New in 2024! Baja's Marine Wildlife Safari!
For the wildlife enthusiast, this trip packs it in! We swim with whale sharks, go whale watching to see Pacific Coast gray whales at our own exclusive whale camp, snorkel with sea lions and kayak along the coast of legendary Isla Espiritu Santo. We invite you to come sea kayak Baja Mexico!
This wildlife-focused tour of Baja starts in Loreto and ends in La Paz. Direct air service into Loreto makes for easy logistics. You can fly home from either La Paz or Cabo San Jose, thus eliminating hours on the road. This Baja wildlife and kayak adventure includes three days at our idyllic gray whale watching camp in Magdalena Bay. Seeing these whales up close is one of the wildlife watching highlights available in the world today. After three marvelous days at our whale camp we travel south to La Paz. The next day we swim with magnificent whale sharks. Then we begin a 5-day kayaking tour along the coast of Isla Espiritu Santo, including a magical swim with young sea lions. For nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, this Baja wildlife safari can’t be beat!
Whales are the stars of the show during the first days of your Baja wildlife safari. From late December through April, several hundred gray whales spend their winter in Baja. They come to one of three different bays or lagoons to mate and bear their young. Our camp is located in the most southern of these, which is Magdalena Bay. The whales find sheltered, shallow waters after completing the longest marine mammal migration in the world, traveling over 5000 miles from the Bering Strait.
During each of our whale watching sessions, a 20’ motorboat navigates the narrow bay, watching for whales. Sometimes we go to the mouth of the bay where passage to the open Pacific is, as whales are often swimming in or out of the lagoon. Other times will find us in various parts of Magdalena bay where we spot mothers and calves. Once we get within the regulated distance from the whales, the captain of the panga (motorboat) puts the engine in idle and we wait. No one knows why, but a certain percentage of the gray whales are known as “friendlies” because they seek out human interaction. Mothers will actually push their calves towards the boats, often within hands reach. The whales seem to enjoy this contact because if people don’t interact with them, they swim off to find another boat. They have the entire ocean at their disposal, yet they choose to come adjacent to the small boats. It is truly breathtaking.
In addition to whales, we often also see dolphins and a wide variety of birds including pelicans, frigate birds and countless species of shorebirds. Often on one of our whale watching sessions we spend an hour or so in the shallows of a mangrove forest in order to enjoy the rich birdlife.
At our camp, our stand-up height canvas tents make for cushy camping. Our cooks serve up bountiful, healthy and delicious Mexican specialties. Our naturalist guides provide daily presentations on the biology of the animals and the area.
In total we spend four sessions, each of two hours, for whale watching. In between the sessions there’s time to explore the island where our camp is located, to sit on the shore and watch the whales and dolphins swim by, and absorb the rays of spectacular sunsets.
After our Magdalena Bay whale camp time, we drive south to La Paz. The capital of Baja California Sur, La Paz is a lively city with a vibrant culinary scene. The next day (weather permitting) we depart early to travel about 45 minutes to an area designated for another incredible wildlife experience, swimming with whale sharks! These lumbering animals cruise the water at relatively slow speeds, mouths wide open, feeding on plankton and small invertebrates. It can be a bit of a workout trying to keep up with them as you swim along side and take in the wonders of this huge fish.
Next up we begin our five-day kayak Baja Mexico adventure! We depart La Paz for a two-hour panga ride to the crenellated shoreline of the island of Espiritu Santo. Located in the southern third of the Sea of Cortez, or Gulf of California, this legendary island is protected as a National Park and is a sanctuary for many species of land and aquatic wildlife. The entire sea is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and for good reason. This is home to a vast array of animals including manta rays, several species of dolphins, a number of different whale species that visit for a few months each year, sea lions, and hundreds of bird species. Coupled with sunny days and transparent waters, this is a sea kayaker’s paradise.
Our tour includes all the needed equipment and is led by bilingual Mexican guides with a deep and personal knowledge of the region’s biodiversity. They are also excellent cooks and a joy to be with!
