It all started with Pachico and the whale.
PACHICO MAYORAL
EL ABUELO DE LAS BALLENAS
Pachico Mayoral, a local fisherman, lived in San Ignacio Lagoon from 1962-2013. Pachico was the first person to have a friendly encounter with a Pacific Gray Whale here. A legend in the whale watching industry, Pachico started running whale trips after his first friendly encounter in 1972. After Pachico’s passing in 2013, the family took some adjusting and in 2018 the entire family got involved and now all direct descendants are involved in the operations of Pachico’s Ecotours.
The Mayoral Familia
From top to left: Pancho, Jesus, Ranulfo, Angel. Bottom to left: Moni (and her daughter Irma), Carmen the matriarch, and Anselma.
All were born and/or raised in the Lagoon and essentially grew up with the whale watching industry. All of men got the whale watching training as boat drivers from the “Master”and Pancho, Jesus and Ranulfo also participated in a Guide Training Course where they learned English and guiding skills. They all naturally developed a respect and understanding of the Pacific Gray Whales’ behavior and natural history that can only be gained growing up alongside theses gentle giants of the sea.
Loved by Many
I have been many times to San Ignacio Lagoon to see the whales and it’s always fun, but my recent trip with Pachico’s Ecotours was incredible! The food and the lodging were wonderful, the guides and panga captains were informative and personable, and the overall experience made it the best trip to San Ignacio Lagoon ever. I will most definitely be back!
Michael Bauer
Life’s too short. This is an amazing place in so many ways. And so don’t waste time. Come, come now. I think it’s a really good example of how the harm that’s been done to the ecology is being rectified. Today, I went out to see the whales. It was fantastic. We had so many whales around us.The baby with the mother, they were obviously coming to us. Hearing about it and then in the doing, the sense of connecting with the natural world and looking into the eyes of a whale is like another world and yet at the same time, the same world. That’s the amazing thing.
Rev. Liên Shutt
Visiting San Ignacio Lagoon was a bucket list item for me for many years. As a volunteer for Oregon Parks & Recreation’s Whale Watching Spoken Here program, I can honestly say this experience with Pachico’s Ecotours has enriched my soul and advanced my knowledge and surpassed my wildest dreams. Thank you all so very much.
Melissa Kenney