5 Day Air Trip to San Ignacio Lagoon
This five-day journey includes four nights at Campo Cortez Ecolodge, three full days at the lagoon, and six small-group whale-watching excursions. By traveling aboard a privately chartered aircraft reserved for Baja Ecotours guests, you will spend less time getting there and more time surrounded by whales, wildlife, desert landscapes, and the peaceful waters of the lagoon.
Your Trip at a Glance
- Trip Length: 5 days and 4 nights
- Begins and Ends: San Diego, California
- Accommodations: Four nights at Campo Cortez Ecolodge
- Whale Watches: Six excursions
- Transportation: Round-trip private charter flight from Tijuana to San Ignacio Lagoon
- Group Experience: Small, limited departures
- Trip Price: From $4,999 per person
- Deposit: $750 per person
More Time With the Whales. Less Time Getting There.
This is our easiest and most direct way to experience San Ignacio Lagoon.
Your journey begins in San Diego, where you will meet your guide and travel with the group through Cross Border Xpress into Tijuana International Airport. From there, our privately chartered aircraft carries you south over the Baja Peninsula to San Ignacio Lagoon.
Instead of spending long days traveling by road, you will arrive at Campo Cortez on your first afternoon, settle into your waterfront cabin, and gather for Happy Hour and dinner.
This trip is ideal for travelers who want to maximize their time at the lagoon while enjoying a comfortable, carefully guided journey from beginning to end.
Choose Your Departure.
All departures include four nights at Campo Cortez Ecolodge and six whale-watching excursions.
| Dates | Days | Status | Trip Fee | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 20 – 24 | Sat – Wed | Private Group | $5,150 | |||
| Feb 24 – 28 | Wed – Sun | Booking | $4,999 | |||
| Feb 28 – Mar 04 | Sun – Thur | Booking | $4,999 | |||
| Mar 04 – 08 | Thur – Mon | Booking | $4,999 | |||
| Mar 08 – 12 | Mon – Fri | Booking | James Dorsey "The Lagoon" | $5,150 | ||
| Mar 12 – 16 | Fri – Tue | Booking | $4,999 |
A Special Journey With James Dorsey
The P5 departure features author James Dorsey, author of The Lagoon. Along with the complete 5-Day Private Air itinerary, guests will have opportunities to hear James share stories and insights inspired by his many years at San Ignacio Lagoon.
What Makes This Journey Extraordinary
- A privately chartered flight directly to San Ignacio Lagoon
- Four nights at our remote Campo Cortez Ecolodge
- Six whale-watching excursions—two each full day
- Small-group whale watching in our private pangas
- Experienced local captains who have spent their lives on the lagoon
- Baja Ecotours naturalist guides on every whale watch
- Comfortable solar-powered cabins with lagoon views
- Freshly prepared meals and beverages at the ecolodge
- Happy Hour with beer, wine, and margaritas
- Hiking, beach strolling, and tide pool exploration
- Birdwatching and stargazing
- Naturalist-led discussions and field activities
- Mangrove exploration when tides and conditions permit
- Evening presentations about the whales and lagoon ecosystem
Your Journey, Day by Day.
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The Night Before:
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Day 1:
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Days 2–4:
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Day 5:
The Night Before: Meet Your Guide in San Diego
The trip begins and ends at:
Hilton Garden Inn San Diego Old Town/Sea World Area
Meet your Baja Ecotours guide in the hotel lobby at 6:30 PM for an informal welcome gathering and trip orientation.
Your guide will review the following morning’s departure, CBX crossing, travel documents, luggage requirements, and charter-flight procedures.
Hotel accommodations are not included.
RESERVE THE BAJA ECOTOURS HOTEL RATE
Day 1: Fly Into the Heart of the Lagoon
After breakfast on your own at the hotel, meet your guide in the lobby for a 7:45 AM departure.
Travel with the group to the Cross Border Xpress terminal and walk through the enclosed CBX crossing directly into Tijuana International Airport. After completing the necessary entry procedures, board our privately chartered aircraft for the scenic flight south.
From the air, enjoy views of the Baja Peninsula’s rugged desert, mountains, and remote coastline before arriving at San Ignacio Lagoon.
Upon arrival at Campo Cortez Ecolodge, our staff will welcome you and introduce you to the palapa, cabins, facilities, and daily schedule. Settle into your cabin before gathering for Happy Hour and dinner overlooking the lagoon.
Days 2–4: Life Among the Gray Whales
Each full day includes two whale-watching excursions—one in the morning and another in the afternoon.
Between excursions, enjoy freshly prepared meals, naturalist-led activities, walks along the shoreline, birdwatching, tide pool exploration, photography, or quiet time relaxing at your cabin.
A typical day may include:
- Early coffee, tea, fruit, and cereal
- Hot breakfast
- Morning whale watch
- Lunch at the ecolodge
- Afternoon whale watch
- Guided nature activities or time to relax
- Happy Hour
- Dinner
- Evening presentations or stargazing
The daily schedule may change according to weather, tides, wildlife activity, and lagoon conditions.
Day 5: A Final Morning at Campo Cortez
Enjoy breakfast and your final views of the lagoon before departing Campo Cortez.
Board the return charter flight to Tijuana, cross back into the United States through CBX, and return to the Hilton Garden Inn.
Arrival in San Diego is generally between 2:00 and 4:00 PM.
Return times are approximate and may vary due to weather, flight operations, and border conditions. We recommend allowing flexibility when arranging onward travel.
Six Opportunities for a Remarkable Encounter.
