Whales,
whales and more whales...
It is no
secret that Cabo and the waters of Baja California Sur are home to hundreds of
humpback whales every
year.
These huge
cetaceans swim more than 10 thousand miles from the cold waters of the North
Pole to the warmer waters of Baja California Sur, where they stay for about
five months feeding, mating and giving birth.
And it’s not
just humpback whales that make the trip. Gray, blue, fin, bryde's, sperm, pilot
and killer whales all visit the shimmering blue waters of the Baja. Providing a
phenomenal natural spectacle, and attracting thousands of visitors every year.
But it wasn’t that long ago that many of these whales were in danger of extinction.
Everyone
knows the famous El Vizcaino Whale sanctuary has been fundamental in the
remarkable recovery of gray whales. And the area is now recognized as the
world’s most important place for the reproduction of this species. But the vast majority of whales that come to
Cabo – about 95% - are humpbacks. Not
grays. And they don’t benefit from the protected waters of San Ignacio and
Laguna Ojo de Liebre.
So, we asked
Philipp Moser, passionate naturalist and founder/director of local whale
watching company Cabo Trek, if the future looks good for humpbacks in Cabo.
One of his
main concerns is the long-term protection of the humpbacks - “The amount of
boats offering tours is getting out of control.
Laws and regulations do exist, but a lack of enforcement means the
whales are not always properly protected. And things can go wrong.”
“Cabo has a
symbiotic relationship with the whales, we need to take care of them, or they
may not return. For this exact reason Cabo Trek are reaching out to local
authorities and schools to raise awareness.”
Philipp
firmly believes that conservation and education need to be lifelong, For
everyone – tourists, locals, children, and governments. “People need to see
close up, and understand - so they can fully appreciate the phenomenal nature
that fills the oceans around us”.
As a
professional scuba diver Philipp - from Austria - is passionate about the sea, and everything
that lives in it. Originally arriving for a diving holiday, he was blown away
by the maritime magic he found in the seas around Cabo. And as many others
before him, he decided to stay. And he set
up a whale watching company. There were already lots in town. But not like the
one he wanted to establish.
Cabo Trek - who they are, and what they do...
Philipp
searched for a bunch of like-minded individuals who were all passionate about
marine life, loved what they did, and would help him build the right kind of
company. Only 3 years down the line and he has achieved this.
The small
but select Cabo Trek Team, are all local and include 2 marine biologists – who
both also work on important local marine conservation projects. (Like their
groundbreaking Humpback Whale Photo ID
Research Project – spanning this whole season until April 2017).
This is what
makes Cabo Trek unique. Each boat trip has a passionate, qualified, marine
biologist on board. And a professional wildlife photographer. With a hydrophone
and underwater camera. Boats are deliberately small – better for the whales -
and allows a more intimate experience for the guests. Tours are truly educational.
Taking a trip with them this season means you will see first-hand how they
locate, photo-identify and record songs of humpback whales for their current
research project.
Why Cabo Trek are different...
Clearly,
Cabo trek offers more than a quick trip around the bay. If you are keen to see
more than the humpbacks around Cabo, they organize 2-day trips for close
encounters with gray whales, blue whales and whale sharks to Magdalena Bay,
Loreto and La Paz.
As well as
the whale watching tours, they do sea lion trips, turtle hatchings, swimming
with whale sharks, plus snorkeling and scuba diving.
The company
has grown organically as each year they have tried to add a related trip or
activity. Decisions are made together, as a team. And everyone is involved in
making things happen.
And true to
the educational ethos of Cabo Trek, an important part of their work is the
not-for-profit educational programs for school kids. Involving an awareness
raising lesson in the class room. Then a
boat trip to see the whales.
“The kids absolutely love it - they have never
had the opportunity to see these creatures right up, at close quarters. They
are totally blown away by it. And they begin to understand why we need to
protect the whales. That’s what makes it great.
Book your trip now...
So, if you
haven’t already done it, book your trip with
Cabo Trek Now.
For information and details on all their trips., plus some fabulous photos - go to Cabotrek, Cabo Whale Trek, and Cabo Dive Trek .
All photos cuortesy of Cabo Trek