Baja California: the aquarium of the world
I had always heard that Baja California was “the aquarium of the world,” as Jacques Cousteau once described it, and I knew that one day I had to travel there. The marine biodiversity is simply overwhelming: several species of whales, sharks, giant manta rays… all surrounded by a very unique landscape where the richest sea I’ve ever seen contrasts with an arid land full of reds, ochres, and greens set against the deep blues of the Pacific. It feels like observing the Grand Canyon, but immersed in the ocean.
We chose to travel in February, one of the best months for whale watching. Humpback whales make one of the longest migrations on the planet: they travel from the icy Arctic waters all the way to Baja California to reproduce and give birth. It was my first time seeing whales breaching in person, and we didn’t just see one — we witnessed constant activity.
Humpbacks tend to be especially active in this region because it’s a key area for courtship and caring for their young.
We traveled with Lindblad + National Geographic Expeditions, and it was truly a luxury. Not only is the trip incredibly comfortable, but the experience becomes so much richer thanks to the naturalists and experts who accompany you. You learn as you observe wildlife, and that completely changes the way you look at everything.
One of the most special moments was spotting the Xantus’s hummingbird, the only hummingbird species endemic to Baja California. Many people travel specifically in hopes of seeing it, and it’s still difficult; we were lucky enough to spot one. We also found an abundance of birdlife in the arid landscapes, something that amazed me — I had never seen a desert so full of life.
Another highlight of the trip was Magdalena Bay. Many gray whales gather there with their calves, as the bay’s shape provides protection from predators. Gray whales spend the summer feeding in the Arctic and migrate more than 15,000 km to give birth in these calm waters, making it one of the longest migrations of any mammal. We visited the bay over two days: one day was filled with whales everywhere, and the next day almost none appeared. That’s nature: the difference from one day to the next can be astonishing.
We also had the chance to swim with sea lions, an incredible experience; they are curious, playful, and watch you just as much as you watch them.
Baja California left me with a constant feeling of wonder: a desert full of life and an ocean bursting with energy. A place where each day reminds you that nature is unpredictable, immense, and utterly magical.
