Laguna Ojo de Liebre

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Laguna Ojo de Liebre

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Laguna Ojo de Liebre is a shallow coastal lagoon near the town of Guerrero Negro in Baja California Sur, Mexico, famous for its breeding and wintering gray whales and other marine life. Travelers come for wildlife viewing, stark saltworks scenery and to experience part of the Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve.

Laguna Ojo de Liebre La Paz, Baja California SurCabo San LucasSan José del CaboLoreto, Baja California SurSanta Rosalía, Baja California SurCiudad ConstituciónTodos Santos, Baja California SurGuerrero NegroLaguna Ojo de Liebre

Laguna Ojo de Liebre essentials

Address: Laguna Ojo de Liebre, Mulegé Municipality, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Laguna Ojo de Liebre sits on the Pacific coast of the northern Baja California Sur peninsula beside the town of Guerrero Negro and opens to the Pacific Ocean; it is included in the Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino UNESCO biosphere reserve and is a designated Ramsar wetland.

The lagoon is large, shallow and salty with broad intertidal flats and channels and is fringed by coastal dunes and sandy beaches; it also hosts the world’s largest commercial saltworks, with extensive evaporation ponds on its eastern side.

Historically the lagoon was the site of 19th-century commercial whaling, and today it remains globally important as a breeding and wintering ground for gray whales and a refuge for seals, sea lions and several endangered sea turtle species.

Visiting feels remote and marine-focused: wildlife-viewing is the draw, tourism is regulated, and the landscape mixes wildlife-rich waters, pale dunes and the bright pans of industrial saltworks.

  • Gray whales and calves: The lagoon is a prime site to observe gray whales during their breeding and wintering season, often from small boats or guided wildlife tours operating from the nearby town.
  • Seal and sea lion haul-outs: Harbor seals, northern elephant seals and California sea lions use the lagoon and nearby shores as resting and breeding sites visible from boats or the shore.
  • Saltworks and evaporation ponds: The enormous Exportadora de Sal saltworks produce a surreal, geometric landscape of concentration ponds and can be viewed from designated vantage points.
  • Coastal dunes and beaches: Wide sandy beaches and 12-15 meter coastal dunes frame the lagoon and are home to fragile dune vegetation and shorebird habitat.
  • Birdlife and wintering waterfowl: The lagoon and its flats attract a variety of shorebirds and waterfowl, especially in the cooler months when migrants and wintering species concentrate here.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Laguna Ojo de Liebre#

Best time depends on what you want to see: winter months concentrate breeding gray whales and many migrants, while spring and early summer are drier and quieter for general visits.

Winter (best)
November - February · 9°C - 22°C (48°F - 72°F)
This is the prime period for seeing breeding and nursing gray whales in the lagoon and for large concentrations of wintering marine mammals and waterfowl; weather is generally mild and suitable for boat-based wildlife tours.
Spring
March - May · 11°C - 22°C (52°F - 72°F)
Days are warmer and still mostly dry, with fewer tourists than winter; good for seal and bird viewing and for quieter coastal walks.
Summer and early autumn
June - October · 15°C - 28°C (59°F - 82°F)
The lagoon is hotter and drier with lower wildlife concentrations of migratory whales; this period can be quieter for visitors but expect stronger sun and occasional localized rains.

Weather & Climate near Laguna Ojo de Liebre#

Climate

Laguna Ojo de Liebre's climate is classified as Hot Desert - Hot Desert climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 9°C to 28°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 42 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustSeptember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
39°
Warmest Month
5°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Excellent 9° - 21° 15° 9 mm mostly sunny 69% 3.0 m/s 0.9 moderate 10.5h
February Excellent 10° - 21° 16° 11 mm some cloud 68% 3.1 m/s 1.3 high 11.1h
March Excellent 11° - 22° 16° 6 mm some cloud 69% 3.5 m/s 1.8 very high 11.9h
April Excellent 13° - 22° 17° 1 mm some cloud 68% 3.6 m/s 2.2 extreme 12.7h
May Ideal 14° - 22° 18° 0 mm mostly sunny 69% 3.6 m/s 2.5 extreme 13.4h
June Ideal 15° - 24° 19° 0 mm mostly sunny 70% 3.5 m/s 2.6 extreme 13.7h
July Ideal 17° - 27° 22° 1 mm mostly sunny 65% 3.4 m/s 2.6 extreme 13.6h
August Ideal 18° - 28° 23° 4 mm mostly sunny 65% 3.3 m/s 2.5 extreme 13.0h
September Ideal 19° - 28° 23° 6 mm mostly sunny 67% 3.2 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.2h
October Ideal 16° - 25° 21° 5 mm mostly sunny 69% 3.3 m/s 1.6 very high 11.4h
November Ideal 13° - 22° 17° 7 mm mostly sunny 69% 3.4 m/s 1.0 high 10.7h
December Excellent 10° - 21° 15° 16 mm some cloud 70% 3.3 m/s 0.8 moderate 10.3h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Laguna Ojo de Liebre#

The nearest town is Guerrero Negro, which is the usual base for visits to Laguna Ojo de Liebre; local tour operators and transport services operate from the town to the lagoon’s access points.

There is no passenger rail service in Baja California Sur; air access for the region is via regional airports serving the state (travelers often transfer by road from larger airports in Baja California Sur), and the last stretch to the lagoon is by paved or unpaved road and short boat trips where tours operate - check current road and tour arrangements in Guerrero Negro.

Tips for Visiting Laguna Ojo de Liebre#

  • Plan wildlife outings with licensed local guides or operators in Guerrero Negro, as whale-viewing and access are regulated.
  • Bring sun protection and water: the coastal desert climate is dry with strong sun and exposed shoreline.
  • Respect wildlife guidelines on boat and shore approaches - keep distance from mothers and calves and avoid disturbing haul-outs.
  • Allow extra travel time on the final roads to the lagoon; conditions can be remote and services limited.
  • Check local advice about access around the saltworks and any protected-area rules before visiting.