”"Excellent food, excellent guides, excellent experience, excellent gear, excellent camaraderie-- everything was wonderful!" - Hilary | Kayak Coast and Islands Skiff Supported Trip
Once in a lifetime Baja Experiences
The Sea of Cortez is a breathtaking sight, with the southeastern landscape of Baja California Sur running into the bright blue ocean. The desert ridges and canyons around Loreto boast the richest variety of plant and animal life on the peninsula, and the nearby islands and reefs teem with marine life. From the Sierra de la Giganta mountain range to the idyllic coastline and islands, Baja California Sur is a natural paradise for adventurous travelers.
Operated by Paddling South
The Baja trips highlighted below are operated by Paddling South, Sea Trek’s sister company.
Paddling South, known as one of Loreto’s oldest travel companies, was started by Trudi Angell, a respected, long-time local paddler in Baja. Paddling South provides a wonderful suite of self-supported and skiff-supported kayak trips, giving a complete range of experiences suited to any kind of adventure traveler.
Our local partners, Loreto Kayak Tours, have been outfitting Paddling South trips for 15 years. Owner/operators Jorge Salas and Antonio Hernandez, besides being amazing guides, are the boots-on-the-ground, providing local expertise and logistical support to create unforgettable experiences for all our clients.
What kind of paddling experience are you looking for?
This will help you choose the right adventure for you.
Skiff Supported
Skiff-supported trips use a small motor boat, called a panga, to carry all food, equipment, and camping gear. We bring a cooler, upright chairs, and a SUP to use at camp. These trips are great for people looking for a little more comfort while camping on Loreto’s beautiful islands.
Expedition Style
Expedition-style trips are similar to backpacking. Kayaks are loaded with all equipment and food. Guests kayak longer distances daily, spending one night per campsite on one of Loreto’s islands before kayaking to the next.
Explore Baja Trips
Kayak & SUP Private Custom Trips
Call for pricing
Non-Members
Custom Baja trip for you and your family and friends. Kayak or stand-up paddling. Expedition style or skiff supported.
Protected: KAYAK CLASSIC ISLANDS – SKIFF SUPPORTED
Kayaking, hiking , snorkeling, paddleboarding, with panga support
Kayak Coasts & Islands – Expedition Style
$1,795
Non-Members
Kayak expedition down Baja California’s Sea of Cortez, snorkeling, hiking
Kayak Coasts & Islands & Whale Watching – Expedition Style
$1,995
Non-Members
Whale-watching kayak trip in Baja California with hiking and snorkeling
Kayak Loreto to La Paz 10 Day – Expedition Style
$2,195
Non-Members
Sea kayak expedition with hiking, snorkeling, and sightseeing
Kayak Mulege to Loreto 10 Day – Expedition Style
$1,995
Non-Members
A sea kayak expedition in Baja California Sur with hiking and snorkeling
Meditation Retreat and Kayak Classic Islands – Skiff Supported
$2,995
Non-Members
Kayak tour based in meditation, self-discovery, and more with Mark Coleman
OnBoardSUP Yoga Retreat and Classic Islands – Skiff Supported
$2,495
Non-Members
$2,245
Members
Stand-up paddleboard trip and yoga retreat in the Sea of Cortez with Leigh Claxton
Kayak Coasts & Islands – Skiff Supported
$1,995
Non-Members
Skiff supported, six day adventure kayaking through the islands and coast of Baja
Kayak Coasts & Islands & Whale Watching – Skiff Supported
$2,195
Non-Members
Whale-watching kayak trip in Baja California with hiking and snorkeling
Kayak Coasts & Islands 4-Day – Skiff Supported
$1,695
Non-Members
Skiff supported, 4 day adventure kayaking through the islands and coast of Baja
Kayak Coasts & Islands & Whale Watching 4-Day – Skiff Supported
$1,895
Non-Members
A 4-day whale-watching kayak trip in Baja California with hiking and snorkeling
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the plane ticket?
Round-trip flights from/to Los Angeles can cost $450 – $750. Flying from San Francisco are an
additional $150.
I’ve never kayaked before – can I do these trips?
These trips are fine for beginners. Our guides are experienced kayak instructors in the off-season who enjoy teaching and sharing all the skills and safety techniques that you need and want to know. Many clients tell us that the time spent with them in the afternoons often is the richest part of their trip, with many folks advancing several levels during the course of their week with us!
