Pachico's Eco Tours is a unique whale and wildlife watching organization that is run by the Mayoral family, the true pioneers of whale watching in Baja! Pachico Mayoral, a local fisherman in San Ignacio Lagoon since 1960, was the first person to have an encounter with a friendly whale. A legend in whale watching, as eloquently detailed in the "Whale Watching Bible," Dick Russell's 2001 book Eye of the Whale, Pachico started running whale trips in the mid/early-seventies, after his first friendly encounter in 1972. Now he runs a tour operation in which his family is involved. Pachico's children were born and raised on the shores of the San Ignacio Lagoon and grew up as fishermen and whale watching guides.

Choose Pachico's Eco Tours to guarantee yourself an unforgettable Baja experience hosted by the recognized pioneers of whale watching. Pachico's family roots in San Ignacio Lagoon date back to the 1800s. The Mayoral family has grown up with the whales, dolphins, turtles, birds, and all other ocean and desert life that makes San Ignacio Lagoon one of Baja's most amazing destinations - and they want to share their profound knowledge and experiences with you. Pachico's Eco Tours provides everything you need to have a fun, relaxing vacation experience that just might change your life!

Pachico, a coastal fisherman for 45 years, became the chosen one. On a winter day in 1972 Pachico was fishing in the Lagoon when a gray whale approached his small 18 foot wooden panga - a typical Baja open boat similar to a dory. Until that day there had been no known contact between gray whales and man without one or the other ending up dead.

Pachico tried to get away from the whale, but with every attempt the whale would surface next to the panga. Knowing little about whales at the time, Pachico knew the large marine mammal double the size of his panga was now in charge. The whale went under the panga, not giving Pachico an option other than staying still. Pachico was surprised that the whale wasn’t showing any signs of aggression; as the old fisherman tales had described. Instead, the whale gently rubbed itself against his panga, raised its head a couple feet out of the water right where Pachico was sitting. Though fearful, he timidly reached out his hand to the gray whale and touched it with his fingers. To his amazement the whale didn’t back away, but instead moved closer to him. Pachico soon realized that petting the giant was OK. The gray whale had chosen Pachico to be the first human to experience a close and friendly relationship. On that winter day, in San Ignacio Lagoon, the gray whale and man began to trust one another.

Returning to the fishing village that day, Pachico told the story of the friendly gray whale. Everyone in the Lagoon thought he was out of his mind. Pachico started taking his friends out in the Lagoon and they soon discovered that what he had told them was true. The word spread and soon visitors and those wanting to have the same encounter arrived to experience this wonderful new relationship between man and the gray whales.

The gray whales, that had been hunted and abused by for so many years, had now forgiven man and had reached out for a new and better relationship.

Pachico has been involved in many different projects related to the whales in San Ignacio Lagoon. He has worked with researchers, scientists, and documentary filmmakers. Pachico's mesmerizing experiences with the whales have also been documented in many different books, magazines and films.

Pachico has resided in San Ignacio Lagoon, (Laguna San Ignacio) since 1960. He is married to Carmen Aguilar, who has lived in San Ignacio for her entire life. Carmen’s father was one of the founders of the Lagoon. Pachico and Carmen have 6 children who were all raised with the shores of the Lagoon as their front yard.

Pachico still drives his panga with the gray whales. He is always willing to share his knowledge, experiences and great stories of over 30 years of watching the gray whales. Today, Pachico and his family organize and lead tours in the San Ignacio Lagoon.

Jesus, Pachico's youngest son, better known as “Rana”, is entering his 21st season guiding whale watching trips in San Ignacio Lagoon. He brings a respect and understanding of the gray whale’s natural history that can only be gained growing up alongside the whales. Fluent in English, he manages the camp and shares his love for the Lagoon and it’s wildlife with Pachico’s guests.

In 1995-96 Jesus was one of five locals from San Ignacio Lagoon selected to participate in a nature training course developed by RARE, an organization that offers local community members in areas of high biodiversity the training they need to protect their natural surroundings, practice sustainability, and take pride in their heritage. Through this course Jesus was given the opportunity to study English, Environmental Education, Ecology, Biology, Oceanography, Marine Mammals, Plants, Birds, and Guiding Skills. His graduation from Rare gave him the tools to unite his years of wildlife observation with formal natural history interpretation.

Jesus enjoys exploring the Baja Peninsula and the rich waters that surround it while sharing his passion for this unique environment with people from all over the world. He often works with photographers and wildlife filmmakers drawing upon his natural history and boat captaining experience to provide them with the best angles.

In 2008 Jesus began collaborating with a US based non-profit to develop community projects focusing on trash collection and recycling at San Ignacio Lagoon. He is currently providing assistance seeking to develop the infrastructure for trash removal, finding an environmentally safe destiny for the trash and the promotion of recycling at the Lagoon. This will become increasingly important as the road to the Lagoon is paved bringing greater access and increased numbers of both visitors and residents to the area. Until this infrastructure is in place Pachico’s Eco Tours under Jesus’ vision is endeavoring to reduce the waste produced from camp and use recyclables in creative projects.

From the time Jesus was a young child Pachico taught him not only the ropes of whale watching but to care for and respect the whales as wild animals. Pachico explained to his children that the whales are in charge and though they may be close they are not pets - they are family. The safety of the whales and Pachico’s guests is the top priority for Jesus.

Jesus looks forward to sharing the natural sanctuary of San Ignacio Lagoon with you and your family.

Ranulfo, born and raised at the Lagoon is Pachico’s oldest son. He spent his early years learning from his father and has been leading tours since he was 15 years old.

He guides bilingual whale watching and bird watching tours during the whale-watching season. Ranulfo has developed a great understanding of whale behavior and the relationships between the gray whales and man.

Ranulfo’s vast experience with the gray whales has allowed him to work with numerous researchers, professional filmmakers and photographers. The years of guiding have given him the knowledge to be able to advise the best angle and the best lighting to get an amazing photograph.

Ranulfo graduated from RARE in 1997, and is now one of the best bird watchers in the area and a great resource, since he keeps data of full year bird observation in the Lagoon and its surroundings.

He is involved with teaching local children about environmental education. He is also involved with a sea turtle research and monitoring NGO named Wild Coast. Which he does once a month in the Lagoon.

For further information contact:

Pachico's Eco Tours

Please inquire by email for your desired plan!

Email:
pachicosecotours@hotmail.com