INTIMATE WHALE WATCHING EXPERIENCES

Join us at our private Ecolodge along the shores of San Ignacio Lagoon where Gray Whales have migrated to for thousands of generations. This Gray Whale Sanctuary is in the heart of Mexico’s largest protected area, El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve. Mother Gray Whales approach boats and encourage us to scratch, pet and even sing to them and their newly born calves. Over the years, this has become a regular occurrence only at San Ignacio Lagoon. This truly unique location is the only Gray Whale birthing lagoon in the world that has been left untouched by man 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. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff have guided thousands of happy adventure seekers.

For the avid Baja traveler or those with a sense of adventure we offer a self-arrival program. Whether you arrive by automobile, bus, or private plane you’ll enjoy the hospitality and comfort of our all-inclusive, secluded Ecolodge on the shores of San Ignacio lagoon - with all meals, beverages, kayaking, natural history excursions and two whale watches daily. Our “off the grid” solar and wind powered Ecolodge offers all-inclusive amenities. Your days are spent whale watching and exploring, while evenings are spent in the company of our local lagoon resident staff in our Ecolodge discussing the day’s events and enjoying informal lectures from our staff and resident experts. 

Self-Arrival: TWO Options depending on Dates of Travel

OPTION 1 Schedule your own Arrival and Departure Dates

Dates OPEN CAMP: January 15 - February 8 & March 28 - April 10 

Daily Rate: $425.00 per guest, double occupancy, 2 day minimum

Single Supplement fee: $95.00 daily for single cabin

*Group and family discounts of 6 or more and child discounts available

Trip includes: 

§ 2 days and nights at camp

§ 2 whale watching trips per day

§ Lodging, meals and camp activities

Arrival Time is 12pm. Upon Arrival you will get checked in to your cabin and then have lunch and an afternoon Whale watch. 

Departure Time is 11am. After breakfast we ask you to check-out of the cabins so our staff can prepare the rooms for the next guests. You will have a whale watch and then depart by 11am. Lunch can be arranged with advance notice and an additional charge.

Additional fees for Self Arrivals: 

Single Fees: $95usd per night

Biosphere Fee: $25usd per day (Vizcaino Biosphere Fee San Ignacio Lagoon)

Deposit:  $150 per person per night

OPTION 2 Join a scheduled group air trip as a Self-Arrival guest.

Dates to Join 5-day Air Trip: February 8- March 23

Trip Fee: $2495.00 per guest, double occupancy (all-inclusive fee)

Single Fee: $500.00 for cabin (if available) 

Trip includes: 

§ 4 days and nights at camp

§ 6 whale watching trips

§ lodging, meals and camp activities

§ all excursions and presentations offered during our 5-day Air Trips

Details:

Join one of our 5-day Air Trips and enjoy all the amenities of our most prestigious trip as a Self-Arrival guest at a fraction of the trip cost. Not all trips have availability and only a select number of Self-Arrival guests are permitted during each trip. Space is not always available – air guests have priority. 

Arrival Time is 3pm. Upon Arrival you will meet the incoming air travelers and then have group orientation to camp and Happy Hour at 5pm. No Whale Watch on Day 1.

Departure Time is 8am. Departure after breakfast usually around 8-8:30am 

Dates Available for 2025 -- SPACE IS LIMITED FOR EACH TRIP

P1 Feb 08 – 12 Sat-Wed 

P2 Feb 12 – 16 Wed-Sun **Special Author Trip with James Dorsey author of “The Lagoon”

P3 Feb 16 – 20 Sun-Thur 

P4 Feb 20 – 24 Thur-Mon 

P5 Feb 24 – 28 Mon-Fri 

P6 Feb 28 – Mar 04 Fri-Tues SOLD OUT

P7 Mar 04-08 Tues-Sat SOLD OUT 

P8 Mar 08-12 Sat-Wed SOLD OUT 

P9 Mar 12-16 Wed-Sun **Special Lunar Eclipse Trip

P10 Mar 16-20 Sun-Thur 

P11 Mar 20-24 Thur-Mon 

To Sign up for OPTION 2 please go to the 5 Day AIr  Trip and Select the Self-Arrival Option on that specific trip.

§ 2 up close whale watching trips per day

§ Solar powered beach cabins with lagoon views

§ Naturalist led discussions & field excursions

§ All inclusive: meals, beer, wine, margaritas & happy hour

§ Hiking, beach strolling, tide pool exploration

§ Experienced and knowledgeable local resident staff

§ Mangrove tour

§ Evening presentations

§ Bird watching and dark sky constellation gazing

Discover the unparalleled experience offered by Campo Cortez Ecolodge – your gateway to an unforgettable adventure at San Ignacio Lagoon. As a locally owned and operated ecolodge, we pride ourselves on our exceptional location, modern amenities, and commitment to sustainable practices.

Nestled on the outskirts of civilization, Campo Cortez Ecolodge provides a unique blend of comfort and environmental consciousness. Our off-the-grid community has been powered by solar and wind energy for over 25 years, ensuring a clean and renewable source of power. Constructed using traditional building methods and local materials, our palapa serves as the central gathering point for daily activities and meals.

With our state-of-the-art solar and wind generation system, you'll have access to 110 AC or 12-volt DC power for all your charging needs. Whether it's your phone, video camera, or camera batteries, you can conveniently recharge them in the dining palapa or your cabin during the day. Our facilities feature hot showers, flushing marine toilets, and numerous hand washing stations, providing modern comforts in harmony with the surrounding environment.

Stay connected with our STARLINK internet service, ensuring you can share your memorable moments and stay in touch with loved ones. Take advantage of our prime location to explore our trails for walking, hiking, and strolling on the beach. Join our tide-pooling excursions, where you'll discover fascinating marine life and even try your hand at chocolate clam hunting during our weekly clam and oyster bake.

  Always available in the palapa are: 

§ Book and video library of Baja & marine mammals & plants

§ Television to view our daily videos & presentations

§ Science and weather monitoring station

§ Coffee and hot tea

§ Snacks and fruit

§ Sodas, beer, and wine

§ Fresh drinking water 

Our beachside cabins come equipped with electricity, comfortable beds and are well protected from the wind and elements. Twelve of our cabins are double occupancy with two single beds and three cabins are triple occupancy with a double bed on one side and a single bed opposite. All our cabins are supplied with fresh linens, pillows, shelves and a countertop area with mirror. They are cozy, efficient and leave a small footprint on the land. They are painted with colors that blend into the mangroves and natural landscape which is a requirement to be approved by the local ecological committee. 

Special Accommodations: If you have any special needs, let us know and we will do everything we can to make your stay comfortable. If you use a CPAP machine, we have two cabins that provide power throughout the night to CPAP devices. 

Daily Camp Schedule:

7:00am Coffee, cereals, fruit

8:00am Hot breakfast

8:45am Whale watching

12:00pm Lunch

2:00pm Whale watching

5:00pm Happy hour

6:00pm Dinner

9:00pm Lights out-Palapa

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

Camp 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

§ Guided kayaking* excursions to mangroves 

*Kayaking is dependent upon the tide and weather. Camp guides will lead kayaking trips

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

§ Camp guidelines & whale watching information

§ Guide information & contact information 

§ Detailed packing list

§ Detailed Driving Instructions

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.