What a day in Magdalena Bay! We spent both the morning and afternoon exploring the lagoon searching for opportunities to get close to the very friendly and curious gray whale. The gray whale, Eschrichtius robustus, utilizes these protected and warm waters as breeding and calving grounds. Their main predator, the killer whale, does not enter these lagoons and the calves are able to gain weight and muscle mass in preparation for the long journey north to feeding grounds in the Bering and Chukchi Seas.
1/9/2025
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National Geographic Venture
Magdalena Bay and Sand Dollar Beach
After a nocturnal navigation along the Pacific side of the Baja California Peninsula from the Los Cabos area, National Geographic Venture reached Magdalena Bay, our final destination of the expedition. While navigating this morning, our guests and staff observed the profile of Margarita Island, which flanks the southern section of Almejas Bay. Along the way, we found several humpback whales breeching and travelling to their breeding grounds. We also observed long-beaked common dolphins and sea birds taking part in a feeding frenzy. By noon, the ship entered Magdalena Bay, and we felt the quietness of this coastal lagoon. Later, our guests had the opportunity of walking on the dunes of Magdalena Island, reaching the Pacific side, and had the privilege of watching their elusive inhabitants, including sea and shore birds, a suite of wadders, and a couple of coyotes! Our Global Explorers, led by Naturalist Mauro Butron, had the chance to discover the mangroves, sand dunes, and other wonders of this impressive environment.