Images & Videos
Itinerary
Day 0
Arrive in Loreto, Evening Orientation Meeting
Upon your arrival in Loreto, served with nonstop flights on Alaska and American Airlines, as well as twice weekly flights from Guadalajara, you can grab a taxi for a short ride to the recommended tour hotel. Spend your afternoon exploring the historic town of Loreto, where cobbled streets and palm trees create a relaxed atmosphere. Visit the old mission in the center of town, the small marina, the pedestrian walkway lined with shops, bars and restaurants and enjoy some tasty Mexican cuisine before meeting your guides for an evening orientation meeting.
See our Baja Travel Guide for tips on getting to and from Loreto.
Note: If you want to add another marine species to your list, arrive a day or two early and sign up for our Blue & Fin Whale watching one-day tour.
Day 1
Baja Peninsula to Magdalena Bay
We leave early to travel west across the Baja Peninsula to Magdalena Bay, your home for the next two nights. From the village of Lopez Mateos we take a panga (motorboat) for a two-hour whale watching session while also traveling in the direction of our camp located on a sand-dune island. With luck we’ll see our first gray whales swimming in the calm waters, or in the choppy surf at the ‘boca’ or mouth of the bay. By noon we’re at our camp. Settle into your comfortable stand-up canvas tent before we sit down for lunch by the sea. After lunch our guides lead a walk across the island, speaking to the island’s diversity of flora and fauna. There’s time to beachcomb and relax to the sound of crashing waves on the western side of the island. We walk back along the shoreline to the protected east side where our camp is located. Before long it’s time for appetizers and our naturalist-led presentation about whale biology. Soon after the sun sets and the cool Pacific air moves in. Dinner is served outside on the beach or inside our community dome tent, depending on weather. Soon it’s time for bed. Each tent has two cots with sleeping pads and warm sleeping bags, liners and pillows. They are set within the dunes of the island in a lovely, organic way with views of the sea.
Day 2
Whale Watching
Sunrise awaits early risers, with a hot beverage on the shores of the island where you will likely see dolphins or whales swimming in the distance, or even up close. Our camp has the most idyllic location of any in Baja as the waters in front of camp are deep enough for whales. Soon it’s time for breakfast, then our pangas arrive for the morning whale watching session. With no more than 6-7 guests per boat, plus our naturalist guide to lead the way, this is an intimate whale watching experience. We sometimes encounter playful males in the open waters by the mouth of the bay. Or we may find mothers and calves resting in the calm waters of the lagoon. Being in the salty fresh air is always invigorating. After our morning session we return to camp for lunch and some rest, or a walk. Mid-afternoon we head out for another two-hour whale watching session. We sometimes spend an hour or so of this session in the nearby mangroves in order to observe the area’s vibrant birdlife.
At camp again we enjoy another presentation by our naturalist guides. Some have degrees in marine biology while others grew up in local fishing villages and gained their knowledge through a life of fishing, clam digging and time on and in the sea. Our cook prepares bountiful hors d’oeuvres and dinner soon after the sun has set. Another restful night at camp.
Day 3
Magdalena Bay to La Paz
After breakfast pack up your gear because today we load it into the whale watching pangas and spend two hours watching whales as we also travel slowly south to Adolfo Lopez Mateos town, where we launched a few days ago. We’re well liked in this town as our trips bring much economic benefit to the people that live here. They drive our whale watching pangas, work in our camp and sell us supplies. We enjoy lunch at the local fishing cooperative restaurant and then board our taxi for the 3 ½ hour drive south to La Paz.
La Paz is the capital of Baja California Sur, and also one of the most famous places to sea kayak Baja Mexico as it is the launching point for travel to the island of Espiritu Santo. It’s a lively and fun city of about 250,000 people with a welcoming waterfront promenade where locals run, roller skate and play volleyball on the beach. In the past few years a delectable food scene has also blossomed along with bars and breweries and you can read about some of our favorites here.
We check into our tour hotel (included) and have a brief orientation to prepare you for tomorrow’s swim with whale sharks! Normally we go in the morning, but sometimes the afternoon. Tonight discover La Paz and enjoy dinner on your own in town.
