Whale watching tours

Malarrimo Eco-Tours whale watching fleet consists of well-maintained 23-foot outboard boats with a maximum capacity of ten passengers. Boat operators are approved-approved guides who are trained in the use of the onboard ship-to-shore radio and adhere to strict time schedules. All boats have safety gear and all passengers wear obligatory life vests. The 4-hour excursions depart daily from late December through early April and are cancelled only due to unsafe weather or by approved order.

All tour begins on the area of Restaurant Malarrimo next to the Eco-Tours office building. Passengers must arrive one half hour before departure time to sign the passenger list.

The trip to Scammon's Lagoon takes about 30 minutes in the special Eco-Tours Van (included in the tour price). The Van leaves on schedule. While traveling through town and along the scenic roads to the mouth of the lagoon, a guide speaking English and Spanish will explain the whale watching tour, offer interesting facts about the California gray whales, and mention government and local programs aimed at their preservation.

The boat trip into the lagoon guarantees whale sightings at a minimum distance of 10 meters, according to government regulations. Closer en counters are often experienced. Marine birds, dolphins and sea Iions are often an additional attraction. In order to maintain the natural habitat and preserve the environment ofthe lagoon, aII tours are conducted in a safe and practical manner. Passengers shouid be aware that inherent risks do exist when visiting a natural park in its primitive Iife form.