San Ignacio Lagoon is a protected winter breeding and nursery area for Pacific gray whales. Mothers and calves rest in the sheltered waters before beginning their long migration north.
During your stay, you will participate in six whale-watching excursions—one in the morning and one in the afternoon on each of your three full days at the lagoon.
Our small pangas are operated by experienced local captains who have spent decades navigating these waters and observing gray whale behavior. A Baja Ecotours naturalist accompanies each excursion to help guests understand the whales, the lagoon, and the surrounding ecosystem.
The gray whales of San Ignacio Lagoon are known for their curiosity. At times, they may approach the boats closely or remain nearby for extended periods. Every experience is different, and all encounters are initiated by the whales themselves.
Our captains and guides follow the lagoon’s wildlife-viewing regulations and allow each whale to determine the distance and nature of the interaction.
Four Nights at the Edge of the Lagoon.
Your home for four nights is Campo Cortez, our remote, solar-powered ecolodge located directly on the shores of San Ignacio Lagoon.
Enjoy comfortable cabins with real beds and lagoon views, freshly prepared meals, Happy Hour, hot showers, purified drinking water, and welcoming gathering spaces where you can relax between whale watches.
We can accommodate many dietary needs with advance notice. Guests who use CPAP machines or have mobility or accessibility concerns should contact us before booking so that we can arrange the most appropriate available accommodations.
An All-Inclusive Experience.
Included in Your Trip Fee
- Round-trip group transportation between the San Diego hotel and CBX
- Round-trip private charter flights between Tijuana and San Ignacio Lagoon
- Four nights at Campo Cortez Ecolodge
- Six whale-watching excursions
- Experienced local boat captains
- Baja Ecotours naturalist guides
- All meals at Campo Cortez, beginning with dinner on Day 1 and ending with breakfast on Day 5
- Soft drinks, beer, wine, and margaritas while at Campo Cortez
- Naturalist-led walks, discussions, and field activities
- Guided tide pool exploration when conditions permit
- Mangrove and other nature excursions when tides and weather permit
- Mexican Tourist Card or FMM arrangements, when applicable
- Pre-departure travel information and packing materials
Not Included in Your Trip Fee
- Airfare or other transportation to and from San Diego
- Hotel accommodations in San Diego
- Breakfast and lunch on Day 1
- Meals after returning to San Diego on Day 5
- Premium liquor or specialty cocktails
- Personal purchases
- Travel insurance
- Staff and guide gratuities
Required Fees Added to Your Invoice
- Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve entrance fee: $100 per person
- CBX crossing pass and airport fees: $220 per person
Deposit
- A deposit of $750 per person is required to reserve your space.
Single-Occupancy Fee
- A $500 private-cabin supplement applies to guests reserving a cabin for individual occupancy.
Planning Your Journey.
Where does the trip begin and end?
The trip begins and ends at the Hilton Garden Inn San Diego Old Town/SeaWorld Area. Guests meet their guide at the hotel at 6:30 p.m. on the evening before departure.
Is the San Diego hotel included?
No. The San Diego hotel is not included in the trip price. A Baja Ecotours booking link will be provided so guests can reserve the group rate.
Where does the charter flight depart?
The privately chartered flight departs from Tijuana International Airport. Our guide accompanies the group from the San Diego hotel to CBX and then our ground crew escorts the group to the gate in the main terminal of the airport.
How long is the charter flight?
The flight is approximately two and a half hours, depending on weather and operating conditions.
How many whale watches are included?
The trip includes six whale-watching excursions: two per day on Days 2, 3, and 4.
Are close whale encounters guaranteed?
Gray whales are wild animals, so particular behaviors or close approaches cannot be guaranteed. Six separate excursions provide multiple opportunities to observe the whales under changing conditions.
What are the cabins like?
Campo Cortez offers comfortable solar-powered cabins with real beds, linens, lighting, storage space, and lagoon views. Bathroom and hot-shower facilities are located nearby.
Can dietary needs be accommodated?
Yes. We can accommodate many dietary preferences and restrictions with advance notice. Please provide complete dietary information when completing your guest forms.
Can I charge electronics at the ecolodge?
The ecolodge operates primarily on solar power. Charging is available for small devices during designated daytime hours. Guests who require power for a CPAP machine should contact us before booking.
Is internet access available?
Campo Cortez has Starlink internet access. Service may occasionally be affected by weather or the remote location.
Is travel insurance required?
Travel insurance is not included in the trip fee. We strongly recommend comprehensive coverage that includes trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical expenses, and emergency evacuation.
When should I schedule my return flight home?
Because charter flights, border crossings, and road conditions may cause delays, we recommend staying in San Diego on the final night or allowing a generous amount of time before any onward flight.
Your Place at the Lagoon Is Waiting.
With limited space aboard our charter aircraft and at Campo Cortez, each departure remains intentionally small. Choose your preferred dates and reserve your place with a $750 deposit.
| Dates | Days | Status | Trip Fee | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 20 – 24 | Sat – Wed | Private Group | $5,150 | |||
| Feb 24 – 28 | Wed – Sun | Booking | $4,999 | |||
| Feb 28 – Mar 04 | Sun – Thur | Booking | $4,999 | |||
| Mar 04 – 08 | Thur – Mon | Booking | $4,999 | |||
| Mar 08 – 12 | Mon – Fri | Booking | James Dorsey "The Lagoon" | $5,150 | ||
| Mar 12 – 16 | Fri – Tue | Booking | $4,999 |
We are consistently rated the #1 Travelers’ Choice on Tripadvisor 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.