Whale season in San Carlos, Sonora runs from November through March, with the peak migration happening in January, February, and March. During this time, the Sea of Cortez becomes a temporary home for various whale species as they migrate between the cold waters of Alaska and the warm breeding lagoons of Mexico.
Key Species to Spot
For Grey Whales in Baja (Magdalena Bay)
If you are referring to Puerto San Carlos on the Pacific side of Baja California Sur (Magdalena Bay)—a globally famous grey whale breeding ground—the season is specifically mid-January through early April, with peak viewing in February and early March.
In San Carlos, Mexico, wild bottlenose dolphins are resident to the Sea of Cortez year-round. However, the best overall conditions to spot them are during the warmer months from May through September, or during the winter migration season (January through March) when you can often spot them alongside whales.
Wild Dolphin Cruises: Local charter services offer eco-cruises and sunset tours into areas like Bahia San Francisco, where pods of dolphins are frequently seen feeding along the shore.
Delfinario Sonora: Located just south of town on the bay of Bacochibambo, this state-run facility offers educational presentations, interactive experiences, and viewing windows to see dolphins up close. The aquarium is open to the public on weekends.