Baja Mothership Tour, Mexico

Join us for a luxurious week-long mothership kayaking cruise in the blue whale realm of Baja's Sea of Cortez aboard the Ursa Major, a 65' crewed charter yacht. It's a fabulous vessel with spacious indoor as well as outdoor observation areas for viewing whales, sea lions, blue-footed boobies and dolphins in comfort and safety.

The ship carries both extremely stable two-person and single kayaks for exploring the coastlines as well as a small skiff for safety, birdwatching and on-shore activities.

The Ursa Major can take paddlers to the most remote locations and prime whale watching areas far beyond the reach of typical self-supported kayak tours. Cruising only three to four hours each day allows plenty of time for kayaking, hiking, and beach-combing. Snorkel off the boat in Baja.

A naturalist guide will share his or her knowledge of the local flora and fauna, as well as leading paddling and hiking excursions. Meanwhile, the chef serves up some of the finest cuisine around customized to your tastes. We'll spend the evenings anchored in peaceful coves under starry skies enjoying conversation, good wines and restful sleep.

From December through April, Sea Kayak Adventures is offering mothership kayak tours aboard the Ursa Major in Baja's Sea of Cortez exploring the wild islands and coast between Loreto and La Paz for six days. The itinerary offers excellent warm water kayaking, snorkeling with sea lions, hiking past towering cactus and whale watching. More species of whales can be seen in the Sea of Cortez than in any other body of water in the world, including the blue whale - the largest animal ever to exist on planet earth. Click here to see photographer Gary Luhm's images from his cruise aboard the Ursa Major in Baja.

Beginning to experienced kayakers can enjoy these expeditions. Paddling a sea kayak is comfortable, and with the assistance of your guide easy to learn. Each day we'll travel to the best paddling spots wherever your group desires. You always have the option of kayaking whenever you like.  Kayaking is always optional with many other activities available.

The boat accommodates up to six guests in three comfortable cabins with two shared bathrooms and includes an expansive foredeck, upper sun deck, full galley, elegant salon and congenial wheelhouse. The Ursa's heavy displacement hull, high bulwarks, and stabilizer systems make her a comfortable and safe vessel in fair or foul weather. She combines the tradition and beauty of wood with the comfort of home for your adventures in Baja.

Trips include: all kayaking and safety equipment, basic paddling instructions, naturalist guide, delicious meals, warm beds, hot showers, captain and crew, skiff for safety and on-shore activities, on-board reference library.

In February and March, add a one- to three-day Magdalena Bay Whale Watching Excursion on to your Baja Motorship kayak trip. Skiffs operated by Mexican licensed whale watching captains take you into the bay for a closer look at the magnificent California Gray Whale. Includes van transportation from Loreto and a bilingual naturalist guide. You'll bring home a lifetime of memories.

Custom tailored itineraries are available for any group desiring kayaking, whale and bird watching, photography and visiting remote islands. Whole boat charters for families or groups, or individual bookings are available for weekly departures.

Ursa Major mothership trips meet either in Loreto or La Paz.  Loreto and La Paz are located on the Sea of Cortez side of the Baja California peninsula and is accessible by road or by scheduled air service from Los Angeles. Please call our office if you need assistance on deciding how to get to Loreto or La Paz. We are familiar with traveling to Baja and we'll be happy to help you select the best way there.

Entry into Mexico: Passports are required. No visa is necessary, but a tourist card will be issued during your flight (keep the stub and show upon your departure flight to avoid fee).

Air Flights: Alaska Airlines/Horizon Airlines, (800) 252-7522, provides direct service between Los Angeles International airport (LAX) and Loreto airport (LTO) on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.  Alaska Airlines also provides direct service between La Paz airport  (LAP) and Los Angeles International airport (LAX)  on Saturday, Monday, and Wednesday.Demand is high during the winter/spring season and it is essential to make reservations early. Note: We do not recommend purchasing your tickets to Mexico on the Internet unless you are diligent- or at least call the airlines directly as well afterwards, to confirm your reservation and obtain a confirmed seat assignment - very critical. Call us and go over plans before you buy.

IT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO ALLOW AT LEAST 2 HOURS CONNECTION TIME PRIOR TO YOUR LORETO FLIGHT. If you find you need to overnight in Los Angeles, we have negotiated a great rate for our travellers at the Hacienda Hotel near LAX.

Car: The approximate driving time from San Diego to Loreto is 20 hours. If you found great airfare into Cabo San Lucas, the driving time north to Loreto is eight hours (or 4 hours north of La Paz).

Car Rental: You can rent a vehicle on a weekly basis from any of the major car rental agencies in Cabo or La Paz. BUDGET 016131351090 www.budgetbaja.com, HERTZ 0018006543030 www.autoturismonaver.com, EUROPCAR 016131352306 Loreto 018002013333 international reservations www.europcar.com.mx. Secure parking is available at the hotel in Loreto.

Bus Service: Aquila Transportes operates between San Jose del Cabo and Loreto (8 hours, cost: $60) as well as La Paz to Loreto (4 1/2 hours, cost: $40). Purchase tickets at the bus station (little English spoken).

Travel Agent: We recommend Robert Sulens at Kahala Travel for your travel arrangements to and from Loreto. He is familiar with flights to Baja (in business 24 years) and he can help you find the best airfare. Call him at 800-852-8338 or email: robert@kahalatravel.com.

Health: No immunizations or vaccinations are required for Mexico, but we recommend you speak to your health department or doctor. The University of Washington recommends getting hepatitis A&B, tetanus, flu, typhoid shots. Water on the trip is distilled/filtered for your extra protection. Fresh fruits and vegetables are good and plentiful (peel before eating). The restaurant food in Loreto is good and bottled water is easily available. We recommend good hand washing.

