Baja sea kayaking and whale watching tours in the Sea of Cortez and Magdalena Bay are truly an unforgettable tropical beach adventures! The popularity of sea kayaking is growing rapidly. Today's modern sea kayaks are lightweight, stable and fun to paddle. Our sea kayak and whale watch tours are for all abilities and we provide kayak instruction on our guided kayak tours. Sea kayaks have become the personal watercraft of choice for thousands of individuals and couples worldwide. Nichols Expeditions provides sea kayaking tours in a variety of locations in Baja. Our kayak tours range from a sea kayaking journey where we move our camp several times to deluxe base-camp tours, complete with dining tents, showers and top notch naturalists. Whether you're a beginner or an accomplished paddler, our Baja sea kayak tours will provide you with a week or maybe a lifetime of fun and accomplishment. See you in Mexico!

Below are descriptions of our three Baja sea kayak tours to Espiritu Santo, Loreto to La Paz and Baja Whale Watching in Magdalena Bay and Sea Kayaking in the Sea of Cortez.

Nichols Expeditions also offers Alaska Sea Kayak tours in Kenai Fiords National Park and Kodiak

BAJA ISLANDS ODYSSEY

Your Tropical Island Dream Vacation has just arrived! Join us for a week of paddling state-of-the-art sea kayaks, camping on shimmering white sand beaches, snorkeling with colorful tropical fish, sunrise fishing excursions, cocktails at sunset and the great food Baja is famous for. Muy bueno!

This exquisite tour will introduce you to a host of Baja’s most pristine islands - Espiritu Santo, Monserrat, San Francisco, Pardito, San Jose, Danzante, Los Islotes and Santa Catalina. Here, numerous inlets and hidden sea caves are waiting to be explored by sea kayak. We will teach the basics of kayaking during the trip, so no previous kayaking experience is necessary. Paddling is optional and motorized skiffs accompany the group to carry gear and tired paddlers.

Each day as we transfer to a new island you can keep an eye out for pods of dolphin or manta rays leaping from the water. With luck you might even spot pilot whales in search of their own seafood dinner. Once at camp you can extend your discoveries with a mask and snorkel to view exotic fish and multi-hued coral beds in comfortable 80 degree water. The visit to the sea lion rookery on Los Islotes offers the thrill of a lifetime - snorkeling alongside these curious playful creatures as they perform graceful underwater ballet! Late afternoons are reserved for short hikes, swimming, fishing or simply relaxing on the beach at happy hour with a margarita beneath one of Baja's magical sunsets. It just doesn't get any better!

DAY 1: Travel day to La Paz and taxi to your hotel. We will meet the group in the evening (time to be announced) in the hotel lobby for a trip orientation.

DAY 2: After breakfast, we'll depart from the hotel lobby at 8:00 am for a 2-hour boat ride to Espiritu Santo. There, we'll set up camp, have lunch, do an introduction to sea kayaking and go paddling. Cocktails at sunset and a tasty dinner will be waiting for us at camp.

DAYS 3-7: Moving from island to island via motorized boat each day, with kayaking, snorkeling, fishing or hiking upon arrival. From Espiritu Santo to San Francisco we will anchor at Los Islotes, a sea lion rookery, for a fantastic snorkel with these friendly, playful critters. From here we travel to the islands of San Francisco, San Jose, the beautiful beach of Puerto Gato on the coastline of Baja, visit Santa Catalina Island and continue on to camp on Monserrat and Danzante Islands.

DAY 8: Morning options of paddling or snorkeling. After lunch, transfer from Danzante to Loreto via boat and van (1 hour). Check into the hotel. Afternoon on your own to shower and explore the tranquil town of Loreto before the evening farewell dinner at a local restaurant.(restaurant meals are not included in the price of the tour).

DAY 9: Travel day. Taxi to airport and departure flights leave Loreto.

Tour Begins : La Paz, Baja, Mexico
Tour Ends: Loreto, Baja, Mexico
Trip Type: Sea Kayaking Tour, camping
9 days/$1,250 includes 2 nights hotel (double occupancy), 6 nights camping on several islands in the Sea of Cortez, all meals while camping, kayaking gear, tents and motorized support skiffs
Oct. 25 - Nov. 2, 2008
(Other departures available Nov., Dec., March & April)
Itinerary Request

BAJA SEA KAYAKING LORETO TO LA PAZ

Join us on an exciting sea kayak journey along the remote eastern coast of Baja. This is your chance to step back in time and see Baja as it was 50 years ago - wild and unexplored. Paddling south from Agua Verde, we find pristine beaches with crystal clear water and a few small fishing villages tucked into the seaside cliffs. This kayak trip differs from our other Baja trips in that there is more emphasis on paddling. It is suitable for beginner through experienced kayakers, we will be giving kayak instruction and support skiffs accompany the trip.

