Los Cabos offers one of the world’s most spectacular whale-watching experiences at the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula. When it comes to whale watching in Mexico, Los Cabos is one of the top destinations to witness the great migration.
Whale Watching in Los Cabos
While whale watching is popular along the entire West Coast of the United States, there is something special about Los Cabos. Where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean, you’ll see the Arch of Cabo San Lucas, also known as “El Arco.” The famous arch and surrounding granite rock formations form the edge of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula. The rugged coastline and crystal-clear waters create a picturesque background for whale watching in Los Cobos.
Your best chance of seeing a whale or two is by booking a whale-watching tour. Whale-watching tours provide a unique opportunity to witness these gentle giants up close in their natural habitat. Because this is such a popular experience, you’ll find a myriad of companies that offer whale-watching excursions in Los Cabos. While these companies are all fine options, the best way to enjoy whale watching in Los Cabos is with a chartered yacht when you stay at Mar Del Cabo by Velas Resorts.
The luxury Mexico resorts collection, Velas Resorts, owns and operates its own yacht, which is available to guests at all three of their Cabo properties— Mar del Cabo, Grand Velas Los Cabos and Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos. Guests can book a tour during their stay through the respective concierges. Or a full-day charter is included in the rate for the Royal Suite, Presidential Suite, and Imperial Suite at Grand Velas Los Cabos and is included in some hotel buyouts at Mar del Cabo.
This is the best way to experience whale watching season. We enjoyed spacious and comfortable accommodations onboard that made for optimal viewing. No crowds to fight for a photo, just a relaxing sunset cruise with plenty of whale sightings. And to top it all off, we enjoyed champagne toasts coupled with charcuterie for the true royal treatment.
Staying at Mar del Cabo by Velas Resorts
Of the three Velas Resorts in Cabo, I stayed at Mar del Cabo; their smaller, boutique hotel. The historic property oozes charm and so much color my camera never got a chance to rest. Reminiscent of the architecture in Greece, the hotel’s stark white exterior paints the backdrop to hanging Bougainvillea and other tropical landscaping. Cozy corners and intimate walkways lead to only 48 rooms and suites, each complete with scenic balconies and locally sourced art adorning the walls.
A heated outdoor pool and bar are the perfect place to be when visiting in the winter. Plus, direct beach access makes it easy to catch a beautiful waterfront sunrise. Dining here is al a carte as this boutique hotel is not all-inclusive. You also have access to dine at their neighboring properties, one of which houses a Michelin-starred restaurant—Cocina de Autor.
When is whale watching season?
There are two migration seasons for whales; in the winter from mid-November to January and in spring from March to May. During the winter, the whales migrate from the cold waters of Alaska to the warm waters of the Baja Peninsula, which Jacques Cousteau famously called the “world’s aquarium,” to breed and give birth to their calves.
They travel great distances, some up to 5,000 miles to reach their destination. You’ll primarily see gray and humpback whales, which are known to perform the longest migration, whale watching in Los Cabos.
Despite weighing thousands of pounds, Humpback whales can be particularly entertaining, as they are known for their acrobatic displays of breaching—launching their massive bodies completely out of the water. Gray whales, often traveling with their calves, tend to be more relaxed, frequently swimming close to boats out of curiosity.
When is the best time of day for whale watching?
Our tour took place around sunset and we saw plenty of whales, but when I asked our captain, he said early morning is the best. Because whales like the sun, they like to surface as the sun rises. Plus, in the early morning, there are hardly any boats around and the waters are much calmer. So, while the sunset was beautiful, he highly recommends an early morning tour to almost guarantee sightings.
Tips for whale watching in Los Cabos
If it’s your first time whale watching in Los Cabos, here are a few pro tips for an optimal experience:
- Bring layers of clothing, especially if you are going out in the early morning or at sunset
- Binoculars are always good to have on hand. Although on a tour you get close enough, binoculars were not necessary.
- Pop a motion sickness pill like Dramamean to prevent getting seasick, especially if you know you’re susceptible.
- Bring a waterproof camera, or at least a waterproof case for your phone. Although I will say, that there wasn’t too much splashing going on. I brought my regular camera and was just fine.
- Book tours in advance during peak season
*all images taken by me and are subject to copyright.
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