Baja Coast & Islands, Loreto to La Paz (9 days)

6-16 People

Group Size

12+

Age

Moderately Strenuous

Physicality

Activities: Kayaking, snorkeling (including friendly sea lions), hiking, fishing, visiting local fishing villages, possible whale sightings on spring trips.
Duration: 9 days, 8 nights: 6 nights camping, 2 nights hotel
Begins in Loreto and Ends in La Paz
Number of guides/crew: 4-7
Minimum age: 12 – This is a generalization of age appropriateness for this trip, but please note we make exceptions depending upon your child’s personal experience.
Single accommodation fee: Fall 2024: $195 hotel and tent /$175 single hotel and shared tent /$75 single tent and shared hotel. Spring 2025: $250 hotel and tent, $190 single hotel and shared tent, $75 single tent and shared hotel.
Approximate min/max distances per day: 8-20 miles. This is an approximation and can vary due to local conditions. Keep in mind we have a support boat so opting out of paddling at anytime is possible.

Island Hopping, La Paz to Loreto (9 days)

Activities: Kayaking, snorkeling (including friendly sea lions), hiking, fishing, visiting local fishing villages, whale watching (spring trips only). Duration: 9

Easy – Moderate

This is the perfect escape for the enthusiastic paddler seeking the pace and feel of an active vacation. We are the only outfitter in Baja to combine paddling parts of this beautiful, remote section of the Baja Coastline with the stunning islands of San Jose and Espiritu Santo. We created this itinerary by popular demand from our client’s suggestions. They wanted to paddle this famous coastline between Loreto and La Paz but also explore San Jose Island and snorkel with the sea lions on Espiritu Santo Island!

This combination makes this trip a snorkeler and paddler’s dream, offering unique scenic beauty combined with abundant wildlife viewed from above and below the water’s surface. The Sea of Cortez presents optimal paddling conditions in the spring and fall. Enjoy the warm (80 degrees F) waters in fall for snorkeling to your heart’s content. Spring trips are characterized by warm, calm days and possible encounters with migrating blue, humpback and fin whales.

Kayaking along this coastline allows us the opportunity to explore a region accessible only by water for the most part. These remote areas present isolated beaches and arroyos filled with palm trees occasionally dotted with small fishing villages and ranches. Most of our crew grew up in this area which adds a unique insight into the local culture as we visit their relatives and learn about the regional history while exploring coastal ranching and fishing villages.

Our flexible itinerary and motorized boat support facilitate a variety of activities and paddling abilities including side trips for fishing, snorkeling, hiking and possible whale watching when a spout is spotted in the distance. Our boats, called pangas in Baja, are especially designed for travel on the Sea of Cortez. They are equipped with 4-stroke motors and kayak roof racks which makes for a safe and luxurious sea kayaking excursion. The boats are available for transporting folks to the next camp when winds prevent paddling long distances or for emergencies evacuations. As well they carry heavy loads from camp to camp so your kayaks are light and easy to paddle. If you get tired no problem, we’ll load your kayak onto our paddlers support skiff and you can enjoy riding in the skiff and possibly do some trolling!

This is truly a unique excursion for anyone who enjoys some paddling, snorkeling, hiking and/or fishing while enjoying the beautiful and wildlife rich Sea of Cortez waters, coastlines and islands.

Day 1

Leave the U.S.A. and fly to Loreto, B.C.S., Mexico. Transfer to the hotel in Loreto, afternoon orientation with your guide (time to be announced in your final letter) and distribution of rental gear, evening on your own to explore this tranquil seaside town, overnight hotel.