Farther inland, Baja's fiery volcanic history is revealed in multi-colored layers of pastel sediments thrust skyward forming the craggy Sierra de la Giganta mountains. From our beach camps, we can hike back into this rugged country for a more intimate look at the spectacular desert landscape and the fascinating array of native plants and animals found here. Colorful sunrises, superb snorkeling and excellent fishing will fill our days along the Sea of Cortez. This is the perfect fall break and a paddler's delight!

 

DAY 1: Travel day, arrive in Loreto and transfer to your hotel. The afternoon is yours to explore this charming little town. We will meet the group in the evening (time to be announced) in the hotel lobby for a trip orientation.

DAY 2: After transporting everyone to Agua Verde we launch our kayaks and begin the southward journey along the Baja coast, camping on secluded beaches each night.

DAYS 3-7: Welcome to "Baja Time," with spectacular sunrises, enjoyable hours on the water in our sea kayaks (approx. 3-5 hours per day), fishing, snorkeling, a relaxing happy hour, great food, an outrageous sunset and good conversation ...a hard schedule, but we can handle it!

DAY 8: Return to La Paz, lunch on route, check into the hotel and the rest of the day is yours to explore La Paz. That evening we invite you to join us for a festive farewell dinner (restaurant meals are not included in the price of the trip).

DAY 9: Departure flights leave La Paz.

Meeting Place: Loreto, Baja, Mexico
Trip Type: Sea Kayaking Tour, camping
9 days/$1,250 includes 2 nights hotel (double occupancy), 6 nights camping, all meals while camping, kayaking gear, tents and motorized support skiffs
Nov. 1-9, 2008
(Other departures available Nov., April & May)
Itinerary Request

BAJA WHALE WATCHING IN MAGDALENA BAY
AND SEA KAYAKING IN THE SEA OF CORTEZ

For sea kayaking and snorkeling, the Sea of Cortez's warm, clear waters are unrivaled. We'll spend the first part of our trip on the eastern coast of the Baja peninsula enjoying the good life, camping on beaches and swimming in the clear, protected waters.

Midway through the trip, we'll transfer to the Pacific side of the Baja peninsula; "Mag Bay" is the winter home of some of the largest animals on Earth. At the end of their 5,000 mile journey from the Bering Sea, hundreds of Pacific Gray Whales congregate each year in these protected waters to mate, bear their young and pass the winter months before returning north in the spring. The narrow bay allows us to observe the fascinating behavior of these magnificent mammals at close range. Magdalena Bay is also home to sea lions and dolphin. Paddling silently, you'll see a wide variety of migrating shore and sea birds who gather in the dense mangroves and search for food at the water's edge. Our base camp is on an island that creates a barrier between the rolling surf of the Pacific Ocean and the calm water of Mag Bay. A short walk across the island reveals miles of uninhabited beaches, shells, driftwood, whale bones and even a shipwreck.

Day 1: Fly to La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Evening on your own to explore La Paz and dine at one of it's many fine restaurants. Hotel Lodging in La Paz.

DAY 2: After breakfast at the hotel, we will pick-up snorkel gear and leave for a 2-hour boat ride to Espiritu Santo. Once there we'll set up camp, have lunch and go paddling. Cocktails at sunset and a tasty dinner will be waiting for us at camp.

DAY 3: Our day will be a fun collage of paddling, visiting a sea lion rookery to snorkel with the sea lions, fishing, hanging out on the beach and eating great food - you can handle it! Paddling is optional and will usually be 2-4 hours per day. Support skiffs will accompany us on our excursions.

DAY 4: After a morning paddle and lunch, we’ll transfer back to the hotel in La Paz. Your afternoon is free to shower, shop and wander around La Paz.

DAY 5: Transfer to Magdalena Bay by van (approx. 4 hours) and 1/2 hour skiff ride to our whale camp. After lunch, it’s time for whale watching if conditions permit.

DAYS 6 & 7: Motorized skiffs are used to observe the magnificent gray whales up close for 2 - 3 hours per day, as whale watching by kayak is prohibited in Magdalena bay. Other activities include kayaking and bird watching in the estuaries, kite flying, volley ball and beach combing along miles of pristine pacific coastline. Each evening our knowledgeable naturalist will present an informative natural history slide show on the whales, marine life and birds of the area.

DAY 8: After a morning of kayaking or whalewatching, we will transfer back to our hotel in La Paz for a shower. Dinner that evening in La Paz.

DAY 9: Flights back home.

Meeting Place: La Paz, Baja, Mexico
Trip Type: Sea Kayaking, Whale Watching and Camping
9 Days/$1,300 includes 3 nights hotel (double occupancy), 5 nights camping, all meals while camping, kayaking gear, tents and motorized support skiffs
Feb. 23 - March 2, 2008
(Other departures available in January & February)
Itinerary Request

photo credit: Mary Harter

Nichols Expeditions also offers Alaska Sea Kayak tours in Kenai Fiords National Park and Kodiak