Tours Description for Pachico’s EcoTours
as San Ignacio Lagoon for 2006 season

Boats:

The boats we use for whale watching are 22 feet long and maximum capacity is 8 passengers, however we prefer to transport 7 (space wise). Each boat counts with all the safety equipment required by the Port Captain for this type boat. We have 3 boats available for February and March right now. This picture is a mother and calf approaching a boat in January 2003. You can see from the photos that the small size of the boats allows us to be very close to the surface of the water – within petting distance, and ideal for photographs.

Winter Natural Activity in the Lagoon:

November: The gray whales start the Southbound migration and some are already in Southern California. Occasionally we see the first one in San Ignacio Lagoon in the end of this month but it doesn’t stay.

Also this monthis when the migratory birds start arriving to the Lagoon shores.Some fly the whole way from Northern Alaska, Russia or Canada (black brant and white pelican)to spend the winter in the warmer climate of Baja California.

December: Is more common in this month forGray whales to start arriving. Pregnant cows are checking out the Lagoon while adult males display courtship behavior. Towards the last week of the month we might have between two to a dozen whales already staying in this protected and special body of water.

Black brants are covering most of the intertidal zone feeding on the well preserved

Eel grass of the Lagoon’s shore.

January: Whales, whales, & little babies. 30% of the season’s calves are already born towards the end of this month. “Friendly” behavior is already seen/experience, however not guarantee. Plenty of courtship and mating. Great Opportunity for action shots.

Birds, birds, & birds. Residents are nesting. Two Islands (Pelicano & Garza) in the Northern part of the Lagoon are the main nesting area for most residents. Mangroves also host shore birds and other smaller species when nesting.

February: Mating groups activities at its highest, more cow and calf, “Friendly” encounters are more commonly seen or experience. However being there at this time is not necessarily a guarantee of petting one. What is a given thing is that you will be watching whales all around you, and might even have a hard time deciding where to point your camera at.This is the month with the most activity, more mother and calves, mating groups, etc... The highest number of individuals are recorded in this month.

This is the month with more bird diversity too. Lots of migratory ones, residents are nesting;some species will towards the end of the month have their chicks.

March: Male and juvenile whales start the Northbound migration early this month. Cow and calves are more relaxed, young ones getting stronger and more willing to play. Higher percentage of “close encounter” are cow and calf in this month.

Weather normally gets better this month; however there is always exceptions to the rule.

Migratory birds begin Northbound migration.Residents chicks start flying.

April: Whales? Yes! Only remain cows and calves. Newborn are getting stronger and confident, ready to follow the Northbound migration, and as a result more playful.By mid-April we still have around a couple dozen couples (cow & calf).

Young flying chicks start learning how to catch their own food.

Friendly Whales

Most tourists who come to Laguna San Ignacio for several days are rewarded with a “Friendly Whale” encounter – a chance to touch, pet, scratch a whale. However, we do not pursue or chase the whales; it is up to them to decide to approach us. Through years of practice, my father, brothers and I have become quite good at knowing the whale behavior, and spotting a potentially friendly whale, but we can never guarantee one.

We do drive next to the whales, and it is a guarantee that people will see them about 10 feet from the boat. The visitors are guaranteed, at the very least, to see many whales at a short distance, and to have many opportunities for some great photographs. However, it is the whale’s decision to come to the boat to be pet. San Ignacio Lagoon is the place with the highest percentage of "friendly" encounters. I can say that almost every day is a "friendly" encounter within the Lagoon. The regulations permit only two boats around one friendly whale, so we might see other boats with a “friendly” whale but not necessarily we will have access to it. Pachico(my father, who was the first person to encounter a friendly whale in the lagoon, and the first whale watching guide) has been guiding since the late 70's, and the rest of the crew has been working with whales since the early and mid 80's. So a very experience crew would take you out.

I can not tell you that everybody will pet a whale, but what I can tell you is, if the group spends two days(4 tours), or three (6 tours), chances are very good (80-85%)of getting a “friendly”, however never a 100% guarantee.

Weather

The weather is always unpredictable, but the normal patterns are: wake up with a northwest wind (up to 15 knots), it will calm down by 10:30-11:00 and blow from the southwest at 1:30- 2:00 (10 knots). At evening the Northwest wind blows again and we go to bed with it. Due to this type of winds we try to work between 10:00am to 2:30pm and what we are offering to fit this schedule is our “Double Tour”(see details in tour description). Air temperature in February will be from evening to morning in the mid-low 50’s and sometimes even high 40’s. Mid day can be 85 degrees in the same day. As you can see people should be prepared for these changes in temperature. Shorts or light pants and t-shirts are appropriate at mid-day, but a fleece and a windbreaker are needed in early morning and after sundown.

While in the boat some water spray gets to people either by the moving boat, the wind and waves or a whale blow, so having a light weight raincoat is ideal.

Accomodations

From this view of our whale camp you can see that this is truly an experience with nature. Our army tent provides shade from the sun, and protection from wind and sand. We serve meals here, have a bar, and also provide a library of natural history and cultural resources, as well as some games for entertainment.

We offer small tents for people to sleep on, including an air mattress, sheets and pillows; is like camping but somebody is cooking for you and taking out to the whales. We have salt water flushed toilets (environmentally better suited to the place), and a sun heated shower to rinse off after a day full of whale spray.

Tour Options

-Solo Tour: This is a tour whale watching, which only includes the boat and guide service. Travel time from Camp to the Observation Area is between 25-40 minutes weather depending. We spend 90 minutes in the Observation Area and then back to Camp. All you need is your proper clothing for the environment, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, camera, etc…

-Double Tour:This is two tours in one trip; leave camp and enter the observation area for 90 minutes, then we take a break in the mouth of the Lagoon. This is a long sandy beach, which as you walk starts facing the surf of the open Pacific Ocean. A great variety of sea shell are here among whale bones who tells part of the history of San Ignacio Lagoon. We also provide snack and cold non-alcoholic drinks for this beach break. After an hour of rest/exploration we get back in the observation area for another round of 90 minutes of whale time. Then we go back to camp.

-24 Hours: This includes two “solo tour” or one “double tour”, three meals and facilities for a over night stay at camp.

-Multiday tours and Camp are also an option, however you must make reservations to guarantee availability.

-Special Boat: This is when you will like to have a boat for your self. You must reserve in advance for this. Also as you probably heard, Pachico’s team have work plenty with professional film Project as well as professional Fotographer.

Our guides experience is well known for this type jobs. If you are looking for this type of service, timely reservation can guarantee you to get a boat for your self/crew. A special deal with no time frame can be set up. You must reserve for this a few months in advance.

For tour costs contact Pancho Mayoral at

And appropriate tips for your traveling schedule.