Weather: The weather in Loreto is generally mild in the winter with day-time temperatures averaging 70 to 85 degrees and night-time temperatures averaging 40 to 55 degrees between December and mid-March. Spring day-time temperatures average 75 to 90 degrees and night-time temperatures average 50 to 65 degrees between mid-March and May. Loreto is in a desert where the possibility of rain is very small, but it can happen. Winds can occur anytime but are more frequent from December through February. Magdalena Bay air temperatures are a little cooler than on the Sea of Cortez side of the Baja Peninsula. Water temperatures in the Sea of Cortez range from 65 degrees in December to 73 degrees in May requiring the use of a shorty 3mm wet suit for extended snorkeling. In October and November, air temperatures range from 80 to 90 degrees and water temperatures range from 75 to 80 degrees.

Tell me about the boat?
Launched at the Malahide shipyard just outside of Dublin Ireland in 1972, Ursa Major is a magnificent example of "Old World" craftsmanship.  Ursa Major is 65 feet long almost 20 feet wide and displaces over 100 tons and powered by a heavy-duty Caterpillar Diesel Engine with two diesel auxiliary generators.  She was built to the rugged "Det Norske Veritas" construction standards certifying her to operate year round in the extreme conditions of the North Sea.  All of this guarantees Ursa Major's guest of a comfortable and safe cruise while in Alaska's Inside Passage.

Guest accommodations include a full-width master suite with queen-sized berth and private head/shower.  There are also two guest staterooms with double berths (both can also deploy additional single berths if needed).  The two guest cabins share an adjacent head and shower.  Crew quarters are separate and have their own head/shower facilities.

Tell me more about the cruising waters?
Encompassing 65 miles of road-less coastline and offshore islands between Loreto and La Paz on the peninsula's eastern coast, this is Baja's classic cruising and sea kayak tour. This coastline is one of the most remote and sparsely populated areas in all of Baja. There are no villages or towns, and the only access to the occasional fish camp is by sea.

The Sierra Giganta Range plunges into the Sea of Cortez, effectively isolating the area from the rest of the peninsula and creating a stunningly beautiful backdrop the entire trip. We'll make anchor in coves that dot the base of these magnificent mountains. Canyon hikes take us into the desert interior, while kayaking allows an intimate exploration of the many coves and sea caves.

The clear waters of the Sea of Cortez teem with colorful life, and the snorkeling around the shallow reefs and vertical ledges is excellent. We see pods of dolphins, as well as massive whales. You'll paddle past towering volcanic peaks, miles of unexplored beaches and forests of giant cardon cactus. Prehistoric-looking frigate birds circle high above while squadrons of pelicans glide across the glassy water.

What is the food like?
The Ursa's chef prepares gourmet meals with a Mexican flair, including fresh baked goods, local caught seafood, delicious deserts, and margaritas.

When is the best time to go?
Spring and fall are the most ideal times for enjoying the Sea of Cortez. The strong northerly winds blow longest and strongest from late November through early March so spring and fall trips are characterized by calmer, warmer days. Fall trips (October & November) offer warm and clear waters for great snorkeling and little chance of strong winds. An added attraction is the opportunity to observe the Baja desert in bloom following the rainy season in August and September. Winter trips (December, January & February) tend to be cooler with more chance of wind. Spring trips (March, April & May) offer warmer waters with warm calm days being common. As an added bonus on spring trips many cetaceans migrate into the Sea of Cortez at this time and sightings may include blue, fin, and humpback whales.

What wildlife can I see?
The Ursa Major will take you offshore in the Sea of Cortez to see blue whales, sperm whales, fin whales, jumping sting rays, and flotillas of dolphins.   Anchor out in secluded coves and experience the incredible night skies and sea life of the world's aquarium.  The Ursa Major will give you access to islands and beaches that will enchant you!  Explore abandoned salt flats and towns.  Bring your camera for photography unparalleled and swim in The Worlds Aquarium...all quiet and in beautiful solitude.

When is the best time to see whales?
We design our wilderness adventures to provide you with the best whale encounters imaginable. Baja California is a whale-watchers' paradise. There are few other places that harbor such a concentration and diversity of whales. The islands of Loreto National Marine Park, located in the Sea of Cortez, are home for 6 different species of whales including Blue, Fin, Sei, Humpback, Bryde's and Pilot whales. From January through April look for spectacular sightings of Blue, Fin and Humpback whales in the warm, calm waters of the Sea of Cortez.

Magdalena Bay is the world-renowned winter nursery grounds of the Gray whale.  From late-January to mid-March is the best time to see gray whales.

Do I need a passport to enter Mexico?
Yes, passports are required to enter Mexico.  Click here for the U. S. Department of State’s Passport Requirement page.

Please call us with any questions you have about this tour 800.616.1943 or 208.765.3116

Sample Itineray beginning in Loreto.

Day 1 - Arrive Loreto and transfer to the Ursa Major.  Cruise to Isla Carmen in Loreto Bay National Marine Park and visit the abandoned salt flats and a coral-block chapel at Salinas.

Day 2- Cruise to Aqua Verde, one of the most beautiful coves in Baja.

Day 3 - Cruise to Puerto Gato and visit the brilliantly-colored red rocks of ancient sand dunes.

Day 4 - Cruise to Isla San Francisco.  Explore the white sand beaches and snorkel with garden eels.

Day 5 - Cruise to Isla Espiritu Santos.  Snorkel with sea lions.

Day 6 - Cruise to La Paz

Note: the itinerary begins in La Paz every other week.