Bahía Málaga, Juanchaco and Ladrilleros: humpback whales

Every year, between July and mid-October, humpback whales swim up from the cold southern waters to give birth and raise their calves in the Colombian Pacific. Bahía Málaga is one of the places where they come closest, and much of it is protected by the Parque Nacional Natural Uramba Bahía Málaga. In 2026 the official season ran from July 15 to October 15, peaking in August and September.

Your base is Juanchaco and Ladrilleros, two beach villages with no road access. Ladrilleros has long beaches and cliffs; Juanchaco is the pier where the boats dock. Whale-watching tours leave every day between 10:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., last about an hour and go with local guides. Only boat operators authorized by the park, who fly a small flag, can enter the protected area.

From Cali you drive to Buenaventura, about 2.5 hours, and then take a boat to Juanchaco. After the August 10, 2026 earthquake, Buenaventura declared a public emergency and the Buga-Buenaventura road was left with controlled, one-lane stop-and-go traffic, which makes the trip longer. Before you go, check the road conditions and whether boats are running from the pier.

What to see

• Humpback whales and their calves breaching and blowing in the bay.
• The beaches and cliffs of Ladrilleros.
• The Juanchaco pier and its boats.
• The mangroves of Parque Uramba Bahía Málaga.

Getting there

• By road from Cali to Buenaventura (about 2.5 hours, not counting delays from earthquake repairs).
• Speedboat from Buenaventura's tourist pier to Juanchaco, 45 minutes to an hour and a half depending on the sea.
• From Juanchaco to Ladrilleros you walk or take a moto-taxi.

Tips

• Go in August or September, when there are more whales; by mid-October the season is over.
• Only hire boats flying the park's flag: they're the authorized ones and keep the 200-meter distance.
• Spend at least one night in Juanchaco or Ladrilleros: a day trip from Cali is exhausting.
• Confirm the boat departure time in Buenaventura the day before, since it changes with the weather, and set aside cash for the pier tax.