Baja AirVentures Flies Guests to the East and West Coasts of Baja For All-Inclusive Winter Whale Watching Adventures

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Released on Wednesday, 08 January 2020 13:25

SAN DIEGO, CA, Jan. 8, 2020– Five-year Trip Advisor Hall of Fame Award Winner Baja AirVentures offers an active travel program completely unique to the world of adventure travel. No other tour operator combines the best opportunities for marine mammal encounters on both sides of the Baja peninsula in one all-inclusive six-day ground and air-supported package. 

The 6-day/5-night Best of Baja's Whales, Dolphins & Sea Lions Tour departs weekly from Feb.3 through April 11, 2020. The all-inclusive per person rate, including round trip private air carriage from San Diego across the peninsula and back, is $3,695 (exclusive of 13% IVA Mexican tax and 3% Marine Park entrance fee).

The package includes private roundtrip air from San Diego with ample opportunity for aerial flightseeing, Pacific whale watching in Scammons Lagoon by motorized panga, two nights at a B&B in the Mexican hamlet of Guerrero Negro and three nights of total seclusion at Baja AirVentures’ Las Animas beachside eco-lodge a scenic hour’s boat ride south of Bahia de Los Angeles on the Sea of Cortez.

“The unique combination of seeing marine mammals on both coasts of the peninsula is something no other whale watching operator in Baja is able to offer in one itinerary,” says Kevin Warren, founder and owner of Baja AirVentures (https://www.bajaairventures.com/). “In fact, the opportunity to view these magnificent creatures from a bird’s eye perspective is a thrill and rarity in itself.”

According to Warren, through conservation efforts, the Grey whale population in the Pacific continues to rebound and grow. Last year saw a new record with over 1,800 breeding adults and babies sited at Ojo de Libre (Scammons Lagoon). This prime location has the largest concentration of the Grey whales on the planet.

After departing from San Diego in a private plane for Scammons Lagoon, participants spend the better part of three days scanning and interacting with migrating California Gray whales by boat. This is where guests often get to actually “pet friendly whales” in their natural environment. Two nights are enjoyed at a cozy B&B in the small village of Guerrero Negro. Days Four and Five are spent desert hiking, kayaking, birdwatching and snorkeling with sea lions and dolphins. Boat excursions from Las Animas provide an added opportunity to view several types of whales, including Blue and Fin whales (the two largest species in the world).

A recent guest had this to say on Trip Advisor about their intimate encounters with the Grey whales, “The small-plane flights alone, with one pilot and five passengers, were a treat. Once on the water of Scammons Lagoon, we did not merely 'watch' wales! Instead, our skiff was at times surrounded by these magnificent creatures. Playful and seemingly curious calves met out-stretched hands, allowing themselves to be stroked and patted, while their enormous mothers swam watchfully close by.”

After crossing the peninsula via a scenic 2-hour drive through the Valley of the Cirios (Valle de los Cirios), a large wildlife protection area filled with exotic Cirio cactus, guests arrive in Bahia de Los Angeles (Bay of the Angels) on the Sea of Cortez. A boat transfer follows, past bird-filled deserted islands and bays to Las Animas Wilderness Ecolodge. The only boat-in ecolodge along the entire coast Las Animas is a remote, eco-friendly property that accommodates up to 16 guests in eight romantic and private beach-side yurts equipped with bathroom, solar shower, composting toilets, comfortable queen- and king-sized beds, covered decks and skylight roofs. The yurts are built around the spacious main palapa which offers an expansive deck that serves as a central dining area, game area and communal lounge space.

The all-inclusive tour price of $3,695 includes double occupancy B&B and yurt accommodations, roundtrip air from San Diego, naturalist guided outings and lectures, boat transportation, healthy homemade meals, beverages (including beer and margaritas) and such activities as kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, sailing and hiking.

For details on the Best of Baja tour call 1-800-221-9283 or visit online: https://www.bajaairventures.com/bestofbaja/

For information on other adventure packages offered year-round by Baja AirVentures please go to: https://www.bajaairventures.com/.

