Magdalena Bay Whales
Magdalena Bay Whales
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About
Magdalena Bay Whales - Your Adventure Our Passion . . .Is family owned & Operated "Proudly Creating Life-Long Memories" for morethan 23,000 people in the past 32 plus years .You will have the privilege to embark on a interactive adventure through the majestic ever glade waters of " Magdalena Bay" with father Crispin (Whale King) or one of his 3 sons that with " Grand Passion" follow in his foot steps.Having fish & sailed these waters for more than 30 some years , we are intimately familiar and have learn to care & respect our waters, from San Carlos to Puerto Lopez Mateo , South to Isla Magdalena , Alcatraz & Beyond the Pacific . . . Magdalena Bay Our aquarium . Three Reasons Why1. Will personally make contact through Email or a phone call & give you all the info ,facts & tips that you must know about your whale & Eco tour adventure . . .2. It will be a privilege for my dad ( Whale King) , My self (Whale Whisper)one of our licensed & certified guides. To share our passion and knowledge about the majestic grey whales & world class Magdalena Bay. You will have a great experience allowing us to be your personal guides.3. And last but not least , we will not charge you a dime until you 'SEE" a whale at a minimum of 30-35 meters from our boat ... Thanks Capt Marco
Puerto San Carlos, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
331 reviews
Excellent
286
Very good
29
Average
4
Poor
5
Terrible
7
Fi T
London, UK88 contributions
Nov 2020
We took a total of three trips out on Magdalena Bay Whales boat to watch the marlin migration: we had a great time and sure recommend this operation. The boat is top class, also used for deep sea fishing, well equipped and sea worthy. We had two different captains, both were knowledgeable and informative. Our contact during the booking process was Marco: he was flexible with our requests about timing and certainly we felt that he did his best to accommodate our needs: the pick up and drop off at our hotel was on time and well managed, the onboard lunch was done according to our needs (i.e., without meat), and in general we felt really nice and well taken care of. The marlins are a great show and anything else that you can see on a day out a very welcome bonus. We are looking forward to go again in 2021!
Written January 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ann T
Silverdale, UK2 contributions
Feb 2020
From beginning to end it was a fabulous week being looked after by Captain Marco and his friendly, kind staff. I was met at the airport. The hotel was simple, delicious food and in a nice little village. Excellent bird watching. Then onto the island. I had a bed and proper mattress in my tent. All tents were nicely spaced out. A little outside shower with water heated by the sun - not very hot, but I asked in the kitchen for some added hot water - nothing was ever too much trouble! The central community area had super clean loos and a roaring fire in the evening. The food was delicious and freely available at any time of the day. Everything included in the initial cost except alcoholic drinks. On the days when I was not out whale watching went on long and lovely walks. Lots of birds and wild flowers and very varied scenery. The little fishing village is about half a mile away. The whale watching was spectacular. We were in small boats, as were other whale watchers from the mainland, so it never seemed overcrowded. Long may that atmosphere last as large boats full of shouting tourists would ruin the place and disturb the whales. The numerous whales were extremely friendly and seemed to love to interact with humans, even though in the not too distant past they had been hunted. The boat captains were very careful about not disturbing the whales and yet knew exactly how to get the boats close to them. I cannot recommend this holiday more highly.
Written July 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gerry
2 contributions
Feb 2020
My wife and I decided to go Gray whale watching in Magdalena Bay for our 20 year anniversary. She had gone on a whale trip 30 years ago in Magdalena Bay with a small US company that she worked for at that time. Her experiences from that trip were so special and noteworthy that she had been wanting a return experience for many years.
I researched the available tour operators and decided to schedule our trip with Magdalena Bay Whales. It turned out to be a great decision. From my first contact with them they were responsive, courteous and helpful. We scheduled our trip for the first week of February and opted to stay in their lodging in San Carlo on the night of our arrival and two nights at the whale camp.
We couldn't have imagined a more perfect whale watching experience. We not only saw dozens of whales up close but rubbed on and even kissed one whale. Very salty.! We had the boat all to ourselves and our captain, Miguel was wonderful. Whale camp was clean and comfortable with the entire staff ready and willing to make our time with them special. The food was good and the beds comfortable. We explored the dunes, hiked the trail to the Pacific, met other guests from around the world and had a truly wonderful and memorable experience.
I can't guarantee up close and personal encounters with whales like we had but I can't imagine another tour operator that will be more helpful, responsive and desirous of creating a wonderful and memorable whate watching experience for you also.
I researched the available tour operators and decided to schedule our trip with Magdalena Bay Whales. It turned out to be a great decision. From my first contact with them they were responsive, courteous and helpful. We scheduled our trip for the first week of February and opted to stay in their lodging in San Carlo on the night of our arrival and two nights at the whale camp.
