SHARI BONDY…founder of Whale Magic Tours

I began observing whales in 1980 on Vancouver Island where there are gray whale feeding grounds. After having my life saved by two fin whales in Mexico(another story!) I realized there was much more to these gentle giants than meets the eye so I dedicated my life to finding out why whales do what they do.

I began my research by reading everything I could find on whales and hanging around marine biologists and pummeling them with questions. I learned there was alot of biological information but very little known about their common behavior. I realized I just had to get out there and observe them for myself.
Luckily there were several gray whale feeding grounds where I lived in Tofino B.C., Canada where I could observe the whales going about their daily routines of feeding, napping and playing.  I set out on my tiny inflatable raft to get to know the whales in my neighbourhood . I spent countless hours on the water among the whales to learn first hand about their social activities and behaviors.

Soon, word got out about my whale sojourns and people started to come down to the dock and ask me if they could tag along. Some offered to pay the gas and bring lunch so I thought, hey why not, it was nice to have some company out there and share my discoveries with my passengers.

As more folks showed up who wanted to see whales, I got the idea that I could fund my research by taking people out with me. I began the first zodiac whale observation tours on the west coast of Canada. I am proud to have pioneered the concept of providing informative narratives to teach people how to appreciate whales in a new light.

Missing my whale friends in the winters, I decided to migrate with them down to Baja Mexico. I set up camp in the calving lagoon Ojo de Liebre (Scammons Lagoon) to observe & record calf development from the day they are born until they leave on their grueling northern migration.

I was proud to participate in developing the regulations to protect the whales in the lagoons,the census taking, photo identification and training the guides so that they would  approach whales respectfully. I have watched whale watching grow and continue to guide tours the lagoon sharing my knowledge and expertise with my guests.
It is with great pride & joy I can share a little whale magic with YOU!

SIRENA BONDY

Ojo de Liebre has always been a magical place for us as that is where my daughter Sirena was conceived and raised on the shores of the lovely lagoon with the sound of thousands of breathing whales in the background.

We were fortunate to spend many years there sharing our knowledge and stories with other whale enthusiasts. Sirena is now a mother of two boys & is our Whale Camp naturalist.

Meet some of our tribe members….Charly Martinez(left) is our #1 lanchero and head of the fishing cooperative we partner with. Aldo “Santoro” Romero Arce on the right is our photographer, camp maintenance and boat guy.

Marianna Hammann guides our whale tours and assists with logistics, reservations and attending to our guests. She has worked in the tourism industry since 2004 in Ensenada and has been a certified professional guide for over 20 years. She was raised by biologists parents who gave her a deep love for the sea and marine life.