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 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 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.

Tales of Two Migrations: Gray Whales and Monarch Butterflies, the Adventures of a Lifetime

May 22, 2025 May 26, 2025 Lorna Hill Guide Reports

Tales of Two Migrations: Gray Whales and Monarch Butterflies Nature has orchestrated two extraordinary migrations along North America’s coasts and interior – the Pacific gray whale and the Monarch butterfly. While vastly different in size and species, these incredible journeys...Continue reading→

Birds at Low Tide

February 21, 2025 May 17, 2025 Johnny Friday 2025 Season

Bird Watching at Laguna San Ignacio From our Cabins As i sit in my cabin this afternoon writing this post with the door open and a magnificent view of the lagoon as the tide rolls out and a gathering of...Continue reading→

2023 San Ignacio Lagoon Whale Census

April 11, 2023 September 16, 2024 Johnny Friday Census, 2023 Season

2023 Whale Census for San Ignacio Lagoon. This is a an extremely positive outlook given there were so many newborn calves seen along with the high concentration of whales making the southbound journey. Over the past few years of 2021...Continue reading→

Fred Greene’s 5 Day Air Trip to San Ignacio Lagoon

April 9, 2023 September 16, 2024 Johnny Friday 2023 Season, Guest Reviews, Videos

Thanks Fred for this great video of your trip on March 12-16. Fred shows us a full accounting of our 5 day air trip to San Ignacio Lagoon and Campo Cortez to see the Gray Whales. Private flight from Tijuana...Continue reading→

What Our Guests Are Saying

"This is an absolute MUST! Baja Ecotours was a huge part of why my trip was so extraordinary. Go with this company! You won’t regret it!"

Kelly Moore
"The most incredible experience I've ever had, an incredibly beautiful and remote place, where the connection with nature and other people is impossible not to happen. "

Sandra Naylor
"Watching gray whales play around the boat is some of the most amazing wild animal encounters I've ever had. Baja Ecotours made that experience even more enjoyable."

Peter Kragh
"What a fantastic experience...a trip of a lifetime with Baja Ecotours!!! Would highly recommend this trip to anyone interested in nature and big animals!"

Curtis McNamee
"I have returned to Campo Cortez and Baja Ecotours for two decades. There are no equal companies for seeing whales up close and learning how to appreciate and protect them."

James Dorsey
"Magical people and magical place. The whales literally followed us with Captain Maldo. This is a must experience for everyone!"

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