Day 4
Swim with Whale Sharks
Today’s activity is weather and nature dependent. If the winds are too high, or the swells too large we won’t be able to swim with the whale sharks. Also, this activity is closely regulated by marine authorities who have the responsibility of protecting the whale sharks. Sometimes there are not enough in the area to allow excursions. However, if all lines up well, we normally meet early at the city’s main dock and start our adventure. (Start times are assigned by Park authorities and may be in the afternoon.) We first go to the entrance of the designated whale watching area, which is quite large, stretching 5-6 miles along the coast and 1-2 miles wide. Our skilled captain and licensed whale shark guide, both scan the waters looking for the whale sharks, whose fins stick above the surface. Once located, we approach carefully. The guide enters the water first and once they give the signal, up to 5 others can slip into the water with mask, snorkel and fins, and then swim near the whale sharks. Usually these huge fish are swimming with their mouths wide open to gather plankton. The goal is to swim alongside them, maintaining a safe distance. It can be a good workout trying to keep up with them! At an appropriate time the guide will lead everyone back to the boat and if there are others ready to go, then it’s their turn. We are allowed a total of between two and three hours in the area, depending on a variety of factors. When our turn is over, we depart the area and return to La Paz, arriving mid-day or early afternoon. We have a short orientation meeting to review the things you need to know for the 5-day kayak tour that starts the next morning. Then you have the rest of the day to explore and eat on your own.
(*Note: In the event that we cannot swim with whale sharks, we offer an alternative tour that goes to the historic mining town of El Triunfo. We take a walk here around the old mining infrastructure, visit a small museum and enjoy a local lunch. If available we also stop at a place called the Cactus Santuary to learn about Baja’s many cactus species.)
Day 5
We meet you at the hotel and transfer to a local marina where you motorboat is waiting for the two hour crossing to Isla Espiritu Santo. On arrival we unload on a beautiful white sand beach and have a kayak orientation and safety talk. We have lunch and then spend the afternoon paddling along the coast. When seen from the air it’s easy to see the deep bays and curvy coastline of the island. From kayaks we sometimes follow the shore, and at others paddle directly across the mouths of deep bays. After 2-3 hours of paddling we arrive at our camp for the night.
Our panga and panguero (captain) has gone ahead and set up camp. Choose the tent of your liking then mingle with others around the appetizer table. As the sun sets dinner is served. It gets pretty dark in Baja and campfires aren’t allowed on the island, so guides joke that it becomes “Baja midnight” ‘very quickly.
Day 6-8
Sea Kayaking and Camping Among Marine Wildlife
We settle into the rhythm of kayaking nomads, moving from camp to camp each day. The sun rises and warms the air and beaches. We usually paddle a couple of hours in the morning and a couple in the afternoon. Each day of paddling has a different highlight. It might be a special snorkeling spot, or a nesting colony of frigate birds. We stop for lunch on pristine sand beaches and take short hikes to see the intriguing landscape and island views. Your guides are always available to share their knowledge of the island’s marine ecology, local trails and terrestrial flora and fauna.
Each evening we settle into camp, enjoy hors d’oeuvres and inspiring sunsets. Your guides prepare delicious meals and before long stars are twinkling overhead.
Day 9
Our last morning on the island. If we haven’t done it on another day, we head to Isla Lobos where there is a colony of sea lions. On arrival we put on masks, snorkels, fins and lifejackets before slipping into the water to swim. Younger sea lions are quite playful and love to engage with us, swimming around in circles and frolicking in the water. This is another fabulous wildlife encounter on this voyage that is filled with them!
Depending on the weather we may cross to the mainland before lunch, or shortly after, and return to the marina in La Paz. Transfer to the hotel for a welcome hot shower. We gather for a final dinner to share tales of our time together and the wonders we’ve experienced.
Day 10
Departure Day
There are no activites planned for this day so feel free to depart at any time.
