Today our guests ventured to the northern end of Magdalena Bay known as Boca De Soledad, where we were treated to multiple mother and calf pairs. One particular calf kept lifting its head out of the water with every exhale, giving us great looks at the whale's eye and cute little face. These babies were practicing swimming in the bay’s opening with its challenging, swift moving water. They need to build the vital muscle mass required for the long migration against the California current back to their feeding grounds for the summer. At this point in the season, these calves have grown quite a bit, drinking the rich milk (over 50% fat) that mom produces and gaining close to 100 pounds a day. After an eventful morning, we transited the Hull Canal, where we observed pelicans, herons, and a coyote! We even spotted bow-riding bottlenose dolphins with a little calf. We ended our afternoon at Sand Dollar Beach. Some guests hiked to the Pacific, some lounged on the beach, and some searched for unique shells and animals. As we end our trip tonight, we will watch our collaborative guest slideshow and reflect on the incredible weather, the friendly whales, and the new friends made during this amazing trip.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 15 Mar 2023
Boca de Soledad, 3/15/2023, National Geographic Sea Bird
- Aboard the National Geographic Sea Bird
- Baja California
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Baja California: Observing the Whales of Magdalena Bay
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3/15/2025
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National Geographic Sea Bird
Puerto Magdalena
Walks in the desert can hold a plethora of surprises, and today was no exception. From clusters of scarlet Palo Adan flowers, the gems of the morning, to purple and white striped passion flowers. The numerous fruits on the vine attested to a series of flowers earlier this month. A diminutive bird, the verdin, was also interested in the Palo Adan flowers. The verdin’s short beak cannot reach the nectar, so this bird approaches the base of the flower, nips it open, and takes a nectar reward; pollination of the flower is thwarted in this thievery. The exoskeleton of a tarantula was found under the scrub, an indication of a spider that has molted and grown a bit bigger. At the end of the trail, we were all rewarded with a magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean. Good things come to those who venture outdoors.
3/14/2025
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National Geographic Sea Bird
Boca de la Soledad
Today we woke up in the northernmost part of Magdalena Bay. In the morning, we went whale watching at Boca de la Soledad, where we came across a mother and calf. Later, we went to Estero Chivo at high tide, where we observed a variety of birds. We were particularly interested in the numerous shorebirds, egrets, and herons. We raised anchor to continue our day. While transiting Hull Canal, we spotted bow-riding bottlenose dolphins. National Geographic Sea Bird set anchor in front of Magdalena Island. The wind was blowing, causing the dunes to come alive. After walking among dunes and desert plants, we arrived at the Pacific coast of Magdalena Island. We enjoyed walking along the beach and observing various shells, snails, and sand dollars. In the distance, we spotted the carcass of a beached gray whale and contemplated both life and death. These animals begin their lives on the coast of Mexico, and their cycle also ends here.