# # #

Media Contact:

For inquiries, interviews and photos please contact Widness & Wiggins PR:

Dave Wiggins: 720.301.3822 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Follow Baja AirVentures:

On Facebook:           https://www.facebook.com/BajaAirventures/

Twitter:                       https://twitter.com/BajaAirVentures          

Closest Whale Shark Encounters to North America Just a Short Flight from San Diego with Baja AirVentures

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Released on Tuesday, 06 August 2019 09:55

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 6, 2019– The largest fish on Earth is the harmless whale shark. This gentle giant can grow to 60 feet long on a diet of algae, plankton and krill. There are only a handful of places on the planet where annually whale sharks make predictable appearances to feed. One such site is just a two and a half hour plane ride from San Diego, CA, with Baja AirVentures (http://www.bajaairventures.com/).

Bahia de los Angeles, just 300 air miles from San Diego, offers the closest whale shark experience to North America. The spectacle of migrating whale sharks is the main attraction in late summer and fall when water temperatures off the eastern coast of Baja Peninsula hover between an inviting 80F and 82F. From August through October whale sharks migrate to the nutrient-rich waters of the Midriff Island region in the Sea of Cortez, home to Las Animas Wilderness Ecolodge. Here the lodge provides opportunities to for guests to observe and swim alongside these docile creaturesas they feed. This can be a life-changing experience.

Baja AirVentures flies its guests by private air carriage from Brown Field in San Diego to the remote Mexican fishing village of Bahia de los Angeles (population 800). Boats shuttle guests another hour south to Las Animas Lodge situated off the grid on a private, turquoise cove rimmed by a mile-long crescent beach.

The self-sustaining, solar-powered retreat offers eight well-appointed beachside yurts with in-room solar shower and composting toilet, twin and king-size beds with comforters and high thread-count linens, and covered patios with hammocks. Lodging is built around a centrally located palapa with a large attached patio that serves as kitchen, central dining area, cantina bar and communal lounging and game area.

Adhering to established international guidelines, guests may spend up to five hours daily observing and snorkeling with whale sharks that feed close to the surface. Other outings are planned to explore isolated islands and coves frequented by up to 10 species of whales (including fin, orca and blue whales), as well as dolphins, sea lions, sea turtles and manta rays. Hiking, kayaking, sailing and fishing round out the remainder of the time at Las Animas.

"There are people who travel the world over looking to snorkel with whale sharks,” says Baja AirVentures founder and president Kevin Warren. “We've had folks who have gone on our trips who also have been to Australia, Philippines, Thailand, and other known places whale sharks congregate, but they had not yet had the good fortune to swim with them. But here they accomplished that goal. Over the last 10 consecutive years, every one of our trips had successful whale shark encounters, sometimes up to as many as 6 sightings in one outing."

Whale sharks can also be encountered during specific times of the year in the waters of Mexico's Yucatan (Isla Holbox), Honduras (Utila), Western Australia (Ningaloo Reef), Belize (Gladden Spit), Philippines (Donsol Bay), Mozambique (Tofo Beach), Seychelles (South Mahé), Thailand (Koh Tao), Maldives (South Ari Atoll), and Galapagos, Ecuador (Puerto Ayora).

Whale sharks live in all tropical and warm temperate seas but roam the oceans generally alone. However, large numbers will gather in areas with abundant plankton. These areas then become prime tourist attractions. The distribution of whale sharks indicates the presence of plankton and the overall health of our oceans. Whale shark numbers, however, are dwindling. The animal is currently listed asvulnerable on the IUCN Red Listbecause these creatures are hunted for their fins and left to die. Licensed naturalist guides of Las Animas are careful to follow accepted rules of engagement to minimize any negative impact on the animals during their interactions in and above water.

Operating year-round as an all-inclusive, award-winning eco-adventure lodge, Las Animas offers six-day whale shark programs from August into late October, departing San Diego on Monday and returning the following Saturday. All-inclusive programs run $2,995 per person, double occupancy (plus tax). The rate includes round-trip flight from San Diego, accommodations, all meals, beverages, guides, equipment and land and boat transportation.

