Whale Watching in Baja – Planning your Perfect One Week Itinerary in Baja California, Mexico

Mexico’s Baja California is one of the most popular destinations in Mexico for good reason. Beautifully stark desert cliffs meet the deep blue Pacific and a culture that’s uniquely Mexican draw visitors from around the world. Whether you’re coming for Baja’s resorts and famous beaches or looking to get up close with wildlife the Baja Peninsula has something for everyone. Discover the best of Baja and whale watching with this one week itinerary in Baja California, Mexico.

A Few Facts about Baja California, Mexico

• Despite the name, Baja California is not in the US. While geographically it looks like an extension of California it is in Mexico and you will need a passport if you’re coming from the US.
• There are four international airports on the Baja Peninsula. Los Cabos (SJD) is the busiest followed by La Paz (LAP).
• The peninsula of Baja California is split into two Mexican States. Baja California (the northern part) with Mexicali as the capital city; and Baja California Sur, whose capital is La Paz.
• Bordered by the Sea of Cortez to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Baja Peninsula has one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. Known as the World’s Aquarium, the Sea of Cortez is well known for it’s incredible marine biodiversity.
• The Baja Peninsula has become very popular with American expats thanks to its warm weather and lower cost of living.
• While the coast is often the main destination the beautiful desert landscapes of Baja’s interior are drawing hikers and photographers.
• The Pacific coast is home to several different species of whales and is one of the best places in the world for whale watching. Time your visit for December – March for your best chance at viewing gray whales as the winter in the warm waters off the Mexican coast.
• Currency is MXN pesos but USD are also widely accepted. You can obtain pesos at banks or “Casas de Cambio”. Be wary of getting pesos at the airport as the exchange rate there is poor.
• The best way to enjoy Baja California is to explore it by car. Renting a car in Mexico is relatively simple and the roads in Baja are safe.

Search Flights to Los Cabos

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I confess there are so many things to do in Baja California that one week is not really enough. However, with this itinerary you will see the best that Baja California has to offer. 

One Week Itinerary for Whale Watching in Baja California, Mexico Itinerary

(Please note that the itinerary is made for traveling from December through March due to whale season).

Day 1 – Arriving in La Paz

Day one begins in La Paz where you will pick up your rental car, and settle in your hotel for the first two nights of your trip. Spend this first day getting to know La Paz or eating at some of it’s world-class restaurants. At the end of the day join the crowds gathering along the Malecon, a beautiful 5.5km boardwalk, for one of the most stunning sunsets in the world.

Check Car Rentals for La Paz

Day 2 – Whale Shark Tour and Balandra Beach

When visiting the Baja Peninsula you must go on a tour to swim with the whale sharks, the gentle giants of the sea. This half-day tour from La Paz is an unforgettable experience.

If swimming with whale sharks isn’t your thing you can opt do a boat tour to Espiritu Santo Island. This tour is longer and will take you first to Espiritu Santo island where you can swim with the sea lions and then to another remote deserted beach where you can swim, relax and enjoy a delicious picnic. 

In the afternoon be sure to check out Balandra Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico. During the day you can just enjoy the sun or rent a kayak or a paddleboard while waiting for the sunset. It’s even more spectacular if you watch it from the small hill between the two beaches.

Day 3 – Drive to Adolfo Lopez Mateo and Loreto

On day three its time to drive to Adolfo Lopez Mateo, the best place in Baja California to do whale watching and see the gray whales. It’s a 5 hours drive with stunning desert views. In Adolfo Lopez Mateo head to the marina where you will find the fishermen on their tour-guide-hat waiting to sell you the tour. 

This is how it all works. You tell them how many people are in your group and whether you want to do the tour on your own or join others to split the price. In fact, they charge for the boat, no matter how many passengers. So if you want to split the price with somebody else, you can wait for other visitors. 

