Experts in Baja Active Travel 

For 30+ years our guests have experienced life-changing adventures in Baja, California with us.  We have a depth of experience and knowledge that goes far beyond any other Baja tour company, and are proud of our team of superb Mexican guides and support staff that do all in their power to provide you the best possible trip. We focus on sea kayaking, whale watching, hiking and cultural tours throughout Baja California Sur. With operational bases in Loreto and La Paz, and our whale camp in Magdalena Bay, we have a breadth of operational support that is unparalled.

Kayaking Baja

The outdoor activity of most renown in Baja is sea kayaking.  A sea kayak tour along the coast of Baja, California, is a dream of many paddlers.  Dramatic mountains fall into the brilliantly-turquoise waters of the Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez, one of the world’s healthiest and most pristine marine ecosystems.  Here, gorgeous white-sand beaches make for idyllic camps while crystalline waters provide stunning snorkeling opportunities.  It’s a soul-nourishing, peaceful place filled with life.  Underwater is an orchestra of brightly colored fish and in some places, magical corals.  Often as we kayak we see dolphins, porpoises, and mantas.  From January to April while kayaking in the Sea of Cortez, we also often get to watch whales of different types including blue whales, fin, minke, and even orcas! It's easy to see why kayaking Baja should be on every paddler's bucket list. 

We also offer sea kayaking on the Pacific Coast side of Baja where massive sand dunes meet crashing surf.  Our paddling is in the protected lagoons, where gray whales also visit to calve and nurse their young.  Trips here are easily combined with our whale watching camp and our hiking adventures to the prehistoric  cave paintings of Baja.

Sea kayaking is the main activity on these trips, but there is also time to hike in the desert environment and learn about the plants and animals that make this home.  Sea Kayak Adventures has been operating in Baja, California, since 1993 and we remain one of the oldest, most experienced Baja sea kayak companies around.  We have offices in both Loreto and La Paz and all our guides and staff are local.

Our Baja kayaking trips in the Gulf of California take place from either the small town of Loreto, next to the Islands of Loreto National Park, or from the capital city of La Paz. We have trips as short as 3-days/2 nights and as long as 12 days/11-nights.  We also offer a variety of 1 and 2-day trips that can be added on to our sea kayak tours.

Baja Kayaking Tours:

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Whale Watching in Baja

Baja Mexico is a region with some of the most astounding whale watching in the world,  as many species converge there in the winter.  Blue whales come into the Sea of Cortez from late January to March and tours focused on seeing these depart from the small town of Loreto. Other species seen in the Sea of Cortez from January to April include minke, fin, orcas, pilot, humpback,  Bryde's, and the endangered Sei and these can be seen while on a sea kayak adventure, or on whale watching tours aboard motor boats.  Cabo is the main center for day tours to see humpbacks.  One of the most amazing whale watching experiences are excursions aboard 18-20' motor skiffs in one of the three lagoons where gray whales congregate to calve on the Pacific Coast of Baja.  From north to south these are Ojo de Libre, San Ignacio and Magdalena Bay. A certain percentage of the gray whales are known as "friendlies" and approach quite close to the boats, apparently curious and seeking interaction with humans.  It's an astounding experience given that the whales are free to roam wherever they wish in the endless sea.  Late January to late March is peak season for seeing gray whales who begin their spring migration north to arctic waters once their calves are ready for the journey. 

At Sea Kayak Adventures, we offer incredible whale watching options at both Magdalena Bay and San Ignacio Lagoon. While the gray whales often steal the show in Baja, our kayaking tours in the Sea of Cortez feature incredible opportunities to observe blue, minke, fin, Byrde's, Sei, fin, pilot, orcas and humpback whales. Our naturalist guides ensure that biological education is intertwined in every Baja experience and itinerary.

In addition to whale watching, Baja offers the unique opportunity to swim alongside the ocean's gentle giants - whale sharks. These massive yet docile filter feeders congregate in the waters off the coast of La Paz from October to May, providing an extraordinary chance to swim with whale sharks in their natural habitat. Swimming with these incredible creatures is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that highlights Baja's rich marine biodiversity.