Day 2

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer by van to Puerto Escondido (1/2 hour), then take an approximate two hour boat ride to our first camp at Ballenita Cove. Get settled with your gear, lunch and afternoon kayak orientation and paddle around the bay for an hour or two. B/L/D

3-7

Day 3-7

Kayaking excursions from approximately 8-20 miles per day are combined with boat rides as we move south along the Baja Peninsula Coastline to camp on San Jose and Espiritu Santo Islands by the end of the week. Camps are on isolated beaches along the way at locations such as Ballenita Cove, Puerto Gato, Islas San Jose and Espiritu Santo (where we snorkel with friendly sea lions). Taking a break from paddling and depending on the season we’ll hike up canyons, go snorkeling to explore the fascinating underwater world of the Sea of Cortez or jump in a boat for an occasional morning of fishing. Of course, there’s always the option of relaxing at camp with a good book. Breaks at Tembabichi, Los Burros, Punta Alta or El Pardito give us a chance to visit the friendly Mexican families (most of whom are related to our crew) living on the coast and interpret the rich history of the area from stories passed on from their ancestors who have pearled, farmed, ranched and fished this coast since the 1800s. B/L/D

Day 8

Depart our last camp on Espiritu Santo Island and transfer by boat to La Paz (approximately 1.5 to 2.5 hours) after lunch. Check into our hotel, the Posada LunaSol, with the afternoon free to shower and enjoy a walk on the famous Malecon of La Paz. Here you can enjoy a nice meal at one of the many fine restaurants that evening. B/L

Day 9

Depart La Paz. B if departing after 7:30am

B/L/D indicates meals included with trip cost.
Although we do our best to adhere to the above itinerary, it is subject to change for reasons beyond our control including weather.

It is of utmost importance you pack light for this trip in particular! We prefer NOT to overload our boats with lots of excess baggage. Bring only what you will use. If you have extra gear you will not need on the trip our re-supply truck can transfer your gear between Loreto and La Paz and have it waiting for you at the hotel in either place. Bring a small to mid-sized duffle (approximately 14x14x24inches or 35x35x60cm) for clothing and personal items. If bringing your own sleeping gear bring another duffle of similar size for your sleeping bag, pad and pillow OR you can combine them into one larger duffle approximately 18x18x35inches or 45x45x90cm. Plus you will want to bring a day-pack for extra clothing, water bottle, sunscreen and camera to have with you daily. Snorkel gear and a wetsuit is yet another bag you may have while on the trip.
PLEASE NOTE THAT FOR THIS TRIP IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO GIVE US YOUR SIZE ON YOUR TRIP APPLICATION FORM. LIFE JACKETS AND ANY OTHER RENTAL EQUIPMENT SUCH AS WET SUITS AND SNORKEL GEAR WILL BE BROUGHT UP TO LORETO FROM LA PAZ SPECIFICALLY FOR YOU IN THE SIZES YOU REQUEST.

Tour Calendar for Baja Coast & Islands, Loreto to La Paz (9 days)

Tour Dates	Description	Rate
Apr 5 - Apr 13, 2025	8 nights	$1950
Apr 26 - May 4, 2025	8 nights THIS TOUR IS FULL.	FULL
May 17 - May 25, 2025	8 nights THIS TOUR IS FULL.	FULL
Oct 18 - Oct 26, 2025	8 nights (Private Charter pending) THIS TOUR IS FULL.	FULL
Nov 1 - Nov 9, 2025	8 nights (Private Charter pending) THIS TOUR IS FULL.	FULL
Nov 15 - Nov 23, 2025	8 nights	$2100

What's Included

Two nights hotel accommodation based on double occupancy, all meals from breakfast day 2 through lunch on day 8, purified drinking water with powder drink mixes and an evening cocktail. Transportation to all camps, national park fees, community camp equipment including kayaks and associated equipment, tents, motorized skiffs, captains, guides and crew/cooks.

What's Not Included

Airfare, airport / hotel transfers, meals on travel days to and from Baja, beer or soft drinks (there will be an option to purchase these and we will provide coolers with ice for storing them at camp), personal gear such as sleeping bags, snorkel gear and wet suits (available for rent in Baja) and guide gratuities.

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