When it comes to wildlife, there is no shortage of options in Central and South America.
From bird watching in Colombia and the Amazon, to the famous Big Cats of the Pantanal, regions are perhaps more globally known for their wildlife than Mexico. But in Baja California, there are plenty of opportunities to see animals in their natural habitat
The north-westerly region of the country is home to a plethora of marine life and should be top on the bucket list for anyone who enjoys quality nature and wildlife experiences on their vacations. If you have 5-7 days to explore this part of the world, there are plenty of nature excursions on offer, as well as the chance to explore some of the quaint towns, stark deserts and beautiful beaches.
We’d recommend basing yourself for a few nights in La Paz, a town with interesting architecture, street art, delicious food spots and attractive beaches. From here, you can head out into the Sea of Cortez for your first wildlife experience – swimming alongside the world’s largest fish, the giant whale shark. You’ll have the opportunity to learn about these majestic creatures alongside your whale shark expert, before heading off to a natural protected area with pristine beaches and mangroves to enjoy a tasty lunch and snorkel in the crystalline waters
From La Paz you can also go out on an exciting journey by traditional fishing boat, known as a panga, to Isla Espiritu Santo, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Snorkelling is second to none here, where you can spot tropical fish shoals and swim with sea lions.
You might want to consider Loreto for your next stop. Here you’ll be able to head out again on a panga to Loreto Bay National Marine Park, for the chance to spot the enormous blue whales that can be found in these waters from February through April. You may also be lucky enough to spot dolphins, fin whales or humpback whales!
A couple of days in Magdalena Bay would also be an excellent choice. Here, there are two fantastic marine life experiences to be had.
The first is the sea turtle monitoring programme, which you’ll learn about with the experts and then have the opportunity to accompany the conservationists to the nets by boat to check for turtles. Important measurements and data are then collected before the turtles are released back into the wild.
The second experience is to spot the majestic grey whales. The protective bays in Baja California provide a safe spot for the grey whales to mate and have their calves, providing excellent opportunities for spotting them!
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