Gray Whale Count on 6 March
Researchers in Laguna San Ignacio (UABCS) reported the following estimated numbers of gray whales during their 6 March 2023 count:
- 15 mother/calf pairs and 194 singles for a total of 224 whales
2023 Baja Whalewatching Tour #3 Laguna San Ignacio (March 12)
March 13
Hello whalewatchers:
We came to Laguna San Ignacio and were greeted by gray whales and some windy conditions! The wind died down enough for us to enjoy some trips to visit with gray whales, though a mother and calf pair spent the day around the boat as well.
We wil continue our visit here tomorrow.
Captain Art and Team Searcher
2023 Baja Whalewatching Tour #3 Offshore Ensenada and Islas San Benito (March 10-11)
March 11
Hello whale watchers:
We hadaA great day at San Benitos with great sightings again this trip. The group made their way around the island to view elephant seals, Guadalupe fur seals, nesting ospreys and more.
After we left the islands, we encountered our first large herd of common dolphins this afternoon. We are headed to Laguna Sn Ignacio for some time with gray whales
Captain Art and Team Searcher
2023 Baja Whalewatching Tour #2 Isla Los Islotes (March 4)
Mar 3
Hello whalewatchers:
We arrived at Los Islotes at around 5:30 a.m.. We got the skiffs in and everyone who wanted to swim with the sea lions got an early start. The pups were waiting for us. It was a very fun morning for all. The sea lions were extra playful this morning.
After the snorkel we proceeded down the Ceralvo channel. We found a pair of humpbacks near La Ventana and stayed with them for a couple hours. They were wonderful to watch and stayed on the surface for 30 minutes at a time. We also found a couple more red-billed tropicbirds.
We’re headed for Cabo. What a great trip it has been!
Captain Mike and the boys
2023 Baja Whalewatching Tour #2 Isla San Francisco (March 3)
Mar 3
Hello whalewatchers:
We woke up at the northern end of Isla San Jose this morning and picked up the anchor just before sunrise. We started south down the San Jose Channel. We did see a couple humpbacks, but the wind and swell were still up meaning that we couldn’t really stop for a look. Shortly after breakfast we put everybody ashore near the mangroves at the southern end of San Jose.
Just before breakfast we picked up the anchor and saw a approximately 1-year old humpback in the shallows at the northern end of Isla San Francisco which we got some excellent looks at. We stayed with it for about a hour before proceeding to the southern anchorage on Isla San Francisco. The folks went for a hike and a snorkel this afternoon.
Then it was margarita time and our favorite dinner–the back deck BBQ. The weather has come down considerably. We’ll be snorkeling with the sea lions first thing in the morning tomorrow.
Captain Mike and the boys
2023 Baja Whalewatching Tour #2 Sea of Cortez (March 2)
Mar 2
Hello whalewatchers:
We woke up to a beautiful sunrise at Bahia Tambobiche this morning. Passengers went for a walk around the lagoon right after breakfast. As soon as they came back to the boat, the wind started howling so snorkeling wasn’t an option.
We moved up the peninsula a couple miles to Puerto Gato for a hike or a snorkel. After lunch, the wind was really blowing and the sea was very choppy. We started down the San Jose channel and tucked into one of our favorite spots on the NW end of San Jose for the night.
We’re headed down the channel in the morning.
Captain Mike and the boys
2023 Baja Whalewatching Tour #2 Isla San Jose (March 1)
Mar 1
Hello whalewatchers:
We arrived at Punta Colorado just in time for sunrise this morning. The folks went for a hike right after breakfast then a snorkel under the cliff. We took off right before lunch and right away got on a nice spot of bottlenose dolphin milling around.
Then we proceeded north further into the gulf. We didn’t see a whole lot until about 4pm when the ocean came to life and all of a sudden we were surrounded by blue whales. We were with the blue whales for about a half hour when one started lunge feeding right in front of us. Soon they were all feeding. I counted 8 blue whales that we saw today.
We’re anchored at Tambobiche right now and will go for a bird walk in the morning. Beautiful weather today.
Captain Mike and the boys
Gray Whale Count on 1 March
Researchers in Laguna San Ignacio (UABCS) reported the following estimated numbers of gray whales during their 1 March 2023 count:
- 27 mother/calf pairs and 139 singles for a total of 193 whales
2023 Baja Whalewatching Tour #2 Offshore Cabo San Lucas (February 28)
Feb 28
Hello whalewatchers:
We arrived at the Gorda Banks offshore Cabo San Lucas around breakfast time. We were welcomed by multiple groups of humpbacks including some mother/calf with escort groups. One calf was only a couple weeks old. We observed them around for a hour or so before moving on to a various other groups.
The wind came up mid morning making it difficult to work, however we did watch a breaching mother/calf pair before we had to move on. We ended the day going for a swim at Punta Arena.
We are headed to Punta Colorado tomorrow on Isla San Jose.
Captain Mike and the boys
2023 Baja Whalewatching Tour #2 Offshore Bahia Magdalena (February 27)
Feb 25
Hello whalewatchers:
We woke up this morning just above Lazarro, the most western point on Isla Magdelena. We started seeing single humbacks with the sunrise and a little bit of bird life. It has been breezy and choppy all day so the conditions are not ideal. However we did spot our first blue whale of the year just above the main entrance to Bahia Magdelena. I and the guys in the mast got a good look at it through the binoculars and were able to identify it, however the folks on the main deck level were only able to see the tall spouts being knocked down by the breeze. After a few breaths it vanished to the depths and we never saw it again. We spent about a hour trying to re locate it and never did.
After that we got into an area of frisky humpbacks that were jumping around and put on quite the show. They were headed north into the wind and seas. We spent about a hour with them before continuing on our journey south. We finished with a large pod of common dolphins this evening.
We’re headed for the Gordo Banks, east of Cabo San Lucas now.
Captain Mike and the boys
