(Stock Photo) A tourist group watches and takes photographs as whales surface near their chartered vessel.
Spectacular Whale Watching in Baja California Sur
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OCTOBER 17, 2006
By Press Release

Each year in early autumn, one of nature's most delightful signs of seasonal change occurs -- the migration of hundreds of whales from the waters of the arctic to the warm, calm waters surrounding the Baja Peninsula. From January - March, there is no better place to view such a spectacular event than Baja California Sur.
These magnificent creatures complete the 12,000-mile journey by late January and stay until late March, when they repeat their journey. The whales make their way south at an average speed of four miles per hour. They travel continuously during the day and on moonlit nights, while resting for a few hours on moonless evenings.
Ideal climate, shallow waters, salinity and abundant marine life make the bays and lagoons of Baja California Sur the perfect place for whales to birth and rear their young. The female whales, impregnated the year before, arrive first. The males and younger whales come soon thereafter. The primary breeding areas are Magdalena Bay, San Ignacio, Vizcaino Preserve, and Laguna Ojo de Liebre. These tranquil, warm waters entice the females to give birth and nurse their young calves in the coastal reserves as well as teach them to swim and prepare for the long journey back to the waters in the north.
The six-month, round trip sojourn is the longest trip made by any animal in the world. Migrating whales travel half the year and rest the other half. Scientific studies have shown that 90 percent of the migrating whales travel south to the waters of Baja California Sur, while the remaining 10 percent make their way to the waters off Korea.
Of the 11 species of whales found worldwide, eight venture to the waters of the Baja lagoons, including Minke, Bryde, Fin, Sei, Humpback, Beluga, Gray and Blue.
Hotels and marinas throughout Baja California Sur can arrange whale-watching excursions that offer an up close and personal introduction to these gentle giants. Small fishing boats called "pangas" take whale watchers out among the whales where these sweet-tempered leviathans often approach the boats and welcome a friendly rub from humans.
Flights arriving daily from the United States to Baja California Sur's three international airport in San Jose del Cabo (SJD), La Paz (LAP) and Loreto (LTO). For more information about La Paz, Baja California Sur call (877) MY-BAJA SUR or visit http://www.mybajasur.com.