Best time to visit Cabo San Lucas

Whale Watching in Cabo San Lucas

The high season not just for tourists but also for humpbacks

Best time: mid-December–mid-April

Whale Watching

Every year, thousands of humpback whales leave their feeding grounds in Alaska and British Columbia in favor of warm Baja California Sur. They spend nearly two months on their journey, crossing almost 6,000 miles (9,660 km) to come to Cabo San Lucas, where they mate and give birth.

Cabo San Lucas whale watching season

Whales are observed in the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean between December and March or April. The season varies from year to year but typically starts in mid-December and lasts through early April. Choose January–March as your safe bet. The best time to experience whale watching in Cabo must be later in the season when calves turn the waters of Los Cabos into their playground.

Whale watching tours in Cabo San Lucas

You'll find plenty of operators in Cabo San Lucas offering whale watching tours. The time of day matters: morning trips are suitable for people with motion sickness or families with kids, as the water is usually calmer during early hours, and the ride will be smoother. There will be some morning activity such as feeding. However, the whales tend to be more active in the afternoon and by the evening when the waves get rougher. Though most of the whales you encounter on your whale watching tours will be humpbacks, occasionally, you will also spot a couple of grey whales. The latter frequently show up at Magdalena Bay, near Los Cabos.

Note that whale watching in Cabo coincides with the high tourist season, so the prices will be above average. Yet, taking a vacation during this time of year promises to become an everlasting memory!

Practical info

When is the best time of year to go whale watching in Cabo San Lucas?

Every year, from mid-December to early April, is the time when whales visit Cabo San Lucas. The ideal time to experience whale watching in Cabo is from January to March, when baby humpback whales turn the area into their playground. This time is when the whales tend to be the most active and visible. Show more

Where can I observe whales in the waters of Los Cabos?

Whale watching in Cabo San Lucas, at both the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez, is a popular activity for nature lovers. It is concentrated around the waters of Los Cabos in the Sea of Cortez. In this area is where most whales are seen, especially humpbacks during later in the season. During these months, you can book a tour and get up close and personal with these stunning creatures in their natural surroundings. Show more

What kind of whales can I see on a whale watching tour in Cabo San Lucas?

Humpback whales are the sought-after attraction in Cabo San Lucas, and the occasional grey whale can also be spotted. Grey whales frequent Magdalena Bay near Los Cabos. If you visit during the whale watching season, expect to see humpbacks swimming gracefully, breaching, and fin slapping, along with greeting grey whales, who sometimes swim under the boat. Show more

When is the best time of day for a whale watching tour in Cabo San Lucas?

The ideal time for a whale watching tour in Cabo depends on your preference, the weather, and if you're prone to motion sickness. If you're sensitive to motion sickness, selecting morning trips is a better choice because the waves are calmer, and the whales are feeding. Alternatively, you can choose the afternoon tour if you want to observe them in their active phase, as they tend to be more active in the evening. Show more

Are prices for whale watching tours in Cabo San Lucas higher during the whale watching season?

Undoubtedly, prices for whale watching tours are higher than average during the peak tourist season coinciding with the whale watching season. Nevertheless, you will be able to witness once-in-a-lifetime memories during peak season, including the enchanting creatures' beauty in their natural habitat. Furthermore, whale watching tour prices vary depending on the operator and the type of tour package you choose. Show more

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Last updated: by Olha Savych