Baja Kayak Tour - Sea of Cortez Islands, Mexico

Imagine sea kayaking Baja in the warm, clear waters of Loreto Bay National Marine Park in Mexico's 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. Red-hued desert colors, azure blue water and magical land formations give this area great aesthetic and photographic appeal. 

These waters offer exceptional opportunities for viewing dolphins, sea lions and 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.

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 sea kayak migrate to these waters looking for tasty crustaceans. Encountering the largest animal on earth is a thrilling experience.  Fin, Humpback and Sei whales also frequent the area.The video above shows a blue whale near Loreto.

Our six- to eight-day self-supported and motorboat-supported Sea of Cortez Islands expeditions explore the beautiful Islas Danzante and Carmen.  All itineraries begin in Loreto and include both arrival and departure days.  Click on the FAQ tab for the differences between motorboat- and self-supported trips.  Click here to view a slideshow of this trip.

From January to March, we are offering a series of Sea of Cortez Kayaking & Magdalena Bay Whale watching Combo tours. These 8- to10-day tours are the ultimate Baja experience of both the Magdalena Bay gray whale nursery and sunny Sea of Cortez.  You'll bring home a lifetime of memories.  Click here to view a video of kayaking in the Sea of Cortez and whale watching in Magdalena Bay.

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.  Also, check our 8-day Sea of Cortez Islands and Yoga Adventure Baja sea kayak tour.

"I have done a Sea of Cortez trip with my daughter, a second yoga/islands trip with my husband and the Loreto to La Paz trip, too. SKA has amazing guides, wonderful food and runs a very professional and fun trip. We love them so much, we plan on doing a spring Baja trip again!"
--Judy Elmergreen

This kayak tour begins and ends in Loreto, Baja. Loreto is easily accessed via a direct flight from Los Angeles, or through other transportation methods on the peninsula.

A complete guide to traveling to Loreto may be found here [.pdf download]

Please call our office at 1-800-616-1943 or 1-208-765-3116 if you have any questions about flights or travel, as we have decades of experience in ensuring our guests have smooth transit to their destinations.  We cannot book flights for you, but a recommendation for a travel agent is located in the guide above.

Please review our FAQ section for general questions and details about our Baja kayak tours. See below for specific questions relating to this particular tour.

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.

When is the best time to see whales in the Sea of Cortez?
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 near Loreto on our Sea of Cortez Islands tours.

Magdalena Bay, on the opposite side of the peninsula, 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. We operate both Gray Whale Base Camps and Kayak/Whale Watching Combos.

Eight, Seven, Six and Five Day Itineraries Below

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

Eight-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival date. You'll be greeted at the Loreto airport by our ground service and transported to the tour hotel. Check into pre-assigned rooms (included in trip cost). Pre-trip meeting at the hotel later in evening.

Day 2: In the morning we'll meet for breakfast then you'll board our van and ride to the launch site. We'll teach you the basics of paddling and thoroughly review safety setting out procedures before launching kayaks. Paddle to our first night's campsite.

Days 3-6: Our days begin with spectacular sunrises and end with delightfully cool evenings. We'll spend our mornings kayaking to a new campsite. After lunch there is plenty of time to snorkel, hike, swim or relax with a good book. Evenings find us feasting on delicious fresh food and enjoying margaritas as the sun sets on the horizon.

Day 7: After a final lunch, we break camp and paddle to our take-out site around 2 p.m. Load van and proceed to Loreto. Check into hotel. No host farewell group dinner at a favorite local restaurant.

Day 8: Departure date. Say good-bye to lovely Loreto and head back to the airport to fly home, or Sea Kayak Adventures can arrange to extend your vacation at the tour hotel in this charming village. Day tour and add-on options available.

Seven-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival date. You'll be greeted at the Loreto airport by our ground service and transported to the tour hotel. Check into pre-assigned rooms (included in trip cost). Pre-trip meeting at the hotel later in evening.

Day 2: In the morning we'll meet for breakfast then you'll board our van and ride to the launch site. We'll teach you the basics of paddling and thoroughly review safety setting out procedures before launching kayaks. Paddle to our first night's campsite.

Days 3-5: Our days begin with spectacular sunrises and end with delightfully cool evenings. We'll spend our mornings kayaking to a new campsite. After lunch there is plenty of time to snorkel, hike, swim or relax with a good book. Evenings find us feasting on delicious fresh food and enjoying margaritas as the sun sets on the horizon.

Day 6: After a final lunch, we break camp and paddle to our take-out site around 2 p.m. Load van and proceed to Loreto. Check into hotel. No host farewell group dinner at a favorite local restaurant.

Day 7: Departure date. Say good-bye to lovely Loreto and head back to the airport to fly home, or Sea Kayak Adventures can arrange to extend your vacation at the tour hotel in this charming village. Day tour and add-on options available.

Six-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival date. You'll be greeted at the Loreto airport by our ground service and transported to the tour hotel. Check into pre-assigned rooms (included in trip cost). Pre-trip meeting at the hotel later in evening.

Day 2: In the morning we'll meet for breakfast then you'll board our van and ride to the launch site. We'll teach you the basics of paddling and thoroughly review safety setting out procedures before launching kayaks. Paddle to our first night's campsite.

Days 3-4: Our days begin with spectacular sunrises and end with delightfully cool evenings. We'll spend our mornings kayaking to a new campsite. After lunch there is plenty of time to snorkel, hike, swim or relax with a good book. Evenings find us feasting on delicious fresh food and enjoying margaritas as the sun sets on the horizon.

Day 5: After a final lunch, we break camp and paddle to our take-out site around 2 p.m. Load van and proceed to Loreto. Check into hotel. No host farewell group dinner at a favorite local restaurant.

Day 6: Departure date. Say good-bye to lovely Loreto and head back to the airport to fly home, or Sea Kayak Adventures can arrange to extend your vacation at the tour hotel in this charming village. Day tour and add-on options available.

Five-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival date. You'll be greeted at the Loreto airport by our ground service and transported to the tour hotel. Check into pre-assigned rooms (included in trip cost). Pre-trip meeting at the hotel later in evening.

Day 2: In the morning we'll meet for breakfast then you'll board our van and ride to the launch site. We'll teach you the basics of paddling and thoroughly review safety setting out procedures before launching kayaks. Paddle to our first night's campsite.

Days 3: Our day begin with spectacular sunrises and end with delightfully cool evenings. We'll spend our morning kayaking to a new campsite. After lunch there is plenty of time to snorkel, hike, swim or relax with a good book. Evening finds us feasting on delicious fresh food and enjoying margaritas as the sun sets on the horizon.

Day 4: After a final lunch, we break camp and paddle to our take-out site around 2 p.m. Load van and proceed to Loreto. Check into hotel. No host farewell group dinner at a favorite local restaurant.

Day 5: Departure date. Say good-bye to lovely Loreto and head back to the airport to fly home, or Sea Kayak Adventures can arrange to extend your vacation at the tour hotel in this charming village. Day tour and add-on options available.