Winter is the most popular season for tourists in Loreto, and it’s not just people who travel here to soak up the warm weather. Every year, whales migrate thousands of miles to the coast of Mexico, trading Arctic waters for warmer spots to feed and give birth, and the calm waters of the Sea of Cortez is the ideal spot for them to raise their newborn calves. While there are plenty of activities you can enjoy on your Loreto vacation, there’s something magical about spotting these majestic creatures breaching the surface of the sea. If you’re planning a winter vacation to Loreto, put a whale watching tour on your schedule.
The Loreto Mexico whale watching season begins in December and lasts through March. While you might spot some whales in November at the tip of the Baja Peninsula, it takes them a few more weeks to travel north through the Sea of Cortez to Loreto. They’ll stay here a few months until the water temperatures rise, signaling that it’s time for them to swim back north. Because the whale watching season only lasts a few months, you’ll want to take advantage of your opportunity to go out and observe them in their natural environment.
These tours sail out early in the fresh morning breeze, and along the way, you’ll have views of the Islands of Loreto and learn about the environment and the whales from an on-board marine biologist. The highlight will be stopping alongside momma whales and their calves as they splash the water’s surface before raising their tails in the air and diving back down. Many tours also include a lunch onboard the boat before returning you back to Loreto.
Because the winter weather in Loreto is cooler than usual, you’ll want a light jacket as you zip out to sea. However, as the sun rises, replace your jacket with an application of sunblock. Most tours will provide you with drinks and snacks, but you’ll want to make sure you have a fully-charged camera to capture the magic of the whales splashing out at sea. Other than those things, you won’t need to bring much with you, making it a simple yet incredible addition to any vacation.
With the Loreto Mexico whale watching season beginning, it’s an exciting time for travelers. Seeing whales in the natural environment is the experience of a lifetime. If you can’t make it this year, plan your next vacation around the arrival of whales in Loreto.
