There are few voices in the world of whale watching as passionate, personal, and seasoned as Keith E. Jones. His book, Gray Whales: My Twenty Years of Discovery, is not just a compilation of facts and photographs; it’s a heartfelt tribute to the magnificent gray whales and the decades he’s spent immersed in their world. For anyone seeking a deeper understanding of these gentle giants, or dreaming of a journey down the wild, dusty spine of Baja California Sur to meet them face-to-face, Keith’s story is a must-read.
From Curiosity to Calling
Keith’s adventure into the world of gray whales began in 1994. It started modestly enough: weekend trips from the US down to Baja California to watch whales in their natural habitat. But word quickly spread. Friends told friends. Soon, Keith was leading small groups to the lagoons of Ojo de Liebre and San Ignacio. Whether camping under the stars on the windswept shoreline or staying in Guerrero Negro motels during storms, his expeditions grew organically from a shared love of whales and wild places.
By 1998, what began as informal trips evolved into Baja Jones Adventures, and The Gray Whale Advocate, Keith’s passionate newsletter, was born. The foundation was laid, not just for a business, but for a mission.
A Life Defined by Migration
Over the next two decades, Keith would become more than just a tour guide; he became a scholar, a naturalist, and an ambassador for gray whales. He logged more than 5,000 hours in small pangas, scanning the waters, learning the rhythms and behaviors of these majestic animals. With over 250,000 miles driven along Baja Highway #1 and its dusty side roads, Keith became as familiar with the peninsula as he was with the whales themselves.
At one point, Keith even obtained a rare and specific Mexican Green Card work visa, officially allowing him to work as a whale-watching guide in Mexico. This level of recognition from the Mexican government speaks volumes about his dedication and the respect he earned in the community.
Each year, he’d bid farewell to the world of construction management, asking employers for leave—or sometimes quitting altogether—to follow the whales. To outsiders, it may have seemed reckless. To Keith, it was the only path that mattered. “Those were just jobs,” he writes. “The gray whales are what give meaning to my life.”
Passion That Speaks Through Every Page
Keith’s book is not your typical field guide. It’s part memoir, part natural history, and part travelogue, with vivid descriptions and a uniquely personal voice. It brims with photographs—more than any other book on gray whales—and includes whale-watching maps of all three major Baja nurseries: Ojo de Liebre, San Ignacio Lagoon, and Bahia Magdalena.
In his writing, Keith doesn’t shy away from intimacy. He admits some might find his style too personal, too informal. But that’s exactly what makes his work resonate. When he writes about gray whales, he isn’t just informing—he’s sharing a piece of his soul. Each chapter is a window into a world of awe, wonder, and devotion.
Writing From a Hut in Paradise
Much of the book was written in an unlikely place: a tiny bamboo hut on Malapascua Island in the Philippines. Keith spent 60 intense days drafting the book, beginning each day with the roosters, writing from sunrise until late morning. Then he’d walk to a resort to use WiFi and catch up on emails.
Island life was far from glamorous, but it offered solitude and rhythm—a space for reflection and storytelling. Some chapters were inspired by old newsletters, but most were born from the deeply embedded experiences stored in his “biological hard drive.”
A Community of Whale Lovers
Over the years, Keith’s work attracted a global network of marine biologists, veterinarians, doctors, and boat captains. Each contributed to his understanding of whale biology and behavior. From explaining mammalian physiology to identifying individual whales, these collaborations enriched his knowledge base and helped deepen his insights.
But the heart of Keith’s journey lies in the people and the whales themselves. He calls the boat captains his friends. He trusts them to spot behaviors or look out for particular whales. This sense of community, of mutual respect, runs through everything he writes.
Looking Ahead: Blue Whales and Backpacking
Keith isn’t done yet. His next book, Blue Whales: My Ten Years of Discovery, promises to be another personal, image-rich exploration—this time focusing on the largest animals on Earth. The book will include detailed whale data, compelling stories, and close-up encounters with individually identified blue whales.
Also in progress is Ghosts in the Temple, the story of Keith’s 1500-kilometer walk across Northern Thailand. Part travelogue, part introspection, it promises to be a deeply human narrative about solitude, exploration, and endurance.
Why Gray Whales Matter
Reading Gray Whales: My Twenty Years of Discovery is more than just a literary journey—it’s a call to pay attention. These whales migrate thousands of miles every year, navigating coastal waters, lagoons, and shifting environmental conditions. They are survivors of centuries of hunting and changing oceans.
Keith’s life and work underscore how vital it is to preserve these ecosystems and cherish the animals that inhabit them. In an age of distraction and detachment, his connection to the whales reminds us that wonder still exists, and that it is worth pursuing.
