6-16 People
Group Size
8+
Age
Moderately Strenuous
Physicality

 

Activities: Sea kayaking, snorkeling (including with friendly sea lions), nature walks, fishing and turtle release (on late October & November trips only). Possible whale sightings (humpback, blue and fin) on March and April trips.
Duration: 8 days, 7 nights: 5 nights camping, 2 nights hotel
Begins and Ends in La Paz
Number of guides/crew: 2-6
Minimum age: 8 – This is a generalization of age appropriateness for this trip, but please note we make exceptions depending upon your child’s personal experience.
Single accommodation fee: $120 hotel and tent, $95 single hotel and shared tent, $50 single tent and shared hotel.
Approximate min/max paddling distances per day: 8-20 miles. Please note this is an approximation and can vary greatly dependent on the winds, time of year and group size. During the fall months of October and November, following the rainy season, some beaches are undesirable for camping due to bugs but fine for spring trips. Other beaches are small and can only accommodate smaller groups of 6-10 people.

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Espiritu Santo Island (7 days)

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Baja Coast & Islands, Loreto to La Paz (9 days)

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Island Hopping, La Paz to Loreto (9 days)

Activities: Kayaking, snorkeling (including friendly sea lions), hiking, fishing, visiting local fishing villages, whale watching (spring trips only). Duration: 9
5+
Easy – Moderate

 

Espiritu Santo Island is the quintessential paddling paradise! We combined this with some of Baja’s extraordinary marine wildlife for the journey of a lifetime. Paddle, hike, fish, snorkel with friendly sea lions and tropical fish, and release sea turtle hatchlings into the Pacific (October, November and December) or witness humpback, fin or blue whales (March and April) and manta rays flying from the sea’s surface!

This extraordinary, desert island national park has over 20 white sand beaches, volcanic cliffs with towering cactus all surrounded by the wildlife rich waters of the Sea of Cortez. Kayaking and camping along the shores of this island paradise allow us the opportunity to explore ancient archeological sites, canyons adorned with hanging fig trees, freshwater wells, classic desert arroyos, prime fishing holes as well as snorkel among friendly sea lions and tropical fish. Weather permitting we’ll attempt to paddle its unique east coast of sheer rock walls, caves and towering spires.

This is the perfect escape for the novice to advanced sea kayaker seeking some scenic paddling combined with snorkeling, hiking and fishing. Our skiff-supported trips allow our professional guides some flexibility in providing each participant the level appropriate activity they desire in a flexible and relaxed environment. If you want a challenging day of paddling, they’ll provide you with that experience. If you prefer to take a day off from paddling and want to snorkel, hike or hang at camp that can also be arranged.

We will camp on 2 to 3 beautiful white sand beaches (depending on the winds and season) while exploring this island paradise. Our motorized support boats/skiffs are used to carry heavy equipment from camp to camp so your kayaks are light and easy to paddle. The motorized skiffs also come in handy to pick up tired paddlers (we throw your kayak on a roof rack). We also use the skiffs to take folks snorkeling with sea lions or for opportunistic whale watching in the spring months when a whale spout is spotted off shore in the distance.

There is no other island in the Sea of Cortez quite like Espiritu Santo! If you love to camp at the water’s edge, paddle, snorkel and/or hike and fish while enjoying a spectacularly scenic national park with abundant wildlife, this truly is your dream vacation!

1

Day 1

Arrive in La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico and check into our hotel, The Posada LunaSol. Evening on your own to explore La Paz and dine at one of its many fine restaurants. 
2

Day 2

Breakfast at our poolside cafe (served from 7 to 9am) then meet your guide at the hotel lobby for orientation and the pick up of rental gear and PFD’s (time will be given in hotel welcome letter). Transfer by boat to the island of Espiritu Santo. Lunch upon arrival at camp with camp and kayak orientation followed by paddling in the bay. Happy hour and dinner, overnight first beach camp. B/L/D 
3-6

Day 3-6

Guided kayak, snorkel, nature walks and fishing excursions are offered daily as our guides and crew choose the best activities each day in accordance with your desires, abilities and the weather. They will choose the optimal days for snorkeling with whale sharks (when present) and sea lions interspersed with paddling camp to camp, nature walks and snorkeling. You will camp on 2-3 different beaches while exploring this island paradise. Please note this itinerary can vary greatly dependent on the winds, time of year and group size. During the fall months of October and November, following the rainy season, some beaches are undesirable for camping due to bugs but fine for camping in the spring. Other beaches are small and can only accommodate smaller groups of 6-10 people.

Fishing excursions by boat will be offered most mornings and for those interested. Our support boats will also be used for snorkeling excursions to a sea lion rookery and possibly for whale sharks if present for the experience of a lifetime swimming alongside these marine animals in their habitat. B/L/D

7

Day 7

October through December trips: Enjoy a pleasant paddle or morning nature walk with your guides, early lunch at camp then transfer back to La Paz by boat arriving mid-day. Check into the hotel upon arrival in La Paz and enjoy a nice shower. Late afternoon departure for Todos Santos for the sea turtle release at sunset (on Oct, Nov and Dec trips only) and return to La Paz that evening for a late dinner on your own and overnight in hotel. B/L

March through April trips: Enjoy a pleasant paddle or morning nature walk with the guides, early lunch at camp then transfer back to La Paz by boat arriving mid-day. Check into the hotel upon arrival in La Paz and enjoy a nice shower and relaxing afternoon enjoying this lovely seaside town, dinner on your own at one of La Paz’s many fine restaurants and overnight in hotel. B/L

8

Day 8

Travel day for getting to the airport to return home or continuing your trip in Baja. B

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 and the presence of wildlife. Snorkeling with whale sharks is completely weather dependent (calm seas are necessary) so this activity will depend on the weather and presence of sharks during the week you are on the island. We will attempt to provide you with at least one encounter of snorkeling with whale sharks when they are present and the weather is calm during trips from October through mid to late March, sometimes even into April.

Upon the chance the port is closed due to high winds and we can not get a group to the island on departure day we will provide a land based activity for this day.

Tour Calendar for Island Kayaking & Marine Wildlife (8 days)

Tour DatesDescriptionRate
Oct 21 - Oct 28, 20237 nights
$1450
Oct 29 - Nov 5, 20237 nights
$1450
Nov 18 - Nov 25, 20237 nights
THIS TOUR IS FULL. 		FULL
Nov 26 - Dec 3, 20237 nights
$1450

What's Included

Two nights hotel accommodations and 5 nights camping based on double occupancy, all meals as noted on the itinerary, purified drinking water with powder drink mixes and an evening cocktail while at camp. Community camp equipment including kayaks and associated equipment, tents, motorized skiffs, captains, guides and crew/cooks.

 

What's Not Included

Airfare, airport transfers, meals on travel days to and from Baja, beer or soft drinks (there will be an option to purchase these and we will provide coolers with ice for storing them at camp), personal gear such as sleeping bags, pads, pillow, snorkel gear, wet suits (available for rent in Baja) and guide gratuities.