Southern Baja

Combination: Kayaking Espiritu
Santo Island and Whale Watching Magdalena Bay

About the Trip

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.

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.

Trip Details

Duration 10 days, 9 nights: 6 nights camping, 3 nights hotel
Activities Kayaking, whale watching, snorkeling (including friendly sea lions), hiking, fishing
Begins in La Paz (LAP)
Ends in La Paz (LAP)
Group size Minimum 4, Maximum 18
Number of guides/crew 3-6
Minimum age 5 - This is a generalization of age appropriateness for this trip, but please note we make exceptions depending upon your child's personal experience.
Single supplement fee $195 hotel and tent, $75 for tent only
Sea kayak rating Easy
Approximate min/max
distances per day
4-6 miles

Itinerary

Please note, on some trips the itinerary will start in Magdalena Bay and end on Espiritu Santo Island. 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 3-4 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.
Although we do our best to adhere to the above itinerary, it is subject to change for reasons beyond our control including weather.

Dates and Rates

Dates Rates  
2014

Jan 31-Feb 9

 

$1,400

Included:

La Paz airport/hotel transfers, 2-5 nights hotel accommodation based on double occupancy, all meals and beverages (including cold Mexican beer and cocktail each evening) from breakfast day 2 through a farewell dinner in town the last evening of the trip, community camp equipment including kayaks and associated equipment, tents, motorized skiffs, captains, guides and crew/cooks.

Not included:

Airfare, meals on travel days to and from Baja, Loreto airport/hotel transfers, personal gear such as sleeping bags, pads, snorkel gear and wet suits (available for rent in Baja) and guide gratuities.

Accommodation Single Supplement:

If traveling single a single supplement fee usually applies. This fee varies by trip. You can find this fee by clicking the trip details tab.

* Discounted trips
Trip full