Most people who see a blue whale in their lifetime see it here. The deep, sheltered channel between Loreto and the islands of the national marine park fills with blue whales every winter, and because the sea is usually flat in the morning, a blow is visible from kilometres away. This guide covers the season, the animals, and how to make a trip out of it.
When Is Blue Whale Season in Loreto?
Blue whales start to arrive in mid-January and are around until late March, with stragglers into early April. February and early March are the peak: on most mornings in those weeks we see several whales, and on a good one you may lose count. The whales come to feed on krill in the deep water off Isla del Carmen and Isla Danzante, and their pattern is steady enough that a captain who is out every morning knows where to start looking.
What Else You'll See
- Fin whales — the second-largest animal on the planet, here over the same months and often mistaken for blues at a distance.
- Humpbacks — passing through in early winter, and the ones most likely to breach.
- Dolphins — common and bottlenose dolphins are here year-round, often in pods of hundreds.
- Sea lions, boobies, pelicans — the residents of Isla Coronado, which is on the way.
- Orcas and pilot whales — some winters, not every one. Ask your captain what the last few weeks have brought.
What a Whale Morning Is Actually Like
We leave the marina at first light. The sea is at its calmest then and the low sun lights the blow of a surfacing whale like a flare. Your captain runs to the channel, cuts the engine and listens. A blue whale surfaces to breathe several times over a few minutes, shows the long grey back and small fin, sometimes lifts its tail, and dives for ten to fifteen minutes. The boat repositions gently along the line it was travelling and waits again. On a private panga there is no schedule to keep and no other group to satisfy, so if the whales are working one patch of water, that is where we stay.
How Long to Book
Loreto Star is booked by the hour with a four-hour minimum. Four hours is the right length for whales alone. Six lets you add a swim and a beach stop at Isla Coronado on the way back — sea lions, white sand and lunch under the shade tent — which is the winter day most of our guests choose. See the full whale watching page for what is included.
What to Bring
January and February mornings are cool on the water even when the afternoon is warm. Bring a windbreaker, a hat that stays on, sunglasses and sunscreen, and the longest lens you own. Binoculars are useful. The channel is sheltered so seasickness is rare, but if you know you are prone to it, take a tablet before you leave the dock.
Watching Responsibly
Whale watching inside the park is regulated by CONANP, and it should be: this is one of the last places on Earth with a healthy blue whale population you can reliably reach in a small boat. We keep the required distance, approach from the side, never chase, and let the whale decide how close it comes. Our captain has watched these animals every winter for years, and putting you in the right place without disturbing them is the whole craft.
Book Early
February in Loreto is busy and we have one boat. If you have fixed dates, reserve them as soon as you know — a 30% deposit holds the day and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before.
