WHALE WATCHING AND KAYAK CLASSIC ISLANDS – SKIFF SUPPORTED

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 our charming shops and rich selection of restaurants.

Depending on the weather forecast for the week, we may go today to Magdalena Bay, located on the Pacific side of the Baja Peninsula. We board our panga, and for the next 2-3 hours watch mother gray whales and their young swimming together under the guidance of our boat captain and guide. The whales often get close enough to touch you, or look you in the eye. Lunch at a local restaurant in the fishing village of Puerto Lopez Mateo is included, and afterwards we head back to the Sea of Cortez to begin our kayak adventure. We will be transported to our first nights Island camp. (If the forecast calls for good paddling early in the week, we will likely save our Magdalena Bay adventure for the end of the week on Day 6.)

The sun rising over the Sea of Cortez and casting its light on the jagged promontories of Isla Danzante, and the Giganta range to the West, is a sight to behold. Your guides will point out Los Candeleros Islands, small rocks jutting above the water that serve as a home to cormorants, boobies, and ospreys. Blue whales and pods of dolphins have been spotted in the channel between the two islands, so on our shakedown paddle this morning, we’ll be sure to keep a good look out! The afternoon can be spent snorkeling teeming reefs and shorelines, enjoying more paddling, or going out in our panga for more extended whale watching.

Today we’ll cross over to Isla Carmen. We make camp on the southwestern tip of the island, and we’ll have plenty of time in the afternoon for hiking, snorkeling, stand up paddle boarding, or a trip into the Blue Whale Triangle.

After a delicious breakfast of Mexican eggs, tortillas, fresh fruit, and fresh coffee, we’ll go on a day trip to the coves of Isla del Carmen, then return to the campsite for more activities. You’ll have another opportunity to go see whales.

We have spent two nights at the Isla del Carmen campsite, so it’s time to cross back to Isla Danzante for a new campsite, one surrounded by massive rock formations. We’ll spend some time exploring Danzante’s shoreline, with its many tranquil coves, until we finally reach the cove where our camp is located.

The sun rises over the Sea of Cortez one last time, making fiery colors briefly appear on the turquoise-hued water. Bid goodbye to this magnificent piece of the planet. We’ll have breakfast, pack up, and paddle back to Puerto Escondido for the take-out, where a van will be waiting to take us back to Loreto. Once we’ve all enjoyed a final seaside lunch or snack, it’s back to your hotel or the airport, your head filled with the past week’s experiences, your heart looking forward to your next adventure. (again, depending on the weather for the week, we may have chosen to make this our Magdalena Bay/Grey Whales day.)

While you can fly home on the afternoon that we come off of the water, on Day 6, many folks will want to spend a little more time in our warm and friendly Pueblo of Loreto. We’ll be happy to share with you some of the many wonderful side excursions and discoveries available to you if you decide to extend your visit.