Featured Accommodation
Dates & Rates
| Dates | Adult (USD) | Child (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 23, 2025 to Jan 31, 2025 Lowest Tier Price | $3,380£0€0$0$0 | $3,380£0€0$0$0 |
| Jan 30, 2025 to Feb 07, 2025 Lowest Tier Price | $3,380£0€0$0$0 | $3,380£0€0$0$0 |
| Feb 06, 2025 to Feb 14, 2025 Lowest Tier Price | $3,380£0€0$0$0 | $3,380£0€0$0$0 |
| Feb 13, 2025 to Feb 21, 2025 Lowest Tier Price | $3,380£0€0$0$0 | $3,380£0€0$0$0 |
| Feb 20, 2025 to Feb 28, 2025 Lowest Tier Price | $3,380£0€0$0$0 | $3,380£0€0$0$0 |
| Mar 06, 2025 to Mar 14, 2025 Lowest Tier Price | $3,380£0€0$0$0 | $3,380£0€0$0$0 |
| Mar 13, 2025 to Mar 21, 2025 Lowest Tier Price | $3,380£0€0$0$0 | $3,380£0€0$0$0 |
Supplementary Information
2025 Rates: 9-Day Baja Marine Wildlife Safari
- 4-6 Guests: $3590 per person
- 7-13 Guests: $3380 per person
Single Supplement: $300 (Limited Single Tents are available for the Magdalena Bay whale watching portion of the tour.)
Single Supplement: If you are a solo traveler and wish to have your own private accommodation (or we are unable to pair you up with another solo traveler), including your own private tent during the 2 nights at whale camp, there is a single supplement charge.
Single kayaks are available to reserve and use throughout the trip for an additional cost of $100. Please note, you must have previous ocean paddling experience to reserve a single kayak. Solo travelers will always be provided with a single tent while kayaking but unless you pay the single supplement, you may be asked to share a large stand-up canvas tent with another guest at Magdalena Bay Whale Camp. If you are asked to share a tent at our whale camp, rest assured that tents are 8x12’, full-height canvas wall tents, with two cots and plenty of room to stand and maneuver around your tent-mate without difficulty. Please inquire at the time of booking if you have any questions.
Please Note: This tour involves transportation from Loreto to the whale camp; and from the camp to La Paz.
Tour Includes:
- Full services of our Adventure Consultants
- Professional naturalist and bi-lingual guides
- All meals and beverages as indicated on the itinerary
- Hotel between activities dictated by the itinerary
- All transportation while on tour
- All kayaking, camping, and snorkeling equipment
- Whale watching sessions by panga
- Gratuities for the panga captains during the whale watching
- Panga supported kayaking tour
- Taxes
Tour Does Not Include:
- Airfare
- Transportation to and from airports
- Hotel before and after activities on tour
- $30 National Parks & Biosphere Reserves access fees required by itinerary
- Gratuities for Sea Kayak Adventure guides
- Items of a personal nature
WEATHER-CAUSED TRIP ALTERATIONS
Strong winds and/or rough water conditions sometimes prevent our trips from going as scheduled. We are at the mercy of nature, as well as the local Port Captains who determine if ports are open or closed. In particular, on our La Paz-based trips, winds may prevent us from crossing from the Port to Espiritu Santo Island which may also be reason for the Port Captain to close the port or prohibit crossing. In these cases there are different solutions. Sometimes we have to delay the crossing by a day or two, or have to leave Espiritu Santo Island a day or two early. In these cases we provide a substitute activity for the day(s) we cannot kayak. If the weather forecast predicts a series of days with strong winds, we also reserve the right to transfer the trip to Magdalena Bay on the Pacific Coast, which is almost always in calm, protected waters. We recognize this isn't ideal, however we have no control over nature. In this case we actually start paddling from Lopez Mateos on the afternoon of Day 3. We then kayak days 4-8 and go to La Paz on Day 8. On Day 9, weather permitting we swim with whale sharks in the morning and with sea lions in the afternoon. Decisions to alter trips are not made until the last minute*, since we are basing our decisions on wind and weather forecasts that can change. Your guides will inform you during the time at whale camp if the itinerary must be altered. We use apps like Windy or Windfinder Pro to monitor winds and forecasts. The safety and security of our trips is the primary focus of our decisions.
If you purchase Trip Insurance and wish to cancel on the day of the trip, or during the trip, "Trip Interruption" coverage may apply if Mexican authorities have closed the Port. If you have questions about your coverage, call the toll-free number on your Travel Insurance policy to ask. Neither our guides nor our office staff can determine if coverage will apply. Sea Kayak Adventures does reserve the right to modify and alter trip itineraries and in these circumstances will not provide any refund of trip monies paid.
