Gentle Giants 2020 Expedition Logs
This March we had some of the most incredible whale sightings and interactions on our 3 Gentle Giants expeditions. Three weeks Of cetacean heaven! Details below
Gentle Giants Expedition: February 29-March 8
Team: Donna, Evans, Maria, Pete (guides), Alfredo (driver), Janixio, Alex, Fredy, Fernando, Kali, Julio (captains)
Guests: Tony (Malta), Liz (Malta), Malcolm (US) and Susan (US)
Locations/sites: Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Adolfo López Mateos (MPA), Loreto (MPA), San Javier, Rancho Santo Domingo, La Paz, Espiritu Santo island (MPA), Los Islotes (MPA)
Conditions: Air temp. 15-25 C/60-74F, partly sunny with occasional clouds and wind. Surface – mild waves, mostly calm.
Wildlife Sightings: Humpback, Grey and Blue whales, Whale sharks, California sea lions, Mobula rays, Common and Bottlenose dolphins, Coyote, Osprey, Turkey Vulture, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret
Quick Summary: An awesome first trip of the season with amazing wildlife sightings! The Humpbacks were a bit shy. The Blue whales were impressively huge and peaceful. And the Whale sharks were beautiful and thrilling. The sea lions were playful and cute. But the Grey whales stole the show, coming right to our boat for a very close look! We also got to explore ancient cave paintings and the beautiful Spanish mission in the mountains of Loreto. Driving around Baja California Sur, teaming up with local guides and captains made for an amazing and enriching experience, and allowed us to see and explore 4 different parts of the peninsula. Can’t wait to go again!
Log Submitted By: Donna. Mar. 16, 2020
Girls That Scuba Gentle Giants Expedition: March 7-14
Team: Donna, Fernanda, Maria, Monica, Pete (Guides), Alfredo (driver), PS captain, Fernando, Kali, Victor, Julio (captains)
Guests: Lea (US), Lena (Guam), Sabrina (Singapore), Cathrine (Thailand, Norway), Anna (Italy, US), Kimberly (US)
Conditions: Air temp. 15-25 C/60-74F, partly sunny with occasional clouds and wind. Surface – mild waves, mostly calm.
Location/sites: Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Adolfo López Mateos (MPA), Loreto (MPA), San Javier, Isla Coronado (MPA), La Paz, Espiritu Santo island (MPA), Los Islotes (MPA)
Wildlife Sightings: Humpback, Grey and Blue whales, Mako and Whale sharks, California sea lions, Mobula rays, Common and Bottlenose dolphins, Osprey, Turkey Vulture, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Great Frigate, Blue footed and Brown Boobies.
Quick Summary: In this special Girls That Scuba expedition I got to meet some incredible, strong, funny, smart and interesting women. It was one of the most hilarious yet empowering trips I’ve been guiding. We had so many amazing wildlife sightings! Makos and humpbacks in one day in Cabo, at least 5-6 Blue whales around us in Loreto and the most heartwarming Grey whale babies coming to our boat to play and check us out in Lopez Mateos. There’s nothing like a baby whale coming right up to you and allowing you to have such intimate interactions. This trip was a life changing experience for all of us, full of inspiration, excitement and new friendships.
Log Submitted By: Donna. Mar. 16, 2020
Private Gentle Giants Expedition: March 7-14
Team: Jay, Ellen (Guides), Julian, Fernando, Mele, Kali (captains)
Guests: Michael & Natasha (US)
Conditions: Air temp. 15-25 C/60-74F, mostly sunny with occasional clouds and light wind. Light rain 1 afternoon. Surface – mild waves, mostly calm. Location/sites: Cabo San Lucas (MPA), Bahia Magdalena(MPA), Bahia Almejas (MPA), Puerto Adolfo López Mateos (MPA), Loreto (MPA), La Paz, Espiritu Santo island (MPA)
Wildlife Sightings: Humpback, Fin, Grey, and Blue whales; Mako, Blue, and Whale sharks; California sea lions, Mobula rays, Common and Bottlenose dolphins, Coyotes, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Great Frigates and Brown Boobies.
Quick Summary: We had an incredible week on this trip. Being a private & extended expedition we were able to check out some of the locations we normally don’t get to visit on the standard Gentle Giants trips. The trip kicked off with some awesome mako shark action, followed by an encounter with one of the largest blue sharks I’ve seen! Then we went to check out some spots in Mag Bay and had over 50+ grey whales around us at one time spyhopping and rolling around at the surface. There were so many you didn’t even know where to begin to look. Then in Loreto we were treated to something special, besides seeing the largest animal to ever live on earth (the blue whale), we had a close up encounter with a mother & calf pair of Fin whales! This was a first for me! We closed out the trip snorkeling with whale sharks & sea lions in La Paz and had the chance encounter to see dolphins actually playing with a juvenile whale shark! All in all, a great week with some incredible humans! Can’t wait for next season!
Log Submitted By: Jay. Mar. 17, 2020
