Showing posts with label Whale Watching. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Whale Watching. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

The Ultimate Guide To Whale Watching In Los Cabos



Each year in early winter, one of nature's most delightful signs of seasonal change occurs - the migration of hundreds of whales from the frigid waters of the arctic to the warm, calm waters surrounding the Baja Peninsula.

In recent years, whale watching has become a growing tourism trend and Los Cabos is no stranger to receiving visitors looking for up-close encounters with the ocean's largest mammals. To provide guests with a seamless experience, many hotels in the area partner with local tour providers to offer whale watching packages lasting through the end of the season, which begins in December and ends in March.

Of the 11 whale species found worldwide, eight venture to the waters surrounding Los Cabos each year, including minke, bryde, fin, sei, humpback, gray and blue. The whales make their way south at an average speed of four miles per hour and complete the 12,000-mile migration by mid-December, staying until late March when they repeat their journey. This six-month, round-trip sojourn is the longest trip made by any animal in the world.

There are many ways to observe these magnificent cetaceans in their natural habitat. During this time of year, several hotels offer special packages to cater to guests looking to maximize their whale watching experience, complete with top-notch accommodations and, in some cases, even additional perks.

  • Las Ventanas al Paraiso, A Rosewood Resort offers a one-of-a-kind Whale Safari Experience where guests embark on a journey to discover the magnificent whale species that migrate to Los Cabos. Guests are first transported by private jet to Loreto and then enjoy a helicopter ride to San Ignacio taking in the awe-inspiring views of Sierra de la Giganta. After a day of whale watching, guests finish their excursion with a romantic picnic set up on Honeymoon Cove prior to jetting back to Las Ventanas. The next morning guests continue the journey in search of the playful humpback whales. Prices (inclusive of taxes and service charge) start at $21,500 for a maximum of four guests. The package's booking window extends from December to February 29, 2016 with travel dates from February 1-29, 2016.


  • Esperanza, An Auberge Resort has a special Whale's Journey package including, three night/four day accommodations in an ocean view garden casita, private roundtrip airport transfers, marina transfers and a two-hour Zodiac whale watching excursion. Active guests will be in for a treat with daily complimentary yoga and fitness classes. The package's booking window and travel dates extend from January 3 to March 31, 2016.


  • Hotel El Ganzo offers the Ganzo Getaway Whale Watching Package, a two, three or four night stay in a deluxe room complete with arrangements for an educational encounter with whales. The package's booking window extends from December through April 15, 2016.


  • The Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort offers a whale watching package with rates starting at $377 per night for a minimum of three nights which can be retrieved with the booking code P8. The rate includes a daily breakfast buffet per paying adult and a whale watching tour per paying adult. The two-and-a-half-hour tour is provided by Cabo Adventures, one of Cabo's leading tour and activities operator. The deal's booking window is open from December 7, 2015, through March 15, 2016 with travel dates from December 7, 2015, through March 31, 2016. Applicable blackout dates include January 21-23, 2016.


  • Grand Solmar Land's End Resort & Spa, Playa Grande and Solmar Resort from the Solmar Hotels & Resortscollection are also offering whale watching packages with promotional rates ranging from $213 to $237 for a four night, five day stay. Booking window is open from December 15, 2015, through April 15, 2016 with travel dates from December 15, 2015, through March 31, 2016. Guests will receive a two-hour whale watching tour led by talented marine mammal behavior experts.

For additional whale watching promotions, check with your preferred hotel or service provider.

Los Cabos, located at the tip of the 1,000-mile long Baja Peninsula, is one of the world's most diverse tourism destinations. Boasting a dramatic desert backdrop nestled by coastlines of the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez, Los Cabos is home to award-winning resorts and culinary offerings considered some of the finest available anywhere. A growing list of championship golf courses, rejuvenating spas, world-renowned sport fishing tournaments, and state of the art convention facilities add to the destination's unmatched appeal. For more information, images and videos from Los Cabos, please visit www.visitloscabos.travel.
Source: www.luxurytravelmagazine.com

Monday, January 12, 2015

Whale Watching Season Is About To Start In The Dominican Republic, Best Viewing Between January 20th And March 20th.



Punta Cana visitors can now enjoy whale watching in the Samana Bay by private plane or by bus on the new and efficient Uvero-Alto Miches highway.

Between January 20th to March 20th one of the largest Humpback Whale migrations in the Atlantic Ocean will take place in the Samana Bay of the Dominican Republic. During these winter months, thousands of Humpback Whales make the migratory journey from the polar regions of the North Atlantic to mate and birth their calves in the safety of the warm Dominican waters.
Humpback Whales are endangered animals, who were almost hunted to the point of extinction. Today around 30% of their original population continue to thrive, thanks to havens like the Sanctuary for the Marine Mammals of the Dominican Republic in the Samana Bay.The Samana Bay sanctuary is one of the largest humpback breeding sanctuaries in the world, and   a world forerunner as the most renowned in conservation and education efforts.
This season, an estimated  1,500 whales will visit the Samana Bay, and around 300 whales will be present at any time;this is what makes the Dominican Republic one of the principal places for Humpback Whale watching. Due to the strict regulations which protect the whales the only way to get a glimpse of these magnificent creatures is through an organized whale watching tour.
Visitors can now take the Punta Cana Whale Watching Tour by bus, which travels along the brand new Miches highway to the Samana Bay. This area of the country was previously only accessible through small rugged mountain roads; the new highway makes this a quick and comfortable hour and a half ride.
Punta Cana guests looking to explore the Samana Peninsula can take the private plane excursion, which also visits the renowned Limon Waterfall in addition to the whale watching excursion. Both visitors by bus or by plane will get to visit the small island of Cayo Levantado, also known as Bacardi Island. From here visitors will board their boats to cruise deeper into the Samana Bay and begin observing the whales.

