Eco Migrations

Welcome to our home on the Sea of Cortez. Let us show you around!

Eco Migrations is located in La Paz, on the Sea of Cortez near the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula. We have a privileged location, because the fabulous La Paz Bay is right outside our door, and it is home to whale sharks, sea lions, Mobula rays and multiple species of, dolphins, birds and fish. We also receive migrating whale species in the winter months, and we never know what we are going to find on a day out at sea.

We offer a variety of single and multi-day wildlife and adventure experiences. All of our experiences are fully customizable, so if you want something special, let us know how we can design the perfect trip for you. We also run a year-round research project studying Bottlenose dolphins in the La Paz Bay, and another project studding Gray Whales in Almejas Bay during the winter months, so if you are looking to participate in citizen science or paid volunteering projects, be sure to check out those experiences.

An important aspect to keep in mind when planning a trip to this corner of the world is the seasonal aspect of this ecosystem. Few of the charismatic megafauna species are present all year round, so here is a list of our main activities and seasons:

Kayaking and Camping – This is one of our favorite activities during Autumn and Spring on Espíritu Santo Island, where we offer a base camp with safari-style tents from October to May. Sunsets and sunrises on the island can be spectacular, and it is a great way to maximize your time in nature to see all the island has to offer. Our camps are built around sea kayaking as a way to explore the island, and it is beautiful to be able to get up close to the coastline and explore it in such a leisurely way. Meals are fully catered, and we offer a happy hour every evening. We typically visit both the sea lions and whale sharks during our camping experiences, but also do other activities such as hiking and snorkeling. We are family friendly, and can tailor the level and type of activity to different needs and interests.

Bottlenose dolphin research project – Throughout the year common bottlenose dolphins are present across the bay of La Paz, with both resident and transient pods. Stationed at our camp on Isla Espiritu Santo, we will conduct daily boat-based photo-ID surveys of the bottlenose dolphins to determine individuals within pods, abundance and distribution of the pods and the population as a whole within the bay. Each expedition will run for 11-days of the month, year-round, consisting of daily surveys, data organization, and the opportunity to experience some of the other incredible nature and wildlife of Baja California Sur.

Gray whale research project –Between January and March each year, gray whales frequent the warm shallow waters of Bahía Almejas, where they migrate to breed and calve. Stationed at our basecamp on Isla Margarita, where we can enjoy the whales 24/7, we will conduct daily boat-based photo-ID surveys of the gray whales to determine individual identification, abundance and distribution of the population within the bay. Each trip will be a week long, consisting of daily surveys, some data organization, and the opportunity to experience some of the other incredible nature and wildlife encounters of Baja California Sur. During our time at Almejas Bay, it is not uncommon to be completely surrounded by whales spy-hopping, breaching and just coasting along. It is also frequent to see mother-calf pairs.

Diving – Diving in the Sea of Cortez is a world-class experience. There are many sites around La Paz Bay, including sunken ships, rock walls, and deep blue dives, where we can see many species of fish, sharks (including, seasonally and if you are very lucky, Hammerheads), and occasionally, mostly during the summer months, Giant Manta Rays. The best months are August to November, although this activity is available year-round. During late October through mid-December, enjoy our safari style camp located in a remote area of the island, and discover the beauty of Espíritu Santo Island. At our basecamp you will have all the facilities you need for a very comfortable stay, and you will be able to go out to the dive sites every morning and afternoon. After a day of diving, you can enjoy bird watching, sea kayaking, nature walks, or just relax with our daily happy hour!

Swimming with whale sharks – La Paz Bay is visited by feeding juvenile whale sharks up to 6 meters long from mid October until the end of April. This is usually a half day trip, either in the morning and afternoon. The experience itself is thrilling – jumping into the water to see an 18 foot-long gentle giant swimming towards you with mouth open is unforgettable. We provide a full-body wetsuit and full snorkel gear to ensure you are warm even in the winter months. This trip can be combined with other activities for a full day experience.

Swimming with sea lions – An hour north of La Paz lies Espiritu Santo Island, a Protected Marine Area. On the north side of Espiritu Santo Island lies “Los Islotes”, the largest, most successful sea lion colony in the Sea of Cortez. This is one of the most popular day trips from La Paz, with one of the longest seasons, running from September to May. The trip includes a swim with sea lions among hundreds of colorful fish, lunch and another activity, typically sea kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) or more snorkeling.

About Us We are a small, local, tour company operated by its founders and owners, José Juan Puebla and Erin Francke. Started in 2012 by José Juan, we aim to provide fun, safe, ecologically conscious experiences that showcase our wonderful little corner of the world.

Our fearless leader, José Juan Puebla, founded Eco Migrations in 2012. JJ moved to La Paz in 1995 to study Marine Biology at the local university and never left. He has over 17 years of experience working as a naturalist, sea kayak guide, and divemaster in this area. Additionally, he has worked as a researcher and Marine Mammal Observer all over the world including in México, Senegal, Liberia, Oman, Iceland, Portugal, Spain, France and Italy.

Erin Francke joined the team in 2017, when she moved to La Paz from Mexico City. She studied economics in an act of teenage rebellion, but is the daughter of biologists and nature has always been her passion. Erin did Peace Corps in Senegal from 2007-2009, earned a graduate degree from Cambridge University and worked at the World Resources Institute and then Global Green Growth Institute in Mexico City before joining Eco Migrations.

Our guiding principles are:

Service – Our first goal is to serve you, our guest. In order to make your experience as fun and enjoyable as possible, we have a team whose sole function is to ensure this outcome. At Eco Migrations, we will seek to accommodate all travelers’ needs and interests, and usually build our experiences alongside our guests, listening to what you want and co-creating the trip, within the limits set by park regulations, safety and sustainability.

Safety – Our staff and guides are constantly completing courses to update their skills and obtaining certifications to ensure your experience is as pleasant as possible. Guides all have first aid certifications, and some are even Wilderness First Responders certified by NOLS. Most our staff have many years of experience working in this field, and those of us that are just getting started always work under the watchful eye of senior staff members.

Regenerative Tourism – We know we work here thanks to Mother Nature’s bounty, and we do our best to not only reduce the impact of our activities, but contribute to the wellbeing and restoration of our environment. Some of the things we do include reducing our waste as much as possible by using reusable or recyclable beverage containers (no plastic bottles here!), and minimizing the use of single use plastics when we purchase food. We have also decreased the physical footprint of our camps to reduce sand compaction on our beach.

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