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an Ignacio Lagoon has a ruggedness, magnificence, and variety of scenery and wildlife that
delights anyone with a love of adventure and beauty. Baja is a wonderland to be experienced, most of
it remaining as it was a thousand years ago.
This SummerTree Institute Expedition offers a
chance to discover for yourself the gentleness
of these wondrous friendly Gray Whales. We’ll
explore ancient stories, mystical lore, and rare
insights into new scientific discoveries about
these amazing creatures and the oceans that
they call home.
Aboard our skiffs, you’ll get excitingly close
to enormous Gray Whales as they cruise the
lagoon and investigate our small craft. Nothing
compares to being within an arm’s length of a
living, breathing, friendly whale.
Our expedition ventures into an ancestral
breeding ground of the Gray Whale. Here in
this secluded sanctuary, whales not only teach
their newborn
calves how to
survive, but they
also teach us how
to have a new
relationship with
the wild creatures
of our oceans.
San Ignacio Lagoon
Whale Watching
Baja California
T
he peninsula of Baja forms the second
longest, most isolated peninsula in the world.
Baja’s Pacific coastline is irregular with many
small embayments, rocky shore lines, and coastal
lagoons.
This coastline is alive with wildlife including a rich
variety of birds, reptiles, and small to large land
and marine mammals.
San Ignacio Lagoon is the last
natural, untouched area which
serves as a California Gray Whale
nursery. Here they raise their
young until they are ready to
make the long journey north in
the spring.
A
long the west coast of the Baja
Peninsula, three lagoons provide California Gray
Whales with safe waters at the end of their annual
migration from the Arctic. San Ignacio Lagoon, the
most remote and most closely protected lagoon of
the three, lies midway between Ojo de Liebre to
the north and Magdalena Bay to the south, both
of which are open to commercial traffic. Surrounded by low dunes and bordered by mangrove-lined
estuaries, San Ignacio Lagoon is a surreal landscape which provides a dramatic background for Baja’s
most celebrated visitors, the California Gray Whales. Their travels encompass the Chukchi Sea, the Bering
Sea, and the great Pacific Ocean. A Gray Whale may travel up to 10,000 miles in one complete season,
the longest migration of any mammal on Earth.
While at San Ignacio Lagoon, activities to enjoy include whale watching from 22-foot pangas,
beachcombing, bird watching, natural history presentations, and exploring the mangrove estuaries by
skiff or sea kayak. A library of natural history guidebooks is also available for your use. We strive to provide
a high level of amenities and services using ecologically and technologically appropriate means.
Your professional crew consists of local skiff drivers and cooks. Naturalist leaders are professionals drawn
from both sides of the border with a special emphasis on Gray Whales.
San Ignacio Lagoon is part of El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve. Activities in the lagoon are closely
regulated by agencies of the Mexican government to insure that human activities do not adversely
affect the whales. We have a special commitment to protecting the land and sea environment.
Our activities are fully permitted and sanctioned by the Mexican government.
The SummerTree Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit environmental education organization.
All images © copyright 2006, Doug Thompson and/or Robin Kobaly Thompson, all rights reserved.
The Many
Experiences
of
San Ignacio
Lagoon
Itinerary
O
ur waterfront accommodations include double occupancy
cabin tents with comfortable beds, warm lined sleeping bags,
pillows, night stand, chairs, and solar lighting. You can also enjoy
a “Baja” solar-heated fresh-water shower after a day of whale
watching. Wonderful meals with a Mexican flair are served in the
comfortable surrounding of our large dining tent. We also provide
beer, wine, juices, and clean, safe water.
Our daily itinerary is flexible, allowing us to take advantage of unexpected natural history opportunities.
While we make every attempt to follow our general itinerary, the weather is unpredictable and often
dictates our day’s activities.
Day 1 ... In the morning we will board vans at the designated hotel in San Diego. The vans
will take us to the airfield to board our private charter plane to San Ignacio. As our camp bus takes us
from the lagoon’s air strip to our camp, we will discuss and view the area’s unique natural landscape and
its local people. There is an orientation to camp procedures upon arrival, with time left over to relax or
explore before happy hour and dinner. Following dinner is a presentation by one of our naturalists.
Days 2, 3, & 4 ... Days are spent primarily whale watching. Other activities available
are hikes led by a naturalist, bird watching, sea kayaking in the mangrove estuaries, beachcombing,
or relaxing at camp.
Day 5 ... After an early lunch you depart to meet the incoming flight at the landing strip.
Arrival back in San Diego is planned for late afternoon. Upon arrival you will be transported by van
back to the hotel. If you are planning your domestic flight home this same evening, please schedule
your departure for after 5:00 pm.
We suggest that you arrive the day prior to your trip and
depart later in the day after returning to San Diego to
avoid difficulties in the event of delays due to weather
or unforeseen circumstances.
Through the Seasons with the
Gray Whales of San Ignacio Lagoon
Weather
I
n the winter, San Ignacio Lagoon has many faces. Mornings are usually cool with temperatures in
the 50’s to 60’s. Daytime temperatures can range from the 60’s to 70’s.
