Introduction
Laguna San Ignacio is a protected bay of Baja California, a little more than half way down the long peninsula's Pacific Coast. One of several such bays, Laguna San Ignacio is a known nursing area for the California Gray Whale, and is famous among nursing grounds for its "friendly encounters." Every season, hundreds of people from all over the world come here to see the whales up close, even to touch them, as the whales here are just as curious about the human visitors. Recognized for its importance in birthing and raising young whales, Laguna San Ignacio is a protected Bioreserve under Mexican law, and has received numerous international recognitions.

Industrial Development Halted

In recent years, Laguna San Ignacio had become an environmental and political battleground as Japanese industrial giant Mitsubishi had teamed up with the Mexican federal government to built a large, state of the art salt evaporation complex within the protected bioreserve. The controversial project drew heavy criticism from various environmental groups and the tourism that relies on the whales, and was finally defeated.

Photos courtesy of Baja Discovery

Whale Tours To Baja California

Many companies offer whale watching tours in Baja California and throughout Mexico. Below, you'll find some companies that provide tours to San Ignacio Lagoon, Scammon's Lagoon, Bahia Magdalena, the Sea of Cortez, as well as other areas in Baja and Mexico.

Whale Tours Directory