Cabo San Lucas is a fabulous destination on Mexico’s Pacific coast, famous for its impressive combination of mountains, desert, and ocean. Thanks to its privileged location on popular cetacean migratory routes, it is a perfect place to go whale watching. During the Cabo whale watching season, you can see different species of whales up close, in their element. When is whale season in Cabo? Let’s find out!
The most prominent species you can see in Cabo are humpback and gray whales. Each are migratory, escaping up north to Alaska and British Columbia for the summer, and wintering further south, including Cabo San Lucas. When is the best time to see whales in Cabo? Generally, the Cabo whale-watching season runs from December to April.
Experiencing the Magic of Los Cabos Whale Watching Season
Humpback and grey whales are both baleen whales that reach around 50 feet in length and around 30 tons in weight. Humpback whales are remarkable for their complex songs which can last up to 20 minutes and be repeated for hours. They are also known for their acrobatics when coming to the surface to breathe. In fact, both species are incredible sights when breaching the surface, powering spouts of water many feet up into the air. You won’t realize quite how small and insignificant we are until you see these enormous specimens up close. It really is a life-changing experience!
During the season, you can book a number of different whale watching tours in Cabo San Lucas. It’s worth paying attention to the time you want to book the tour, as each time of day has different advantages and disadvantages. If you choose early morning, you’ll find the seas are typically calmer, with less wind and waves. It is an ideal time for people who might get seasick, or for families with small children. If you choose midday or lunchtime, the tour guides will have a better knowledge of whale locations, so you have a higher probability of seeing them. Finally, afternoons can see increased levels of whale activity. Depending on the tide times, with high tide coming in, your boat ride can be a bit more of an adventure, with higher wind and waves.
When Do the Whales Arrive to Los Cabos?
Along with the time of day, the time of the season can also make a difference to your whale watching experience. Humpback whales start to arrive in Cabo from the middle of November, with the population reaching its peak by mid-December. Late December is when you can start to see baby humpback whales, which become more active until April. During March and April, you can see groups of whales migrating north.
The other, less common species you can see during the Cabo whale watching season is the gray whale. Their migration path takes them on a 5,000-plus mile-long journey from the Bering, Chukchi and Beaufort Seas to the Sea of Cortez. These whales generally arrive later on, in early January. They can generally be seen in small groups until the end of March. Gray whales tend to be seen closer to shore.
Tours to Take during Cabo San Lucas Whale Watching Season
If you want to see different behaviors, such as leaping from the ocean and caring for baby whales, then don’t limit yourself to one tour. Try different times of day and transportation options. There are different experiences available, each with its perks. You can travel in a larger two-deck yacht on the SunRider Whale Watching tour, or speed around in an inflatable speedboat on the Whale Watching Photo Safari tour. The Wonderful Whale Watching tour offers some bonus time shopping in downtown Cabo San Lucas.
The choice between boat size sometimes comes down to comfort. The smaller boats are more agile and can get closer to the cetaceans, while the larger boats tend to offer more creature comforts and admire them from further away.
Each Cabo whale watching tour will allow you to admire iconic landmarks like the Land’s End Arch on the way to each spot. You’ll be able to take breathtaking photos of stunning landscapes as you capture moments that’ll last a lifetime. On the way you’ll be able to admire a surprising number of colonies of seals and sea lions. These fabulous sea mammals include endangered species living around the arch.
Come to Los Cabos in Winter to Watch Amazing Whales!
A vacation in Cabo San Lucas is always going to be memorable. A perfect way to make it truly unforgettable is with a whale-watching tour in Los Cabos. Plan to visit during the Cabo whale watching season and pick one or many of the different tours available. Bring your camera and make sure you have lots of memory; you’ll be taking lots of photos! Don’t pass up the chance to admire these truly magnificent marine mammals during your next visit to Mexico’s Pacific coast.
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