Loreto Marine Wildlife Safari
Trip Highlights:
- Experience Encounters with Gray, Blue & Fin Whales
- Spend 3 Nights at a Remote Beachfront Whale Camp
- Paddle the Pristine Waters of the Gulf of California
- Explore the Islands of Loreto Bay National Marine Park
- Snorkel, Swim & Relax on Remote Island Beaches
- Watch for Dolphins, Sea Lions, Seabirds & Other Marine Life
- Fall Asleep Beneath Baja's Star-Filled Skies
Designed for wildlife enthusiasts, this adventure combines three unforgettable experiences: gray whale encounters in Magdalena Bay, blue and fin whale watching in Loreto Bay National Marine Park, and multi-day sea kayaking through the wildlife-rich islands of the Gulf of California.
Spend three days at a remote beachfront whale camp watching gray whales, including mothers and calves, in the protected lagoons of Magdalena Bay. Back in Loreto, head offshore in search of blue and fin whales, two of the largest animals on Earth, before setting out on a multi-day sea kayaking adventure through the islands of Loreto Bay National Marine Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Along the way, paddle beneath volcanic peaks, camp on remote beaches, snorkel in crystal-clear water, and watch for dolphins, sea lions, rays, seabirds, and other marine life. Led by expert naturalists and local guides, this immersive expedition offers an extraordinary opportunity to experience the incredible diversity of Baja California Sur from both land and sea.
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 day of adventure to your time in Baja, arrive a day or two early and sign up for a chance to see sea lions on a Skiff and Snorkel tour on Isla Corodano, or explore Baja’s interior on a hiking tour of Steinbeck Canyon!
Day 1-4
Sea Kayaking the Islands of Loreto Bay
This morning after breakfast at the hotel you set out into the island-studded waters of Loreto Bay National Marine Park, where rugged volcanic islands rise from the Sea of Cortez and marine life is never far away. Over the next several days, you'll paddle along dramatic shorelines, explore hidden coves, and move between remote beach camps surrounded by some of Baja's most spectacular scenery.
Each day blends active exploration with time to slow down and enjoy the rhythm of island life. Snorkel in clear waters, search for dolphins and seabirds, wander desert trails, or simply relax on the beach between paddling sessions. Depending on conditions, you'll explore the coastlines of islands such as Danzante and Carmen, with flexible routing designed to take advantage of the best weather and wildlife opportunities.
Evenings are spent camped beside the sea, enjoying freshly prepared meals, colorful sunsets, and star-filled skies that seem to stretch forever overhead
Day 5
Final Paddle & Return to Loreto
Enjoy one last morning on the islands before packing up camp and setting out for your final paddle. Back on the mainland, enjoy lunch with your guides before returning to Loreto in the afternoon.
Day 6
Blue Whale Watching in Loreto Bay National Marine Park
Arrive at the Loreto Marina this morning and meet your guides for a full day exploring the wildlife-rich waters of Loreto Bay National Marine Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best places in the world to search for blue and fin whales.
Board a small boat and head into the waters surrounding the islands, keeping watch for the world's largest animal, the blue whale, as well as fin whales, dolphins, sea lions, and other marine life that frequent these productive waters. Your guides will share insights into the area's unique ecology and the remarkable migrations that bring these giants to Baja each winter.
Midday, step ashore for a picnic lunch and time to stretch your legs before returning to the water for an afternoon of wildlife viewing. By late afternoon, return to Loreto with a deeper appreciation for the incredible marine ecosystem you'll soon be exploring by kayak
Day 7
Loreto to Magdalena Bay
We leave early to travel west across the Baja Peninsula from Loreto 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 8
Whale Watching in Magdalena Bay
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 hors d’oeuvres and dinner soon after the sun has set. Another restful night at camp.
Day 9
Magdalena Bay to Loreto
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 van to head back to Loreto.
This evening, gather with your fellow paddlers for an optional farewell dinner in town and celebrate an unforgettable week exploring Baja California Sur.
Day 10
Departure
Your adventure concludes in Loreto today. Depart at your convenience or choose to extend your stay and enjoy more time exploring Baja California Sur.
