Sea of Cortez Kayaking
Sneak away during the winter for a warm week of Baja kayaking on the Sea of Cortez in Mexico.
Sea of Cortez Kayaking
Abundant wildlife, natural wonders, and warm clear waters make the Sea of Cortez one of the best ecotourism destinations. Dubbed “The World’s Aquarium” by Jacques Cousteau, these waters are home to over 900 species of fish and nearly 32 types of marine mammals that gather to mate and feed in the warm waters of this oceanic paradise. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Sea of Cortez is the richest body of water on our entire planet, making it a must-see for anyone who loves the ocean.
Trip Overview
$1,900 - $2,100 per person
Quick Facts
Price: $1,900 – $2,100 per person
Season: March – April & October – November
Min. Age: 12 years
Activity: Sea Kayaking, snorkeling (including friendly sea lions), hiking, fishing, visiting local fishing villages, possible whale watching (spring trips only)
Meeting Place: Loreto, Mexico
Ending Return: La Paz, Mexico
Sea of Cortez Kayaking Details
Day 1: Arrival
Fly into Mexico’s Loreto International Airport (LTO). Transfer to the hotel in Loreto where your reservation is included in the cost of the trip. Meet the rest of your group and guides in an afternoon orientation (time announced in your final letter) and pick up any rental gear. Enjoy an evening on your own exploring this tranquil seaside town and finding a place for dinner (not included in trip cost).
Day 2: Ballenita Cove
After breakfast, the start of provided meals for your trip, a van transports the group 1/2 hour to Puerto Escondido. From there a two hour boat bring you to your first camp at Ballenita Cove. Get settled with your gear. After lunch participate in a kayak orientation and paddle around the bay for an hour or two.
Day 3-7: Exploring the Sea of Cortez
Typically kayak between 8-20 miles per day between boat rides as we move south along the Baja Peninsula Coastline to camp on San Jose and Espiritu Santo Islands (where we snorkel with friendly sea lions) by the end of the week. Camps are on isolated beaches along the way at locations such as Puerto Gato.
Take a break from paddling to hike up canyons, snorkel the fascinating underwater world of the Sea of Cortez or jump in a boat for a morning of fishing depending upon the season. Another popular requires relaxing at camp with a good book.
Breaks at Tembabichi, Los Burros, Punta Alta or El Pardito provide a chance to visit friendly local Mexican families (many are relatives related to the guides and support crew) living on the coast. Hear 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.
Day 8: La Paz
After lunch, the last provided meal, the trip departs Espiritu Santo Island by boat for a 1.5 to 2.5 hour trip to La Paz. After checking into the Posada LunaSol Hotel, enjoy an afternoon shower and walk on the famous Malecon of La Paz. Here you can enjoy a nice meal at one of the many fine restaurants that evening. Dinner not included.
Day 9: Departing
***Although guides do their best to adhere to the above itinerary, it is subject to change in order to provide the best experience possible based upon current conditions including weather.
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Although you may set out with a general itinerary, your group and guides have the freedom to change course. Weather, kayaking and snorkeling conditions, as well as seasons of marine life in the area will shape the days and make each one optimal, showcasing the best of Baja.
On The Move
The Island Sea Kayaking expedition is considered a moderate adventure still accessible to beginners. Approximately 4-6 hours a day are devoted to paddling and you will camp at a new campsite each night.
Packing
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 the re-supply truck can transfer your gear between Loreto and La Paz and have it waiting for you at the hotel post trip.
Luggage
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.
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, pads, pillow, snorkel gear and wet suits (available for rent in Baja) and guide gratuities.
Weather & Water Temperature
Trips run in October, March, and April. October is the end of the summer season with temperatures averaging 88°F and water temperatures around 80°F. March through April bring temperatures in the high 60’s with water temperatures in the same range.
Group Size
Trip sizes are intimate and usually run between 8 and 16 people. There is one guide for every 8 guests.
Camp Life
You will enjoy settling into a variety of different campsites along the coastline, offering a change of scenery and a chance to see something new. Camp conditions are comfortable with with fresh water showers and a soft bed. A clean, private camp toilet is set up first thing upon arrival at camp and it is the last thing to be dismantled the next morning. The crew handles most camp chores and prepares all meals, leaving you free to explore these unique and wondrous islands.
Meals
Meals are prepared daily by the camp chef. A tantalizing mix of local ingredients and Mexican flair combine to make delicious meals such as freshly caught fish prepared Veracruz style, chicken in mole sauce, and traditional Mexican Carne Asada. Plenty of cold refreshment and snacks are offered throughout the day. Our outfitter is able to accommodate most special dietary requirements.
Adventure Specialists
We’ve been connecting our clients to water adventures around the world since 1987. We partner with select outfitters who share our values and are pros at creating exceptional experiences. There is no fee for our service; we earn our commission from the outfitters we represent, and the cost of your expedition is the same as booking direct.
Trip Reviews
Snorkeling with Sea Lions in Baja
We had a fantastic day trip and overall experience on Isla de Espiritu Santo, a National Marine Park and home to Mexico’s third largest sea lion colony. Rivers & Oceans set us up with a local outfitter in the area, and we had a blast snorkeling with the sea lions. Their guides were knowledgeable and fun, and the boat experience felt safe and well organized. After snorkeling with these playful animals at a beautiful protected reef, we went to a secluded beach where they had a delicious, fresh lunch waiting for us under a canopy. We enjoyed cold drinks and authentic food and then cruised back to La Paz as the sun was setting. Overall a great day, and would highly recommend booking through Rivers & Oceans for your adventure travel there in the future. Gracias por todo!
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