Loreto Multi-Sport Adventure, Mexico

Loreto is a place of stunning natural wonder and beauty. The sounds of sea birds and the smell of desert flowers. The embracing warmth of a brilliant sun. Dolphins and whales at play in clear, warm water. Pelicans and blue-footed boobies plunge seaward from the blue skies - this is paradise come true.

Your adventure begins in charming Loreto, a former Jesuit mission town and short flight from California. From there you'll paddle in the turquoise waters of Loreto Bay National Marine Park in the Sea of Cortez, visit a desert island, snorkel over reefs with brightly-colored fish and seek close encounters with dolphins. The next day you'll hike an arroyo full of fascinating geology and sleep each night in a comfortable hotel.

Your whale watching adventure includes three nights and four days at our exclusive base camp situated on a secluded beach at the center of whale activity. Each day motorized skiffs with licensed captains take you out to the deeper waters of the bay, where "friendlies" often swim up to greet us. The camp provides all the gear and amenities you need for a comfortable wilderness experience.

Tour includes airport transfer upon arrival, four nights' hotel, all sleeping & camping gear, meals while at camp/ day tours and naturalist guides.

Join us in exploring this enchanting desert peninsula.

Click here to read an article about kayaking and whale watching in Baja.  Click here to view of video of kayaking in the Sea of Cortez and whale watching in Magdalena Bay.

Flights are limited from Los Angeles to Loreto, Baja for this trip.
Call us with any travel questions - 1-800-616-1943 or 1-208-765-3116

All of our Baja trips meet in Loreto. Loreto is 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. 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 (75 min) between Los Angeles International airport (LAX) and Loreto airport (LTO) on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Demand is high during the winter/spring season and it is essential to make reservations early.If flights on some dates are full, you may need to come in early to Loreto or stay longer.  Another option is flying to La Paz or Los Cabos and taking a bus or rental car to Loreto. We can also arrange a preferred hotel rate for extra nights in Loreto. 

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 seven hours (or 4 hours if you are flying into 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.

What are typical meals on the trip?
The source of many compliments, our legendary wilderness meals are prepared from fresh, healthy ingredients. Our specialty is Dutch oven cookery with savory main dishes like chicken mole, fresh fish vera cruz style, and chili rellenos; and delicious desserts from brownies to pineapple upside-down cake. We serve fresh ground coffee as well as an abundance of local fruits and vegetables. Vegetarians as well as special dietary requests can easily be accommodated. Each evening, we serve a cocktail and appetizer for "happy hour" so you can enjoy the spectacular Baja sunset while sipping a Margarita!

There's a special emphasis on our meals because we believe you are entitled to gourmet dining in the wilderness as you are at home.


What is the camping like?
Since 1993, we have created a category of travel we call "camping plus". The food served on our trips is on par with what you get in a first-rate restaurant; we provide all camping gear of the best quality: large tents, warm sleeping bags with clean linens, extra-thick self-inflating foam pads and comfortable camp chairs; you get the best beach sites and you don't have to worry about missing the wildlife. We're all about truly "getting away", but not quite "leaving it all behind". It's wilderness adventure with some worldly amenities. And best of all, you'll receive unbeatable support and camaraderie from each of our guides.

Because of the dry desert climate, we have few mosquitoes and gnats, no sand flies or ticks.  For bathing, we provide a solar shower.  We also have a portable toilet at camp.  We provide chairs and tables for dining as well as a cooler with ice for cold drinks.  There is a large community dome for inside dining and evening conversations or games.


What type of kayaks do you use on this trip?
Our fleet of kayaks on each trip is comprised of mostly double kayaks and one or two single kayaks shared among guests and guides. They are made by SEAWARD KAYAKS of fiberglass construction and ALL are equipped with rudders. Light weight Werner paddles, PFD's (Personal flotation device otherwise known as a lifejacket), nylon spray skirts, paddle floats and bilge pumps are all provided on our expeditions.

Is previous kayaking experience necessary?
No prior sea kayaking or camping experience is necessary for this trip. Anyone in good health with a positive attitude can enjoy these activities. Paddling a sea kayak is easy to learn and your experienced guides will teach you all you need to know to enjoy kayaking.


