at our hotel, our responsible and licensed drivers pick us up - approximately 11AM - at the hotel to take us safely to Magdalena Bay. Upon arrival,  we will stop by the office for the family/staff to greet us. We will be provided with all the information about our upcoming tour and address any questions or concerns we may have, then we will go to the boat launch for transfer to Island Glamping.

 ~ Private Transportation from & to Loreto
~  Introduction to Island Glamping  &  assign you a canvas tent  (5 canvas tents with 2 queen-size beds each)
~ Salsa Bar, Lunch , Dinner & Refreshments @ Island Camp
~ Activities of choice

Overnight: Island Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Embark on an exciting adventure after our delicious breakfast! 

Your first whale watching and eco-tourism. Our experienced captains will guide us to different areas where whales exhibit unique behaviors. Returning to camp to continue enjoying meals and exploring the island.

~ Courtesy breakfast
~ Private Whale Adventure/Water & Snacks on board
~ Salsa Bar, Lunch ,Dinner & Re Refreshments @ Island Camp
~ Activities of choice

Overnight: Island Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, we will begin our whale watching and ecotourism adventure. We will return to the camp for lunch, transfer your personal belongings to your boat, and return you to the port/hotel to transfer you to the Isabela B&B and assign you your rooms.

~ Breakfast
~ Private Whale Adventure/Water & Snacks on board
~ Salsa Bar, Lunch, Refreshments @ Island Camp
~ Boat transportation back to port/hotel .
~ Transfer to Hotel Isabela B&B (5 rooms with 2 king-size beds, each)
~ Hot Shower, T.V & courtesy WIFI

We are on our own for dinner. On property is the Palapa Patio Restaurant.

Overnight: Isabel Bed & Breakfast

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After our good night's sleep and delicious breakfast, we go for yet another whale watch experience!

~ Breakfast
~ Private Whale Adventure/Water & Snacks on board

We are on our own for dinner. On property is the Palapa Patio Restaurant. 

Overnight: Isabela Bed & Breakfast

Meals: Breakfast

After our delicious breakfast, we'll begin your last whale-watching and ecotourism adventure. We'll return to the port/hotel and then provide transportation to Loreto for the day.

 ~ Breakfast
~ Private Whale Adventure/Water & Snacks on board
~ Private Transportation Loreto  (choice of location)

Note: We'll return to port after your lunch,  between   1:00 - 1:30 pm
Overnight: TBD - depending on flight departure times.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch