What whales can you see in Loreto, Baja California Sur, in summer?

Bryde’s whale cruising Loreto’s waters – June 2025 by Regina Domingo

Loreto, Baja California Sur, is more than just a beautiful destination—it's a vital marine sanctuary where magnificent cetaceans like the Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni) find a permanent home. These graceful giants, reaching up to 15 meters in length and weighing around 15,000 kg, thrive in Loreto’s rich waters all year long. Their diet includes pelagic fish such as Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax) and Pacific thread herring (Opisthonema libertate), as well as krill (Nyctiphanes simplex) and pelagic red crabs (Pleuroncodes planipes). The constant presence of Bryde’s whales highlights Loreto’s ecological importance as a haven for large marine mammals.

Bryde’s whale cruising Loreto’s waters – June 2025 by Regina Domingo

A rich and consistent ecosystem

Scientific distribution models confirm a high probability of Bryde’s whale sightings in both warm (June–November) and cool (December–May) seasons. Loreto’s nutrient-rich, protected waters also attract other iconic species like blue and fin whales, making it a hotspot for whale watching, marine research, and responsible ecotourism. The specialized diet of Bryde’s whales helps maintain the region’s ecological balance and underscores Loreto’s role in marine conservation.

Bryde’s Whale Mother and Calf Cruising Loreto’s Sunrise – June 2025

Join our summer marine adventures: Become a citizen scientist!

This summer, we invite you to join our marine expeditions and become part of the conservation story. We are working with CICESE (Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada) to analyze cetacean distribution data in Loreto and the Gulf of California. As a participant, you’ll have the chance to contribute as a citizen scientist, helping collect valuable data that will inform future proposals to protect whales and dolphins throughout the region. Your involvement not only enriches your own experience but also plays a direct role in safeguarding these incredible animals and their habitats.

Baja Adventures: Regenerative tourism, citizen science, and expert marine insights on board.

Experience, learn, and protect : Join a conservation-focused marine adventure!

At Baja Adventures, our expeditions are led by bilingual conservationists, include high-quality photography, comfortable seating, an onboard restroom, and follow a strict zero single-use plastic policy. We invite you to be part of regenerative tourism in Loreto—supporting vital research and conservation strategies that the Gulf of California urgently needs.

Regina, our wildlife expert guide, searching for cetaceans in Loreto.

Exploring Loreto means immersing yourself in a place where science, adventure, and conservation come together. Every sighting and every data point collected helps ensure that Loreto remains a refuge for Bryde’s whales and other species all year round.

Loreto sunrise: Regina Domingo capturing the Magic of our marine summer adventures

“Loreto offers a consistent, resource-rich environment where various whale species—including Bryde’s—find a permanent home, alongside other iconic giants like the blue and fin whales. Their specialized diet supports ecological balance and reinforces Loreto’s role as a center for conservation and responsible ecotourism.”

Join our summer adventures and become an ambassador for marine biodiversity in the heart of the Gulf of California!