Weeks during the 2019 season that still have good availability include; Aug.19–24, 26–31; Sept. 2–7, 9–14, 24–30; Oct. 7–12, 14–19 and 21–26.

For questions, reservations and additional details on the whale shark program please call 1.800.221.9283 or visit: https://www.bajaairventures.com/bajawhaleshark/.

For information on all of the vacation packages offered year-round by Baja AirVentures please visit: http://www.bajaairventures.com/.

Enjoy these short videos on whale shark encounters with Baja AirVentures:

• Magical spiritual whale shark experience:https://youtu.be/97yyX0hJ1Ck
• Whale sharks on parade: https://youtu.be/-XzJz4ehoqk
• Swimming with baby whale shark: https://youtu.be/WXJXGJXCXo4

# # #

Media Contact:

For media inquiries, interviews and photos please contact Widness & Wiggins PR:

Dave Wiggins: 720.301.3822 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Follow Baja AirVentures:

On Facebook:           https://www.facebook.com/BajaAirventures

Twitter:                       https://twitter.com/BajaAirVentures          

Trip Advisor:              http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g1673264-d1792687-Reviews-Baja_AirVentures_Las_Animas_Wilderness_Lodge-Bahia_de_Los_Angeles_Baja_California.html

Northern Baja’s Little-Known, Off-Grid Treasure - Las Animas Eco Lodge Offers Intimate Immersion Into the Natural World of the Sea of Cortez

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Released on Monday, 08 February 2016 10:16

Fly-to, Boat-in Secluded Beachside Encampment Just Named the Number One Specialty Lodging in Baja California, Mexico by TripAdvisor®

SAN DIEGO, CA, Feb. 8, 2016– While it may be true that few mainstream adventurous travelers have heard about Las Animas Eco Lodge, an hour’s boat ride south of Bahia de Los Angeles along the Sea of Cortez, all who do come for a visit just can’t seem to stop talking about it.  So much so that this isolated, off-road retreat was just named the #1 Specialty Lodge in all of Northern Baja by the reviewers and editors of TripAdvisor®. 

Comfortably accommodating on the average only a dozen visitors per week, guests sleep in well-appointed beachside yurts with the sound of the gentle surf lapping a private beach just yards from the door. Here nature takes full stage and it isn’t uncommon to see rays, sea lions and dolphins cavorting just off-shore, or a sea turtle scurrying back to the water after depositing a nest full of eggs.

One might think access to such an off-the-grid ecolodge destination might take hours (or even days) of arduous travel time. Not so. The lodge, owned and operated by Baja AirVentures (http://www.bajaairventures.com/), maintains a private fleet of modern aircraft to fly guests from San Diego, CA, to the sleepy fishing village of Bahia de Los Angles (population 500). After the two hour flight, boats shuttle guests another hour south to Las Animas Lodge situated on a private, turquoise cove rimmed by a mile-long crescent white sand beach.

The self-sustaining, solar-powered retreat offers eight well-appointed beachside yurts with in-room solar shower and composting toilet, twin and king-size beds with comforters and high thread-count linens, and covered patios with hammocks. Lodging is built around a large centrally located palapa with a spacious covered deck which serves as kitchen, central dining area, cantina bar, and communal lounging and game area featuring a new state-of-the-artsatellite system with fairly dependable Internetand phone connection.

Las Animas is a year-round, mosquito-free (and Zika-free) destination ideally suited for anyone seeking total immersion in nature and a desert to sea environment. Dubbed the “Galapagos of Mexico” by writer John Steinbeck, this section of the Sea of Cortez offers the highest concentration of whales and rare seabirds in Baja. Each season brings something different to see and do. Here’s a quick breakdown of some of the highlights to expect:

Winter– Perfect time for whale watching both in the Sea of Cortez and in nature’s whale nursery “Ojos de Libre” on the Pacific coast. Baja Airventures’ “Best of Baja” offers air-supported whale encounters on two coasts. This is also a great time for desert hiking, sea kayaking and sailing.