Once the sun sets, it cools down. Layered clothing
is best so that you can acclimate. It is also
important to be prepared for the possibility of
rain, and a windbreaker is very useful. On most
days, a t-shirt and shorts are all that you need
for strolling on the beach. We take advantage
of the local weather patterns for our comfort by
spending midmornings and early afternoons out
in the lagoon with the whales.
Comfort & Health
We can normally accommodate the particular
food requirements of various people, including
vegetarians. Our meals
are prepared with the
Mexican influence of local
chefs on the camp staff.
Please inform us prior to
departure if you have any
dietary concerns.
If you have a medical condition, we ask that
you discuss with your doctor the details of the trip as described in our literature, and let your doctor
determine your fitness for this journey. Even though we have adequate first-aid and emergency gear,
we will be in a remote area far from medical facilities.
Please remember to bring a hat and sunglasses – we will provide the safe, clean water. We also
recommend that you bring sunscreen with a block out rating of SPF 15 and protective lip balm.
N
ovember: Gray whales
are traveling south from the cold
northern latitudes and are passing
by the Southern California coastline. Intermittently we may see whales
arriving in San Ignacio Lagoon in
November.
D e c e m b e r : Gray whales
begin arriving in significant numbers
in December. Pregnant moms are
becoming more familiar with the
lagoon while adult males are displaying courtship behavior. By the end of December, whales that will
spend the duration of the winter in Baja will have arrived in the lagoon.
January: Activity is high in the lagoon. Normally thirty to forty percent of the season’s calves are
already born by the end of January. Friendly interactions between whales and human visitors to the
lagoon are common. There is also energetic mating behavior occurring during this time. January and
February are great times of year to experience the amazing courtship behavior as well as the gentle
interactions between humans and mother whales with newborn babies.
February: February is a truly magnificent time in Laguna San Ignacio. Mating activity of these
huge mammals is going strong. Friendly encounters are common, and the baby whales have already
gained many hundreds of pounds since birth. Breaching and spy-hopping seems to be happening all
around us. The highest population of Gray whales is normally recorded in February.
March: March is a time when some males begin the northward migration back to the Bering Sea
and the food-rich, cold waters of their summer feeding areas. Moms with calves seem more at ease
when the intense mating activity slows down, and the newborn babies have gained more strength
and size. Friendly encounters abound. April: April is an exceptional time in San Ignacio Lagoon. The weather is a little warmer and the
lagoon can have as many as fifty to seventy moms and newborn calves. The young whales are now
strong, curious, and friendly, and are ready for their northward migration. April provides a wonderful
time when the whales are most curious about us and every person feels a special relationship within
this magical world.
Personal Equipment
Check List
Photography
C
AMERAS: The most versatile cameras are the ones that provide a variety of lenses and other
accessories while keeping your equipment bag a manageable size. If you are not an avid photographer,
disposable cameras can be an inexpensive and effective way to record your
Baja experience. Be sure to try out a new camera before your trip, to ensure
that it is working properly and that you know how to use it. El Vizcaíno
Biosphere Reserve is regulated by an agency of the Mexican Government
that does not allow professional video equipment or any underwater
cameras in San Ignacio Lagoon during Whale Watching Season without
a special permit from the government.
LENSES: A short to medium telephoto lens (80-210 mm range) and a wide angle lens (28-80 mm) are
useful. Polaroid filters for your lenses can also help to cut down the glare on the surface of the water
when photographing.
MEMORY CHIPS/FILM: It is easy to shoot 100 or more images each day if you are an avid photographer.
Also be prepared for both bright sun and overcast conditions.
OTHER EQUIPMENT: Bring a day pack in which to carry a water bottle, sunscreen, camera, and binoculars
while out whale watching. A water-proof bag is recommended or plastic bags in which to wrap your
pack while out in the boats.
P
lease plan well when packing for your trip. This list will serve as a format for your individual needs.
We want you to be comfortable at the camp. Remember that dress is strictly casual, and camping clothes
are the rule. We suggest that you pack your belongings in a collapsible duffel bag. Hard suitcases take
up the same amount of space full or empty and are awkward. The baggage weight limitation on the
charter flight is 30 pounds per person.
Clothing
nWool shirt or sweatshirt
nWarm jacket
nCotton long-sleeved shirt
nT-shirts
nPants, Shorts
nSocks, underwear
nTennis shoes (spare)
nWaterproof sandals
nSun hat, cap
nWind breaker
nWaterproof top & pants
nBandana
nSleep wear
nWater booties (optional)
nGloves or Mittens
nWarm hat (ski cap)
nPolarized sunglasses
Toiletries Kit
nToothbrush, paste
nSuntan lotion/sunscreen
nSkin cream/lip balm
(SPF 15)
nBath towel & wash cloth
nBrush, comb, shampoo
nPersonal medicines
(in prescription bottle)
nExtra prescription glasses
10
Miscellaneous
Gear
We
Provide
nCamera, film, batteries
nBattery charger for
camera
nBinoculars
nFlashlight, extra batteries
nDry-bag for camera
nPocket knife
nDay pack
nPassport
nSmall first aid kit
nDirty clothes bag
nTweezers
nMoney
nSewing kit
n Books, journal, pens
Double-occupancy cabin
tents, beds, sleeping bags
and sheets, pillow and pillow
case, life jackets (child and
adult sizes), showers, meals,
snacks, beverages, beer, juice,
water, water bottle, and happy
hour cocktails. Our adventures
also include whale watching
twice a day, kayaking,
beachcombing, nature walks,
birding, and informal evening
presentations in our large
dining tent.