ALL PRICES ARE IN US DOLLARS. We will do our best to adhere to the itineraries and trip descriptions listed on our website. However, tour itineraries or sub-contractors (such as taxis, cruise boats, or hotels) may change slightly due to reasons beyond our control including but not limited to Acts of God, wind, waves, inclement weather, or other such occurrences. We always welcome you to contact us to clarify any item. You will be sent a pre-trip email with the latest details within a month of your tour - it is your responsibility to check in with us prior to your trip to see if you have all the information you need. We will always do our best to provide you with the best possible tour and to fully meet your expectations to the best of our ability.
Reviews
FAQ & More
How do I get to Loreto?
Please see our Baja Travel Guide for full details on travel to and from Baja.
At the end of my trip is it better to fly out of La Paz or Cabo?
For people that live on the west coast it's probably best to fly home from Cabo. If you you live east of Baja, flying from La Paz to México City may save time.
Do you provide transportation to and from the airport?
Airport transfers are not included in your tour package price.
What are the physical requirements for this trip?
When stopping at shore, you should be able to climb in and out of the kayaks on your own. They will be floating in calf-deep water. Your guides are happy to assist, but balance and limberness are required. When you get to your evening campsite, all group members must to be able to help carry the kayaks above the high tide line, in teams of 6-8, before the group disperses.
Additionally, you should be a confident swimmer as swimming with whale sharks will be beside a boar rather than the shore. You will need to be able to tred water comfrtably while snorkeling. Personal flotation devices will be provided and are required on the boat ride to the swimming location and optional for the swim with whale sharks.
What is swimming with whale sharks like?
Many people describe snorkeling with whale sharks as exhilirating and humbling, but most of all memorable. There are few places in the world where you can observe whale sharks in the wild, even less where you can actually get in the water and experience them up close and personal.
For a closer look at swimming with whale sharks, watch a video of past guests here.
What kind of food will I eat? Do you accommodate dietary restrictions?
Our renowned wilderness meals are prepared daily by our guides using local, fresh, healthy ingredients. In Baja you can expect an authentic dining experience, with savory dishes like chiles rellenos, tostadas, ceviche, and chicken mole. We even serve delicious desserts like brownies and pineapple upside-down cake! Each morning, we serve up freshly brewed coffee or tea. Throughout the day we provide an abundance of local fruits, vegetables, and other snacks. Wine and mixed drinks are served with hors d’oeuvres each evening for happy hour.
We do our best to accommodate special dietary requests, working within the parameters of the destinations in which we operate. If you have a very strict diet, we recommend packing extra snacks that you know you can eat.
What’s camp like? Are there toilets and showers at camp?
During the kayaking portion of the tour, you will paddle to a new campsite almost every day but may have a layover day. We endeavor to secure the very best campsites for the natural beauty and amenities of the area. Your guides will give a demonstration of how to set up and take down your provided tent. We also will provide you with a sleeping bag, liner sheet, pillow and an inflatable thermarest sleeping pad. There will be a kitchen/dining area and shade tarps where you can sit back and relax. While kayaking, we can only carry enough fresh water for drinking and cooking. There are no fresh water sources on most of the coastline and islands we visit. You can clean up with saltwater and soap off above the high tide line, or bring disposable shower wipes. A porta potty will fit into a hatch of the kayak or on the panga support boat, and will be transported to each campsite and set into a sheltered area for solid waste. Liquid waste can be expelled below the high tide line, or in a separate porta-potty bucket.
While on the whale watching portion of the tour, you will stay at our exclusive base camp located on a sand-dune barriers island. Our whale camp has pre-assembled roomy full-height wall tent with two cots, night stand, rectangular sleeping bag with clean sheet, small pillow, and comfortable self-inflating pad are provided for your convenience at camp. There is also a washroom tent with a portable toilet. We recommend packing biodegradable shower wipes to freshen up with as there is no fresh water at whale camp.
You will be able to shower inbetween activities on your tour as you stay in a hotel in the middle of your tour.
How do you swim with sea lions?
