Island Hopping, La Paz to Loreto (9 days)

Age

Easy – Moderate

Physicality

Activities: Kayaking, snorkeling (including friendly sea lions), hiking, fishing, visiting local fishing villages, whale watching (spring trips only).
Duration: 9 days, 8 nights: 6 nights camping, 2 nights hotel
Begins in La Paz and Ends in Loreto
Number of guides/crew: 4-7
Minimum age: 5 – 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, $200 single hotel and shared tent, $75 single tent and shared hotel
Approximate min/max paddling distances per day: 0-10 miles (this is an approximation and can vary due to local conditions). We start with zero because there are days you can opt out of paddling totally.

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

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

6-16 People

12+

Have you ever dreamed of camping on the desert islands that dot the Sea of Cortez? Exploring their uninhabited shores and wildlife-rich waters? Well this trip can take you there! Travel from island to island via motorized boats then explore each island by kayak, snorkel and on foot.

Expect to see dolphins by the hundreds, sea lions sunning on rocky pinnacles, mantas leaping from the water’s surface, a possible encounter with a pod of pilot whales and on spring trips very possibly blue, humpback, Brydes or fin whales as we cruise from island to island. Upon arrival at each island camp, we’ll launch our kayaks, don our masks and snorkels or hike to a pinnacle for a look at each extraordinary new view. Isla Espiritu Santo, Los Islotes, Isla San Francisquito, El Pardito, Isla San Jose, Puerto Gato, Isla Monserrat, Isla Carmen and Isla Danzante are all potential destinations depending on the weather, wildlife encounters and season.

Possible activities include exploring the fossilized shell beach of Monserrat, snorkeling with the playful sea lions of Los Islotes, kayaking through arches and into the hidden coves of Isla San Jose and through the turquoise waters of Espiritu Santo and San Francisco Islands. Visit the tranquil fishing villages of El Pardito and Tembabichi or try your hand at fishing before breakfast each morning.

On this trip you’ll see the best of the Sea of Cortez. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to explore the magic of the remote islands in the Sea of Cortez with your local Baja experts of Mar Y Aventuras.

Day 1

Arrive La Paz, B.C.S., Mexico. Transfer to our hotel, Posada LunaSol where you will receive a welcome letter with information about renting equipment and the procedure for the following morning. Evening on your own to explore La Paz. Consult our in-room notebook for restaurant ideas.

Day 2

Group breakfast and orientation at the Posada LunaSol cafe with your guides. After fitting PFD’s we transfer to Espiritu Santo Island via motorized boats (1.5 to 2.5 hours). Lunch upon arrival at camp. Afternoon camp and kayak orientation followed by a short paddle, snorkel or swim. B/L/D

3-7

Days 3-7

We motor from island to island in boats especially designed for travel on the Sea of Cortez. These boats, called pangas in Baja, are equipped with 4-stroke outboard motors and kayak roof racks. Each transfer from camp to camp takes approximately 1 to 3 hours depending on the winds and possible wildlife encounters. Once at each new camp activities include kayaking, snorkeling, hiking and/or fishing. We use from 4 to 5 camps allowing for a layover day or two. No two trips are ever the same as we often vary the itinerary and camps we use. This variation can be due to weather, a possible encounter with wildlife that causes a delay in getting to a certain place, avoidance of certain beaches following the rainy season in the fall due to an abundance of bugs or other unpredictable circumstances.

Our first camp is on the beautiful island of Espiritu Santo with its white sand beaches and turquoise bays. From here we travel north visiting the sea lion rookery of Los Islotes to snorkel with these friendly, playful creatures and then onto San Francisquito or San Jose Island. As we continue north we visit and camp at some of the following places depending on local conditions, San Francisquito Island, the fishing village of El Pardito, Isla San Jose, the red sandstone beach of Puerto Gato on the Baja coast, the small ranching and fishing village of Tembabichi. Continuing on we hope to visit Santa Catalina and/or Monserrate Islands (weather permitting) before arriving at our last nights camp on Danzante or Carmen Island in the National Marine Park of Loreto. B/L/D

Day 8

Morning option of paddling or snorkeling from our last camp. After lunch, transfer to Puerto Escondido via boat (30 min) and take a van (45 min.) to Loreto. Check into the hotel then explore the tranquil town and cobble stone streets of Loreto. This evening you can enjoy a fine meal at one of Loreto’s many excellent restaurants of your choice. B/L

Day 9

Morning on your own, transfer from hotel to airport for flights or stay on in Loreto.

B/L/D indicates meals included with trip cost.
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.

Tour Calendar for Island Hopping, La Paz to Loreto (9 days)

Tour Dates	Description	Rate
Mar 8 - Mar 16, 2025	8 nights THIS TOUR IS FULL.	FULL
Mar 15 - Mar 23, 2025	8 nights REVERSE ITINERARY - start in Loreto, end in La Paz THIS TOUR IS FULL.	FULL
Mar 29 - Apr 6, 2025	8 nights THIS TOUR IS FULL.	FULL
Apr 19 - Apr 27, 2025	8 nights THIS TOUR IS FULL.	FULL
May 10 - May 18, 2025	8 nights	$1950
Oct 11 - Oct 19, 2025	8 nights THIS TOUR IS FULL.	FULL
Oct 25 - Nov 2, 2025	8 nights	$2100
Nov 8 - Nov 16, 2025	8 nights THIS TOUR IS FULL.	FULL

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.

Virtual Tour Video: