Lagoon

A voyage to a magical marine haven

The San Ignacio Lagoon in Baja, Mexico, is a unique place where the connection between man and beast is like no other on Earth. Once a killing ground for whalers hunting a leviathan they called the "devilfish," the lagoon is now an environmental and spiritual sanctuary—the only place in the world where animals in their natural aquatic environment routinely seek out human contact.

A nursery for the gray whale

Since before recorded history, the lagoon has been a nursery for the gray whale. Resident naturalist James Michael Dorsey shares stories that illuminate the magic of human connection to animals and what those bonds teach us about ourselves and our purpose on this shared planet.

San Ignacio adventures and history

Weaving two decades of adventures in the company of his wife Irene with the fascinating history of the lagoon, Dorsey vividly captures the lively people of Baja, like the mystical godfather of whale-watching, Pachico Mayoral, as well as the whales he has bonded with over the years, like Slackjaw, Patch, and Dervish—their individual personalities, their epic migration to and from the Pacific Northwest, and the science behind their behavior.

Dangers to the lagoon

Looming over his journeys are many dangers to the area, from the Mitsubishi Corporation's attempts to build salt works to plans for resort development on the Baja coast, pollution, climate change, and even the orcas who hunt the gray whales. The future of this refuge has never looked more threatened.

The importance of preservation

A tale of wondrous bonds between the intelligent, spirited gray whales and the people from around the world who come to touch, kiss, and play with them—The Lagoon is a testament to the importance of preserving these animals and their natural habitats.