Swimming with sea lions is a wonderful experience. You enter the water with your mask, snorkel and fins and if the water is cool, you may likely want a wetsuit also. Once in the water, you simply swim and snorkel as you normally would. Since the sea lions are wild animals, it's up to them to engage or not. We keep a safe distance from the main colony, and it is the younger sea lions that come to play. It's best not to use sudden motions and it's also important to remain calm if they do swim directly at you, which they sometimes do. If they swim right up to your mask, face-to-face, it can be a little intimidating as they have teeth like dogs. Remain calm. They may nibble on your fins, or swim in circles around you. If you spin and turn, they may also. The experience is often very interactive. Interactions may be a few seconds, or a few minutes, but eventually they swim off to play with someone else, or perhaps go and rest.
What is the weather like?
In the winter months mid January through mid March, days are generally in the 70's (20’s C) and nights in the 60's (15 C). Clear blue skies and sunshine can make it feel warmer of course, but these are the true temperatures. We go snorkeling, but as water temperatures are in the 60's (15 C), most people wear the wetsuits that we provide.
Could bad weather impact my trip?
Strong winds and/or rough water conditions sometimes prevent our trips from going as scheduled. We are at the mercy of nature, as well as the local Port Captains who determine if ports are open or closed. Approximate paddling distances listed may vary depending on group size and weather. 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.
If it’s too windy to paddle your guides will have alternative activities for guests to enjoy. There are opportunities to snorkel, hike or just relax on the beach with a margarita. We plan our itineraries to minimize risks posed by weather, but there is always an element of unpredictability in nature. The risk capsizing is reduced by our stable boats, but exists. All of our kayak guides are also certified in kayak rescue.
Reviews
Baja Wildlife Safari
My husband and I just finished the Baja Marine Wildlife Safari and had the most wonderful time getting a taste of Baja. The guides were excellent and knowledgeable about the local people, wildlife, geology, and even the stars. We started from Loreto and drove across the peninsula to Puerto Chale. This location was different from the whale camp because the grey whale weren't showing up at that location. Our accommodations were comfortable and the food was delicious. Diego and Raffa were our tour guides and provided interesting information about the land formation, unique plant adaptations, and pointed out the unique bird species in the area. Both Diego and Raffa gave entertaining presentations about the natural histories of whales and the mating habits of grey whales. The next part of the trip was swimming with whale sharks with Mariana as our guide and Tiko as the panga operator. Tiko was excellent at spotting the whale sharks and bringing the boats alongside the sharks so we could get close without scaring them. Mariana was an excellent guide and helped us to get alongside the sharks so we could get a good look at them without intruding on the whale sharks space. And finally, kayaking, snorkeling, and hiking on Espiritu Santo. Our guides for this trip were Mario and Tiko, again a fantastic pair of guides! Mario led us on our kayaking tours to our campsites, swimming with the sea lions and pointing out the corals at the sea lions rocks, and took us on a hike from one side of the island to the other. He also pointed out the constellations in the southern hemisphere that were in different locations from those at home and added to our knowledge of the myths about the constellations. Tiko is an excellent panga operator and wildlife spotter, and took us on a "water hike" snorkeling in a bay and pointing out the more rare species in a sea of interesting fishes, for example the zebra moray. This is a long review but it's a brief synopsis of all the experiences we had on this fantastic visit to Baja. I highly recommend this trip if you want to experience the beauty of Baja and not just sit on the beach sipping margaritas. Oh, we did that too!
Baja Marine Safari
Whale watching segment on Magdalena Bay with Jennifer and Martina was incredible! Many close encounters with Grey Whales and in depth biology lessons back at camp. Whale Camp on the dunes with comfortable tents, good food, great views and fun hikes couldn’t have been better. The 5 day sea kayaking portion off Isla Espiritu Santo was a different kind of spectacular. Beautiful bays to camp on with great kayaking, and snorkeling. We had a great experience snorkeling with the sea lions and along the shoreline at other times. Numerous nature walks to high vistas and historic sites—some of the prettiest bays and shoreline that I’ve seen. One unexpected event occurred while paddling as schools of sardines attracted hundreds of pelicans who commenced frantic dives for the fish, hitting the water all around our kayaks—apparent fish panic below water but kayak euphoria on top. Our guides, Reuben, Tiko, Aaron, and Tarrin took great care of us, providing great food and desserts—how is it possible to to bake flan —and other such chef creations in a desert camp? Five days offered chances for comraderie and appreciation of their sly comments and observations. A good time was had by all.
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