3-6 Day Sea Kayaking Tours in the Islands of Loreto Bay National Marine Park
Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Sea of Cortez is one of the best winter sea kayaking destinations in North America. Over several days, you’ll paddle through the spectacular waters of Loreto Bay National Marine Park, backed by the high cliffs and sandy beaches of its desert landscapes. The towering escarpments of the Sierra Giganta Mountains will serve as your constant backdrop for an adventure you’ll never forget.
Spend your days kayaking, hiking, and snorkeling in this magnificent setting, with sea lions and dolphins regularly breaking the water’s surface. Blue-footed boobies, pelicans, and frigate birds will be your companions along the journey, as will a colorful array of tropical fish. Each winter, blue whales migrate through the area while fin, humpback, and sei whales are also occasionally spotted.
Our Islands of Loreto Bay kayaking tours explore the beautiful Islas Danzante and Carmen, with itineraries that extend from three to six days. You can opt for a self-supported or motorboat-supported itinerary, with the latter carrying all camping gear, food, and supplies for you, including a cooler with ice for cold drinks.
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Itinerary
Day 0
Arrive in Loreto + Evening Orientation Meeting
Fly into Loreto and grab a cab to your hotel, with the afternoon at your leisure to explore this beautiful town. Tour the historic mission or visit the local market before dining on authentic Mexican cuisine at one of the local restaurants. In the evening, there will be an orientation meeting hosted by your guides.
Day 1
Kayak Orientation + Sea Kayaking + Snorkeling + Hiking
Your adventure officially begins after breakfast when you’ll meet your guides and board the van that will transport you to our launch site located 20 minutes south of Loreto. Your guides will lead you through a safety orientation and provide some paddling tips before we launch our kayaks into the turquoise waters of the Sea of Cortez.
When we stop for lunch, there will be plenty of time for snorkeling and hiking before we jump back into the kayaks and head to our first campsite. Spend the evening chatting with your fellow paddlers over a drink and feasting on the delicious dinner prepared by your guides before gazing up at the starlit sky above.
Day 2-5
Sea Kayaking + Snorkeling + Hike + Whale Watching
The following days will be spent exploring the idyllic islands of Loreto Bay National Marine Park, with around four hours of paddling each day. This will be broken up by regular floating rest stops and leisurely lunch breaks, giving you the opportunity to snorkel, hike or just relax on the beach with a good book.
Along our kayaking routes, you may encounter whales, dolphins, and flying manta rays, as well as a variety of birdlife soaring in the sky above. Days will begin early with freshly brewed coffee and spectacular sunrises, then will end with margaritas at sunset and hearty dinners. On dark nights, you may even be lucky enough to see the bright blue bio-luminescence glowing along the shores.
Day 6
Take Out + Explore Loreto + Evening Farewell Dinner
Spend your final morning at the campsite wandering along the shoreline and catch a glimpse of the resident marine life. After lunch, we will break camp and paddle to our take-out site where we’ll unload our kayaks and make the return journey to Loreto. Enjoy a refreshing shower at the hotel before joining your guides for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 7
Return Home or Extend Your Stay
It’s time to say goodbye to Loreto as you head to the airport for your return flight home. Alternatively, you may opt to extend your vacation in Baja California with one of our trip extensions.
Please note: Our 3-, 4- and 5-day itineraries follow the same schedule as the 6-day itinerary but with fewer days of kayaking and camping. Day 0 and the last day remain as the arrival (fly in) and departure (fly out) days.
Dates & Rates
Supplementary Information
Seasonal Rates and Departure Details
- 3, 4 & 6 Day Tours depart November - December & April
- 5 Day Tours depart Mid January thru March
3-Day Tours Rates: (Friday departures) - November and December:
We can offer other 3 Day Kayak Tours throughout the Spring on Fridays for Custom Groups
- 2- 6 Guests - $1090
- 7 - 13 Guests - Adults $990/ Youth $910
4 Day Tour Rates (Sunday Departures)
- 2 - 6 Guests - $1440
- 7 - 13 Guests - $1280
5-Day Tours (Monday departures- January-March):
Low Season - January 1 - 18, 2023 Rates:
- 2- 6 Guests - $1540
- 7 - 13 Guests - Adults $1390 / Youth $1280
High Season - January 19 - March 31, 2023 Rates:
- 2- 6 Guests - $1620
- 7 - 13 Guests - Adults $1490 / Youth $1490
6 Day Tours Rates (Sunday departures)
- 2 - 6 Guests - $1740
- 7 - 13 Guests - Adults $1590 / Youth $1470
Single Supplement:
- Single kayaks are available to reserve and use throughout the trip for an additional cost of $100. Please note, you must have previous ocean paddling experience to reserve a single kayak.
- Solo travelers will be provided with their own tent during all of our kayaking tours, at no additional cost. Please note, a limited number of single tents are available per departure.
INCLUDED:
- Full services of our Adventure Consultants
- Professional naturalist and bi-lingual guides
- All meals and beverages as indicated on the itinerary
- All transportation while on tour
- All kayaking, camping and snorkeling equipment
- Panga supported kayaking tour
- Taxes
NOT INCLUDED:
- Airfare
- Transportation to and from the airport
- Hotel before and after the tour
- $30 National Parks & Biosphere Reserves access fees required by itinerary
- Gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
WEATHER-CAUSED TRIP ALTERATIONS
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. In particular, on our La Paz-based trips, winds may prevent us from crossing from the Port to Espiritu Santo Island which may also be reason for the Port Captain to close the port or prohibit crossing. In these cases there are different solutions. Sometimes we have to delay the crossing by a day, or have to leave Espiritu Santo Island a day early. In these cases we provide a substitute activity for the day we cannot kayak. If the weather forecast predicts a series of days with strong winds, we also reserve the right to transfer the trip to Magdalena Bay on the Pacific Coast, which is almost always in calm, protected waters. We recognize this isn't ideal, however we have no control over nature. Most people prefer to still have a trip going, versus no kayak trip at all. Decisions to alter trips are made within 24 hours of trip departure, since forecasts are sometimes incorrect. If you purchase Trip Insurance and wish to cancel on the day of the trip, the "Trip Interruption" coverage may apply if Mexican authorities have closed the Port. Sea Kayak Adventures does reserve the right to modify and alter trip itineraries and in these circumstances will not provide any refund of trip monies paid.
ALL PRICES IN US DOLLARS. We will do our best to adhere to the itineraries and trip descriptions listed on our website. However, tour itineraries or sub contractors (such as taxi, cruise boats or hotels) may change slightly due to reasons beyond our control including but not limited to Acts of God, wind, waves, inclement weather or other. We always welcome you to call us to clarify any item - often this is the best way to fully clarify expectations - call us collect or on our toll-free number. You will be sent pre-trip email with latest details within a month of your tour - it is your responsibility to check in with us prior to your trip to see if you have all the information you need. We will always do our best to provide you with the best possible tour and to fully meet your expectations to the best of our ability.
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