INTIMATE WHALE WATCHING EXPERIENCES

Join us at our private Ecolodge along the shores of San Ignacio Lagoon where Gray Whales have migrated to for thousands of generations. This Gray Whale Sanctuary is in the heart of Mexico’s largest protected area, El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve. Mother Gray Whales approach boats and encourage us to scratch, pet and even sing to them and their newly born calves. Over the years, this has become a regular occurrence only at San Ignacio Lagoon. This truly unique location is the only Gray Whale birthing lagoon in the world that has been left untouched by man and has a local community striving to keep the lagoon a sacred and protected sanctuary. Our low impact Ecolodge is a sustainable way to come and experience this life changing event and interaction with the whales. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff have guided thousands of happy adventure seekers.

A great way to see the Baja landscape scenery from the air on this two-and-a-half-hour flight via our commercially chartered aircraft. Our trip begins in San Diego and our experienced guides escort you to your destination. You’ll spend four days and nights at Campo Cortez Ecolodge in clean, comfortable, rugged wooden cabins with views of the lagoon, comfortable beds, and electricity to charge your camera or other small devices. Enjoy whale watching twice daily with our local guides and boat captains who are residents of the lagoon that share with you their local knowledge of this peaceful Gray Whale Sanctuary. Days are spent whale watching, beachcombing, and guided kayaking while evenings are spent discussing the day’s events with informal lectures and discussions. Enjoy delicious authentic meals made with fresh locally sourced ingredients and you’ll love the sunsets, sunrises, and star gazing at night.

§ 6 up close whale watching trips

§ Round trip charter air direct to San Ignacio Lagoon

§ 4 days and 4 nights at our private Ecolodge

§ Solar powered beach cabins with lagoon views

§ Naturalist led discussions & field excursions

§ All inclusive: meals, beer, wine, margaritas & happy hour

§ Kayaking, hiking, beachcombing, tide pool exploration

§ Experienced and knowledgeable local resident staff

§ Two whale watch trips daily

§ Mangrove tour

§ Evening presentations

§ Bird watching and stargazing

Discover the unparalleled experience offered by Campo Cortez Ecolodge – your gateway to an unforgettable adventure at San Ignacio Lagoon. As a locally owned and operated ecolodge, we pride ourselves on our exceptional location, modern amenities, and commitment to sustainable practices.

Nestled on the outskirts of civilization, Campo Cortez Ecolodge provides a unique blend of comfort and environmental consciousness. Our off-the-grid community has been powered by solar and wind energy for over 25 years, ensuring a clean and renewable source of power. Constructed using traditional building methods and local materials, our palapa serves as the central gathering point for daily activities and meals.

With our state-of-the-art solar and wind generation system, you'll have access to 110 AC or 12-volt DC power for all your charging needs. Whether it's your phone, video camera, or camera batteries, you can conveniently recharge them in the dining palapa or your cabin during the day. Our facilities feature hot showers, flushing marine toilets, and numerous hand washing stations, providing modern comforts in harmony with the surrounding environment.

Stay connected with our STARLINK internet service, ensuring you can share your memorable moments and stay in touch with loved ones. Take advantage of our kayaks for guided excursions into the enchanting mangroves, or explore our trails for walking, hiking, and beachcombing. Join our tide-pooling excursions, where you'll discover fascinating marine life and even try your hand at chocolate clam hunting during our weekly clam and oyster bake.

  Always available in the palapa are: 

§ Book and video library of Baja & marine mammals & plants

§ Television to view our daily videos & presentations

§ Science and weather monitoring station

§ Coffee and hot tea

§ Snacks and fruit

§ Sodas, beer, and wine

§ Fresh drinking water 

Our beachside cabins come equipped with electricity, comfortable beds and are well protected from the wind and elements. Twelve of our cabins are double occupancy with two single beds and three cabins are triple occupancy with a double bed on one side and a single bed opposite. All our cabins are supplied with fresh linens, pillows, shelves and a countertop area with mirror. They are cozy, efficient and leave a small footprint on the land. They are painted with colors that blend into the mangroves and natural landscape which is a requirement to be approved by the local ecological committee. 

Special Accommodations: If you have any special needs, let us know and we will do everything we can to make your stay comfortable. If you use a CPAP machine, we have two cabins that provide power throughout the night to CPAP devices. 

Trip Departs & Returns: San Diego – Handlery Hotel parking available

Night before departure meeting: Meet guide in lobby at 6:30pm for informal gathering

Day 1: 

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart  for the Tijuana Airport via CBX.

Arrive San Ignacio Lagoon for orientation, Happy Hour and dinner.

Day 2, 3, 4:

3 full days & nights including 6 whale watching trips

Day 5:

Depart camp after breakfast and arrive San Diego by 1:00-4:00 pm

Daily Camp Schedule:

7:00am Coffee, cereals, fruit

8:00am Hot breakfast

8:45am Whale watching

12:00pm Lunch

2:00pm Whale watching

5:00pm Happy hour

6:00pm Dinner

9:00pm Lights out-Palapa

Camp Schedule WILL vary day to day based on tide movements and weather

Camp Activities:

§ Guided tide pool exploration & critter hunts 

§ Guided  kayaking* excursions to mangroves

§ Naturalist led excursions & lectures

§ Up close whale observation & petting 

§ Happy hour & incredible sunsets 

§ Gray whale boneyard

§ Beach combing and dark sky stargazing

§ Bird watching

*Kayaking is dependent upon the tide and weather. Camp guides will lead kayaking trips

Availability is on a limited basis. Please make your reservations well in advance to secure your space on the aircraft and at camp. Many of our guests plan and book their trips at least six to twelve months in advance. For your comfort, space is limited at camp and all our reservations are made on a first come basis. Please call or email us to check our schedule for availability. 

Before your departure, you’ll receive from us: 

§ Comprehensive itinerary package & travel information

§ Camp guidelines & whale watching information

§ Guide information & contact information 

§ Detailed packing list

We are consistently rated the #1 Travelers’ Choice on Trip Advisor year after year for one reason, our Staff and Owners - who are residents and locals to San Ignacio Lagoon. We are four generations of family living and working in the lagoon since the settlement of San Ignacio Lagoon. We take pride in our efforts at our Ecolodge to have a low-impact environmentally and the responsibility that we carry as Ambassadors to the lagoon and its many wildlife residents.