Whale watching in Bahía Solano

Whale watching is the activity of observing the swimming and jumping of whales as they pass by the coast during their migration months, which, in our case, is possible from June to mid-October.

The Humpback Whale, or Yubarta (from the Basque root “xibarte”), is the third heaviest and the fourth longest among other whale species. The pigmentation of its skin and the marks on its body are unique to each individual, just as fingerprints are unique to humans. This marine mammal is characterized by its long pectoral fins (one-third of its total length), hence its scientific name: Megaptera (big wing).

Because of their slow swimming and jumping habits, Humpback Whales are one of the most interesting and easiest to observe whale species. However, one must be attentive to the blows or movements that these cetaceans make in the water to have a successful whale watching experience.

But, Why do the whales come? One of the reasons is that due to the lack of predators in the central Pacific and the warmer waters, it creates the perfect environment for giving birth to their calves and mating, although they cannot stay in this area because they feed on small crustaceans that do not live in this region of the Pacific.

When deciding to go whale watching, you should consider:

• Humpback whales are in the wild and not trained, so it may not always be possible to see them jumping and you will need to be patient. They can remain submerged for 10 to 15 minutes between breaths.
• Whale watching is done from motorboats, and trips can last for long periods of time on the water. The motor should be kept in neutral when approaching the whale, and it’s important to stay hydrated and take precautions to avoid seasickness.
• Do not litter in the water, and take care of the whale’s ecosystem.
• Boat operators must respect regulated distances between whales and the boat to avoid disturbing the groups with their young. It is not possible to get too close to these mammals (up to 100 meters).
• Special telephoto lenses are recommended for taking photographic material, along with high shutter speeds to capture the best images of the sighting. It is also advisable to protect cameras and phones from water damage.
• Avoid standing and crowding on one side to maintain the stability of the boat.
• Binoculars are a good idea to see the image up close and be able to locate the whales.

Did you know…?

The humpback whale’s spinning jump represents play and is related to the cleaning of parasites that adhere to its skin, among other signals.

If you want to book with us and experience whale watching, don’t forget to check our whale season plan and make a reservation.