Family Whale-Watching Vacation in Cabo San Lucas
Seeing humpback whales in the flesh, in their natural habitat, is one of the most extraordinary, exciting, and frankly mind-blowing wildlife experiences it is possible to have. Words can’t really do justice to the feeling of being up close and personal to these vast, majestic mammals, and it should be something on the bucket list of any family who love animals and nature.
Every year, thousands of whales make the journey south from the freezing waters of the Arctic Circle to the warm and pleasant climes of the Mexican Pacific and the Sea of Cortez around Baja California. Here, between December and April, they feed, mate, and give birth, before heading back north for the summer months.
This annual migration makes Cabo San Lucas, at the southernmost tip of Baja California Sur, one of the best places in the world for a family whale-watching vacation!
So if you plan to cruise to Cabo San Lucas and would like to see these awesome creatures so close you could almost touch them, here is everything you need to know to plan the best family whale-watching vacation in Cabo San Lucas.
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What whales can you see in Cabo San Lucas?
The Sea of Cortez was described by Jacques Cousteau as ‘the world’s aquarium’, and it lives up to its billing and then some! It is full of remarkable marine life and offers the opportunity to see all sorts of whale species (as well as dolphins, orcas, whale sharks, sea lions, and an array of gorgeous tropical fish). Whales that can be found off the coast of Cabo San Lucas include blue whales, sperm whales, minke whales, fin whales, and pilot whales, although the most commonly sighted are gray whales and humpbacks. These two species are the ones that migrate south, and they are therefore the most active, and the most enjoyable to find.
Best time of year to see whales in Cabo San Lucas
You can find amazing sea life in the waters off the coast of Cabo San Lucas year-round, and snorkeling or scuba diving here, or up the coast in Cabo Pulmo, is well worth the trip whenever you visit. Equally amazing is the chance to snorkel with whale sharks just outside the city of La Paz. But for whale-watching, the best time of year is winter and spring, from December to April, as this is when the gray and humpback whales migrate south for the warm waters, in order to breed and feed.
Best time of day to see whales in Cabo San Lucas
Whale tours tend to head out early in the morning, early in the afternoon, or at sunset. Each time of day offers its advantages. In the morning, the sea tends to be calmer, with less wind, and the sun is less fierce. The slightly more lively weather in the afternoons often results in more whale sightings, as they like to play in the waves. And sunset tours tend to involve food and drink, as well as stunning views of the sun setting behind El Arco, the iconic rock formation that defines Cabo San Lucas.
What sort of tour can you take in Cabo San Lucas?
Given how important whale-watching is for the people of Cabo San Lucas, it is no surprise that there are all sorts of tours, on boats of every shape and size. You can find zippy, Zodiac boats that can keep up with the surprising speed of a fully grown humpback, small boats with roof shades that keep the sun off, and larger expeditions on catamarans, for an extra taste of luxury!
A family vacation to see whales in Cabo San Lucas will be an adventure you never forget, and one of the most impressive wildlife experiences you ever have. Don’t delay, book your vacation now!
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