Whales of Winter

The whales off the shores of Playa Las Tortugas are in full acrobatic force. You can see them cruising nearshore, and further off the males are putting on a show for prospective mates flapping their fins and leaping completely out of the water. They’re demonstrating their fitness to the ladies. Grab a chair on the beach, gaze to the horizon and enjoy the show.

Each winter, the waters offshore of Playa Las Tortugas become a vital destination for one of nature’s most intriguing migrations: the journey of the humpback whales. Traveling up to 10,000 kilometers from their feeding grounds in the cold waters of Alaska and the North Pacific, the whales undertake one of the longest migrations of any animal on earth. They seek the warm, tranquil winter waters off the coast of Playa Las Tortugas, as well as those nearby areas like Bahía de Banderas. This area provides an ideal sanctuary for breeding and calving.

From late November to April, these waters become a stage for extraordinary behaviors. Pregnant females, having traveled the vast ocean, give birth to their calves in the sheltered bays. The calves, born weighing nearly a ton, rely on their mothers’ rich milk to grow and gain strength for the arduous journey back north. Nearby, males compete for mates through powerful displays of acrobatics, breaching and tail-slapping the water in dramatic contests of strength and stamina.

The calm seas of Nayarit not only ensure a safe nursery for young whales but also act as an important mating ground, ensuring the continuation of this migratory cycle. For researchers and eco-tourists alike, this annual migration offers a window into the resilience and beauty of marine life.