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Trip Details
Doug Thompson
T
RAVEL DOCUMENTS: A Tourist Card is required to travel in Mexico and will be provided for
you on Day 1. You must bring a valid Passport. This is VERY important. You may apply for a passport at
most post offices, and since it usually takes several weeks to process, be sure to apply early. Minors,
under the age of 18, must have one notarized copy plus one photo copy of both parents’ consent when
traveling alone or with one parent (call us for documents). You will NOT be allowed to board our private
charter flight without proper documentation.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: We
recommend the purchase of a
short term travelers’ insurance
policy for your protection. It’s a
good idea to have travel insurance
for any adventure travel.
CANCELLATION TERMS: All
cancellations must be in writing
and are refundable dependant upon filling your space. We make every effort to maintain waiting lists
for each departure. Trip cancellation insurance is available and recommended.
SAFETY: Your safety is our first concern. It is important to remember that these trips take place in a
wilderness environment, far from hospital services. Engaging in activities such as viewing animals
from skiffs, sea kayaking, hiking, and exploring in a natural environment contain certain inherent
risks. If at any time you have concerns about your own safety, please advise the guide. Remember, all
participation is voluntary.
TIPPING: Tipping of guides and crew is normally organized as a “group tip” at the end of the trip. A
general guideline is 5-10% of the trip fee per guest. Tips should reflect your satisfaction with crew
performance. There are twelve camp staff taking good care of us all.
Local artists’ work is available in a small gift shop
(cash, checks, and credit cards are accepted in the gift shop).
D
D irector of E x peditions
The SummerTree Institute
oug Thompson has organized and led over one hundred longrange natural history expeditions, taking adventurers to exciting places
from Mexico to New Zealand. As a marine naturalist, he has earned worldwide credibility as a leader in experiential research with whales.
Doug is an author, ecologist, internationally recognized naturalist,
expedition leader, lecturer, award-winning film-maker, photojournalist,
and author of Whales:Touching the Mystery published by NewSage Press.
A portion of each book sale by the author is donated to The SummerTree Eco-nomic Project for San
Ignacio Lagoon. Doug’s inspiring lectures are welcomed time and again by universities, corporations,
world-class resorts, and retreats.
Doug brings to SummerTree Institute Expeditions a profound understanding of our place on this planet
and a deep, rich history of our connection to the sea. Doug has developed natural history programming
with national award-winning people including Shari Lewis and James Deckard.
SELECTED QUOTES
“Why do whales living wild and free in the ocean, seek encounters
with humans? In Whales, Touching the Mystery, Doug Thompson
shares with us his thirty years of experience studying gray whales
in remote Baja Mexico lagoons, and explores the mystery of the
extraordinary interspecies connection. And he shares, too, his
love for the whales, the place, the people. You will want to own
this enchanted book, and the glorious DVD that accompanies
it. Here is hope for the future of the whales – and for us all.”
Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE, UN Messenger of Peace
“ … a wealth of experience and knowledge.” “ … environmentalist extraordinaire.” The Cousteau Society
The Los Angeles Times
“…Ecologist Supreme, credentialed naturalist, writer, award-winning documentary filmmaker, photojournalist, lecturer, hot storyteller…above all, a man at peace with the planet.”
The Orange County Register
We accept MasterCard and Visa.
12
13
“The very air here is miraculous,
and outlines of reality change
with the moment.
A dream hangs over the
entire region.”
John Steinbeck,
Log from the Sea of Cortez
RECOMMENDED READING
We have a fairly extensive camp library on the natural history of whales and of the local
area. The following books are some of our favorites. You might enjoy reading these prior to
our journey. If you would like a more complete list of natural history books regarding Baja,
please write or email us and we’ll be happy to send it along.
Brenda Peterson & Linda Hogan
2002
Sightings
The Gray Whales’ Mysterious Journey
National Geographic, Washington, D.C.
Doug Thompson
2006
Whales: Touching the Mystery
NewSage Press, OR
Roger Payne
1995
Among Whales
Scribner, N.Y.
Dick Russell
2001
Eye of the Whale
Simon & Schuster, NY
The SummerTree Institute
P.O. Box 307 • Morongo Valley, CA 92256
(760) 363-7229 • FAX (760) 363-1166 • [email protected] • www.summertree.org
a 501(c)(3) nonprofit endeavor