Author: Mauricio Hernandez & Erick San Luis
Underwater sightseeing
It is the time of the year for Los Cabos to host the impressive giants of the north -whales and whale sharks! Enjoy the show from the comfort of your suite balcony or an adventurous road trip to neighboring La Paz.
In the bay of Cabo San Lucas and along its coastline is quite common to see a variety of marine life and among them, you guessed… whales! This zone is a natural passage for them to enter from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of California. In a short period of time, you can see a dozen geysers caused by their breath; if you are lucky enough even more. An interesting fact about whales is that some of them can travel as far as 12,000 miles (roundtrip). That’s about four times the distance between New York and Los Angeles when driving a car. Pretty impressive if you ask me, or anyone who likes swimming.
During the winter months, diverse species of whales visit the calm waters of the Sea of Cortez. It is known that whales come to mate and to give birth. For this reason, it is the best time of the year to admire their magnificence and enjoy their charm. These friendly mammals make a spectacle of their jumps and flips -known as breaching and is indeed a wonderful display. Their newborns are also quite curious and they will sometimes try to have a glimpse of the boats nearby. Occasionally a couple of mothers and their “babies” can be seen playing around.
Swimming with the gentle giants, the Whale Sharks
Located two hours away from Los Cabos, the sleepy town of La Paz along the East Cape is one of the best places in the world to swim with whale sharks. If you are fortunate enough to find a pod, a jump in the water will have you swimming alongside the majestic creatures in a truly magical experience. The best time to encounter whale sharks is between October and February, so plan your trip accordingly. Tours generally depart from Cabo San Lucas on a scenic two-hour drive to the Sea of Cortez, where the whale sharks can be found.
Enjoy the show and come back soon!
If you have planned a trip to Los Cabos during the winter months, do not miss the opportunity to admire the natural world on the tip of Baja. There are few places in North America where you can enjoy breathtaking landscapes and observe its incredible biodiversity from so close. In our state, the conservation of Mother Nature is a top priority. When you take part in activities that promote ecotourism you also take part in the great effort to preserve this natural sanctuary and the wildlife that lives in it.
We share this world with fascinating creatures, give yourself the chance to appreciate them. During this whale watching season, come and experience nature like never before. - M.H.
This article uses excerpts from "Whale Watching Season is on!" by Mauricio Hernandez. Read the full blog post here.