Spring– This is the season for rare and exotic bird watching. Located a short boat ride away is Isla Raza, Mexico’s very first bird sanctuary, established in 1964. This is the best place on Earth to view the Elegant Tern (over 90% of the world’s population breed and nest here). Over 55,000 nests are typical on this small protected island where vast populations of Caspian Terns and ‘Watch Listed’ Heermann’s Gulls also reside. In all, over 170 species of sea birdspopulate the area. Families on spring break also are popular visitors at this time of year.

Summer– Sea breezes and occasional summer showers keep temperatures enjoyable during this season which is known for snorkeling, kayaking, sailing and its salt water sport fishing. The Midriff Islands region where Las Animas is situated is considered to be a world class angling location. You can expect to see leopard group and spotted gulf, cabrilla, yellowtail, bay bass, halibut, corvina, white sea bass, barracuda, skipjack, roosterfish, giant squid and dorado.

Fall– From August into November the main attraction is snorkeling with the Whale Sharks that congregate annually to feast on algae, plankton and krill. Swimming alongside these 40-foot docile creatures as they slowly feed can be a life-changing experience. This time of year water temperatures hover between an inviting 80F – 82F.Whale watching, swimming with sea lions and hiking also take place.

All-inclusive rates for eco lodge stays start at $2,295 per person, double (plus tax) for a six day/five night stay. Price includes double occupancy yurt accommodations, roundtrip air carriage from San Diego, naturalist guided outings, boat transportation, healthy homemade meals, beverages (including beer and margaritas) and optional free activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, whale watching, swimming, fishing, sailing and hiking.

For more information on year-round activities and tours, reservations or questions, call 1.800.221.9283 or visit:http://www.bajaairventures.com/.

# # #

Media Contact:

For inquiries, interviews and photos please contact Widness & Wiggins PR:

Dave Wiggins: 303.554.8821 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Follow Baja AirVentures:

On Facebook:       https://www.facebook.com/BajaAirventures

YouTube:              https://www.youtube.com/bajaair

Twitter:                   https://twitter.com/BajaAirVentures

Trip Advisor:         http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g1673264-d1792687-Reviews-Baja_AirVentures_Las_Animas_Wilderness_Lodge-Bahia_de_Los_Angeles_Baja_California.html

Baja AirVentures Flies Guests to Both Coasts of Baja For All-Inclusive Winter Whale Watching Adventures

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Released on Monday, 03 November 2014 11:24

Best of Baja Tour Features Marine Encounters in the Pacific as well as the Sea of Cortez with Convenient Access via San Diego, CA

SAN DIEGO, CA, Nov. 3, 2014– San Diego-based Baja AirVentures has developed a travel program completely unique to their company. No other tour operator today combines the best opportunities for marine mammal encounters on both sides of the Baja peninsula in one all-inclusive six day air-supported package. 

The 6-day/5-night Best of Baja's Whales, Dolphins & Sea Lions Tour departs every Monday and on several Tuesdays throughout February and March 2015. The all-inclusive per person rate, including private air carriage from San Diego, across the peninsula and back, is $2,795 (exclusive of 13% IVA Mexican tax and 3% Marine Park entrance fee).

The package includes private roundtrip air from San Diego with ample opportunity for aerial flightseeing, Pacific whale watching in Scammons Lagoon by motorized panga, two nights at a B&B in the Mexican hamlet of Guerro Negro and three nights of total seclusion at Baja AirVenture’s Las Animas beachside eco-lodge a scenic hour’s boat trip south of Bahia de Los Angeles on the pristine shores of the Sea of Cortez.

“The unique combination of both aerial and sea viewing on both coasts of the peninsula is something no other whale watching operator in Baja is able to offer,” says Kevin Warren, founder and owner of Baja AirVentures (http://www.bajaairventures.com/). “In fact, the opportunity to view these magnificent creatures from a bird’s eye perspective is a thrill and rarity in itself.”

Guests this year are in for a special treat. According to Warren, through conservation efforts, the Grey whale population in the Pacific continues to rebound and grow. Last year saw a new record with nearly 2,000 breeding adults and babies sited at Ojo de Libre (Scammons Lagoon). This prime location has the largest concentration of the Grey whales on the planet.

After departing from San Diego in a private plane for Scammons Lagoon, participants spend the better part of three days scanning and interacting with migrating California Gray whales by boat and from the air. This is where guests often get to actually “pet friendly whales” in their natural environment. Two nights are enjoyed at a cozy B&B in the small village of Guerro Negro. Prior to boat transfer to Las Animas Wilderness Eco-Lodge on Day Three, there’s more whale watching and an aerial tour of Laguna Ojo de Libre and the Midriff Island chain in the Sea of Cortez. Days Four and Five are spent desert hiking, kayaking, birdwatching and snorkeling with sea lions and dolphins. Boat excursions from Las Animas provide an added opportunity to view several types of whales, including Blue and Fin whales (the two largest species in the world).

A recent guest had this to say on Trip Advisor about their intimate encounters with the Grey whales, “The small-plane flights alone, with one pilot and five passengers, were a treat. Once on the water of Scammons Lagoon, we did not merely 'watch' wales! Instead, our skiff was at times surrounded by these magnificent creatures. Playful and seemingly curious calves met out-stretched hands, allowing themselves to be stroked and patted, while their enormous mothers swam watchfully close by.”

After crossing the peninsula to the Sea of Cortez, guests stay at Las Animas Wilderness Eco-Lodge. The only boat-in lodge along the entire coast, Las Animas is a remote, eco-friendly property that accommodates up to 14 guests in seven romantic, private beach-side yurts equipped with bathroom, solar shower, composting toilets, comfortable Queen and King sized beds, covered decks and skylight roofs. The yurts are built around the spacious main palapa which offers an expansive deck that serves as a central dining area, game area and communal lounge space.

The all-inclusive tour price of $2,795 includes double occupancy B&B and yurt accommodations, roundtrip air from San Diego, naturalist guided outings and lectures, boat transportation, healthy homemade meals, beverages (including beer and margaritas) and such activities as kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, sailing and hiking.

For details on the Best of Baja tour call 1-800-221-9283 or visit online: http://www.bajaairventures.com/WhaleWatching.html

For information on other adventure packages offered year-round by Baja AirVentures please go to:  http://www.bajaairventures.com/. 

# # # 

Media Contact:

For inquiries, interviews and photos please contact Widness & Wiggins PR:

Dave Wiggins: 303.554.8821 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Follow Baja AirVentures:

On Facebook:           https://www.facebook.com/BajaAirventures

Twitter:                       https://twitter.com/BajaAirVentures          

Trip Advisor:              http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g1673264-d1792687-Reviews-Baja_AirVentures_Las_Animas_Wilderness_Lodge-Bahia_de_Los_Angeles_Baja_California.html

Baja AirVentures Announces Increased Commissions, Generous FAM Policies and Group Booking Incentives for Las Animas Lodge Packages

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Released on Monday, 25 August 2014 10:05

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 25, 2014 – Attention travel agents with active, adventure-seeking clients!

Imagine a secluded yet sophisticated beachside lodge just 468 air miles southwest of San Diego along Baja’s Sea of Cortez that’s modeled after a high-end safari experience with wildlife encounters rivaling those found in the Galapagos. Welcome to Las Animas Wilderness Lodge http://www.bajaairventures.com/WildernessRetreat.html, eco and travel agent friendly and the only “boat-in” lodge on Baja, Mexico’s eastern coast.

What makes Las Animas so special?

“For starters, it’s so remote and roadless you won’t see any neighboring lights at night. It’s environmentally-friendly, self-sustaining and all-inclusive from round-trip air transport from San Diego to the tequila in your margarita,” explains Kevin Warren, Baja AirVentures founder and president. “Plus, it can be a real money-maker for the right travel agent!”

