Ultimate Whales in Mexico
The waters of the Baja Peninsula are seasonally home to ten species of whales, making this one of the world’s prime whale watching destinations
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When to go to Mexico
If you’re travelling to Mexico for Marine life the best time to travel is from Mid-January to April. This is when three of the most sought-after whale species to observe come to this area for breeding and calving season. This is the blue, grey and humpback whales. However, you can find ten species of whales off the Mexican coast including fins, sperm, minke, bryde’s and pilot whales.
The season for Orcas in the area is a little longer and they can be spotted in waters of the Sea of Cortez between January to July, feeding on the Mobula Ray. These rays, sometimes also known as ‘Devil Rays’ or ‘Flying Rays’ due to their propensity leap out of the water’s surface.
The Monarch butterflies begin their long migration south from Canada in October, so the best time to witness them in their millions, perhaps even billions, is from December to March, when they reach the biosphere reserve in Mexico. Over the course of this migration four generations will have been born and died in order to bring their offspring to this forest.
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The Best Time to Visit Mexico
January is the coolest time of the year to visit the Baja Peninsula, temperatures can vary greatly, from highs of 26C to lows of 12C so it’s worth packing layers, with an average of 19 degrees. January has the lowest average rainfall and low wind speeds making it perfect for a liveaboard adventure.
Mid-January marks the start of the whale watching season in the Baja Peninsula as they arrive into these waters for breeding and calving season.
February temperatures start to climb in Baja, ranging from highs of 29C to lows of 12C with an average of 20C. You can expect a little more rain in February but still low precipitation with an average of 5mm over 27 days.
During February the number of whales in these seas increases so this is a great month for whale watching. It’s also a wonderful month to witness the monarch butterfly migration in central Mexico.
The temperature climbs just a little again heading into March, with highs of 31C to lows of 13C and an average of 21C. Similar to February, there may be a little more rain but still rainfall remains low with 7mm over 26 days.
This is an excellent month for Whale watching and the last month of the Monarch butterfly season before they begin their multi-generational migration back to Canada.
April is one of the sunniest months in Baja with an average of 12 hours sunshine a day. The daily temperatures can range from highs of 33C to lows of 15C with an average of 24C. Rainfall drops again with lows of 4mm.
Mid-April usually marks the end of the calving season for the Grey & Blue whales in this area as the calves are now strong enough to being to migrate.
The temperature climbs again in May with highs of 35C and lows of 17C and an average of 26C. There is an increased risk of rain in May with an average of 8mm over 27 days but still plenty of sunshine.
May is the last month of reliable numbers of magnificent whale sharks. Snorkel with almost 900 species of fish, including 77 endemic species. This area is also home to 26 species of seabirds.
June is the hottest time of the year to visit the Baja Peninsula, temperatures can reach 27C with lows of 21C and an average of 29C. The sea temperatures reach 24C making for pleasant snorkeling. June is the start of the rainy season with a huge spike in rainfall, reaching 107mm of rainfall over 27 days.
In June you can find Mobula Rays and Orcas in the seas off the coast of Baja as well as mega pods of dolphins and playful sea lions.
July is one of the hottest and rainiest months in Mexico, we don’t run trips in July as wildlife sightings are unreliable.
August is also a very hot month with the rain easing. As this is outside of the whale migration season we don’t run trips at this time.
September is the stormy season and NWS don’t run trips at this time.
October marks the end of the Pacific’s stormy season, as it’s not a good time for wildlife, we don’t offer trips during this time.
In November the temperatures start to fall and sunshine hours decline as Mexico heads into winter.
December one of the coldest months in Mexico with higher winds. Whilst we are not running trips during this time it is the beginning of the Monarch butterfly season, as they start to arrive in central Mexico for winter.
December to February – Winter Season in Mexico
These are the coolest months of the year with the lowest amount of rainfall. The nutrient rich waters attract huge amounts of marine life from mid-January onwards, including whales, sharks, turtles, dolphins, rays and sea lions. In December the monarch butterflies begin to arrive into the biospheres in central Mexico for winter.
March to May – Spring Season in Mexico
Early spring is a great time for whale watching with high numbers in the area for calving season and long sunny days and low rainfall.
June – October – Summer Season in Mexico
Summer in Mexico brings very high temperatures and storms from the Pacific, we don’t run trips during this time as it’s not the best time for wildlife viewing.
Mexico Safaris & Planning
Grey Whales of San Ignacio Lagoon
Take an incredible adventure to the Baja Peninsula of Mexico, where you’ll stay in a luxury tented camp in San Ignacio Lagoon
From 3000 per person
Orca & Mobula Ray Adventure
Head out from your yacht onto the skiff for marine watching adventures, you may spot blue whales, humpbacks, whale sharks, dolphins, sea lions, rays and orcas breaching the waves as they feed.
From 4000 per personMexico climate guide
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 AVG. TEMP | 19°C | 20°C | 21°C | 24°C | 26°C | 29°C | 30°C | 30°C | 29°C | 27°C | 23°C | 20°C |
 RAINFALL | 3mm | 5mm | 7mm | 2mm | 8mm | 107mm | 107mm | 75mm | 65mm | 43mm | 8mm | 6mm |