Sea of Cortez & Whales

Introduction
Baja Mexico

Imagine sea kayaking in Loreto Bay National Marine Park in the Sea of Cortez, paddling along a spectacular section of coastline and exploring desert islands which pierce the tranquil waters. The towering volcanic escarpments of the Sierra Giganta Mountains rising out of the sea create your backdrop. On a Baja kayak tour in the new Bahia de Loreto National Marine Park in Loreto Bay, you'll experience red-hued desert colors set against azure blue water. Magical land formations give this area great aesthetic and photographic appeal, from Loreto and the islands of Danzante and Carmen, to our expeditions from Loreto to La Paz. These waters offer exceptional opportunities for viewing dolphins, sea lions and blue and fin whales in the wild. High-flying frigate birds, blue-footed boobies and squadrons of pelicans are your companions as you kayak past manta rays and brightly colored fish on any of our Sea of Cortez sea kayaking expeditions.
Huge cacti thrive in this captivating landscape of white sand beaches, dramatic cliffs and hidden coves. Nature hikes take us up scenic canyons and headlands offering unforgettable panoramas of wild coastline and scattered islands. Kayaks are the best way to explore the volcanic shoreline, its sea caves and reefs. The warm, crystalline waters of the Sea of Cortez host a breathtaking array of tropical fish - perfect for snorkeling.
Each winter endangered blue whales more than five times as long as your kayak migrate to these waters looking for tasty crustaceans. Encountering the largest animal on earth is a thrilling experience.
Our Sea of Cortez Islands Expeditions begin just south of Loreto and explore the beautiful Islas Danzante and Carmen, located in a national marine park. For the more adventurous, join our twelve-day Isla Carmen Circumnavigation or Loreto to La Paz Expedition and experience a remote area few people see. All itineraries offer excellent kayaking, snorkeling, hiking and whale watching.
At the end of this magnificatn trip we add a three-day Magdalena Bay Whale Watching Excursion. These tours are the ultimate in-depth experience of both Magdalena Bay gray whale nursery and sunny Sea of Cortez.

Accomodation
Three nights at local hotel in Loreto, 4 nights camping and 2 nights at the Whale Watching base camp.

Riding

Itinerary

10-day option

Day 1: Arrival in Loreto by air. At the Loreto airport, you'll be greeted by our ground service and transported to our hotel in Loreto. Check into pre-assigned rooms (included in trip cost). You're on your own for sightseeing or shopping until eve pre-trip meeting (6 or 8 pm) in the hotel lobby, where we'll answer questions and let you know the meeting time for the next day. Dinner is on your own.
Day 2: Please eat breakfast and be packed by the meeting time. We'll board a van and drive to the put-in site. After loading the boats, we'll teach you the basics of paddling and thoroughly review safety procedures. We won't leave shore until all participants feel comfortable in the boats. Kayak to our first night's campsite. We’ll be making 50-minute, 2 to 3-mile crossings to the off-shore islands of Carmen and Danzante in Loreto Bay National Marine Park.
Day 3-5: Our days begin with spectacular sunrises and end with delightfully cool evenings enjoying sunsets, stars, moonrise, and even bioluminescence. We'll spend our time paddling and exploring the scenic cliffs and coves of Danzante and Carmen. We'll be camping on sandy beaches allowing for superb snorkeling, swimming, tide pooling, and strolling. During the trip there will be three or four different camps on the islands with one or two layover days (ie we paddle out and back from the same camp). We’ll generally paddle 4 hours per day (with breaks). We'll sleep in comfortable and roomy dome tents, although with Baja's lack of insects you may be tempted to sleep out under the stars. Several campsites have a desert arroyo hike which will give us spectacular views as well as a great opportunity to explore some of the desert flora unique to Baja.
Day 6: After a final breakfast, we break camp and paddle to our take-out site around 2 PM. At the take-out, we unpack and proceed to our hotel in Loreto to (ah showers!) clean up. In the evening we go to a favorite local restaurant for a fun dinner (no-host; ie not included in trip price). Here we toast our new found kayaking skills and friends. Hotel included.
Day 7-9: We head to Magdalena Bay on the Baja California peninsula's west coast - wintering grounds of the California gray whale for two nights camping and three days of whale watching. Meals, camping gear and daily skiff whale watching sessions, marine biologist guides included. Day 9 hotel included; dinner is on your own.
PLEASE NOTE that sometimes, the gray whale tour may preceed the Sea of Cortez portion.
Day 10: You are on your own for transportation to the airport for your flight homeward. You can use C&C English-speaking, air conditioned van transport for $8 each, or taxis (Spanish-speaking) are easily found, approximately $5-6/person; BUT depart for the airport no later than 2 hours before flight.

8-Day option

Day 1: Arrival in Loreto by air. At the Loreto airport, you'll be greeted by our ground service and transported to our hotel in Loreto. Check into pre-assigned rooms (included in trip cost). You're on your own for sightseeing or shopping until eve pre-trip meeting (6 or 8 pm) in the hotel lobby, where we'll answer questions and let you know the meeting time for the next day. Dinner is on your own.
Day 2: Please eat breakfast and be packed by the meeting time. We'll board a van and drive to the put-in site. After loading the boats, we'll teach you the basics of paddling and thoroughly review safety procedures. We won't leave shore until all participants feel comfortable in the boats. Kayak to our first night's campsite. We’ll be making 50-minute, 2 to 3-mile crossings to the off-shore islands of Carmen and Danzante in Loreto Bay National Marine Park.
Day 3-5: Our days begin with spectacular sunrises and end with delightfully cool evenings enjoying sunsets, stars, moonrise, and even bioluminescence. We'll spend our time paddling and exploring the scenic cliffs and coves of Danzante and Carmen. We'll be camping on sandy beaches allowing for superb snorkeling, swimming, tide pooling, and strolling. During the trip there will be three or four different camps on the islands with one or two layover days (ie we paddle out and back from the same camp). We’ll generally paddle 4 hours per day (with breaks). We'll sleep in comfortable and roomy dome tents, although with Baja's lack of insects you may be tempted to sleep out under the stars. Several campsites have a desert arroyo hike which will give us spectacular views as well as a great opportunity to explore some of the desert flora unique to Baja.
Day 6: After a final breakfast, we break camp and paddle to our take-out site around 2 PM. At the take-out, we unpack and proceed to our hotel in Loreto to (ah showers!) clean up. In the evening we go to a favorite local restaurant for a fun dinner (no-host; ie not included in trip price). Here we toast our new found kayaking skills and friends.
Day 7: Whale-watching day excursion to Magdalena Bay on the Baja California peninsula's west coast - wintering grounds of the California gray whale. Seafood lunch is included. Dinner is on your own. PLEASE NOTE that sometimes, this day tour may be switched to Day 2 of the combo trip.
Day 8: You are on your own for transportation to the airport for your flight homeward. You can use C&C English-speaking, air conditioned van transport for $8 each, or taxis (Spanish-speaking) are easily found, approximately $5-6/person; BUT depart for the airport no later than 2 hours before flight.

* Note on Itinerary: We will do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above. However, the itinerary may change due to reasons beyond our control such as wind, waves or inclement weather.

Rates and Dates for Sea of Cortez & Whales

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Loreto, Mexico
Airport: Loreto
Transfer: Loreto, Mexico

Climate: