What to Pack for San Ignacio Lagoon
San Ignacio Lagoon in winter is desert weather beside the Pacific: chilly mornings, warm afternoons, cold evenings, and wind that can come up quickly on the water. Packing for it comes down to layers that go on and off through the day, something splash-resistant for the boats, and protection from a strong sun.
Before departure, we send each guest a packing list and travel information for their specific trip. Use this list to plan ahead; it also covers what the camp provides and what to add for Loreto or the Monarch Butterfly sanctuaries. For more on the trips themselves, see our Baja whale watching guide.
The weather you are packing for
From December through February, mornings and evenings are usually between 40°F and 60°F, and daytime temperatures between 60°F and 75°F. In March and April, mornings and evenings are usually between 45°F and 65°F, and days between 70°F and 80°F.
Rain is rare at the lagoon in winter, but it does happen occasionally. Wind is the condition to plan for, both at camp and on the boats. Online forecasts usually describe the town of San Ignacio, which can have quite different weather from the lagoon, so they are a poor guide to what you will feel at Campo Cortez.
Clothing
Bring casual clothing you can layer:
- T-shirts or lightweight long-sleeved shirts
- a fleece, sweatshirt, or light insulated jacket
- a wind-resistant or waterproof outer layer
- long pants, and comfortable shorts for warm afternoons
- a warm hat for cool mornings and boat rides
- a sun hat with a secure strap
Bring splash-resistant clothing for the pangas. Spray is part of a whale watch, and a wet layer in the wind is cold even on a warm day.
Shoes
Comfortable shoes with non-slip soles that can get wet and dry quickly, such as Keens, Skechers, or Crocs, work well around camp and when you board the pangas. Heavy hiking boots are not necessary at the lagoon. Some guests also like a second, comfortable pair for relaxing at camp.
Sun, health, and personal items
The Baja sun is strong, even on cool days. Pack:
- sunscreen and lip balm with SPF
- sunglasses with a secure strap
- a reusable water bottle, which you can refill with the purified drinking water at camp
- enough of your prescription medications for the whole trip, carried in your hand luggage
- motion-sickness medication, if you are prone to it, after asking your physician or pharmacist which one suits you
- a small daypack or dry bag for what you take on the boat
- a headlamp or small flashlight for walking around camp after dark
The lagoon’s protected water is usually calmer than the open ocean, but wind can make it choppy, so guests who are sensitive to boat movement may want to be prepared.
Cameras and binoculars
Whales often come close to the pangas, so you do not need an elaborate camera. A phone, a compact camera, a GoPro, or a camera with a moderate zoom lens works well, and a very long telephoto lens can make a nearby whale hard to frame. Secure every camera and phone with a wrist or neck strap, and bring a protective case or small dry bag for anything that is not waterproof.
Pack spare batteries, charging cables, memory cards, and a lens cloth. Binoculars are optional, and they are useful for whales farther out, for birds, and for other wildlife across the lagoon. Our photography tips page goes into gear and settings in more depth.
Power, phones, and internet at camp
Campo Cortez runs on solar power. Each cabin has a light and USB charging, which is enough for phones, cameras, and other small electronics, but the system cannot run high-powered appliances, so leave the hair dryer at home. If you use a CPAP machine, tell us before you book, because two cabins are set aside for CPAP use and they are assigned in order of booking.
The ecolodge has a cellular booster antenna and Starlink internet. For your phone to work at camp, ask your carrier about a Mexico plan before you travel.
Travel documents
We ask every guest to travel with a valid passport. Keep it, and your medications, in your carry-on bag.
Document requirements depend on your nationality and on how you travel, and they can change. Check the current requirements with your government and your airline before you leave, and follow the travel information we send for your departure. On the 5-Day Private Air trips, we handle the tourist card arrangements, so you do not need to get one separately. If you plan to drive to Campo Cortez, ask us for our driving information before you go.
What the camp provides, so you can leave it at home
You do not need formal clothes, expedition gear, heavy boots, or technical marine equipment. Campo Cortez provides beds with fresh linens, hot showers, flushing toilets, meals, purified drinking water, daytime electricity for small devices, and staff to help you throughout your stay. There are seat cushions on all of our boats.
If you have a special diet, tell us on your reservation form. The kitchen cooks vegetarian meals every day and can accommodate most special diets, and if your needs go beyond our usual food stocks, you can bring what you need and the kitchen will cook it for you.
If your trip includes Loreto
On the Big Whale trips, you will also spend time in Loreto and on the Sea of Cortez. Big Whale guests may have a chance to swim in Loreto, although the Sea of Cortez can also be cold in the whale season, and the hotel there has a pool, so a swimsuit is worth packing. If you plan to buy meals or souvenirs in Loreto, carry some Mexican pesos.
If you are joining Great Migrations of Mexico
This trip covers two very different places. The Monarch Butterfly sanctuaries are high in the mountains of central Mexico, where mornings and evenings can be cold and the trails dusty or damp, and reaching the butterflies means walking on steep, uneven ground. Bring comfortable hiking shoes and warm layers for that part of the trip, along with everything above for San Ignacio Lagoon. We send a detailed packing list that covers both.
Frequently asked questions
Can I swim at San Ignacio Lagoon?
The water at the lagoon is cold, and there are few places suited to swimming, so we do not recommend planning to swim at Campo Cortez. Pack a swimsuit only if your trip includes Loreto.
Do I need rain gear?
Rain is rare in winter, but a waterproof or wind-resistant outer layer is on the list anyway, because it keeps you dry from spray and warm in the wind on the boats.
Can I use a hair dryer at camp?
No. The cabins’ solar power runs small electronics and battery chargers only.
Will my phone work at Campo Cortez?
The ecolodge has a cellular booster, and your phone should work if your carrier plan covers Mexico. Starlink internet is also available at camp.
Planning your trip
Once you have booked, the packing list and trip information we send before departure are the best guide for your specific departure. If you are still choosing a trip, compare the options on our San Ignacio Lagoon whale watching tours page, or call 877-506-0557 or email info@bajaecotours.com with any questions.