Insider tip:  although the boat can hold up to 12 passengers, I wouldn’t go with a full boat. Six to seven passengers is optimal, especially if you want to take good photos.

The tour is amazing. The gray whales are very friendly and used to humans, so they will get close to the boat and “ask” to be petted. You might even be able to go so close as to kiss a whale. It’s a surreal experience. The good part is that it’s all in the wild, there is no harm to the whales. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be going as I don’t support any tours or institutions where animals are kept in cages or trained to please the humans. The tour doesn’t need to be pre-booked and it normally lasts 2 hours. Boats are not allowed to stay out more but you are free to book two tours back to back. 

After your whale watching experience continue on to Loreto. This two hour drive is incredibly scenic Make sure you don’t get distracted, though, as there are lots of dangerous curves and that’s where local goats like to play hide and seek.

Once in Loreto you can take a nice walk to the Malecon and the historical center. Loreto is tiny but full of charm, earning a designation as a Pueblos Magicos, or Magic Towns of Mexico. It is in fact the first Jesuit settlement when the Spanish conquerors set foot on the peninsula. I highly suggest you should go visit the museum located in the Misión de Nuestra Señora de Loreto monastery to get familiar with the history of Loreto and Baja.

Day 4 – Coronado Island 

A boat tour to Coronado Island is great for snorkeling with the sea lions, watching dolphins, and admiring the spectacular turquoise waters that wash the island’s desert shores. I have never seen such color, except in the Galapagos Islands. This will be a full, but unforgettable day with amazing views and wildlife. The seawater temperatures can be quite chilly and I would suggest you rent a 5 mm wetsuit to stay comfortable.

Day 5 – Blue Whale Tour

The blue whale tour was the highlight of my stay in Loreto. If you are short on time I would choose this tour over the Coronado Island tour. The blue whales are rare to see so close to the coast, but they live in Loreto Bay and they come here every year in winter to mate and give birth. 

Blue whales are the largest animals on earth and being able to admire them from a relatively close distance is a life changing experience. As you observe their breathing habits you’ll notice that they will stick out their tail after about 7 breaths, before diving back down into the water. Their movements are surprisingly graceful despite their gigantic size. If you’re lucky you might also come across a large pod of dolphins, there’s nothing like the sight thousands of dolphins flipping and dancing around your boat and it’s just another another impressive experience that I wasn’t expecting.

If you have time while you’re in Loreto you can also try hiking in Sierra La Giganta, or explore the Mission of San Javier. San Javier is a tiny village in the heart of the Sierra de la Giganta, and the rocky desert views along the 30km drive to San Javier are worth the journey.

INSIDER TIP- you should book your tours in Loreto in advance because they don’t run every day and there is limited space on the boat.

Day 6 – Drive to Todos Santos 

Make sure to leave for Todos Santos in the morning so that you will have some time to enjoy a leisurely afternoon on the beach and a nice dinner in one of the town’s world-class restaurants. Pamper yourself at one of the stylish boutique hotels in Todos Santos and end your day with a mezcal cocktail while watching the sunset over the Pacific.

Day 7 – return to La Paz for your Flight Home

Depending on your flight schedule you may be able to hit the beach before getting back to La Paz. Consider that it takes about 2 hours from Todos Santos to La Paz. Besides, international flights require to be at the airport at least 2 hours before, but you will also need to drop off the car, and all the COVID checks, so make sure you take it into consideration. 

Hotel and Restaurant Recommendations

Best hotels in La Paz

• Posada Las Flores
• Hotel Catedral 
• La Paz vacation rentals

Great local restaurants in La Paz

• Los Laureles
• El Mezquite Gril

Best Hotels in Loreto

• Villa de Palmar Beach Resort
• La Mision
• Loreto Vacation Rentals

Best Hotels in Todos Santos

• The Hotelito
• Hotel San Cristobal
• Todos Santos Vacation Rentals

Great restaurants in Todos Santos

• Hierbabuena
• Cafe’ La Esquina

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