That said, participants should be in reasonable physical shape and be ready to paddle for 2 – 3 hours each day. If you are on either our Loreto to La Paz trip or our Mulege to Loreto trip you may be paddling as much as 5 hours per day. More importantly, you should enjoy the experience of camping and “roughing it” outdoors. Signing up for a Baja trip lets you take our Intro to Sea Kayaking Class in Sausalito for half price.
How much do we paddle each day?
Daily mileage varies depending on the trip. On Classic Islands or Whale Watching trips, our longest stretch between campsites is 6 – 7 miles. On the Family Base Camp trips, we paddle and use the panga; distance will depend on the age and energy level of the kids.
The mileage listed is when we move as a group. Often afternoons are free for those who want more paddling time or you are welcome to take a boat out early and greet the sunrise. It’s the best seat in the house!
What’s the weather like?
We offer trips between October and early May, when Baja is mostly sunny and daytime temperatures are in the 70s – 80s. In February and early March, evening temperatures can cool down into the 50s.
Can I drink the water in Baja?
Loreto has a water treatment facility and the town’s water is drinkable, but to be extra safe we recommend drinking bottled water when in town. Local hotels provide bottled water. Water provided on the kayak trip comes directly from a water purification plant.
What’s the food like?
Delicious and healthy backcountry cuisine is our specialty, and clients are consistently amazed by the variety and quality of our meals. After hors d’oeuvres and a cold beverage for happy hour, you will be treated nightly to original Mexican platters, seafood, local vegetables and fruits, and dessert. A nice hot drink like coffee and Kahlua (or perhaps herbal tea) is perfect for watching the nightly star show!
Breakfasts and lunches are likewise healthy and tasty, with local fare alongside familiar foods from the States. If you ever want a snack, energy bars, fruit juices, cold mineral waters, and local nuts and fruits are always on hand. Of course, the local tortillas, fresh handmade ceviche, and guacamole and chips with a Pacifico chaser are the most requested items on any trip, and you will never forget them!
Vegetarian and gluten free diets can be accommodated, with delicious and fulfilling meals for you at every turn being our goal and mission.
What sort of clothes do I need?
This is Baja, so a few changes of beachwear, some warmer extra layers for evenings and early mornings, some town clothes, and a long-sleeve shirt and pair of pants with sun protection are all the clothes you’ll need. Footwear should be well-suited for water activities–sandals or booties should protect the bottom and sides of your feet for paddling, tide-pooling, and general water time. In addition, a light pair of walking or running shoes is good to have for non-water time on the islands. Heavier hiking shoes are overkill for the terrain we encounter on our route.
A shade hat is indispensable, along with a visor or baseball type hat for wearing while paddling on breezier days. Most folks enjoy the cultural interaction of going out in town on their first afternoon in Loreto and purchasing one of the beautiful and inexpensive handmade straw sombreros.
We’ll send a thorough packing list with your sign-up confirmation email.
What is the bathing situation?
Our standard protocol is to wash off in the sea with a biodegradable salt water soap such as Camp Suds, which leaves no salty sticky feeling afterwards. We bring a large amount of purified drinking water along. You’re welcome to use some of this in your water bottle to give your face a fresh water rinse off.
There are always two sanitary hand washing stations in separate locations in camp for maintaining general hygiene, cleanliness and personal comfort.
What is the toilet setup on these trips?
Every year, our clients compliment us on the comfort, vistas, and ingenuity associated with our toilet arrangements. We are proud to be camping in a pristine wilderness environment, on islands with almost no permanent structures of any kind. We remove all waste that we generate, and leave no footprint or impact for those that follow us.
The panga carries our portable toilet system. Our staff sets up the bathroom in a designated site that is private, and we’ve created a system to communicate whether it’s occupied or available. The toilets are emptied and cleaned frequently, and there is a sanitary hand washing station nearby with disinfectant soap. Plenty of toilet paper is provided.
Should I tip my guide?
If you would like to express your appreciation to the guides through a gratuity, please know that such recognition would be enthusiastically received. The industry standard for tipping is approximately 10-20 percent of the trip cost. All tips received will be collected and equally disbursed amongst your guides by the trip leader.
42 years leading Baja Adventures with thousands of happy customers
We give you more than just a tour!
Our local staff combines knowledge, skill, and friendly service to make you feel at home on land and sea. Traveling along the remote coast or from island to island, learn about Baja’s natural history, enjoy great meals with priceless views, and share in the camaraderie of an exceptional outdoor adventure.
What our Clients are Saying
We have been helping people of all ages have fun on the water for over 40 years! See what our guests have to say about Sea Trek and Paddling South.
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