Magdalena Bay

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Magdalena Bay

Magdalena Bay is a bay 50 km long in the Comondú Municipality, on the west coast of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur. From the Pacific Ocean, it is protected by the sandy, barrier islands of Isla Magdalena and Isla Santa Margarita. The bay is especially known for the seasonal migration of the California Grey Whales, which come here in winter to calve. It is also popular for commercial and sport fishing. The mangrove swamps nearby provide shelter for seabirds. The small fishing port of San Carlos is located in the bay, as well as Puerto López Mateos, a good place for whale watching. In September each year, the Pacific Grey Whale begins its 6,000-mile journey from the icy waters of the Bearing Sea to one of Baja's several warm Pacific lagoons. They begin arriving in Magdalena Bay towards the end of December to find mates or to give birth and nurse their young before beginning their return journey in February or March the following year. Nursing mothers and their calves are usually the last to leave and stay from late March to early April. The Grey Whale is the only living species in its genus and family. They can grow to nearly 15 meters in length, weigh up to 36 tons and have a lifespan comparable to our own. At birth, Grey Whale calves are about 5 meters long.