We couldn't have imagined a more perfect whale watching experience. We not only saw dozens of whales up close but rubbed on and even kissed one whale. Very salty.! We had the boat all to ourselves and our captain, Miguel was wonderful. Whale camp was clean and comfortable with the entire staff ready and willing to make our time with them special. The food was good and the beds comfortable. We explored the dunes, hiked the trail to the Pacific, met other guests from around the world and had a truly wonderful and memorable experience.
I can't guarantee up close and personal encounters with whales like we had but I can't imagine another tour operator that will be more helpful, responsive and desirous of creating a wonderful and memorable whate watching experience for you also.
Written April 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Allison G
Charleston, SC4 contributions
Dec 2020 • Couples
Our trip to Magdalena Bay was excellent. We stayed two nights at the bed and breakfast. It was a comfortable bed and delicious food with great service. We did a package with that included the driver, and we are very glad we did so since he was very patient and took us where we needed to go. I was hoping to get to see the gray whales but we were too early (we arrived at the end of December) However, we saw lots of humpback whales. Our driver was very knowledgeable and took care of us. He also showed us how to spot humpback whales in the water. It was very windy so we had to take a bigger boat and we’re unable to go on the beach or sandbar. This did not dampen our time since the humpback whales really showed off for us. We got to see them tail slapping and breaching. We got to see approximately 13 whales and followed and a pod of five very active whales for a while. Our driver got us pretty close to the whales and they often swam right beside the boat or under it. It was an experience I will never forget. I will definitely come back in February to see the gray whales with Magdalena Bay Whales.
Written December 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Monica Z
San Diego, CA33 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Magdalena Bay whales contacted in August to set up the trip for mom. A quick response and good communication for the experience.This is the third location in Mexico for
this experience. Mom and I would rate Laguna de San Ignacio first, Magdalena second.
We had a private tour, I wanted control over the boat in case mom wanted to end
the tour a special at $300. Some confusion on the start time 6:30- 7 a.m. breakfast
was provide believe it was closer to 8 when we went out. The only complaint I myself
have is how the other boats corral a whale. I understand this is so everyone gets
the experience of seeing or petting a whale
this experience. Mom and I would rate Laguna de San Ignacio first, Magdalena second.
We had a private tour, I wanted control over the boat in case mom wanted to end
the tour a special at $300. Some confusion on the start time 6:30- 7 a.m. breakfast
was provide believe it was closer to 8 when we went out. The only complaint I myself
have is how the other boats corral a whale. I understand this is so everyone gets
the experience of seeing or petting a whale
Written March 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathryn P
5 contributions
Dec 2020
My fiancé and I began planning a trip to Loreto in mid-October. After doing some research, I learned that we might see some whales if we made the 3-hr drive to San Carlos. Once I read the reviews for Magdalena Bay Whales, I knew I had to send an email to Capitan Marco, even though the only day that we had free was Christmas. He quickly responded that he would like to host us and the rest is history. We left Loreto early Christmas morning and arrived at Isabela's Hotel, our meeting place, shortly after 9 AM. (By the way, the drive was gorgeous and easy.) We were quickly transported from the hotel to the boat where Miguel, our guide for the experience, was awaiting us. He was thoughtful throughout the day, stopping to show us things like sea lions sunbathing on a buoy or fishermen scuba diving.
Most importantly, he optimized what was left of the morning for whale watching (a late start by most standards) and reserved the rest of the day for things like stopping to look at birds, visiting the whale camp and walking on the sand dunes. Miguel must be a whale whisperer because even though it was December, we DID see whales, at least one pod of 3 humpbacks, maybe more! What a beautiful moment when the first whale blow appeared and Miguel trailed their progress, sometimes like a game of hide and seek. My fiancé and I were so impressed by Miguel (his English puts my Spanish to shame), the whales and whale camp, that we are going back in early March for whale camp. If that's not a recommendation, I don't know what is!
Most importantly, he optimized what was left of the morning for whale watching (a late start by most standards) and reserved the rest of the day for things like stopping to look at birds, visiting the whale camp and walking on the sand dunes. Miguel must be a whale whisperer because even though it was December, we DID see whales, at least one pod of 3 humpbacks, maybe more! What a beautiful moment when the first whale blow appeared and Miguel trailed their progress, sometimes like a game of hide and seek. My fiancé and I were so impressed by Miguel (his English puts my Spanish to shame), the whales and whale camp, that we are going back in early March for whale camp. If that's not a recommendation, I don't know what is!
