![\"Whale](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1771026428_360_TDB-L-WHALE-TRIP-0214-01.jpg\")
Whale watching aboard the Kuyima panga, San Ignacio Lagoon. (Photo by Diane Alps)<\/p>\nWhale watching aboard the Kuyima panga, San Ignacio Lagoon. (Photo by Diane Alps)<\/p>\n
Registration is open for the trip billed as \u201cthe journey of a lifetime\u201d by its sponsors, the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro.<\/p>\n
The on-sea adventure \u2014 from March 6 to 14 \u2014 takes participants south on a nine-day ocean voyage, with three of those days anchored in San Ignacio Lagoon to observe and get an \u201ceye-to-eye\u201d experience with friendly gray whales and their calves. The trip anchors in gray whale breeding grounds.<\/p>\n
A team of educators and experts will accompany the group to also visit remote, uninhabited islands while living aboard.<\/p>\n
Gray whale numbers have suffered a \u201csteep decline\u201d in recent years because of climate and warming ocean conditions, according to Diane Alps, with the programs department at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is still no guarantee \u2014 there never is \u2014 but generally speaking, the signs point to a successful year in the lagoons,\u201d she said of this year\u2019s trip.<\/p>\n
The cost is $3,600 (Friends of CMA receive a $100 discount).<\/p>\n
Participants will board the San Diego-based Royal Polaris and will visit:<\/p>\n
Islas Todos Santos, two small rocky islands just outside of Bahia de Ensenada, to view nesting seabirds, native plants, fish-rearing sea pens, and pinnipeds. Seabirds, whales and dolphins also can be typically seen at sea.
\nIslas San Benitos, three small islands 15 miles west of the north end of Cedros where a habitat that is home to breeding colonies of northern elephant seals and California sea lions along with sea and shore birds can be seen. Passengers also will be able to go ashore for exploration.
\nLaguna San Ignacio, known for its \u201cfriendlies,\u201d gray whales that will approach small boats at times within arm\u2019s reach. Whale watching will fill the three days in that spot.
\nIsla Cedros, where passengers will take an exploratory hike to see endemic plants, the geology and wildlife.
\nIsla San Martin, a small volcanic island that is a haul-out and rookery for harbor seals; a hike on that island also will be featured where visitors can see wildflowers, cacti, succulents and lichens.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe visit three islands that are uninhabited, with colonies of elephants, endangered Guadalupe fur seals, harbor seals,\u201d Alps said, \u201cas well as rare, endemic plants, and a variety of seabirds such as albatross that are next to impossible to see unless far offshore.\u201d<\/p>\n