Featured Accommodation
Dates & Rates
| Dates | Adult (USD) | Child (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | ||
| Jan 24, 2027 to Feb 01, 2027 | $3,990£0€0$0$0 | $3,990£0€0$0$0 |
| Jan 31, 2027 to Feb 08, 2027 | $3,990£0€0$0$0 | $3,990£0€0$0$0 |
| Feb 07, 2027 to Feb 15, 2027 | $3,990£0€0$0$0 | $3,990£0€0$0$0 |
| Feb 14, 2027 to Feb 22, 2027 | $3,990£0€0$0$0 | $3,990£0€0$0$0 |
| Feb 21, 2027 to Mar 01, 2027 | $3,990£0€0$0$0 | $3,990£0€0$0$0 |
| Feb 28, 2027 to Mar 08, 2027 | $3,990£0€0$0$0 | $3,990£0€0$0$0 |
| Mar 07, 2027 to Mar 15, 2027 | $3,990£0€0$0$0 | $3,990£0€0$0$0 |
| Mar 14, 2027 to Mar 22, 2027 | $3,990£0€0$0$0 | $3,990£0€0$0$0 |
Supplementary Information
Please inquire to book!
**All prices are in USD
TOUR RATES
- $3990 per person
Single Kayak: If you are interested in reserving a Solo kayak for yourself, it will cost an additional $100 for the trip and we require that you fill out an eligibility questionnaire. Your adventure consultant will determine if you qualify after receiving the filled out questionnaire. In any case, the Trip Leader of your adventure always has the right to decide that a solo kayak is not appropriate based on weather and ability.
Single Supplement: If you are a solo traveler, you will be charged a $85 USD single supplement charge while staying at the 7 Crowns Centro halfway through the tour. If you wish to have your own private accommodations at whale camp (or we are unable to pair you up with another solo traveler), you will also be charged a $300 USD single supplement charge for 2 nights ($150 per night). Solo travelers may be asked to share a tent with another guest at our whale camp. If you are asked to share a tent, rest assured that tents are 8x12', full-height canvas wall tents, with two cots and plenty of room to maneuver around your tent-mate without difficulty. During the kayaking portion of the trip, solo travelers will be provided with their own 2 person tent, at no additional cost.
Please note, we have a limited supply and availability per departure, so please inquire at the time of booking if you have any questions.
INCLUDED
- 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
- Including from Loreto to whale camp and from whale camp back to Loreto
- 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
NOT INCLUDED
- Airfare
- Transportation to and from airports
- Hotel before and after activities on tour
- National Parks & Biosphere Reserves access fees required by itinerary
- Gratuities for Sea Kayak Adventure guides
- Items of a personal nature
PLEASE NOTE
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 decisions made by Port Captains on our Baja trips. In these cases we may alter the itinerary to mitigate these issues. This could look like staying in a campsite for multiple nights, delaying water crossings by a day or two, or transferring the trip to an entirely different location. If we cannot kayak, we will provide a substitute activity. Each whale-watching session is two hours in length. We cannot guarantee the presence of whales, nor mother whales with calves, during our trips. We have set the dates for our whale watching season to conform to the date range that the whales are usually in Magdalena Bay. However, we cannot control their movements, or when they might arrive at the bay, or leave to swim north towards the end of the season. We have chosen conservative dates to improve the odds of seeing whales. Tides are also a factor as during low tide, any whales that leave the bay cannot enter again until the tides are higher. We end our season at Magdalena Bay around the third week of March and move trips either north to San Ignacio Bay or sometimes south to Puerto Chale. We recognize this isn't ideal, however we have no control over nature and we've found that most prefer to still have a trip going, versus no trip at all. Since we are basing our decisions on constantly shifting wind and weather forecasts, decisions to alter trips are made last minute (no sooner than noon the day prior). The safety and security of our trips is our top priority. Our guides monitor forecasts very closely and will inform you as soon as any changes are made. Sea Kayak Adventures reserves the right to modify and alter trip itineraries and will not provide any refund in these circumstances.
Reviews
FAQ & More
How do I get to Loreto?
Getting to Loreto is easy by flight on American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and a few others from major US cities like Los Angeles, Phoenix, or Dallas. Please see our Baja Travel Guide for full details on travel to and from Baja. Additionally, please see our Flying to Loreto page for information on flights from various cities across the U.S. and Canada.
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 boat rather than the shore. You will need to be able to tred water comfortably 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.
Watch Now: Camping in Loreto, Baja with Sea Kayak Adventures
Watch Now: Baja Bathroom Facilities
Read Now: Camping in Magdalena Bay with Sea Kayak Adventures
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.
Can I bring a drone on the trip?
Due to Mexican Park regulations, drones can only be operated by special permit. Because of this, and the potential of impacting others' experiences on our trips, we ask guests not to bring drones.
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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