8 Day Big Whale Trip Overview
The most comprehensive and extraordinary of our whale watching adventures, the Big Whale Expeditions combine two of Baja California’s most remarkable regions: the sheltered waters of San Ignacio Lagoon and the vibrant marine ecosystem of the Sea of Cortez in Loreto.
Experience unforgettable encounters with friendly gray whales and their calves in San Ignacio Lagoon, along with time in Loreto — winter home to the largest animal on Earth, the blue whale — as well as humpbacks, fin whales, orcas, dolphins, sea lions, and abundant seabirds. Sea safaris in the Loreto Bay National Marine Park and optional sunset cruises offer even more opportunities to explore this incredibly rich marine environment.
Guests spend time at our private off-grid ecolodge, Campo Cortez, located on the shores of San Ignacio Lagoon — one of the world’s premier gray whale birthing lagoons. Here, gray whales often approach our boats on their own, creating extraordinary close encounters found in very few places on Earth. The journey also includes time in Loreto, Baja California Sur, where guests enjoy comfortable ocean-view accommodations in the historic waterfront district.
These expeditions offer the rare opportunity to experience both the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez in one journey. Depending on the itinerary, trips include multiple whale watching outings at San Ignacio Lagoon along with sea safaris and island excursions in Loreto Bay National Marine Park. A visit to Coronado Island is often a highlight, with turquoise water, volcanic landscapes, sea lion colonies, and opportunities to walk the beach, swim, or simply relax and enjoy the scenery.
At Campo Cortez, guests enjoy comfortable cabins, fresh local meals, daily happy hour, and the warm hospitality of Maldo, his family, and our experienced guides. Beyond whale watching, guests can enjoy hiking, birding, beachcombing, tide pooling, nightly presentations, and spectacular sunsets over San Ignacio Lagoon.
Many guests also choose to extend their stay in Loreto to enjoy additional activities such as sportfishing, birdwatching, island excursions, cave painting tours, or visits to historic San Javier Mission.
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.