Many of the tour operators in the southern half of the Baja California peninsula, in the state of Baja California Sur, Mexico are based in Loreto or La Paz; coastal communities on the Sea of Cortez side of the peninsula. Most tours visit uninhabited islands and coastlines near those two departure points. The reason multi-day tours don’t run from Cabo San Lucas is because there are no nearby islands to paddle to and the sea is much more exposed there.
Comparison of Loreto and La Paz
Loreto is a sleepy Mexican fishing town about an 8-hour drive from Cabo San Lucas. It was the original capital of the peninsula until 1828 when a hurricane devastated the town and the capital was permanently moved to La Paz. La Paz, a city of 250,000, is the main ferry terminal to mainland Mexico and is roughly halfway between Loreto and Cabo.
Loreto has limited flights arriving daily from Los Angeles or San Diego on Aero Mexico, Alaska and Aero California. La Paz has more roundtrip flight options on those airlines and others. Loreto is a 2-day drive south of San Diego in California, USA. Some guests choose to fly into Cabo San Lucas to take advantage of cheap flights and take an air-conditioned bus to Loreto or La Paz for a fraction of the price. what would it cost in usa
Both Loreto and La Paz have several large uninhabited islands nearby that are exquisite for paddling and exploring. Both Loreto and La Paz are within reach of Bahía Magdalena, the gray whale lagoon on the Pacific side of the peninsula. All islands in the Sea of Cortez and the three gray whale lagoons on the Pacific coast have Mexican national park status, and all vendors and private parties must have the proper permits. Be sure to go with a vendor that has the appropriate operating permits, or if you’re at a private party, obtain the appropriate permits from the national park office in both communities, as federal officials conduct regular inspections of park areas.
Private parties are not allowed at all in Magdalena Bay, although they are permitted in the Sea of Cortez. Authorized owners are committed to preserving the laws and the environment in which they operate and must pay all applicable taxes to Mexico, must hire and train locals to be sea kayak guides and logistics managers, and have insurance. of liability and proper safety training/procedures.
self-sufficient vs. Motorboat tours
Most sea kayak tour operators fall into either of these two camps, so be sure to ask what type of tour the company offers and what they include in the tour price. Most tour providers have mostly double kayaks, as most guests are fairly new to kayaking, but some will also have single kayaks, for people to rotate. So this is another topic to explore.
Weather in Baja California Sur
Daytime temperatures from late December through February are in the 70s to 80s (degrees F), and nighttime temperatures can drop into the 40s, requiring a warm sweater and hat. From March to early May, they range from the mid-80s to mid-90s during the day and from 55 to 60 at night. Although rain is infrequent in the Baja California peninsula, it occurs from December to February. Please bring synthetic and cotton clothing, layered to suit extreme weather conditions (your supplier will provide you with an equipment list).
Water temperatures range from 68 to 72 degrees F (some consider a wet suit a good idea from December to March for snorkeling). SPF clothing, light-colored long-sleeved shirts and long pants and hats are rapidly gaining popularity and are great for outdoor travel in sunny weather. Periods of strong winds of up to 2-3 days at a time can occur in this part of the world from November to March, although they begin to decrease in February and March. Hurricane season is from August to November. Temperatures exceed 110 degrees F in June, July, and August, so most vendors do not run tours at that time.
Whales in Baja California Sur
The rare blue whale/largest love creature in the world today, and fin whales frequent the Sea of Cortez from February to mid-April, as well as the occasional humpback whale. The once-endangered California gray whale, whose population now numbers around 28,000, migrates each fall and winter up the Pacific coast from Alaska to spend the month of February and the first two weeks of March in the three large internal Pacific lagoons/waterways of the Baja California peninsula. coast. There they rest, give birth and mate before heading to Alaska in late March.
Mexico strictly protects California’s gray whale lagoons, therefore the lagoons can only be entered with a licensed kayak tour operator or motorized tour operator. Common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, and California sea lions are commonly seen in Baja California waters. A common myth is that one can pet a whale from a kayak; this has never been known to happen. They move much faster than a kayak can paddle and have never been curious about kayaks.
However, it is becoming more common for gray whales in Pacific coastal lagoons to be approached by motorized boats and even occasionally petted by humans. Boat operators licensed by the Mexican government are quite adept at knowing how to let the whales get close to them and how to avoid stressing them out.
Why go with a provider?
The seas and winds can be quite challenging at times, and the destinations remote, so experienced guides are an invaluable asset unless you have a lot of experience of self-sufficient tours in this type of environment, and even then, there are unique weather patterns of the Sea of Cortez. An authorized shipowner will have the knowledge; experience, sound equipment and commitment to safety and service that can allow you to relax and enjoy your vacation in Baja California. Also, due to the remoteness of the southern part of the Baja California peninsula, weather, and liability issues, finding expedition kayaks for rent in Loreto or La Paz is extremely difficult (suppliers don’t want to rent their tour boats anymore). that they need to carry out their tours).
Why sea kayak?
It is a magical sport, calm, quick and easy to learn; the boats are stable and seaworthy. Wildlife is less threatened by a person leisurely passing by in a kayak than any other approach. It’s a great way to spend time with new friends in a wild setting. Kayaks can carry more gear than backpacks, which is why many former hikers are turning to sea kayaking. Come see why sea kayaking is becoming increasingly popular by taking a guided sea kayak tour in a beautiful setting.