Baja Whale Watching Tours:

Baja Bubble JourneysTM

For people that are not interested in camping, but like to be active while traveling, we have curated a unique series of trips called our Baja Bubble JourneysTM.   These  take you deep into Baja's natural beauty including little-known parts of dramatic beauty found in the interior mountains of the peninsula.  From 2 to 8 days, these trips are suited for groups from 2 to 10 people and include the best of Baja's seascape and remarkable mountain hinterlands.  Learn about Baja's rich history and culture, shaped by time and nature on these fascinating trips that provide a holistic view of Baja.  These custom tours are available October 1-January 10 and April 1 - June 1.

Baja Bubble JourneysTM :

Choosing the Right Baja Destination and Trip

Map of Baja

Loreto-Based Sea Kayaking Adventures

One of our most popular trips combines either 3 or 5 days of kayaking in the Sea of Cortez, with 3 days at our whale watching camp in Magdalena Bay, or San Ignacio Lagoon.  All of these trips are suitable for first-time kayakers, but will also be fulfilling for those with experience.

For more experienced sea kayakers, we have several fantastic options.  Near Loreto, and also in the Bay of Loreto National Park is Carmen Island where we offer a trip that circumnavigates the island.  Another good choice, for those seeking a more challenging kayaking tour in the Sea of Cortez, is our Loreto to La Paz adventure.  For those who would like to see this spectacular coast, we have an easier paddling trip in the opposite direction, island hopping our way from La Paz to Loreto.

Consider adding our 2-day Mountain Mission & Village Oasis Tour, 1-day San Javier Mission Tour or 1-day Steinbeck Canyon Hiking tour to round out your Baja kayaking trip! See a full list of options on our day tour page

La Paz-Based Sea Kayaking Tours

Our other base is located in the capital of Baja Sur, La Paz.  A tranquil city with a beautiful waterfront, La Paz is just 2 ½ hours north of the Cabo San Lucas airport, so is easy to get to.  About 10 miles offshore is the legendary Espiritu Santo Island with dozens of crenulated coves and protected kayaking waters.  We offer a 5-day trip here that is ideal for sea kayakers of all abilities, including families.  The island also offers great hiking, snorkeling, and incredible scenery.  One of the highlights of these trips is the chance to snorkel and swim with young sea lions at a sea lion rookery.  One of the most popular Baja sea kayaking trips, with easy access via Cabo San Lucas, there is more human activity here than on some of our other locations.

Just north of La Paz is the island of San Jose.  In the fall and late spring, when winds are generally low, this is an island paradise for sea kayakers.  Very few people come here, so it offers an outstanding wilderness experience, set beneath a backdrop of towering mountains that are on the mainland of Baja.  Bountiful fish and marine creatures make for rewarding snorkeling. The island has a number of hiking trails to, that pass through arroyos of cactus and desert plants.  For those seeking a trip during some of the warmer months with few other paddlers around, our 6-day Isla San Jose kayak tours are ideal!

Before or after your Baja sea kayaking tour, we recommend you join us to swim with whale sharks!  Our half-day tours are a fabulous way to view these magnificent, harmless animals, close up.  It’s a real thrill to be swimming alongside these wide-mouthed creatures as they feed on plankton and tiny sea life. You might also consider a short jaunt into the historic silver mining district of Baja on our 1-day Mining History and Village Life tour.

Baja Pacific Coast Paddling

Magdalena Bay is a beautiful and protected body of water sandwiched between islands of sand dunes and mainland Baja.  In early spring, when the gray whales are around, we offer our Magical Magdalena Bay whale-watching and sea kayaking tour that combines a night in our whale camp, two whale watching sessions, and a 5-day/4-night sea kayaking trip.  We camp in beautiful sand dunes as we paddle south in the bay.  There’s time for beachcombing, birdwatching, amazing sunrises and sunsets, and plenty of camaraderie along the way.  Because we are paddling in protected waters, it’s very rare that wind events interfere with our paddling.  We usually don’t see any other sea kayaking groups in this area, giving this trip a real sense of remoteness.  Trips start and end from the town of Loreto.

Which Trip Would Be Best for Me?

When considering which trip would suit you best, here are some questions to consider:

  • How long of a trip do you want?
  • Where are you traveling from?
  • What time of year is best for you?
  • How many miles do you want to paddle each day?
  • Is hiking important to you?
  • Is snorkeling an activity you want to do?

We’re happy to discuss this with you by phone, chat, or email!  With our wide variety of Baja sea kayak tours, we’re bound to have the perfect match so you can find yourself kayaking Baja before you know it.