Islands of Loreto Bay Kayak Tour

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 tips on getting to and from Loreto. Additionally, please see our Flying to Loreto page for information on flights from various cities across the U.S. and Canada.

Included: Skilled professional guide services, ground transportation, motorboat support to carry gear, snorkeling equipment, 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.

Not Included: Airfare, transportation to and from the airport, hotels before and after kayaking, gratuities, National Parks & Biosphere Reserves access fees required by itinerary, and items of a personal nature.

Yes, our Sea Kayak Adventures Baja trips are motorboat-supported. If at any time a guest does not want to paddle, they are welcome to ride in the panga instead. For more information on our panga-supported sea kayaking tours, see HERE.

There are a few physical requirements for our kayaking trips. 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 be able to help carry the kayaks above the high tide line, in teams of 6-8, before the group disperses. You will change camp sites almost every night, but you may have a layover day. Camp sites are assigned by the National Park Service immediately prior to the tour.

Camping in Loreto Bay by kayak is seamless with Sea Kayak Adventures, thanks to your exceptional guides. As conditions allow, you’ll paddle to a new campsite each night, discovering the stunning beauty of the Islands of Loreto along the way. When you get to your evening campsite, all group members must be able to help carry the kayaks above the high tide line. You will change campsites almost every night, but you may have a layover day. Campsites are assigned by the National Park Service immediately prior to the tour. 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 dome 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.

Watch Now: Camping in Baja with Sea Kayak Adventures

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As with all adventure travel, there is certainly an inherent risk that comes along with this sort of travel, as well as multiple external factors and variables that are outside of our control. However, we do take every measure to ensure that you and your family are in a safe situation while paddling. We paddle large, expedition-style sea kayaks. Their size, girth, and weight make them very stable to paddle. We have never experienced a situation in which a whale has harmed a kayaker in the water. The whales are very aware of their surroundings, and we maintain a safe distance at all times.

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 of capsizing is reduced by our stable boats, but it exists. All of our kayak guides are trained in kayak rescue.

A highlight of this Islands of Loreto Bay sea kayaking tour is the incredible wildlife. The Islands of Loreto Bay are high traffic areas only to whales, dolphins, and other marine life! Boats are few and far between, and even other kayakers are seldom encountered. A few coves are popular lunch sites for passing boats or local fishermen, but otherwise, you may feel as if you're alone in the wilderness. The Loreto Bay National Park Service assigns campsites on these islands and only allows one group per site. Barring mix-ups or weather emergencies, your tour will have the beach to yourself.

The best time to see whales in the Sea of Cortez is typically January through March. The islands of Loreto National Marine Park, located in the Sea of Cortez, are home to 6 different species of whales, including Blue, Fin, Sei, Humpback, Bryde's, and Pilot whales. From January through March, 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 and San Ignacio Lagoon, on the opposite side of the peninsula, are both world-renowned winter nursery grounds of the Gray whales. 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 during this short season.

Yes, fishing is allowed in Loreto Bay. You would need to obtain a fishing license either before arriving or upon arrival. Our guides will not allow fishing if you are unable to produce a valid license. You will also need to bring all of your own fishing equipment. Along our kayaking routes, there are areas where fishing is allowed; the guides will let you know where fishing is prohibited. Also, fishing is only allowed at the guide's discretion, as we have an itinerary, schedule, and other group members that we have to take into consideration.

The best time to visit Loreto is in the spring or fall, when the weather is ideal for enjoying the Sea of Cortez. These seasons offer the perfect conditions to explore Loreto’s vibrant marine life, stunning coastline, and peaceful desert landscapes. 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 a higher 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.

There are many diferences between Loreto and La Paz, making them each unique and worth a visit. Loreto is smaller and serene, while La Paz is bigger city boasting with activies and exploration. If you are having trouble deciding between the two destinations and want to learn more, we suggest reading this Blog detailing the differences between Loreto and LaPaz.

Sea Kayak Adventures will provide you with a detailed packing list prior to your trip. We provide all of the necessary camping, paddling, and snorkeling equipment, which you will need to fully enjoy your adventure. If you are interested in more specific information, check out our general Baja packing list here! If you have any questions or need help deciding what to bring, you can call or e-mail one of our friendly Adventure Consultants at any time for some extra advice!

Watch Now: How to pack your gear and kayak in Baja!

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.

Please check out this great website Weather Underground for temperature averages in Baja.

In order to store your luggage at the recommended hotel, you have to stay a night, whether before or after your tour with us. We recommend getting a luggage lock if you are leaving any electronics in the bags. We’ve never had any issues with guests leaving their bags at the hotel, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. If you are staying elsewhere, please note that you have to make arrangements to store your luggage while on tour.

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.