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Loreto to La Paz Expedition

Kayaking in Mexico with Sea Kayaking Adventures, Inc.

Highlights

  • Classic 10 day Baja paddle from Agua Verde south of Loreto to the first take out north of La Paz
  • Suitable for those with some prior experience

 

Full Description

A challenging ten-day sea kayak expedition along a rugged coastline between Loreto and La Paz. Great for the adventurous paddler desiring to experience a remote area few people see.

Encompassing 65 miles of road-less coastline and offshore islands between Loreto and La Paz on the peninsula's eastern coast, this is Baja's classic sea kayak expedition. This coastline is one of the most remote and sparsely populated areas in all of Baja. There are no villages or towns, and the only access to the occasional fish camp is by sea.

The Sierra Giganta Range plunges into the Sea of Cortez, effectively isolating the area from the rest of the peninsula and creating a stunningly beautiful backdrop the entire trip. We'll make camps on beaches that dot the base of these magnificent mountains. Canyon hikes take us into the desert interior, while kayaking allows an intimate exploration of the many coves and sea caves.

The clear waters of the Sea of Cortez teem with colorful life, and the snorkeling around the shallow reefs and vertical ledges is excellent. We see pods of dolphins, as well as massive whales. You'll paddle past towering volcanic peaks, miles of unexplored beaches and forests of giant cardon cactus. Prehistoric-looking frigate birds circle high above while squadrons of pelicans glide across the glassy water.

The expedition begins with your arrival in Loreto and after an adventurous 10 days of paddling you'll arrive at the take-out site near La Paz.

Includes:

  • 2 nights' hotel
  • 10 days paddling
  • 9 nights camping
  • Airport transfer in Loreto upon arrival and taxes
  • 3 guides
  • All kayak gear and instruction
  • All meals while kayaking
  • All camping gear including sleeping bags, pads and tents
  • Library
  • Tables and chairs
  • Shade tarps

Excludes:

  • Airfare to Loreto
  • $25 national park fee
  • Tips for guides
  • Transfer back to airport
  • Personal items
  • $20 snorkel gear rental

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1

Fly to Loreto from Los Angeles. You'll be met by our ground service and transported to our hotel in Loreto. Group orientation meeting with trip leader at 6 PM. Dinner on your own in town.

Day 2

After breakfast the group meets outside the hotel to board the van for the drive south to our launch point near Agua Verde. At the beach the guides will give a comprehensive sea kayak instruction and then we'll paddle the kayaks down the coast to our first campsite.

Days 3-10

Each day's paddle is 7-10 miles; or 4 to 5 hours of moderately paced paddling, stopping every 2 hours to rest. We'll spend the afternoons exploring by foot and snorkel. Activities include a nature hike up an arroyo and visits to the remains of a Jesuit Mission and to a small fishing village, as well as opportunities for beach combing, wildlife viewing, photography, stargazing, and swimming in crystal clear waters.

Day 11

In the morning we break camp and paddle to our take-out site near Punta Coyote, where we'll be met by vans for transport to La Paz. After checking into the hotel there is time to shower and explore the town. This evening there is a no-host farewell dinner at a local restaurant fronting the yacht harbor, where we'll toast our new kayaking skills, and new found friends.

Day 12

You are on your own for transportation to the airport for your flight homeward. Taxis (Spanish-speaking) are easily found; BUT depart for the airport no later than 2 hours before flight.

About The Operator:

Sea Kayaking Adventures, Inc.

Headquarters:

Coeur d'Alene, ID

Since the beginning, Sea Kayak Adventures has created simply outstanding sea kayaking trips and incredible wildlife encounters for outdoor-minded travelers by offering not only fun and excitement, but also inspiring adventures designed to rejuvenate your body and spirit. We're all about getting away from everything, learning new things, observing wildlife, meeting great people and introducing you to a new way of travel. So that you can experience the dream vacation you deserve, we emphasize unparalleled customer service, superb sea kayaking and whale watching destinations, and unbeatable support and camaraderie from each of our SKA guides. We serve gourmet meals and provide all the equipment needed.

Sea Kayak Adventures is actually three companies- we are fully licensed and permitted by the Mexican and Canadian governments to operate in their waters, including national parks in Mexico and provincial parks in BC Canada. We maintain offices in these countries, pay all the required fees and taxes and we are committed to the hiring, training and development of local personnel. Our office in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, USA handles your reservations and takes care of you before and after your trip.

In 1993 Terry Prichard and Nancy Mertz Prichard, after working as sea kayak guides for many years in Baja and the Pacific Northwest, created Sea Kayak Adventures. We wanted to share our love of nature and exciting work with others in our own way. Meeting great people, kayaking close to whales, sleeping under the stars. Being intimate with nature. It's an incredible experience.

We operate at all times with environmental ethics in mind. We hire local highly trained guides exclusively in Canada and 90% local in Mexico (some of our Canadian guides lead our tours in Mexico) well on track to our goal of grooming fully certified marine biologist guides and Mexican trip leaders for all tours in Mexico. We put as much money as we can into the local economy of our destinations. We were the first company to design and implement porta potties for double kayaks, which is now standard in the industry in Loreto, Baja and first to go carbon neutral. We run mostly self-supported tours (ie no motorboat support) thus rely on the greater carrying capacity of double kayaks. Some of our Baja tours are motorboat-supported - i.e. a motorboat goes along, usually going ahead to camp each day with the camp gear, which can carry more amenities than a self-supported trip, so you do have your choice there. We have 1-2 single kayaks on each trip for guests to rotate into (we do not guarantee exclusive use of single kayaks). Our guides are eager to help you learn and develop your paddling skills.