“New policies for the travel trade that we just announced make us quite attractive and should hopefully capture the attention of travel agents and group travel planners looking for the next great thing in soft eco-adventure travel,” states Warren.

New Commissions

Agents will now enjoy commissions that increase with the number of bookings made. On Las Animas lodge and whale encounter packages, one to three bookings per trip departure earn a 12 percent commission. Four or more reservations per trip earn a 14 percent commission.

Group Incentives

A group organizer will earn a 12% commission when booking 10 or more people into Las Animas packages. Plus, exclusive with 10 paid guests, one additional free space is offered for the organizer. Make an exclusive booking of the entire property and a second free space is earned with 14 paid guests (maximum number the resort will accommodate is 16).

FAM Trip Policies

For first-time visitors to Las Animas, a 50% discount is offered to qualified travel professionals. Travel companions will receive 20% off (non-commissionable). However, agents may recoup that original 50% charge through future bookings made with the company. An additional 5% commission will be earned up to the point the 50% FAM charge has been covered.

For all the new policies please see http://www.bajaairventures.com/baja-adventure-travel-agent.html

Las Animas eco-lodge sits on a private, isolated bay, a one-hour by boat ride from Bahia de Los Angeles after a two-hour private flight from San Diego. Offshore are the Midriff Islands, one of the most nutrient-rich marine environments in the world, often referred to as “Mexico’s Galapagos”

During small boat excursions guests can view whale sharks (in season), dolphins, sea lions, a myriad of birds and over a dozen species of whales (including Blue whales – Earth’s largest mammal).

The property features eight romantic beachside yurts each equipped with bathroom, solar shower, twin and king-size beds with comforters and high thread count linens, covered decks and skylight roofs. Lodging is built around a large centrally located cabana with a spacious covered patio. This serves as kitchen, central dining area, cantina bar, and communal lounging and game area.

A variety of packages are available – all fully commissionable to travel agents and group planners. Open year-round, lodge stays are four or six days starting at just $1,695 per person inclusive of accommodations, personal guides, meals, beer & margaritas, sightseeing activities and roundtrip air via San Diego plus tax. From mid-August to late October guests can swim and snorkel with whale sharks that annually congregate in rich feeding grounds nearby. Six day packages begin at $2,495 plus tax. For 2014

Best of Baja Whale Watching Trips operate February to March and offer viewing and intimate encounters on both coasts of Baja; the Pacific and Sea of Cortez. Six day packages begin at $2,795 plus tax for 2015

For more information, space availability and reservations call 1.800.221.9283 or visit: http://www.bajaairventures.com/.

# # #

Media Contact:

Widness & Wiggins PR

Dave Wiggins: 303.554.8821 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Follow Baja AirVentures:

On Facebook:           https://www.facebook.com/BajaAirventures

Twitter:                       https://twitter.com/BajaAirVentures     

Trip Advisor:              http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g1673264-d1792687-Reviews-Baja_AirVentures_Las_Animas_Wilderness_Lodge-Bahia_de_Los_Angeles_Baja_California.html

The World’s Best Whale Shark Encounters Just a Short Flight from San Diego with Baja AirVentures

Details

Released on Monday, 07 July 2014 11:29

San Diego, CA, July 7, 2014 – The whale shark which is not a whale at all and only technically a shark is the largest fish on Earth.  This gentle giant can grow up to 60-feet in length all on a diet of algae, plankton, and krill. There are only a handful of places on the planet where they make predictable appearances during certain times of the year and luckily for North Americans, one of the best is but a two and a half hour plane ride from San Diego, CA with Baja AirVentures (http://www.bajaairventures.com/).

Observing and, yes, swimming alongside these docile creatures as they slowly feed can for some, be a life-changing experience. Like clockwork each year from August into October, whale sharks averaging 25–40 feet long migrate to the nutrient-rich waters of the Midriff Island region in the Sea of Cortez, home to Las Animas Wilderness Lodge.

