
Baja
Whale Ecology
HIGHLIGHTS
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Snorkel in the Bay of La Paz
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Study grey whales on the Pacific Coast of the southern Baja Peninsula
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Camp on a pristine beach under the stars
ITINERARY
The aquamarine waters of Baja, Mexico are home to more than a third of the world's marine mammals. Travel to the Gulf of California to study one of the most charismatic—the grey whale. Work with researchers to gather important baseline data about the whales in the area and help establish a photo-ID database. Spend your days and nights camping in the fishing community of Puerto Chale, and learn from local eco club members about sustainable living and community education efforts in a place balanced between the desert and the sea.
EPI’s Individual Student Travel Programs are designed for middle school, high school, and college students. You’ll join a group of other passionate students from all over the country, assist with real wildlife conservation projects, and propel your career path forward with confidence and a new sense of independence.
TUITION
Your Fieldwork
Snorkel for predatory starfish
The Gulf of California has seen an increase in the crown of thorns starfish, which feeds on coral reefs. Conduct snorkel transects to assess the presence and abundance of this species and help researchers understand the threat to the greater marine ecosystem.


Partner Profile
Jenny Carolina Rodriguez Villalobos, Ph.D. Marine Ecology, is the research director of Ecosistemas y Conservacion (ECO). Through her research, Rodriguez Villalobos examines diseases and other threats to coral reef systems, but like many scientists, she sees a need for collaboration to address these environmental crises. With her emphasis on citizen and community cooperation, and through partnerships with organizations like EPI, she's endeavoring to build capacity for coral reef monitoring and conservation.