Tourist dies after whale crashes into sightseeing boat in Mexico

A grey whale calf emerges from the water

A Canadian tourist has died from injuries she suffered after a grey whale crash-landed on a tour boat in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

The boat was reportedly returning from a short excursion out of the resort city when the incident occurred about a mile from the beach at 11am on Wednesday.

According the Guardian, tour company Cabo Adventures released a statement that read: "The captain had to make a movement to avoid a whale that surfaced just in front of the boat.

"The whale hit one side of the boat, leaving two people injured and another passenger hurt who, unfortunately, later died in hospital."

Reports suggest that the woman, believed to be 45, was thrown into the sea after the whale jumped from the water and landed on the boat carrying 24 people.

According to ABC News, Mexican navy personnel responded to the scene, and moved the woman to shore. She was taken to a hospital where she later died during treatment.

The collision occurred on the Pacific coast side of the Baja California Peninsula.

Two other tourists were also taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

A group of tourists watch as a gray whal

Baja California is known as one of the best places in the world to go whale-watching, with many tourists enjoying incredible close-up encounters with friendly grey whales. There's even the opportunity to spot the large elusive blue whale.

Tourist dies after whale crashes into boat in Mexico

The main season runs from mid-December to the end of April, and this incident occurred just as the National Commission for Natural Protected Areas said its census indicated a 10 per cent increase on last season in the number of grey whales, making it one of the highest migrations registered during the last two decades.