Join usfor an exciting adventure into the world of whales and dolphins! Let our crew guide your journey through the waters surrounding Mazatlan searching for and observing cetaceans in their natural habitat!. By joining us you will be contributing to the effort Onca Explorations is doing to promote whale and dolphin research and conservation in the region.
Fins
and Tails of the Bay...
Our research project “Fins and Tails of the Bay” is focused
on local populations of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) inhabiting
the coastal waters off Mazatlan and southern Sinaloa, as well as Humpback
Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) that transit through these waters
during their winter migration.
By taking pictures of the dolphins´ dorsal fins and the whales´
tails (Photoidentification), our crew will be collecting information
that will help us determine several aspects of these species natural
history, like their distribution, movements, social structure and
behavior.
By joining us you will be contributing to the research effort Onca
Explorations is doing to promote whale and dolphin conservation and
environmental consciusness in the region.
Season
Program: This
program operates in two seasons:
Whale Xplorer (December-March: Humpback Whales)
Humpback Whale winter migration. Survey effort will be directed to the
search and observation of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) transiting
through Mazatlan waters during their winter migration (breeding season). During this season we
can also find Fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), Bryde´s whales
(Balaenoptera edeni) and other less frequent species like the orca (Orcinus
orca),
Dolphin Xplorer (April-November: Coastal and Oceanic Dolphins) Coastal and Oceanic Dolphins
Survey effort will be directed to the search and observation of coastal
bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). During offshore surveys is common
to find other dolphin species like Pantropical spotted dolphins (Stenella
attenuata), and spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris), as well as other
less frequent species like the Sperm whale (Physeter catodon).
Dolphin Explorer Monday & Friday at 7am | Thursdays at 10am, suitable for cruise ship Passengers
Whale Explorer Monday, Wenesday and Fiday at 7am
| Thursdays at 10am, suitable for cruise ship Passengers
Pick Up
We do have pick up service / No drop off service
Requirements
There isnt any special
requirement for this tour other than being able to walk
We can make this tour
private for your party. Email us for a quote.
Includes
Light Continental Breakfast
(not for cruise ship passengers)
15 min small talk on whale and dolphin biology
5 hr. boat survey
Bottled water and soft drinks
Complimentary light lunch
Cetacean Xplorer Certificate
Itinerary
7 am Pick up
7:20 Beakfast and brief talk about biology of whales and dolphins
7:45 Transportation to Marina
8:00 Exploration begins (survey)
1:00 pm Back to the Marina / End of tour
Cancelations
Full refund minus $25
cancelation fee per reservation if done before a week in advance.
50% if done in 48 hours to 7 days prior the charter. No show = No
refund
Contact
Please before e-mailing
/ calling us read the FAQ and the information about this excusion. In Mazatlan 985-6139
Recomendations
Bring
sun protection with 50 SPF, hat and cotton clothes
Sighting
Potential of Cetacean Species in Mazatlan
Bottlenose
dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). One of the most studied cetacean species
in the world. It is present year-round, coastal habits, easily approaches
boats and displays aerial behaviors like leaping and tail slapping.
Sighting Potential = High (year-round).
Humpback
Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae). Migratory species (California-Mexico
population). Most whale watching companies around the world direct
their observations to this species. Sighted near the shore in tropical
waters during breeding season (winter), and in cold to template waters
during feeding season (summer). Displays aerial behaviors like breaching
almost completely out of the water. Sighting Potential = High (winter)
Long-beaked
common dolphin (Delphinus capensis). The most abundant cetacean species
in the Gulf of California. Coastal to offshore habits. Present year-round,
although its density may vary seasonally according to prey abundance
and oceanographic features. They travel in large groups (un to thousands
of individuals), is a very active and fast species. Sighting Potential
= Medium-High
Pantropical
spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata). Abundant in the Eastern Tropical
Pacific, specially in the mouth of the Gulf of California. Coastal
to offshore habits. Ocurrence and density may vary seasonally according
to oceanographic features and abundance of prey. It is commonly known
to be captured in yellowfin tuna fishing operations. Sighting Potential
= Medium-High
Spinner
dolphin (Stenella longirostris) . Abundant in the Eastern Tropical
Pacific. It can be frequently associated with yellow-fin tuna and
it is commonly captured in tuna fishing operations. It is well known
by its spectacular aerial behaviors, leaping out of the ocean spinning
its body. Ocurrence and density may vary seasonally according to oceanographic
features and prey abundance. Sighting Potential = Medium
Fin
Whale (Balaenoptera physalus) . The second largest whale in the world
after the blue whale, it reaches up to 26 m. A resident population
in the Gulf of California has recently been discovered. Coastal and
offshore movements. Ocurrence and densi0ty may vary according to prey
availability (zooplancton and schoolling fish). Sighting Potential
= Medium-Low
Bryde´s
Whale (Balaenoptera edeni) . Medium sized whale, it reaches up to
14 m. It is distributed exclusevely along the tropics. Coastal and
offshore movements. In the field it can be recognized by three parallel
ridges in the head in front of nostrils. Sighting Potential=Medium-Low
Rough-toothed
dolphin (Steno bredanensis) . This species occurs in pelagic habitats
(offshore) , on a distance it may be confused with the bottlenose
dolphin. Little is known about this species due to its elusive behavior,
however some studies indicate a tropical distribution. Sighting Potential
= Low
Orca
(Orcinus orca) . The largest member of the dolphin family, it reaches
up to 7 m. in length. It is distributed worldwide from the tropics
to the poles. It is the marine predator by excelence. Some orcas feed
exclusively on salmon while others feed on other marine mammals like
whales, dolphins, and sea lions, and even penguins. It is a highly
mobile and umpredictable species. Sighting Potential = Low