Written January 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amazonia1606
Vernon, Canada109 contributions
Feb 2020
If you can take the trip to Magdalena Bay, it is worth the drive to have this wonderful experience. Magdalena Bay Whales was excellent to deal with in setting us up for the whale watching as well as 2 nights at the Isabella B & B which they are affiliated with. They provided excellent instructions on what to bring, as it was pretty cold in the morning out on the boat. Our Captain, Christian, was great ... obviously very experienced and knew just where to go to spot the whales... it was an unhurried day out on the water for about 4 hours of being around the whales. The boats are all small (8 psng max) and respectful of the whales ... not racing to them but going slowly and then stopping and drifting while the whales pass by or stop to spy hop and see what’s going on. There are many grey whales in the Bay and plenty of opportunities to watch them from closer than you can imagine. It was a very special day, and along with the whales you are also given the option to pop in at Isla Magdalena as well as have fun on a sand dune. This experience is definitely a bucket list Must tDo , and well worth going.
Written February 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TandP671
Stewkley27 contributions
Feb 2020
A very special place and a very special experience. We spent 4 days, 3 nights at the Whale Camp and it was a most memorable time. We were taken out each day for between 5 and 6 hours to see whales by our captain Juan who made sure we had just the best time, we saw lots of whales and got to touch quite a few. One day we sat for 2.5 hours with 6 whales around our boat and it was a magical experience enjoyed by our captain as much as us, he was so enthusiastic but always treated the whales with respect. Th camp itself was very comfortable and the food was delicious, some of the best on our whole trip. In the afternoons there were kayaks or paddleboards for guests use or you could hike, fish or just relax. A wonderul place.
Written February 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
raon61
Salmon Arm, Canada15 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
If the whales co-operate and the weather is decent, most people will thoroughly this adventure, but it's not for everyone and it does have some drawbacks that you should consider. We took the day trip. First the good news: The Isabella Hotel is a gem. It's clean, inexpensive, and charming. The renovated rooms are small but the new kingsize beds are comfortable. The patio and the restaurant are a few steps away so you are guaranteed to quickly meet the other guests. WIFI is available only in the restaurant. Better yet, the restaurant offers a wide range of Mexican dishes and prices are modest. The service is prompt and friendly. We were delighted with everything we ordered
Unfortunately, we had less than ideal weather for our trip out on Magdalena Bay. The wind was strong at 6:30 a.m. when we boarded the boat, a small Mexican panga that is remarkably seaworthy but is open to the sun and has no bathroom facilities. This isn't a problem for the men, who are offered a plastic bottle, but for the women it can be a major discomfort, particularly when the round trip may cover 50 miles and six hours without a bathroom break. You may want to reduce your early morning coffee intake.
More advice: Wear warm clothes and a waterproof jacket. A tight-fitting cap or a hot with a cord is also a must. The pangas can go more than 30 mph (50 kph) and the the drivers may them fast. In heavy seas like we experienced, the pangas are prone to ride high and slam down hard after each wave, which can be very painful for anyone with a back problem. Life jackets are on board but wearing them isn't obligatory. Ask for one. At the very least you can use it as a cushion in rough seas. We did see several whales up close, but the high waves prevented us from having the more intimate contact other reviewers have described.
Unfortunately, we had less than ideal weather for our trip out on Magdalena Bay. The wind was strong at 6:30 a.m. when we boarded the boat, a small Mexican panga that is remarkably seaworthy but is open to the sun and has no bathroom facilities. This isn't a problem for the men, who are offered a plastic bottle, but for the women it can be a major discomfort, particularly when the round trip may cover 50 miles and six hours without a bathroom break. You may want to reduce your early morning coffee intake.
More advice: Wear warm clothes and a waterproof jacket. A tight-fitting cap or a hot with a cord is also a must. The pangas can go more than 30 mph (50 kph) and the the drivers may them fast. In heavy seas like we experienced, the pangas are prone to ride high and slam down hard after each wave, which can be very painful for anyone with a back problem. Life jackets are on board but wearing them isn't obligatory. Ask for one. At the very least you can use it as a cushion in rough seas. We did see several whales up close, but the high waves prevented us from having the more intimate contact other reviewers have described.
Written January 25, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cybel W
10 contributions
Mar 2024 • Family
I arranged a 4-day 3-night trip (1 night Hotel Isabela and 2 nights at whale camp) with Magdalena Bay Whales. The driver was easy to find upon arrival at LTO airport. It's about 2.5 hours to get to Hotel Isabela with a bathroom/ snack break at a gas station. The room at Hotel Isabela was comfortable and clean. Dinner was not included in the price of the package so that was an additional cost.
