Have you ever heard of false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens)?
These social cetaceans are actually members of the dolphin family. You might look at them and think “they look nothing like killer whales?” and you’d be right—false killer whales got their name not for their outward appearance, but for the shape of their skulls, which look similar to the skulls of killer whales. False killer whales are dark in color and very large and slender. The males are slightly larger than females with adult females reaching lengths of 16 feet, while adult males are almost 20 feet long. In adulthood, large false killer whales can weigh up to 3,000 pounds!
False killer whales can be found in tropical and subtropical oceans (generally in deep offshore waters) throughout the world, but we rarely see them in Baja! Encountering these cool creatures is always an incredibly exciting treat!
🎥: @andromedaalighieri
Sound on to hear the “belly-flops” 🔊
Mobula rays have the incredible ability to launch themselves up to 6 feet (2m) into the air, which is how they earned their nickname of “flying rays.” These acrobatic displays make these animals amazing to witness above the water from the boat, but we also love to watch them underwater, where they also seem to soar through the water. Their underwater movements, however, look a lot more graceful!
The wildlife in Baja is precious and we are dedicated to protecting it and better understanding it. That’s why we contribute to citizen science by working with local organizations like Mobula Conservation, a mobula research and conservation group made up of women researchers and fishermen here in Baja California!
Give them at @mobulaconservation to learn more about their science and mission.
🎥 by @fernietow #underwater
Always on the move…
#DYK Mako sharks must swim constantly to survive?!
Mako sharks are “obligate ram ventilators” which means they get their oxygen from the water as it washes over their gills as they swim. If they ever stopped swimming they would die. So they just keep swimming, swimming, swimming 🦈
Hit the link in our bio to learn about our Shark Safaris
Mexico is home to a variety of ray species. This includes the Spinetail Devil Ray (aka the Japanese Devilray, Devil Fish, or Giant Devil Ray), a circumtropical, widely distributed ray species found in all oceans and adjacent seas.
Unfortunately, because of their presence all over the world and the growing demand in international trade for the dried gill plates of mobulids, Spinetail Devil Rays are among the most commonly caught mobulid rays in fisheries (both intentionally and as bycatch). These rays have been greatly affected by this and population declines have been documented throughout most of their range.
🎥: @fernietow
Magdalena Bay is one of this planet's wildest treasures.
This area is teeming with life both in and out of the water and our multi-day expeditions there are the true highlights of our whole year!
Each year in November and December we journey from Cabo to Mag Bay to search for the incredibly fast hunting striped marlins and the multitude of other species that congregate in the bay to feed during Mexico’s Sardine Run.
These trips are what it’s all about for us—adventure, adrenaline, and animal encounters! These trips are packed full of amazing wildlife and breathtaking ecosystems unique to Baja.
🐟 It’s never too early to start planning your next ocean adventure—our trips for this coming Mag Bay season are already booking up!
Want to ensure you can join us in Mag Bay in November or December? Shoot us an email at [email protected] to secure your spot 💌
Video by @LukeColey
Have you ever wondered, "What's a day like out on a Shark Safari?" 🤔
Well, wonder no more!
In the morning, we meet at the boat and leave the marina to travel to our "shark spot" (which is between 5-30 miles away depending on the season, recent sightings, and daily environmental factors). While we head out to sea, we stay on the lookout for wildlife like sea lions, rays, dolphins, and whales.
Once we arrive, you will receive a very detailed briefing from your guide about everything you'll need to know to be prepared for a day in the water with these amazing pelagic predators! Your guide will go over why we chose the "shark spot" for the day, everything we are doing to attract and engage the sharks, and, most importantly, the rules and safety guidelines for when we are in the water.
While we wait for the sharks to arrive, we will share lots of interesting information on shark behavior and biology, as well as some of the risks they face in our oceans and what we can do to help protect them—Shark biology and conservation are some of our biggest passions at Latitude! You will also don your wetsuit, prepare your snorkeling and camera equipment, and likely enjoy a snack (or two!) during this time.
