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8 Day La Paz Kayaking & Whale Watching Combo Tour

3 x 5 Combo, 3 days of whale watching and 5 days of Sea kayaking in Baja, Mexico

Our 8-day kayaking and whale watching combo tour is the ultimate Baja experience, combining watching the gray whales as they test the waters of the Pacific Ocean with their calves, exploring the beautiful desert islands in the Sea of Cortez by kayak and snorkeling along isolated coves in warm, turquoise waters.

It's truly the ultimate Baja tour. Enjoy 3 days of plush beach side camping at our exclusive Gray Whale Camp on Santo Domingo Island in Magdalena Bay; where you will get four chances to go eye-to-eye with gray whales then cross the Baja Peninsula to spend five days kayaking around the beautiful Island of Espiritu Santo just out of La Paz.

January through March, hundreds of gray whales mate and bear their young in the protected waters of Magdalena Bay after traveling over 5000 miles from the Bering Strait. A motorized skiff will take you swiftly and safely into the deeper parts of the bay, where you won't just view the "mommy and me" action, you may be able to actually pet some of the whales that swim by. Staying on the island at our camp provides you with the opportunity to be delighted by a host of other wildlife such as dolphins, seals, sea lions, sea gulls, pelicans and more often right from camp! Plush camping allows you to relax and enjoy the scenery while your professional naturalist guides provide you with dinner, drinks, and plenty of education.

After you have had your fill of breaching, and spy hopping whales then head back over to La Paz for five days of Baja sea kayaking and camping on the exquisite island of Espiritu Santo, where the surrounding water is a sanctuary for blue-footed boobies, fin and blue whales, dolphins and sea lions. The Sea of Cortez is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers the perfect blend of Baja kayaking, hiking and snorkeling. Abundant wildlife, massive whales, sunny weather and warm, crystalline waters make the Sea of Cortez one of the best winter adventure destinations in North America and Mexico.

With this tour, your first and last nights will be hotel-based in La Paz with an extra hotel night between kayaking and whale watching. All activities are led by naturalist guides, who dish out tasty chile rellenos and margaritas in tented beach camps at day's end. You'll bring home a lifetime of memories.

Note on Itinerary: Approximate paddling distances listed and can vary depending on group size and weather. We will do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above. However, the itinerary may change due to reasons beyond our control such as wind, waves or inclement weather. Please Note: Although there is a very good chance we'll see whales and other marine life throughout the week, the frequency, proximity, and quality of sightings will ultimately be determined by the wildlife.

Itinerary

Day 0: Welcome to La Paz in Baja!

Upon your arrival in La Paz take a quick cab ride to your hotel and check into your room (Not included in trip cost). Spend your afternoon exploring the beautiful town of La Paz. We highly recommend a stroll at sunset along the waterfront Malecon walkway. There are a variety of restaurants with ocean views, or look up our local restaurant guide for fun cuisine recommendations before meeting your guides in the Seven Crown Centro hotel lobby for an evening orientation meeting.

Accommodation La Paz: not included
Meals Included: 0 (travel day)

Day 1: Whale Watching in Magdalena Bay

Wake up early with the Baja sun to meet your shuttle at 6 am to travel the 3.5 hours to Puerto Lopez Mateos, Magdalena Bay on the Pacific Coast. You will stop along the way for some Baja breakfast and coffee before arriving in Magdalena Bay. Here you will have your first whale watching session as you take a federally-licensed skiff from Puerto Lopez Mateos out to Santo Domingo Island where Whale Camp is located. Upon arrival to camp you will have a chance to unload your gear and settle into your pre-assembled tent before sitting down to a hearty lunch. After lunch, your guides will lead you on a hike across the dunes of Santo Domingo Island to the Pacific Ocean where you can then meander down the beach back to camp for happy hour and dinner under the stars.

Accommodations: Camping
Meals Included: L, D

Day 2: Whale Watching in Magdalena Bay

Arise to the sounds of birds chirping and waves lapping the shore as coffee and tea are prepared to great you and the morning sun. Feel free to stroll along the beach, sip your coffee, and watch the whales as your guides prepare a hot breakfast. You will have two whale watching sessions by federally-licensed skiff today, with plenty of time for dune walking, hiking, and relaxing on the sand while whales frolic offshore. You can also elect to do birding tours in the mangrove areas of the lagoon instead of whale watching, or part whale watching, part birding sessions.

