Best of Baja: Whale Watching & Sea Kayaking
On The Best of Baja Tour, you will visit both of the spectacular coasts of Baja. On the east side, the beautiful Espiritu Santo Island in the Sea of Cortez, and on the west side, the remote and wild shores of Magdalena Bay on the Pacific Coast.
From our luxury base camp on a white sand beach on Espiritu Santo Island, you’ll have the opportunity to kayak below the island’s stunning volcanic cliffs and snorkel with playful sea lions and colorful tropical fish. As a bonus, on late February and early March trips it’s quite possible to observe the humpback whales that occasionally visit the waters surrounding Espiritu Santo Island.
In Magdalena Bay, you will be able to see gray whales right in front of our luxury base camp. For closer viewing, locally operated skiffs will take you out to observe and photograph the whales up close as they frolic in the bay. Other opportunities for exploring include kayaking through mangrove estuaries that are rich with bird life and beach combing along the coastline of this remote Pacific Barrier Island.
The Best of Baja Tour is an active adventure designed for the people who want to paddle, snorkel and watch whales – all within a 9-day tour. This is truly a ‘one of a kind’, comprehensive Baja journey! From mid-January through mid-March we set up our luxury base camps. For sleeping accommodations, we have large walk-in canvas tents with two cots, sleeping pads and pillows. For comfortable dining, there is a large dining tent set with tables and chairs.
This tour will be a time of discovery and fun in the unique environments of the Sea of Cortez and Magdalena Bay. Each day you can choose from a variety of activities like paddling, hiking, whale watching, and snorkeling to help build your appetite for a delicious dinner and relaxed evening. Our experienced naturalist will provide interesting talks on the local flora and fauna of the area, and the resident coyotes may even serenade you as the stars blaze above. This is the experience of a lifetime!
2024 Price: $1895 pp for 10 nights
2025 Price: $1995 pp for 10 nights
Price Includes:
- 3 nights hotel stays
- 7 nights at two different luxury base camps including tents, cots, pads, & pillows
- All meals as noted on the itinerary
- Expert naturalist guide & kayak instruction provided
- Purified drinking water & evening cocktails at camp
- Transportation to camps
- National Park Fees
- Motorized skiffs, captains, guides, and crew/cooks
- Community camp equipment including kayaks and associated equipment, tents
Price Does Not Include:
Airfare, meals on travel days to and from Baja or in town, beer, wine 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, snorkel gear, wet suits (available for rent) and guide gratuities.
Single accommodation fee:
* No previous kayaking experience is necessary, as we will be teaching all of the skills needed to paddle in this area. Our base camp is gorgeous and sunset watching will be a lifetime memory!
Tour Difficulty
- Rating: Easy – Moderate. We provide instruction in both double and single kayaks throughout the trip.
- Approximate paddling distance per day: 1-8 miles
Tour Highlights
- Multi-activity emphasis
- Snorkeling with friendly sea lions (weather permitting)
- Whale Watching
- Kayaking in Mangrove Estuaries
- Dune Hiking
- Fishing
- Great for families!
“I could not have asked for a better trip. I have been grinning for days since my return. Thank you for a great memory.”
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive La Paz, overnight Hotel Posada LunaSol. Enjoy exploring this lovely seaside city. Our hotel reception can recommend things to do and places to eat.
Day 2
After breakfast at our poolside cafe, depart for Espiritu Santo Island (ESI). Arrive for lunch at our beautiful beach base camp. Kayak and camp orientation and afternoon paddle. Overnight ESI camp. B/L/D
Days 3, 4, & 5
Enjoy activities at our ESI camp including paddling below volcanic cliffs, snorkeling with friendly sea lions and among tropical fish, hiking through canyons below towering cactus and possibly trying your hand at fishing. All this while enjoying evening cocktails and delicious meals prepared with fresh ingredients by our crew. B/L/D
Day 6
Morning nature walk or short paddle then depart ESI after an early lunch for boat ride back to La Paz. Arrive La Paz mid-day and check into our hotel. Enjoy a nap and/or stroll along the Malecon of this lovely seaside town and some excellent dining for lunch and dinner at restaurants of your choice (we can provide suggestions). Overnight hotel in La Paz. B/L
Day 7
Breakfast at our hotel then board the vans to depart for Lopez Mateos on the Pacific Coast of Baja (4 hours including 2 stops). Upon arrival at the lovely embarcadero enjoy a delicious lunch of fish and shrimp tacos seaside before boarding the boats to head into Magdalena Bay. En-route to camp you’ll have your first encounters with the magnificent gray whales of Mag Bay. We will whale watch for around 2 hours and arrive at our luxury whale camp on the shores of Magdalena Bay late afternoon to settle in and enjoy happy hour and scrumptious dinner. Overnight whale camp. B/L/D
Day 7
Enjoy activities from our luxury whale camp including whale watching from motorized skiffs offered both morning and afternoon, sea kayaking, fishing or bird watching in the nearby mangroves or beach combing along the coastline of this remote island. B/L/D
Days 8 & 9
Enjoy activities from our luxury whale camp including whale watching from motorized skiffs offered both morning and afternoon, sea kayaking, fishing or bird watching in the nearby mangroves or beach combing along the coastline of this remote island. B/L/D
Day 10
Day 11
*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 wildlife unpredictability, weather and port closures. Upon the chance the port is closed and we can not get a group to the island on departure day we will provide a land based activity for this day.