Baja AirVentures flies its guests by private air from Brown Field in San Diego to the remote Mexican fishing village of Bahia de los Angeles, population 500. From there, boats shuttle guests another hour south to Las Animas Lodge situated on a private, turquoise cove rimmed by a mile-long crescent beach.

The self-sustaining, solar-powered retreat offers eight well-appointed beachside yurts with in-room solar shower and composting toilet, twin and king-size beds with comforters and high thread-count linens, and covered patios with hammocks. Lodging is built around a large centrally located palapa with a large attached patio which serves as kitchen, central dining area, cantina bar, and communal lounging and game area.

Guests spend up to five hours daily observing and swimming with whale sharks.  While the focus is on snorkeling with these creatures that naturally feed close to the surface, there are also afternoon outings to isolated islands and coves frequented by up to 10 species of whales (including fin and blue whales), as well as dolphins, sea lions, sea turtles and manta rays. Hiking, kayaking, sailing and fishing round out the remainder of the time at Las Animas.

But it is the spectacle of the migrating whale sharks that is the main attraction in the late summer and fall when water temperatures hover between an inviting 80F – 82F.

"There are people who travel the world over looking to snorkel with whale sharks,” says Baja AirVentures founder and president Kevin Warren. “We've had folks who've gone on our trips who also have been to Australia, Philippines, Thailand, and other known places they congregate but had yet the good fortune to swim with them. But here they accomplished that goal. Over the last five consecutive years, every one of our trips had successful encounters."

Bahia de los Angeles, just 300 air miles from San Diego offers the closest whale shark experience to North American shores and is one of the most dependable locations in the world where they make regular, predictable appearances.

Whale sharks can also be encountered during specific times of the year in the waters of Mexico's Yucatan (Isla Holbox), Honduras (Utila), Western Australia (Ningaloo Reef), Belize (Gladden Spit), Philippines (Donsol Bay), Mozambique (Tofo Beach), Seychelles (South Mahé), Thailand (Koh Tao), Maldives (South Ari Atoll), and Galapagos, Ecuador (Puerto Ayora).

Whale sharks live in all tropical and warm temperate seas but roam the oceans generally alone. However, large numbers will gather in areas with abundant plankton making them prime tourist attractions. The distribution of whale sharks indicates the presence of plankton and the overall health of our oceans. Whale shark numbers, however, are dwindling. The animal is currently listed asvulnerable on the IUCN Red Listprimarily due to over hunting (its fins can be valuable in the shark finning trade). The naturalist guides of Las Animas are careful to follow certain rules of conduct to minimize any impact on the animals during their interactions in and above water.

Operating year-round as an all-inclusive eco-adventure lodge, Las Animas offers six-day whale shark programs from August into October, departing San Diego on Monday and returning the following Saturday. All-inclusive programs run $2,495 per person, double occupancy (plus tax). The rate includes round-trip flight from San Diego, accommodations, all meals, beverages, guides, equipment and land and boat transportation.

Weeks during the 2014 season that still have good availability include; August 11–16, 25–30, September 1–6, 8–13, 15–20, 22–27, October 6–11, 13–18 and 20–25. For more reservations or details on the whale shark program and tour itineraries, call 1.800.221.9283 or visit:  http://www.bajaairventures.com/BajaWhaleShark.html.For information on any of the other vacation packages offered year-round by Baja AirVentures please visit: http://www.bajaairventures.com/.

Enjoy this video on whale shark encounters with Baja AirVentures: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkYxEjDZlss#t=24

# # #

Media Contact:

For media inquiries, interviews and photos please contact Widness & Wiggins PR:

Dave Wiggins: 303.554.8821 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Follow Baja AirVentures:

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BajaAirventures

Twitter:            https://twitter.com/BajaAirVentures   

Trip Advisor: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g1673264-d1792687-Reviews-Baja_AirVentures_Las_Animas_Wilderness_Lodge-Bahia_de_Los_Angeles_Baja_California.html