KAYAK LORETO TO LA PAZ 10 DAY – EXPEDITION STYLE
A 80 Mile Sea Kayak Expedition with Hiking, Snorkeling, and Sightseeing
Oct 21, 2024 - Oct 30, 2024
Mar 17, 2025 - Mar 26, 2025
Highlights
- Explore 70-90 miles of scenic Baja coastline
- Join other avid kayakers in a long-distance journey
- Experience the history and culture of the Baja Peninsula up close
- Enjoy the expertise of our local guides
- Stop at beautiful campsites in picturesque locations
- Witness the immense variety of life along the coast
TEN DAYS OF KAYAKING ALONG THE BAJA COAST
Our favorite long-distance adventure, the La Paz Route takes 10 days for a group of experienced paddlers to complete. The seas and coastline provide the perfect environment for relaxing and exploring. If you’ve tried our Coasts & Islands trip and want to see more, or if you’re an avid kayaker who wants to experience as much of the Baja California coast as you can, this is the expedition for you.
You’ll be paddling about 4-6 hours each day, with a general plan to cover 70-90 miles over the course of 10 days. Each paddler will carry all the clothing, items, and equipment you will need for the duration of the trip. You form an independent, self-sufficient unit that sets its own pace. A normal itinerary looks something like this:
ITINERARY
Your adventure begins with a pre-trip orientation with your guides in the afternoon before launch day. We will communicate and coordinate in advance with all guests the time and location for a comfortable outside meeting at a convenient location in town. At this orientation session, our guides will explain the trip logistics in more detail and answer any questions you may have. Afterward, you are free to explore Loreto’s 300+ year old history and enjoy the charming shops and rich selection of restaurants.
Have a hearty breakfast and prepare to check out of your accommodations. Your guides will pick you and your gear up and take possession of your leftover luggage for safekeeping during the week while you are out with us. If you are scheduled to fly out of La Paz, we can deliver your luggage to you at the end of the trip. At the put-in, we’ll pack our kayaks, review basic paddling and safety instruction, and hit the water toward our first camp, often making the stunning and protected beach of la Ballena.
Our first full-length day of paddling will reward us with majestic views of the soaring peaks of the Sierra de la Giganta range over our right shoulders as we move south. As we travel deeper into this coastal wilderness, your soul starts to rejuvenate and your muscles begin to acclimate to the rhythm of the paddling.
Another leisurely day will include a lunchtime stop for some snorkeling, followed by us making camp at remote feeling Punta Prieta. Feel free to hike and explore the surrounding area.
The Sierra Giganta mountain range can be seen in the distance for most of the trip, but as we move south they will pull away from the coast for a while. Today takes us past the historic village of Tembabiche, built above the sand dunes in the early 19th century by the De La Toba family, who financed the construction with money from a famous pearl. If conditions permit, we camp at a site from an even earlier time with indigenous artifacts all over the area.
A short paddling day should take us to Los Dolores Ranch by mid-morning. We generally plan a one-day layover here to rest and enjoy everything this historic area has to offer.
For the layover day, you can relax by the beach and join us on whatever activities interest you. Get out the snorkeling gear and witness the Sea of Cortez’s abundant marine life, enjoy a pleasant day paddle, or explore on foot the coast and desert. Your guides know a great deal about the history behind the nearby mission ruins and the first settlers to the area, and can share how nearby natural waterways helped them survive in their desert surroundings.
Today we paddle between the mainland and Isla San Jose, where large cliffs shoot out of the sea on either side as agave cactus and wild fig trees struggle to grow on the sheer rock. Friends await us at Punta Alta: Doña Cuca and Don Chuy León, whose fishing family provides hospitality during a rest break. The Sierra Gigantas are back near the coast, and around our campsite is one of the most astonishing examples of the area’s geological beauty.
You’ll have spent a full week paddling along a pristine, roadless coast at this point, so the appearance of San Evaristo, a small fishing village with its yachts and handful of buildings, may feel like a return to civilization. Once we’ve paddled several hours to the campsite, the distant lights of La Paz will be our only reminder that the outside world exists.
Rounding Punta Mechudo, you’ll paddle by green copper-laden cliffs and camp at a beautiful cove. The deep underwater canyons and colorful gorgonian sea fans make for some of the trip’s best snorkeling sights.
We’ll paddle from the Punta Mechudo area, along cliff lined shores and shallow water full of corals, as we enter the curve of La Paz Bay. It is not uncommon to see mantas, dolphins, and even whales when the bay begins to open up. Our support team meets us for the dusty drive back into civilization and a warm shower at our hotels.. You’ll have some time to explore the beautiful La Paz waterfront, and then we will meet at a restaurant in the evening for an end-of-trip dinner.
Your guides can help you arrange transportation so you arrive at the airport on time. If you need to leave early to make a flight, you can leave right away. If you leave later, you can take some more time to explore La Paz before saying adios.
Destination
This trip begins at Loreto. Located on the lower part of the eastern gulf coastline, this town has long been a destination for people seeking a wilderness adventure.
While many people with the time and patience enjoy driving into Loreto from San Diego via Federal Highway 1, the easiest way is to fly into the nearby international airport. Alaska Air/Horizon flies directly to Loreto from Los Angeles, and AereoCalafia offers direct flights into Loreto from Tijuana. You can also try reaching the town by flying to La Paz or Cabo, and getting a connecting flight or other form of transportation from there. Contact us for more information on traveling to Loreto.
