What a San Ignacio Lagoon Whale-Watching Trip Costs
A guided Baja Ecotours trip to San Ignacio Lagoon in 2027 has a trip fee of $4,200 to $8,300 per person, depending on the trip and the departure. Smaller fees for the biosphere reserve, the Loreto park, and airport and border crossings are added to that, and they range from $70 to $405 per person. Guests who arrange their own travel to Campo Cortez can stay from $535 per person per day.
Every figure on this page comes from our published 2027 trip calendar. Prices are per person in U.S. dollars. For how the trips differ beyond price, see our Baja whale watching guide.
Scheduled trips and what each one costs
The total below is the trip fee plus the fees listed for that trip on the calendar. It is the amount WeTravel shows when you book, before any single-occupancy fee.
| Departure | Dates (2027) | Trip | Trip fee | Listed fees | Total per person |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BW1 | Feb 1 to 7 | 7-Day Big Whale | $4,200 | $70 | $4,270 |
| BW2 | Feb 4 to 10 | 7-Day Big Whale | $4,400 | $70 | $4,470 |
| BW3 | Feb 7 to 13 | 7-Day Big Whale | $4,400 | $70 | $4,470 |
| BW4 | Feb 10 to 17 | 8-Day Big Whale Deluxe | $5,500 | $140 | $5,640 |
| BW5 | Feb 13 to 20 | 8-Day Big Whale Deluxe | $5,800 | $360 | $6,160 |
| GM1 | Feb 16 to 24 | Great Migrations of Mexico (private group) | $8,300 | $320 | $8,620 |
| P1 | Feb 20 to 24 | 5-Day Private Air (private group) | $4,999 | $320 | $5,319 |
| P2 | Feb 24 to 28 | 5-Day Private Air | $4,999 | $320 | $5,319 |
| P3 | Feb 28 to Mar 4 | 5-Day Private Air | $4,999 | $320 | $5,319 |
| P4 | Mar 4 to 8 | 5-Day Private Air | $4,999 | $320 | $5,319 |
| P5 | Mar 8 to 12 | 5-Day Private Air with author James Dorsey | $5,150 | $320 | $5,470 |
| P6 | Mar 12 to 16 | 5-Day Private Air | $4,999 | $320 | $5,319 |
| BW6 | Mar 16 to 23 | 8-Day Big Whale Deluxe | $5,950 | $405 | $6,355 |
| BW8 | Mar 23 to 29 | 7-Day Big Whale | $4,200 | $70 | $4,270 |
The March 17 to 25 departure (BW7) is a custom itinerary for a private group and is sold out.
The fees added to the trip fee
The listed fees differ by trip because each trip passes through different protected areas and crossings.
| Trip | Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve | Loreto park fee | Airport and CBX crossing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Private Air | $100 | none | $220 |
| 7-Day Big Whale | $50 | $20 | none |
| 8-Day Big Whale Deluxe | $100 | $40 | $220 on BW5, $265 on BW6, none on BW4 |
| Great Migrations of Mexico | $100 | none | $220 |
The biosphere fee goes toward the protected area itself. These fees are listed separately from the trip fee, and WeTravel shows them in the total you pay, so nothing more is collected for them at Campo Cortez.
Self-arrival stays
If you reach Campo Cortez on your own, you pay only for your time at the lagoon.
Flexible-date stays run from January 25 to February 12 and from March 24 to April 4. They cost $535 per person per day plus a $35 daily biosphere fee, with a two-day minimum, so a two-day stay comes to $1,140 per person.
On scheduled dates, you join one of the guided groups at Campo Cortez for four nights and five days. The fee is $2,895 per person plus the $100 biosphere fee, or $2,995 plus $100 on the James Dorsey dates. Only two cabins are available for this option.
Your transportation to and from the lagoon is not included in either option.
Traveling alone, and deposits
Trip fees are per person, based on sharing a cabin. A guest who wants a cabin alone pays a single-occupancy fee.
| Trip | Single-occupancy fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Private Air | $500 per person | $750 per person |
| 7-Day and 8-Day Big Whale | $850 per person | $1,000 per person |
| Great Migrations of Mexico | $850 per person | $1,000 per person |
| Self-Arrival, scheduled dates | $500 per person | $750 per person |
| Self-Arrival, flexible dates | $100 per person per day | $200 per person per day |
Final payment is due 90 days before departure. Guests outside the United States can pay through WeTravel’s multi-currency checkout, which shows the supported currencies, payment methods, and any processing fee before you pay.
What the trip fee includes
On the 5-Day Private Air trips, the trip fee includes:
- group transportation between the San Diego hotel and the CBX crossing
- the round-trip charter flight between Tijuana and San Ignacio Lagoon
- four nights at Campo Cortez
- six whale watches with local captains and Baja Ecotours naturalists
- all meals at Campo Cortez, from dinner on the first day to breakfast on the last
- soft drinks, beer, wine, and margaritas at camp
- naturalist-led walks and field activities
The Big Whale trips include hotel accommodations in Loreto, guided whale watching and activities in the Sea of Cortez, transportation between the places on the itinerary, and the stay at Campo Cortez with meals, beverages, and Gray Whale watching. Nights, routes, and activities vary by departure, so check the itinerary for the one you are considering.
What is not included
On the 5-Day Private Air trips, these items are not included:
- airfare or other travel to and from San Diego
- your hotel in San Diego
- breakfast and lunch on the first day, and meals after you return to San Diego
- premium liquor or specialty cocktails
- personal purchases
- travel insurance
On the Big Whale trips, lunches and dinners in Loreto, and transportation to the beginning and end points of the trip, are not included. We strongly recommend travel insurance on every trip.
Why the prices differ
The 5-Day Private Air trips include a private charter flight directly to the lagoon, which is why they cost more than the 7-Day Big Whale trips while being shorter. The Big Whale trips add hotel nights and sea safaris in Loreto, and the 8-Day versions add a fourth night at Campo Cortez and a private flight. Great Migrations adds the Monarch Butterfly sanctuaries in central Mexico. Within one trip type, the fee can also vary by departure date.
Can the price change?
Prices can change for later bookings when fuel costs or national park fees rise. Once you book, your price is guaranteed, and you will not be charged more if the published price increases afterward.
Frequently asked questions
What is the least expensive way to see the Gray Whales with Baja Ecotours?
A flexible self-arrival stay, at $535 per person per day plus the $35 daily biosphere fee, with a two-day minimum. You arrange and pay for your own travel to the lagoon.
What is the least expensive guided trip?
The 7-Day Big Whale departures on February 1 and March 23, at $4,200 per person plus $70 in listed fees.
Are the prices per person?
Yes. All trip fees are per person, based on sharing a cabin, with a single-occupancy fee for guests who want a cabin to themselves.
Is the biosphere fee paid at the lagoon?
No. It is part of the total you pay when you book.
Choosing a trip
Compare the departures on our San Ignacio Lagoon whale watching tours page, then use the booking link for the date you want. If you would like help weighing the options, call 877-506-0557 or email info@bajaecotours.com, and we will be happy to help you plan a visit that fits your timing and budget.