Accommodations: Camping
Meals Included: B, L, D

Day 3: Return to La Paz

You will enjoy one final two hour whale watching session after breakfast in the morning before returning to Puerto Lopez Mateo by skiff. Take a few minutes when returning to Puerto Lopez Mateo to explore the small local shops at the port and possibly purchase a commemorative token before heading out to enjoy a hot seafood lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch check back into the tour hotel for a shower or stroll along the waterfront malecon before an orientation meeting, located in the lobby of the tour hotel, for the kayaking portion of your tour.

Accommodation La Paz: Seven Crown Centro
Meals Included: B, L

Day 4: Time to go kayaking

Please eat breakfast and be packed by the meeting time before you board a boat for our shuttle to Espiritu Santo Island. Upon arrival to the beach, your guides will teach you the basics of paddling and thoroughly review safety procedures. You won't leave shore until all participants feel comfortable in the boats, and then you will kayak to the first night's campsite. Our motorized support boat carries all the heavy gear, food and water so your kayaks are light and easy to paddle.

Accommodations: Camping
Meals Included: L, D
Paddling duration: 3-4 hours

Day 5-7: Camping and kayaking in the Sea of Cortez

Awake to freshly brewed coffee and tea as the sunrise spills golden light onto this serene desert island. After a warm breakfast prepared by your guides, you'll pack your belongings into the kayaks for the morning paddle. Expect to kayak about 4 hours per day, including floating rest stops, moving along the coast to a new campsite each night. You'll enjoy a long lunch break between the morning and afternoon paddle, and occasional floating rest stops while kayaking. During lunch and before happy hour, you'll have plenty of opportunity for snorkeling with Baja's plentiful reef fish, hiking the island's arroyo trails, or just relaxing on the sandy beaches. Enjoy stunning landscapes, unique geology, and watch as the subtle nuances of the Baja desert landscape unfolds into a natural masterpiece through interpretive hikes and talks by your highly-educated guides. At night, the lack of light pollution reveals constellations you've never seen! Enjoy the stars through the comfort of your dome-tent, or sleep underneath them on the sand. When the moon hides behind the canyon peaks, you can even see brightly-glowing blue bioluminescence in the water.

Meals Included: B, L, D
Paddling duration: 3-4 hours per day

Day 8: Return to La Paz

After a final breakfast, you'll take a short motorboat ride to visit the friendly sea lions at Los Islotes. This colony is accustomed to people snorkeling among them, and curious pups are often eager to interact with people. After getting your fill of whiskers and flippers, the panga will drive you back to La Paz and your hotel (ah, showers!). You're invited this evening to join your group and guides for an optional farewell dinner at a delicious local restaurant (not included in trip cost). Recount your tales and toast your new friends before relaxing into a real bed.

Accommodations: not included
Meals Included: B, L

Day 9: Departure Day or Optional Day Tour Snorkeling with Whale Sharks

There are no scheduled activities today so you may depart La Paz at any time. Travel home or continue on another adventure such as the Whale Shark Snorkel Tour. Visit the hotel cafe or a local restaurant for breakfast before your departure. Depending on your flight arrangements, you may have time for a morning promenade on the malecon of La Paz bay to say your farewells to Baja. If you're flying via San Jose del Cabo, ensure that you have adequate time in your itinerary to shuttle from La Paz to Cabo.

Meals Included: 0 (travel day)

OPTIONAL: ADD A DAY TO SNORKEL WITH WHALE SHARKS for $149 (Not including hotel).

Extend your stay in La Paz a day before or after your kayak tour for a chance to snorkel with whale sharks. These plankton-eaters are the world's largest fish, and can reach lengths of up to 42' (13 m)! Whale sharks migrate into the bay of La Paz from October through April, where the shallow water of the bay harbors the favorite treats of these filter-feeding animals. Meet your guides bright and early to get a head start on the water in search of these peaceful creatures. The tour is approximately four hours, depending on the number of whale sharks present, so you'll have time to spend the afternoon exploring La Paz's beautiful Malecon.

Accommodations: not included
Meals Included: L

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