Humpback Whales are some of the best whales to observe because of their acrobatic displays and curiosity for whale watchers. Whale watching in the Samana Bay is an incredible once in  a lifetime opportunity, and a great way to enhance a Punta Cana vacation.
About Caribbean Dream
Caribbean Dream is a tour operator based in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, providing individuals and groups with a wide range of options for excursions and transportation. For more information visit the Caribbean Dream website.

Friday, August 29, 2014

Monterey's Fisherman's Wharf Association Continues "Wharf Walks - Walking Tours At Monterey's Old Fisherman's Wharf" With A focus On "Squid Tales Of The Monterey Bay" On Saturday, September 6th And Saturday, October 4th, 2014



The Monterey Fisherman's Wharf Association continues to team up with noted Monterey Bay Fisheries Historian and author, Tim Thomas, who is offering monthly "WharfWalks -Walking Tours at Monterey's Old Fisherman's Wharf" (www.montereywharf.com) on the first Saturday of every month from 10:00 AM - Noon.
 
Wharf Walks will be held on Saturday, September 6th and Saturday, October 4th focusing on "Squid Tales of the Monterey Bay."  Tours meet at the head of Old Fisherman's Wharf (near the pink "Harbor House" store, #1 Old Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey. Advance reservations are required by calling Tim Thomas at (831) 521-3304 or via email timsardine@yahoo.com.

The tour is for ages 10-adult only and the cost is $20 for adults and kids are $15 (10-15 years).  Group Rates are also available. Future Wharf Walks will be held on November 1st and December 6th, continuing on the first Saturday of every month in 2015. 

NEW! After taking the Wharf Walk, participants are invited to enjoy a complimentary appetizer of delicious calamari (squid) - either traditional style or pesto calamari - with a purchased entree at Paluca Trattoria located at the head of the Wharf.    

Squid Mountain in Monterey
Squid Mountain in Monterey- Circa 1930 
About Wharf Walks

For thousands of years people have made their living fishing the Monterey Bay, beginning with the Rumsien Ohlone, the Native People of the Monterey area. From abalone to rockfish, everything was fished and utilized and the Monterey Bay was a multi-cultural stew, made up of whalers from the Azores, squid fishermen from China, salmon fishermen and abalone divers from Japan, and Sicilians fishing sardines in the "dark of the moon." This entertaining tour of Old Fisherman's Wharf and the waterfront will take us back in time to explore the history of the Monterey Wharf, early history of the Monterey waterfront, The Rumsien/Ohlone People--Monterey's first fishermen, the abalone industry, whaling the bay and of course, the legendary sardine industry. Discover some of the people and cultures of Monterey's colorful past and hear fascinating stories about Old Fisherman's Wharf and those who worked and walked there. Learn more about the sardine and squid industry, too.

About Tim Thomas

Tim Thomas, fourth-generation native of the Monterey area, is a popular speaker and lively tour guide. For 16 years, he was historian and curator for the Monterey Maritime & History Museum and has worked with the Monterey Bay Aquarium, California State Parks and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. He is author of "The Abalone King of Monterey: 'Pop' Ernest Doelter," "The Japanese on the Monterey Peninsula" and co-author of "Monterey's Waterfront." 

About Monterey's Old Fisherman's Wharf:

Visitors to Monterey's Old Fisherman's Wharf will want to plan their visit to include lunch or dinner at one of the many Wharf restaurants.  Many restaurants will be featuring special Columbus Day Weekend small bites during the upcoming Everything Italian! Columbus Day Weekend Celebration on October 11 and 12, 2014.   

By gong to www.montereywharf.com , visitors to Monterey's Old Fisherman's Wharf can also access the "Wonders of the Wharf" free VIP Card promotion with 25 special offers (coupons) easily accessible on the website that can be shown on a smart phone or iPad.

Monterey's Old Fisherman's Wharf
Monterey's Old Fisherman's Wharf

A visit to the beautiful Monterey Peninsula just isn't complete without a rendezvous with Old Fisherman's Wharf in downtown Monterey that was built in 1845 for regular passenger and freight service.  Known as the "Whale Watching Capital of the World™" and a top destination of visitors from around the world, Monterey's Old Fisherman's Wharf provides a wide array of award-winning dining, shopping, live theater, special events, whale watching, bay cruises, a glass bottom boat, marine life, fishing and sailing, and strolling leisurely in a gorgeous setting overlooking the Monterey Bay.  Savor delicious cuisine at a myriad of fabulous restaurants featuring stunning views and award-winning Italian food, sustainable seafood, grass-fed steaks, including the region's famous clam chowder and calamari. Enjoy salt water taffy, homemade chocolates, caramel apples, cotton candy and many other yummy treats. View sea otters, sea lions, harbor seals, dolphins, whales, sea birds and other wildlife "up close and personal" that also share the Wharf. Watch people who have gone out and caught their own fish on the local and chartered fishing boats return with their own "catch of the day".   

Celebrate the first location in Monterey County where tender abalone was cooked and served in a restaurant. Check out the many fun shops to find the perfect memento of your visit and a variety of unique gifts. Enjoy the exquisite views and the "best place to walk and people watch" in Monterey County!   

Situated near downtown Monterey, Old Fisherman's Wharf is conveniently located along the Monterey Bay Recreation Trail and has plenty of nearby parking.

For more information about Old Fisherman's Wharf, go to www.montereywharf.com or call (831) 238-0777.