Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino
Location: Baja California Sur Mexico
Year of Inscription: 1993
Criteria: (x)to contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation.
Overview: The Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino is a biosphere reserve located on the Pacific coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico. It is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including several species of whales that use the sanctuary as a breeding and calving ground. The sanctuary covers an area of over 125,000 hectares made up principlly of the coastal lagoons of Ojo de Liebre and San Ignacio.
Prominent Features: Some of the most notable features of the Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino include:
History: The Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino was established in 1988 to protect the gray whales that migrate to the area each year. The sanctuary has since expanded to include a range of other species and habitats. The gray whale population in the sanctuary has rebounded in recent years, thanks in part to conservation efforts.
Family-Friendly Activities: The Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino offers a range of family-friendly activities, including:
Fun Fact: The gray whales that migrate to the Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino each year travel over 12,000 miles from their feeding grounds in the Arctic to the sanctuary to breed and calve.
Entry Fees: There is no entry fee to visit the Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino, but visitors are encouraged to make a donation to support conservation efforts.
How to Reach it: The Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino is located in Baja California Sur, Mexico. The nearest major airport is Los Cabos International Airport, which is approximately a 7-8 hour drive from the sanctuary. Visitors can also reach the sanctuary by bus from the nearby cities of La Paz and Loreto.
Where to Stay: There are a range of accommodations available near the Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino, including:
Next Stop: Rock Paintings of the Sierra de San Francisco 154km (100miles) to the east
Year of Inscription: 1993
Criteria: (x)to contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation.
Overview: The Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino is a biosphere reserve located on the Pacific coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico. It is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including several species of whales that use the sanctuary as a breeding and calving ground. The sanctuary covers an area of over 125,000 hectares made up principlly of the coastal lagoons of Ojo de Liebre and San Ignacio.
Prominent Features: Some of the most notable features of the Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino include:
- The gray whales that migrate to the area to breed and calve each year
- The sea turtles that nest on the beaches within the sanctuary
- The diverse range of marine and terrestrial species that call the sanctuary home
- The unique coastal landscape, which includes sand dunes, wetlands, and lagoons
History: The Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino was established in 1988 to protect the gray whales that migrate to the area each year. The sanctuary has since expanded to include a range of other species and habitats. The gray whale population in the sanctuary has rebounded in recent years, thanks in part to conservation efforts.
Family-Friendly Activities: The Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino offers a range of family-friendly activities, including:
- Whale watching tours, which offer the opportunity to see the gray whales up close
- Visiting the interpretive center, which offers insights into the history and ecology of the sanctuary
- Exploring the beaches and dunes within the sanctuary
- Hiking and birdwatching in the nearby Sierra de la Giganta mountains
Fun Fact: The gray whales that migrate to the Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino each year travel over 12,000 miles from their feeding grounds in the Arctic to the sanctuary to breed and calve.
Entry Fees: There is no entry fee to visit the Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino, but visitors are encouraged to make a donation to support conservation efforts.
How to Reach it: The Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino is located in Baja California Sur, Mexico. The nearest major airport is Los Cabos International Airport, which is approximately a 7-8 hour drive from the sanctuary. Visitors can also reach the sanctuary by bus from the nearby cities of La Paz and Loreto.
Where to Stay: There are a range of accommodations available near the Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino, including:
- Campo Cortez - This eco-camp offers comfortable tents and cabins and is located on a beach within the sanctuary
- Hotel Mision Santa Maria - This hotel is located on a beach within the sanctuary and offers comfortable rooms and a range of amenities
- Hotel Hacienda - This hotel is located in the nearby town of San Ignacio and offers comfortable rooms and a range of amenities
Next Stop: Rock Paintings of the Sierra de San Francisco 154km (100miles) to the east