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Loreto Whale Watching and Gray Whale Migration in the Sea of Cortez, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Loreto is seen as a convenient destination
Many whale watchers travel to Loreto in the Sea of Cortez as a stepping-off destination from which to drive to the lagoons on the pacific side of the Baja Peninsula for whale watching in Baja California Sur, Mexico. Yearly, from the end of October to beginning of April, the Gray Whales go on an 7,000 mile migration from the Bering and Chuckchi seas (western coast of Alaska) to their principal destination, the coastal lagoons on the southern pacific side of the Mexican Baja Peninsula, San Ignacio lagoon, Laguna Ojo de Liebre (formerly Scammons lagoon), and Magdalena lagoon in late December to January.Gray Whale Migration to Loreto in the Sea of Cortez
Some of these Gray Whales venture farther south, then around the tip of the baja peninsula and then northward into the Sea of Cortez (aka, Gulf of California) off the coast of Loreto. By mid February to mid March, the bulk of the whales have arrived and the lagoons are filled to capacity with nursing, calving and mating Gray whales. The round trip covers up to 14,000 miles of coastline. There are other whales that do this migraiton form February to March: The Humpback, Pilot, Orca, Minke, Sei, the large Finback and the Blue whale, the world's largest mammal . The Sea of Cortez supports the largest and most varied whale population in the world. While the above mentioned lagoons are on the pacific side of the baja peninsula, they are only a bus tour away from the city of Loreto as the baja peninsula is very narrow at that location. Gray Whale watching (and seven other species) opportunities abound during the months of January to May.
The Gray Whale
Physical appearance. The color is dark charcoal to lighter gray. Newborn calves are dark gray to black. The whale doesn't have a dorsal fin but has a dorsal hump followed by several "knuckles" on its back. Adult males are about 45 feet long and the females are slightly longer. Both weigh 30 - 40 tons and live to an age of 50 - 60 years. The Gray Whale is one of the oldest species of mammals, having been on the earth for about 30 million years.
Devil Fish. The Gray Whales were called the devil fish by early whaler's in the lagoons because of the females' defensive fighting behavior when protecting their young. Then, in 1970, a fisherman named Pachico Mayoral reached out and touched a female Gray Whale that kept approaching his boat. Since then, the Gray Whale is believed to exhibit moments of friendliness and some have claimed to have gotten close enough to the whale to get a touch.
Feeding. The Gray Whale is classified as a baleen whale that feeds on small crustaceans and tube worms found in bottom sediments. It accomplishes this task by turning toward its right side and scooping up sediments from the sea floor, then filtering water and sediment through its overlapping baleen plates located on each side of their upper jaws. They feed primarily during the summer months in cold Arctic waters of the Bering and Chuckchi seas off the west coast of Alaska. The Gray Whale will feed opportunistically during its migration south but depends mostly on its extensive fat reserves.
Mating and Breeding. Sexual maturity is at 5-11 years of age or when they reach 36-39 feet in length. Gestation is 12-13 months and the calf weighs 1,100 - 1,500 lbs and is about 15 feet in length and nurse for about 7 - 8 months. The milk is 53% fat (human mother's milk is only about 2% fat). The calf is born tail first. The mating procedure is complex and involves 3 or more whales of mixed sexes. Females bare a single calf at intervals of 2 or more years. Mating and calving occur primarily in the Baja lagoons mentioned above. During this mating and calving season from January to May, the Gray Whale watching industry provides many tourists and others with the unique ability to go on excursions to do Gray Whale watching up close.
Gray Whale Migration
Gray whales inhabit the feeding grounds of the shallow coastal waters of the Bering and Chuckchi seas off the western coast of Alaska. The Gray Whale migration extends southward 7,000 miles to the mating and calving lagoons in Baja California begins in late October and takes 2 - 3 months. They travel in small groups 80 miles per day at an average speed of 5 km/h , traveling both night and day. The roundtrip of 12,000 to 14,000 miles is believed to be the longest yearly migration of any mammal.
By mid-December to early January, the majority of the Gray Whales are found between Monterey and San Diego and can be seen from the shore. The Gray Whales begin to arrive at the calving and mating lagoons of Baja California by late December to early January. The first to arrive are usually the pregnant mothers about to give birth and single females seeking out male companions for mating. It is believed that the shallow lagoons in the Baja provide protection for the newborns from sharks.
Between mid-February to mid-March the bulk of the Gray Whales have arrived at the lagoons which are then filled to capacity with nursing, calving, and mating Gray Whales.
Throughout February and March the first Gray Whales to leave the lagoons and start their migration northward to the feeding grounds of the Bering and Chuckchi Seas are the males and single females after they have mated. The last to leave are the pregnant females and nursing mothers with their newborn calves. They leave only when their calves are ready for the trip which is usually latre-March to mid-April. However, some will stay with their calves as late as late May. About 2,000 Gray Whales may stay along the Oregon coast and not go all the way to the Bering Sea. The Gray Whale migration round trip ends back at the Bering Sea off of the coast of Alaska.
Gray Whale Population and Distribution
Today the Ocean Gray Whale population consists of two Pacific Ocean groups. A small population of an estimated 300 Gray Whales travelling between the sea of Okhotsk and southern Korea, believed to have been depleted due to over hunting. A seocnd, larger Gray Whale population travelling between the waters off Alaska and Baja California, Mexico as described above. This larger population was hunted to near extinction by 1850's and again in the early 1900's. The Gray Whale population was given partial protection in 1937 and then full protection in 1947 by the Internation Whaling Commission. There has been a remarkable recovery and the current Gray Whale population is 19,000 - 22,000, probably close to their original population. A third north Atlantic population was hunted to extinction 300 years ago. What do you think of that?
Other Activities in Loreto
Loreto Baja Mexico is a great place for a wide variety of wholesome activities. Beachcombing, hiking, sailing, kayaking, horseback riding, diving, snorkeling, swimming, golfing, mountain biking and shopping. Or, you can take tours of the town or the nearby ruggedly beautiful Sierra La Giganta Mountains and another nearby beautifully restored Mission of San Javier. Taking a drive in either north or south directions along Highway One and you will see some absolutely gorgeous and majestic coves and bays. You will see locals and foreign visitors launching their boats into the calm waters of the Sea of Cortez from the many beach campgrounds and fishing camps scattered along the way, just off Highway One. It will make you envious. See Recreation