Once the sharks show up, it's time for the main event! We will calmly get into the water one at a time for the best part: SWIMMING WITH SHARKS!
These days out on the ocean are unpredictable and no two days are exactly the same, but each ocean safari is an adventure full of surprising marine life, good food, and great company!
Now is the perfect time to swim with mako and blue sharks—head to the link in our bio to book a Shark Safari with us today 🦈
Mako shark video by: @fernietow
The waters around Baja are incredibly productive—sometimes it feels as if the ocean is literally boiling with life!
We are so lucky to call this magical part of the world ✨home✨
Planning a trip to Baja? Reach out! We'd love to share this special place with you.
🐬dolphin pod video by @fernietow
"Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than what we could learn from books," John Lubbock
In Baja, we are lucky to have abundant, diverse, and truly wild NATURE right in our own backyard. Both the land and the sea hold infinite wisdom and we learn more and more from each new adventure! Ready to come exploring with us?
🎥: @lukecoley
Wait for it….🐋💦
The humpbacks have been arriving and we are happy to say our favorite time of the year is here—WHALE SEASON!
After their long migration down the west coast, the humpback whales arrive in Mexico to socialize, mate, and give birth. It’s a whale party from December to April and we’d love to take you out on a Whale Watch Marine Safari to show you their incredible behavior.
Video by: @lukecoley
Take a moment today to appreciate the largest Ray in the world. And one of the most beautiful creatures to dance underwater with. They are facing a crisis
- #worldmamtaday 2021
- #mantaawareness
- The drastic climate change we are facing could change the distribution and abundance of zooplankton which mantas feed on.
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Here are some great organizations working to study and protect this incredible species.
@mantatrust @pelagioskakunja @mobulaconservation @mantapacifico @mantamexicocaribe
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“The first time I saw a manta i had teats in my eyes and a foggy mask and was totally blown away by the beautiful ballet display underwater” - @fernietow
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Tell us in the comments about the first time you saw a Manta…
Comming soon….
📹 @mathiasvanasch
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#marlin #explore #gopro #gopromx #visitmexico #underwaterlife #thehunt #slomo #pacificocean
Sound ON!
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Listening to dolphins vocalize is so incredible and we interesting. If only we could be as intelligent as they are, so we could understand.
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DOLPHIN NS WILD AND FREE AS THEY SHOULD BE! #dolphinproject #emptythetanks
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#ocean #wild #keepthemwild #dolphin #mexico #openocean #travel #snorkel #underwater #gopro @gopromx
🇬🇧Many behavioral biologists have theorized and studied why dolphins bow ride. The general consensus is that they do it for pure enjoyment!
And isn’t that what life is all about.
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Muchos biólogos han teorizado y estudiado por qué los delfines corren en la proa. ¡El consenso general es que lo hacen por puro placer!
Y no es eso de lo que se trata la vida?
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#wildandfree #dolphins #emptythetanks #play #ocean #livelifetothefullest
The ocean surprises you when you least expect it.
After days of hearing the orcas were in the area but having no luck finding them. we finally gave up and yesterday decided went out on a shark expedition. BUT... they had other plans. Just as we were leaving the marina, we spotted them in the middle of the bay!
We spent 3 hours with a pod of about 8 Orcas with some amazing up close encounters.
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🎥 @marianto_v on expedition with @latitude.encounters march 22
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It was a very special day with an incredible group of people.
@joancapdevila @pierogi_pilot @enriquenieto87 @kaitlynmw @marianto_v @fernietow
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This is MEXICO 🇲🇽
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#orca #orcas #whalewatching #freedive #underwaterworld #orcasofinstagram #orcasdemexico #seaofcortez #explore #womenwhofreedive #gopromx #visitmexico🇲🇽 #visitloscabos
#womenwhotravel #womenwhoexplore
