Baja Sea of Cortez Kayaking & Magdalena Bay Whale Watching Combo, Mexico

Go eye-to-eye with gray whales in a calving lagoon on Baja's Pacific coast and then cross the Baja Peninsula to paddle a kayak alongside dolphins and blue whales in the clear waters of the Sea of Cortez.  Our Sea of Cortez Kayaking and Magdalena Bay Whale Watching Combo tours lets participants get close to whales, explore desert islands by sea kayak and snorkel along isolated coves in warm, turquoise waters.

Magdalena Bay is sheltered from the Pacific Ocean by a barrier of desert islands. The sandy barrier islands protect the lagoons from oceanic currents, creating a fascinating environment of twisting mangrove-lined estuaries, chaotic sand dunes and blooming desert plants. January through March, hundreds of gray whales mate and bear their young in these protected waters after traveling over 5000 miles from the Bering Strait. 

You can watch gray whales and their newly born calves up close from the safety of motorized skiffs in the deeper parts of the bay, where friendly whales swim up to the skiffs for a head rub!  Breaching, spy-hopping and fluking, the whales will captivate your attention with their behavior and we guarantee whale sightings.

You have the option of either a one-day excusion from a motorboat or staying three days at our exclusive beach camp located in the heart of gray whale activity.  In addition to whales, the lagoon is home to dolphins, sea lions, pelicans, and thousands of shorebirds. Your guides will introduce you to the desert plants, birds and other wildlife of Mag Bay on our Baja whale watching tour.

Then head back over to Loreto for three- to five-days of sea kayaking Baja and camping on remote islands in Loreto Bay National Marine Park, where the surrounding water is a sanctuary for blue-footed boobies, fin and blue whales, dolphins and sea lions.  The Sea of Cortez is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers the perfect blend of Baja kayaking, hiking and snorkeling. Abundant wildlife, massive whales, sunny weather and warm, crystalline waters make the Sea of Cortez in Loreto Bay National Marine Park one of the best winter adventure destinations in North America and Mexico.

With each of these tours, your first and last nights will be hotel-based in Loreto with an extra hotel night between kayaking and whale watching.  All activities are led by naturalist guides, who dish out tasty chile relleno and margaritas in tented beach camps at days end.  You'll bring home a lifetime of memories.

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

In February 2009 while most of the US was freezing, we were enjoying a sea kayaking and whale watching adventure complete with warm breezes, desert scenery, crystal clear waters, whales, hiking, snorkeling, a heaven full of stars, great food, private campsites, competent guides and new friends. SKA’s Sea of Cortez/Mag Bay Combo delivered it all. From the minute we landed in Loreto until the final farewell dinner the adventure exceeded ALL our expectations. SKA offered the BEST vacation ever.
Ben and Karen Little - Sea of Cortez/Mag Bay Combo

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 Saturday, 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: tents, sleeping bags with clean linens, self-inflating foam pads and comfortable camp seats; 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 rugged adventure with some worldly amenities. And best of all, you'll receive unbeatable support and camaraderie from each of our guides.

Because of the relatively dry desert climate, we have few mosquitoes and gnats, no sand flies or ticks.  For bathing, we provide a solar shower at our Mag Bay base camp and we can provide you with a bucket of warm water on our Sea of Cortez kayaking tour.  We’ll have a portable toilet at each campsite.

At our Mag Bay base camp we provide larger tents with extra thick sleeping pads and bags, 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.

What are the differences between motorboat-supported and self-supported trips?
In Baja, some of our tours use a motorboat (panga) to carry camping gear, food and supplies ahead of the main group. This allows our kayaks to be lighter.  The panga also carries chairs and tables for dining as well as a cooler with ice for cold drinks.

On our classic self-supported trips, all the gear is carried inside the kayaks allowing for expedition-style paddling without the motorboat.

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?
The amount of paddling is a good balance of challenge and ease for most of our participants. Expect a moderate workout every 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 our trips is normally 14 to ensure that all our guests are capable of fully participating in the kayaking and other activities involved.  Also, 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. You can have your own tent, but you may share a two-person kayak with another single person or one of the guides.  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 kayaking a positive, fulfilling experience for you.

When is the best time to go?
Our kayaking and whale watching combo trip dates are designed to take place during the months of January, February and March when the gray whales are giving birth and nursing their young in Magdalena Bay.

This is also an ideal time of year for enjoying the Sea of Cortez.  As an added bonus, 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.

Can I kayak with the gray whales?
No kayaks or private boats are allowed in the nursery lagoons of Baja’s Pacific Coast including Magdalena Bay.  Only licensed Mexican whale watching boats are allowed in the lagoons when the whales are present.  

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.

Wet suits (3mm shorty) and snorkeling equipment (mask, snorkel and fins) are available to rent from us in Loreto if you do not want to bring your own.

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?
Skilled professional guide services, airport transfer upon arrival, whale watching by motorboat, camping equipment including tents, sleeping bags, liners, and sleeping pads. Our camping trips include all meals from lunch on the first day to lunch on the last day.

What is not included?
Pre- and post-trip accommodations and meals, airfare, gratuities, and park fee in Loreto. 

Eight and Ten Day Itineraries Below

Eight-Day Itinerary

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.

Ten-Day Itinerary

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.

* 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.