The day any Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic ship ventures into Bahia Almejas is always met with great anticipation from staff, crew, and guests alike. There is no place on Earth quite like this bay — wherein hundreds of whales coalesce against a backdrop of metamorphic mountains and majestic seabirds. We spent a total of five glorious hours in the company of the great whales, cruising among the animals at eye level with the pangueros of Puerto Chale. Spyhops, fluke raises, and powerful, audible exhales were among the day’s highlights. We cruise now for El Barril mangroves, shepherded by cow-calf pairs of gray whales moving in the same direction.