Whale Watching Mazatlan
Explore the coast of Mazatlan on a mission to meet up close and personal with one of earth´s most fascinating creatures: the humpback whale. Take part on our whale ecology project and learn about their lives while supporting its study and conservation in Mexico.
A team of marine biologists, ecologists and naturalists will guide your adventure with outstanding commentary about local environment and sharing real-time insight into whales’ ecology and behavior while collecting scientific data for on going research and conservation projects.
During our encounters we may observe whales spouting while cruising along, or powerfully breaching and tail slapping while playing or fighting. It is breeding season in the Mexican Pacific so there is a lot going on! If lucky enough, we may find females nursing their calves, or maybe listen to the intriguing songs performed by males as part of their courtship ritual.
By taking part on this expedition you are contributing directly to marine research and monitoring activities led by Onca Explorations and its partners for the conservation of whales and dolphins in this important region of the Mexican Pacific and Gulf of California.
- 7:20 AM Pickup starts (exact time may vary depending on your hotel location)
- 7:45 AM Arrive at Marina. Welcome by our crew with a briefing on whale ecology and conservation and security measures.
- 8:00 AM Expedition begins. Navigate offshore in search for humpback whales and other marine life. Approximate travel time to whale aggregation areas and search may take 30 min. or more. Time following and documenting whale pods is approximately 2.5 hrs.
- 12:00 PM Back at Marina and transfer to your hotel.
- Onca Explorations is the pioneer whale watching company in Mazatlan and the whole state of Sinaloa, and also the first to be authorised by the federal government for this purpose in 2010.
- Over ten years of experience in cetacean monitoring and a life long commitment to marine conservation back our services and guarantee the best whale watching practices, both for you and the whales´ safety.
- Our boats provide a great platform to ensure respectful close encounters with marine life and awesome photography opportunities.
- Small groups and personal attention by our highly qualified crew, allow for excellent commentary about the lives of whales and local environment as well as updated information about their study and conservation in Mexico.
- Hydrophone on board to listen to live whale songs!
- With your participation you are supporting important marine life research and conservation programs.
By taking photographs of natural markings, like nicks and scars on dolphins´ dorsal fins, or the pigmentation pattern found on the flukes of humpback whales, cetaceans can be identified to the individual level, in the same way fingerprints are used on humans. By building photo-identification catalogues, comparing them with those collected at different geographic regions, we can begin to better understand the dynamic lives of whales and dolphins, including movement patterns, frequency and duration of their associations, patterns of residence and their abundance in the study area.This information is crucial for the development of proper conservation and management programs for all species.
On December 2008, National Geographic´s TRAVELER Magazine, on its 10th edition for Mexico, published an article about our research-based whale watching activities in Mazatlan, Sinaloa.
A collection of images from our Whale Research Adventure |
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$99 USD Adults
$69 USD Children (5-11)
*Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative date or a full refund.
Season: December 8th, thru March 31st.
Duration: 4 hours
Availability: Daily departures 8 AM. Minimum 4 adult pax. -weather permitting-.
From: Marina Mazatlan at Isla Mazatlán Golden Resort.
RESERVATION REQUIRED
Season: December 8th – March 31st
Included in your adventure:
- Pick-up and transportation Hotel-Marina-Hotel.
- Highly qualified & bilingual expedition leaders and naturalist guides.
- Lecture on humpback whale ecology and conservation.
- Bottled water, soft drinks, fruit & appetizers.
- Hydrophone on board to listen to live whale songs!
Not included: Tips for captains & guides (custom is about 10% of fare paid).
What to bring and wear:
- Camera
- Hat
- Light jacket
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Binoculars
- Towel
- Cash to buy cool souvenirs (it´s hip to tip!)
- Good attitude!
RESTRICTIONS
Level of activity: easy
Minimum age: The minimum age to ride this tour is 5 years old. Child prices apply from 5 to 11 years of age. 12 and older has to pay adult price.
Travelling with younger children? This tour is not recommended for children under 5 years old, however we could adjust an expedition for families travelling with younger children on private option.
Maximum capacity: Our main research boat, the Onca Explorer II seats up to 10 passengers. Other 2 boats available seating 6 pax each for a total of 22 passengers a day. If your party is over 10 people please ask for our tour options on bigger boats.
School groups: Please ask us about our special rates for school groups.
Safety: For safety reasons this tour is not reccommended for expecting mothers or persons with heart conditions, neck and/or back problems.
Facilities: To ensure maximum performance during observation and research, this tour is conducted on open fiberglass boats equipped with outboard engines and without extra facilites on board. Some of our boats carry a portable wc (ask for boat options). There are restrooms at the marina and you will have a chance to use them before coming aboard.
Seasickness: If you had suffer from motion or sea sickness in the past, please take your precautions.
Did you know: Humpback whales have only one calf every two years. This low reproductive rate makes the species very susceptible to human impacts like entanglement in fishing gear, marine traffic, and pollution.
ENQUIRE
Let us know about any questions you may have about this expedition
This post is also available in: Spanish
