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Each year Los Cabos welcomes a huge number of migratory whales back to its shores in a spectacle that is almost as famous among travelers as a night in Cabo Wabo.
After a long journey from the cold waters of the Arctic, these majestic creatures enjoy the comparably warm waters of Los Cabos and the Baja California Peninsula.
Responsible Experiences
These huge and gentle mammals make the journey to Los Cabos for their important yearly mating season, an activity that is vital to their survival as a species.
Thankfully, the vast majority of tours to spot these whales operate within a tight and conservation-focused framework. With that being said, there have in past years been reports of “pirate” tour operators, who flout many of the regulations in place to keep this activity as a positive addition to the Los Cabos tourism ecosystem.
In that respect, travelers need to ensure they book with a regulated and professional tour provider.
A Scattered Calendar
The licenses issued to tour providers to share this experience with travelers isn’t a one-size-fits-all system, and depending on which area of Los Cabos or Baja California Sur travelers book, the available dates can differ quite significantly.
That doesn’t mean travelers will struggle to book a tour, although it may require a little more flexibility on where travelers are willing to embark on one of the many whale-watching boat tours.
The following are the areas running licensed whale-watching tours organized by 2 separate season blocks:
December 15th to April 30th
- Cabo San Lucas
- San José del Cabo
- El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve
- Ojo de Liebre Lagoon
- San Ignacio Lagoon
- Mulegé
- Cabo San Lucas Flora and Fauna Protection Area (APFF Cabo San Lucas)
January 1st to April 30th
- Puerto Adolfo López Mateos
- Puerto San Carlos
- Puerto Magdalena
- Comondú
- Puerto Chale
The Stars Of The Show
While Los Cabos is home for part of the year to a huge variety of whale breeds, including Blue Whales, Pilot Whales, and Minke Whales, the main stars of the show are Gray Whales and Humpback Whales.
The Humpback is the real superstar though, known for its high activity levels and almost performance-like entertainment of tour boats, travelers may be forgiven for thinking these animals are in on the act.
Watching one of these huge members of the animal kingdom breach out of the Azul waters around Los Cabos is a truly impressive sight, and is a regularly mentioned vacation highlight across review sites.
How To Choose An Operator
Finding a reputable whale-watching tour operator in Los Cabos is thankfully a straightforward endeavor. But, even with highly regarded operators on the many tour aggregator sites online, it always pays to check their most recent reviews to ensure they are still operating to the same high standards.
On top of this, for travelers who prefer a more exclusive and bespoke experience, there is a healthy variety of private whale-watching tours on offer that throw in luxuries that are worthy of a Los Cabos vacation.
Additionally, while Los Cabos is home to a huge supply of reputable companies and tour operators who work hard to serve travelers honestly and safely, there is also a small handful of “pirate” operators to avoid.
These “pirate” operators are easy to spot with some basic Google skills. Checking reviews, as mentioned before, and asking to see a copy of the operators’ license are basic but powerful steps to stay safe, but if travelers remain unsure, then consulting with their resort on which tours they recommend is another strong precaution.
More Than Margaritas
A vacation to Los Cabos can be a truly wonderful experience for travelers willing to venture outside of their resort.
While the luxury and service in Los Cabos is its biggest selling point, the destination has a lot more to offer than just shiatsu massages and margarita cocktails. And if travelers do choose just one big excursion on their trip, then this winter season a whale-watching trip should top the list.
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