Are there any physical requirements?
At Magdalena Bay, we'll spend two hours on the water in motorized skiffs (called pangas) whale watching.  While whale watching from a boat is not strenuous and the water is usually calm, the bay can be choppy when it is windy, so if you are susceptible to seasickness, bring medicine or whatever you need

The hiking could best be described as leisurely on our barrier island, as the terrain is composed of sand dunes and flat sandy beaches. Although most of our group hikes are no longer than one to two hours, there are literally miles of uninhabited, remote beaches to explore. 

In the Sea of Cortez, the amount of paddling is a good balance of challenge and ease for most of our participants. Expect a moderate workout during the kayaking day. Pre-trip time spent in any activity that uses your upper body will help you enjoy your adventure with us. We do require that anyone over 70 or with any health or weight concerns consult us before signing up to make sure you are up to fully participating.


What is the minimum age limit?
The minimum age for most of our trips is normally 14 and is intended to insure that all our guests are capable of fully participating in the kayaking and other activities involved.  A child must be at least 5 feet tall and 100 lbs in order to participate in our sea kayak tours. We do make exceptions on occasion, so call us if you think your child is physically capable of kayaking and comfortable in an adult setting.

Our Gray Whales of Magdalena Bay base camp trips are ideal for families with children as young as 8.

What if I'm by myself?
If this is your first adventure tour, and you are naturally a little apprehensive about going solo, we will support you each step of the way. We get a mixture of singles, couples, families and friends. Please call if you have any concerns.

What about safety?
Your safety, comfort and enjoyment are our priorities. Any concerns about risks and physical abilities are handled with the greatest care by our office staff and trip leaders. Your guides are always in close proximity, well equipped with First Aid kits and specially trained in Wilderness First Aid to handle emergency situations. Your trip leader will provide a comprehensive kayak orientation and safety discussion before you begin paddling. We take your concerns or apprehensions to heart - to make whale watching, hiking and kayaking a positive, fulfilling experience for you.


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?
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 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.


What should I bring?
We provide the camping equipment so you only need to bring your personal belongings and avoid having to check-in luggage on your flight. Upon signing up, you'll get an informative trip handbook that includes a detailed list of clothing and other recommended items for your kayaking trip.

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.

What do the trip costs include?
Airport transfer upon arrival, four nights' hotel, all sleeping & camping gear, meals while at camp, lunch on day tours and naturalist guides.


What is not included?
Pre- and post-trip accommodations, meals in town, airfare, gratuities, and park fee in Loreto.  Wet suits and snorkeling equipment are available to rent from us in Loreto.

Day 1: Arrival in Loreto airport. Meet our ground service and transfer to your hotel. Check into pre-assigned rooms (included in trip cost). Pre-trip meeting at the hotel later in evening.

Day 2: Meet 8 AM in hotel, van transportation 20 minutes to Tabor Canyon. From there we'll day hike into a scenic narrow canyon to several water pools in the Sierra Gigantas.  After a refreshing lunch at the pools, we'll return to Loreto in the afternoon. Evening at hotel.

Day 3: Meet 8 AM in hotel, walk to marina where a motorized skiff will take you and a guide to Isla Coronado for a day of snorkeling and kayaking.  Lunch on Isla Coronado.  Evening at hotel.  3mm shorty wet suit and snorkel gear (mask, snorkel and fins) are available to rent from SKA. 

Day 4: Meet 8 AM in hotel, van transportation 2 hours to Magdalena Bay. From there we'll take a short boat ride across the bay to our base camp on a sandy barrier island located at the heart of whale watching activity. After settling in, we'll go whale watching for several hours in a skiff.

Days 5-6: Your days are filled with whale watching, hiking along the sand dunes and beachcombing the Pacific beaches. In the mornings we will take a motorized skiff into the bay for close encounters with gray whales.

Day 7: Several motorized skiffs will meet us at camp for 2 hours of whale watching in Boca Soledad before returning to Puerto Lopez Mateos and van ride to Loreto. Evening at hotel. Farewell dinner with guides.

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.

At this time there are no flights out of Loreto on Saturday. If you are interested in the 7 Day Itinerary, you can fly out of LaPaz on Saturday or spend an extra day in Loreto enjoying the town, exploring the area or relaxing by the pool. Contact us for additional day tour information. An extra night at our tour hotel is approximately $89 (double occupancy).