Sea Kayaking and Whale Watching Trips in Baja, Mexico

COMBINATION TRIP:
SEA KAYAKING ESPIRITU SANTO ISLAND,
& WHALE WATCHING MAGDALENA BAY

Trip Details:
Duration - 10 Days 9 Nights / 6 nights camping, 3 nights hotel
Activities - Kayaking, whale watching, snorkeling (including friendly sea lions), hiking, fishing
Cost - $1,400
Begins in - La Paz
Ends in - La Paz
For current trip dates, check our calendar page or expeditions page
Group size - Min.4, Max. 18
Number of Guides/crew- 3-6
Minimum age - 6
Single supplement fee - $175 hotel and tent, $75 tent only
Sea kayak rating and approximate min/max distances per day - Easy, Beginner to intermediate, 4-6 miles

The kayaking portion of this trip is spent exploring the beautiful island of Espiritu Santo in the Sea of Cortez. The other half of the trip offers close encounters with the Pacific gray whales in Magdalena Bay on the Pacific coast of Baja.

Kayaking from our base camp on Espiritu Santo Island allows us the opportunity to explore beautiful white sand beaches, canyons adorned with hanging fig trees, boulder up arroyos, and snorkel among friendly sea lions and tropical fish.

In Magdalena Bay, daily excursions into the bay provide close encounters with the magnificent and friendly gray whale. The whales migrate here every winter from their feeding grounds north of Alaska to court, breed, give birth and simply frolic in the warm, calm waters of Baja's Pacific bays. Motorized skiffs, skillfully and sensitively operated by local boatmen, are used for whale watching excursions. Other activities may include exploring the dunes and coast in search of whalebones, bird watching, kayaking in the mangrove estuaries, or playing beach volleyball.

Meals are a combination of the best of American and Mexican traditions prepared with fresh local ingredients. Barbecued chicken, fresh fish Vera Cruz style, grilled steak tacos accompanied by guacamole and a variety of Mexican salsas, plus fresh soups and salads are just a few examples of our tasty menus. The skiffs allow us to bring large blocks of ice to store fresh produce and indulge in luxuries such as cold sodas, juice and beer. Each evening we serve a cocktail and appetizer for "happy hour" so you can enjoy the spectacular Baja sunset while sipping an ice cold Margarita! Special diets are easily accommodated due to the variety of foods we are able to store with a skiff-supported trip.

This trip provides the experience of a lifetime for avid kayakers, wildlife lovers, whale watchers and outdoor enthusiasts as they encounter the magnificent gray whale and the wonders of the Sea of Cortez.

"We had a glorious time on our trip, and absolutely fell in love with the guides and support crew. The entire adventure was more spectacular than we ever imagined - the natural beauty, the friendliness of everyone we encountered, the food, the up-close encounters with the wildlife. It was hard to leave, and we vowed to come back some day. We also had the great pleasure of being on the trip with complete strangers who turned out to be wonderful companions. They even tolerated the noisiness of our children. Please know you have a special crew on hand. Their patience and sense of humor, especially toward the children, was incredible. It was a memorable trip for everyone. "
Kindly,
The Morrison Family

ITINERARY

*PLEASE NOTE:
Some trips will go to Magdalena Bay first and Espiritu Santo second.
All activities remain the same, only reversed.

Day 1: Fly to La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Evening on your own to explore La Paz and dine at one of its many fine restaurants.

Day 2: Breakfast at hotel. Pick up rental gear and transfer by boat to our base camp on Espiritu Santo Island (approximately 2 hours). Lunch upon arrival at camp. During lunch we will give a camp orientation followed by sea kayak instruction and paddling. The sea kayak orientation includes a mandatory wet exit or "dunk test." So get ready to have some fun as we all take the plunge! It's a piece of cake! B/L/D

Days 3-5: Kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, fishing and relaxing along the shores of the enchanted island of Espiritu Santo. Guided kayak excursions from 1 1/2 - 4 hours are offered daily along the coast and to outlying islands. Camp is located in a large protected bay, allowing folks additional kayaking time to explore the large sheltered bay. Other guided activities from camp include skiff excursions to nearby snorkeling "hot spots" including a sea lion rookery where we join these graceful creatures, swimming alongside them while enjoying their playful and curious nature first hand. Hiking into canyons draped with fig trees or fishing for sea bass and red snapper are other side attractions. B/L/D

Day 5: After lunch, return boat ride to La Paz for a nice hot shower and a no-host dinner in town on your own (our La Paz office will be happy to give some recommendations). Overnight hotel. B/L

Day 6: Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Magdalena Bay by van (approximately 4 hours) and 1/2 hour skiff ride to our whale camp. Lunch and camp orientation. Possible afternoon whale watch. B/L/D

Days 7-8: Motorized skiffs take us into the bay for close encounters of the magnificent gray whales. From 2-4 hours per day may be spent observing whales from the skiffs. Active whale watching by kayak is prohibited in Magdalena Bay. Other activities include bird watching by skiff or kayak and beach combing along miles of pristine Pacific coastline. Each evening our knowledgeable naturalists present slide shows on gray whale natural history, behavior and birds of the area. B/L/D

Day 9: After morning whale watch, transfer back to your hotel in La Paz. Afternoon free to shower, shop and wander through downtown La Paz before meeting for the farewell dinner that evening. B/L/D

Day 10: Transfer from hotel to airport (approximately 20 minutes) for flights home.
B/L/D indicates meals included with trip cost.

"I'm finally getting around to sending a note letting you know how wonderful our Baja trip was. I can't say enough good things about it! The itinerary was perfect (two different camping experiences), the equipment was great, the activities were fun and informative, no one was pressured into doing more than they felt like, the food was so yummy. And -- we had the luck of being part of an interesting, hilarious and likeable bunch of like-minded tourists." -Jo Ann Soker

"Marcy and I just returned from our trip to Espiritu Santos and Mag Bay (10 days) and we want you to know that we had a FABULOUS time!!! Every detail of the trip was so skillfully executed - - completely seamless right from the start. We thank you so much for offering this type of trip to folks who really appreciate the natural beauty of our planet. Baja is a particular favorite of mine and to see more of it from the water than ever before was really a gift. Marcy and I (and perhaps a few others) are considering coming back next year. Please convey a special (and great big) gracias to Carlos, Roman, Manolo, Angel, Alejandro and the others for all of their efforts in making this trip a wonderful memory. Carlos and Roman are extremely knowledgeable guides and we found ourselves right in the middle of the course 'Student of Life 101.' Many thanks!!"
Theresa Trotland
Marcy Glisson
Trip Details and Camping Information

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