Mucho Ballenas

Our last interesting activity in the Baja happened today. Upon arriving in Guerrero Negro yesterday, I checked the weather for the next day. Predicted to be calm winds and temperatures in the 70's. The whale watch was a go!! We quickly set-up camp at the RV park, detached the car, and drove into town to the Malarrimo Hotel, registering for the first boat trip of the day 8 a.m.

We had coffee in the hotel while waiting for the "Loading bell" to ring outside. Mimi was really jazzed about this trip, having looked-forward to it for so long.

The hotel has a nice indoor / outdoor eating area.

A sculpture in the garden depicts a mother whale teaching her baby to surface and breathe.



Enrique was the tour host on our 1/2 hour trip through the salt flats to Scammons Lagoon. He was bilingual, and provided a wealth of information about the history of Guerrero Negro, the salt works, and the whales.



The sign at the boat launching site gives some more information about the Gray Whales. The pangas in the background are what are used for the tour.

This map illustrates the migration path between the Baja and Arctic Ocean that they take annually.

Mimi assumes her "Captain Ahab" position in the bow of the boat. They took the harpoon away from her, though.


Whale contact was made quickly. It is estimated that there are over 1000 whales in the lagoon. The number is dropping, though, as they begin their migration northward. Most of the whales are near the mouth of the lagoon, preparing to leave.

A baby cautiously approaches the boat. They are curious and friendly.

He gives a big smile for the cameras. What a ham !

Then comes closer for a quick head scratch...

This one is further out, "spy hopping", or taking a quick peek around.


Most of their time is spent cruising a few feet below the water.

I thought that this big mother whale was going to turn the boat over, but she just glided under it. They seem to understand the vulnerability of the boats and never hit them. We saw several whates breach, launching almost all the way out of the water. They were far away from the boat and difficult to take pictures of because they occur so quickly.

Back near the boat landing is a pack of California Sea Lions doing what they love the most - sunbathing.

OK, that really is the last activity of the trip.

Now for heading home....

Adios, amigos.