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For more than two decades, Keith Jones has led blue whale expeditions into the Sea of Cortez near Loreto, Baja California Sur.
These seasonal journeys focus on observing blue whales and other marine wildlife in the rich waters surrounding the Baja Peninsula.
Blue whales migrate into the Sea of Cortez during the winter months, where they are often encountered feeding, diving, and traveling through the deep offshore waters near Loreto.
Blue whales are the largest animals ever known to have lived on earth.
According to Keith’s writings and field observations:
Winter populations near Loreto are generally estimated between 10 and 20 adult blue whales each season.
A typical expedition day in the Sea of Cortez may include encounters with multiple whale species and marine animals.
During one March 2011 expedition near Loreto, Keith’s group encountered:
The group spent hours observing whales surfacing, feeding, diving, and traveling through calm ocean conditions.
Keith later described the day as one of the most whale-filled experiences he had witnessed in the Sea of Cortez.
One of the most memorable blue whales Keith followed over the years became known as Calabaza.
Named by researcher Fernando Arcas, Calabaza was identifiable through the unique scar pattern on his tail.
Researchers documented sightings of this whale across multiple regions, including:
Keith described repeated encounters with Calabaza while leading expeditions offshore near Loreto, often observing the whale feeding continuously and diving for extended periods before resurfacing near the boats.
Although blue whales are the centerpiece of these expeditions, the surrounding waters support a wide variety of marine life.
Common sightings include:
The changing ocean conditions and seasonal migrations make every expedition different.
Keith’s blue whale expeditions were built through years of time spent on the water observing whale behavior and migration patterns.
Rather than rushed sightseeing trips, these journeys focused on:
The goal has always been to experience these animals in the wild while maintaining respect for the ocean environments they depend upon.
The waters near Loreto offer one of the most remarkable marine wildlife environments in Baja California.
Calm seas, offshore islands, seasonal whale migrations, and abundant marine life combine to create extraordinary opportunities for observing whales in their natural environment.
For decades, these waters have remained central to Keith Jones’ work, stories, and wildlife expeditions through Grey Whale.
The ultimate whale watching trip with intimate gray whale encounters and unforgettable shore-side adventures.
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