Accommodations
Most clients for this trip will fly into and stay in Loreto the night before the trip starts. On the last night of the trip (day 10), you may choose to stay in La Paz as it’s common for most to fly home from San Jose del Cabo airport (SJD).
Hotel accommodations are not included in the trip package. You will want to book accommodations for at least the night before the first published day of the trip, and then again for the night of the last published day of the trip.
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JOIN THE ADVENTURE
Ages 14 years old and up. Please call for questions about kids under 14 years old.
If you have any questions feel free to contact us.+
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READ SOME OF OUR REVIEWS
kayak & sup private custom trips
Words cannot express how wonderful this experience was. I went on the paddleboarding excursion with a friend in November. The weather was perfect! The paddling was amazing. The guides were helpful, knowledgeable professional and made sure that every camper got what they were expecting from the trip. We camped on the most beautiful beaches, snorkeled some beautiful spots, went fishing and diving and hiking. Such a full featured experience. I am changed forever. Can't wIt to go back and do it again!!! Worth every penny!!!!
Lisa W
kayak coasts & islands – expedition style
Sea Trek makes you feel welcomed and cared for as soon as you arrive in Loretto. Actually, as soon as you call them months in advance to ask about trip details. The kayaking is beautiful, the sea life swimming beside and below you - whales, dolphins, eels.... The food fresh and tasty, changing each day. An incredible, experience; easy to make the trip what you want... adventurous or relaxing, you choose... they make it happen.
Gringa D
kayak coasts & islands – expedition style
I did a sea trek meditation retreat in Baja this season. From the very start all communication was timely, friendly and organised. Once I arrived in Loreto they were very accommodating. The kayaks were good kayaks and the guides incomparable. Cannot recommend Sea Trek and Baja enough. Thank you for helping making this experience the trip of a life time for me.
Leeanne Ford
kayak & sup private custom trips
We took the SUP option for paddling out to and around these beautiful islands in the Sea of Cortez. I was very glad we did, as SUPing is what we're used to when paddling at home, and it provides a great vantage down through the clear water, a full-body workout, and for me more comfort than sitting. We definitely weren't slowing down the group, and several others wanted to try it out from camp. It was easy to hop on the SUPs just to get a little morning exercise, to find the best snorkeling, and for an absolutely amazing Bioluminescence paddle. This was a wonderful trip. And a side benefit was how pretty, friendly and easy Loreto is.
bill3west
kayak coasts & islands & whale watching – skiff supported
Excellent food, excellent guides, excellent experience, excellent gear, excellent camping, excellent snorkeling, excellent camaraderie -- everything was wonderful! I had a great time! I feel like a new person! The whale watching was great, we also saw dolphins, pelicans and a variety of other animals. I highly recommend Sea Trek Baja trips for solo, couples and families -- you will be thrilled that you did it.
hhlleeo23
kayak coasts & islands – expedition style
The guides were amazing; the scenery breathtaking; the food outstanding. Can't say enough good things - I HIGHLY recommend it!!
Suzy W
kayak coasts & islands & whale watching – expedition style
Our kayaking camping trip from Loreto Mexico was an amazing nature experience. Sea Trek did a great job with answering all the pre-trip questions from my wife and I. The trip itself from Loreto to the islands of Danzante and Carmen was rich in marine and bird life and seeing the blue whales (again and again!) was life altering. The guides were truly experts and a pleasure to be with whether in the water or on a day hike. The meals were yummy, often including a fresh catch of the day. And then there is that celestial night sky…..We want to go back!
Curiosity60282304734
kayak coasts & islands & whale watching – skiff supported
Three friends and I were dazzled by this group of professional, safety minded people. Advice is freely given by all and it is good advice. Amazing food - think fish caught and made into scrumptious meals like clams on the half shell and ceviche. Star gazing with stories about the constellations, going to sleep with the sounds of blue whales, jumping into the boats and racing to get in the middle of a school of dolphins who played in the wake. Kayak trips at different levels for those of us who are not as skilled but still want the adventure. It was all fabulous. I would recommend this trip to anyone who enjoys paddling, sleeping on the beach, and good company. As a group of over sixties, we felt well taken care of and safe. Keep up the good work, Sea Trek. You are a jewel.
Barbara Maher
kayak coasts & islands – skiff supported
This was my 3rd trip with Sea Trek in Baja. My wife and I have gone twice and I went once by myself. I love this place. Beautiful water, desert mountains, cool wildlife and it is in Mexico, a warm and charming culture. Steve, the Baja Big Cheese, has a knack for picking awesome staff. These are the kind of people I wish I had here at home to hang out with. My only complaint is that the trip is too short.
Mark S
kayak coasts & islands & whale watching – skiff supported
Seatrek provided a memorable experience! Joey Heusler, our guide, was extremely knowledgeable about whales and with the Seatrek staff, took us to Magdalena Bay, where we had two trips out to see the Gray whales with their calves, and then on to the Sea of Cortez for a four day kayaking and camping trip on the islands. We saw eight Blue Whales, including one passing right by our island camp! A first time for most of us. The food prepared by the staff was wonderful and everything was done for our safety and comfort. Could not recommend this trip more highly!
RudiDundas
kayak coasts & islands & whale watching – expedition style
The Classic Island and Whale Watch tour was an incredible experience. The guides were pleasant, organized, knowledgeable, accommodating, and excellent chefs! Each individual in our group was asked what they were most interested in doing/seeing during the tour and our guides delivered. We have already recommended Sea Trek to friends and family.