The next morning we got up bright and early. Our driver took us to the boat launching area where we met our captain. He got us and our luggage safely into his panga and we left to go whale watching for the day before the sunrise. We saw some whales and flukes. We had the same captain the second day of whale watching and a similar experience to the first day. The last day we had a different captain. I saw more whales on my last day, definitely more active (spyhopping and even a breach) than the first two days. Everything about the trip was smooth except for the wind and the waves on the water. The captains we had were professional and nice.
We stayed two nights at the whale camp. There is a cute dog named Tobby that greets and welcomes the new guests. Felix and David carried our luggage up to the tent we were going to be staying at for the next two nights. We came down and ordered our food with the cooks, who promptly made our food. Throughout our stay, the food was fresh and delicious. The hardworking staff (Max, Rosalia, Adylene, etc) were approachable when I had questions or concerns. During my time there, I hiked the nearby trail to the Pacific Ocean and also visited the local fishing village, which I recommend.
After our stay at the whale camp, our driver drove us back to Loreto where we stayed two more nights before flying back home. Overall, I enjoyed my time with Magdalena Bay Whales.
The next morning we got up bright and early. Our driver took us to the boat launching area where we met our captain. He got us and our luggage safely into his panga and we left to go whale watching for the day before the sunrise. We saw some whales and flukes. We had the same captain the second day of whale watching and a similar experience to the first day. The last day we had a different captain. I saw more whales on my last day, definitely more active (spyhopping and even a breach) than the first two days. Everything about the trip was smooth except for the wind and the waves on the water. The captains we had were professional and nice.
We stayed two nights at the whale camp. There is a cute dog named Tobby that greets and welcomes the new guests. Felix and David carried our luggage up to the tent we were going to be staying at for the next two nights. We came down and ordered our food with the cooks, who promptly made our food. Throughout our stay, the food was fresh and delicious. The hardworking staff (Max, Rosalia, Adylene, etc) were approachable when I had questions or concerns. During my time there, I hiked the nearby trail to the Pacific Ocean and also visited the local fishing village, which I recommend.
After our stay at the whale camp, our driver drove us back to Loreto where we stayed two more nights before flying back home. Overall, I enjoyed my time with Magdalena Bay Whales.
Written March 12, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Has anyone stayed at camp with a baby or toddler? If so, how was it and would you recommend it? My family is interested in booking a trip for 4 adults, an 8-year old and a 1-year old. I'm wanting to get a gauge on what we can realistically expect. Thanks!!
Written August 1, 2022
How much does a day of whale watching cost? What time do the boats leave and return to San Carlos? Will the boat take us to Magdalena(?) Island for lunch?”
Written February 23, 2020
How much does a day of whale watching cost? What time do the boats leave and return to San Carlos? Will the boat take us to Magdalena(?) Island for lunch?
Written February 18, 2020
What is the cost of a panga to see the whales? Will they take us to Magdalena island for lunch of shrimp or what they have?
Written February 18, 2020
Hello, I am traveling with my 88 year old mother. She has mobility issues but is very adventure some. Looking for a place to stay for 3 days in early feb 2020.
Written January 14, 2020
Silvia Sepúlveda
Monterrey, Mexico
Alguien tiene el contacto de quien nos pueda dar el tour? Llegamos a LA PAZ el martes y tenemos dos dias libres, tenemos carro rentado pero no sabemos en quién confiar jejeje ayuda
Written January 12, 2020
Hi, does anyone know if March15-17 is too late for a good experience and the chance to pet a whale? Should I go earlier?
Written December 19, 2019
Wondering where to stay, how to book whale watching, how best to get there from LA???
Written October 30, 2019
Just don't use Tour Radar to book anything. I flew in after making a reservation with them for transport and a tour. Only had three days. Even though the tour was confirmed, when I arrived, there was no bus and their subcontractor claimed that they had never had a bus for that day. Their next bus was after I had to fly out.
Written October 30, 2019
Does anyone have experience with taking Volaris airline from Tijuana to Loreto? This is how we're thinking we would get there, but would like advice on what worked well from other travelers.
Also, is there any advantage to staying up higher or down lower in the camp tents?
Do most guests stay 2 nights or 3 nights in the camp?
We will be travelling in February 2020 from San Diego. Thanks for any helpful input.
Written September 23, 2019
While I can't answer your specific question, I have a word of warning, I had a confirmed Tour Radar booking, flew in for that specific date and had to leave a few days after. Turns out that the bus service from Cabo had not been confirmed with the local bus company, they did not even go on the day I was scheduled and I was SOL. NEVER USE TOUR RADAR,
Written September 24, 2019
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