HOW TO GET THERE
Laguna Ojo de Liebre is located in the surroundings of Guerrero Negro. To get there
from town take the Transpeninsular Highway South up to Km 208 then take the access road of
approximately 25 km. By plane, Guerrero Negro has a National Airport 2 km north of the 28th
Parallel.
ORIGIN
Laguna Ojo de Liebre was already known by the primitive settlers of the peninsula who
left as a testimony cave paintings and petroglyphs in the area. This site, which was
chosen by the gray whale to mate and to give birth to their calves was severely exploited
during the 19th century by the whale hunters who were mainly North Americans. It was
precisely Charles Melville Scammon, who from 1856 up to 1869, carried out a reckless hunt
from Bahía de Magdalena up to Laguna Ojo de Liebre. By then the whale population was
estimated around 20 to 30 thousand and they were reduced to near extinction to around 4
thousand. Today, thanks to the protection policies of the Mexican Government the resource
has been restored. Mexico is an outstanding country at international level for its
protective mission. It was the first nation in the world who created in 1972 the gray
whale sanctuary in Laguna Ojo de Liebre, and later on in 1979 in Laguna de San Ignacio.
DESCRIPTION
Laguna Ojo de Liebre forms part of the lagoon complex which is located in the Vizcaino
zone, the biggest Biosphere Reserve of Latin America due to the gray whale population that
migrate yearly to this region to fulfill their biological cycle. The gray whales come from
the Artic to engage in one the most extraordinary migrations in the planet to reach the
Baja Californian lagoons. Laguna Ojo de Liebre is also the sanctuary of sea birds like the
"Branta Negra" (Canadian geese), fishing eagle, cormorants, "monjitas"
and the white pelican, also called "pelicano borrego cimarron" . Ten gigantic
pumps conduct the salted waters of the lagoon to feed the 20 thousand hectares of the
largest salt works in the world.
ACTIVITIES
Boat tours in Laguna Ojo de Liebre for gray whale watching from January to March.
Ecological tours available in Guerrero Negro with specialized tour guides. A visit to one
of the biggest salt works in the world with a previous permit from Exportadora de Sal, S.A.
de C.V.
Whales and Marine Animals of Baja
California,
Books & Guides
RECOMMENDATIONS
Due to the characteristics of the area and to the restrictions to protect the
Biosphere Reserve, it is essential to hire the services of an expert guide for any kind of
tour. Necessary arrangements can be made through travel agencies in Guerrero Negro. **
