Baja for the Curious

6 Days

Intermediate

$2499

Sure you’ve seen a flower before, but in the desert? Baja for the Curious is a special trip combining the enjoyment of paddling with a curiosity for nature on this remote adventure to Monserrate Island. We’ll motor shuttle to the island then be self-sufficient via sea kayak around its perimeter. Nine nautical miles from the nearest coast or significant island, Isla Monserrate is 11nm around, with a pair of islands 2nm offshore.

Amazing fact: the islands in the Gulf of California have greater plant diversity than any other World Heritage islands on the planet! Plus unnamed species in the sea. Yup, Mexico does Megadiverse! Let your curiosity blossom.

Being curious is personally satisfying, but it also does something bigger. By uploading our photos of the plants and animals we see on naturalista.mx we will be contributing to the body of scientific knowledge about this unique place. The National Marine Park of the Bay of Loreto, is included in UNESCOs World Heritage Gulf Islands listing. UNESCO calls this the richest and most varied of any island-sea property on the World Heritage list.

We offer this trip only in the April when the weather is more settled. The warmth also inspires the footlong chuckwalla, the endemic Monserrate whiptail and other lizards to be more active. A surprising variety of birds lives here as well, often nesting in springtime. Sea turtles nest on the island too!

Skill Level

Basic kayaking experience is required. This includes a calm capsize, wet exit (flip over and get out), and assisted deep water re-entry. We can recommend an instructor near you if you’d like to use this trip as a goal and start your kayak training now. We also invite you to arrive a day early and take a Safety Review class with us the day before your trip if you’ve done some paddling but haven’t practiced safety skills recently. This class will cover your prerequisites and build confidence.

Average paddling conditions

Average Daily Distance: 4-8nm (2-4 hours of paddling)
Max Daily Distance: 12nm
Wind: calm to 212kts; force 3; beginning whitecaps
Seas: up to 2′
Crossings: up to 4nm
Surf landings: up to 1′
Rescue skills: comfortable wet exit (fall over & get out); assisted deep water re-entry
British Canoeing standard: Paddle Discover, Paddle Explore, Sea Kayak Award
American Canoe Association standard: Level 1-3

Please reach out with your questions. We’re happy to help you prepare!

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary – Baja for the Curious
SELF-SUPPORTED CAMPING TRIP IN SEA KAYAKS

All itineraries are subject to weather, Port closures, and other fun factors intrinsic to “Adventure” tourism.

Day 0. Meet in Loreto for a pre-trip briefing and to fit your equipment.

Day 1. Taxi ride from your hotel to the launch. Motorboat from Ensenada Blanca 11nm to Monserrate’s scenic north beach. Afternoon paddle out & back to visit a pair of marine terrace islands rich with bird and marine life. 5nm

Day 2. Wake up on a beach. Life is good! Hardy hikers head out early for the interior for a 5-mile round trip to the highest marine terrace on the island. Most of the hike weaves along an pleasant arroyo (dry watercourse) with sand and rock footing and occasional shade. The final push is steep, loose, and hot both up and down, and loops back to meet up with the arroyo again. Learn how plants adapt to such a dry environment. Snorkel in the midday heat and practice kayak skills in the afternoon, or just relax on the beach! Layover at the north beach.

Day 3. Short paddle past thousands of nesting pelicans to a cove on the east side. VIbrant marine life makes great snorkeling. An extensive arroyo is home to rich bird life and several lizard species including the endemic Monserrate Chuckwalla and Monserrate Whiptail.

Day 4. Continue along Monserrate’s colorful east coast and weave your kayak among her southern reefs, perhaps stopping for a snorkel break and lunch. Set up camp on MS06 a sandy beach on the SE tip of the island where sea turtles sometimes nest. 4nm

Day 5. Paddle along the layered marine terraces of Monserrate’s west coast. Get out to look close-up at some of the oldest shell fossils of the Gulf and to snorkel a spectacular coral garden. Lunch at the coral garden. Camp at Monserrate’s yellow sand beach with a view to Isla del Carmen and the distant coast. 5nm.

Day 6. Let the sun wake you up with a smile. Recognize the magic of a new day and raise a fresh-brewed toast to whatever it has in store! Play in kayaks or snorkel or walk the terraces before the panga comes with cold beverages and a ride back to the launch. Return to hotels/campground for that well-deserved shower.

Day After. Meet in EcoAlianza’s conference room for a few hours in the morning with other nature enthusiasts to identify species and upload photos to iNaturalist.

Good to Know

Travel to Mexico

You need a valid passport for international travel.

You do not need to obtain a travel visa in advance of your vacation in Mexico. During your flight you will fill out an immigration form and a customs form which you will present to the immigration and customs authorities, respectively. Your The cost of your tourist visa is included in your flight. If you are driving into Mexico, stop at the border to purchase a tourist visa for approx. $25USD. This is required for driving into the southern state of Baja, where Loreto is located.

Pre-Trip Meeting

The evening before your trip is a pre-trip meeting at our Expedition Base in Loreto. Exact time will be included in your registration follow-up emails, but it’s typically around 5pm, which gives time for you to get in and settled after your flight.

Launch Day Logistics

We’ll pick you up at your hotel with taxi and guide.

Luggage

The luggage that’s not coming on your trip can be left securely with your hotel. The hotels listed on our Lodging page all provide this service free of charge. Check with the proprietors if you’re staying elsewhere. You may also leave your luggage with us for a modest fee.

Weather

Your safety is our top priority, and we comply with the local Port Captain who dictates when we can move about on the water.

Loreto offers a delightful escape from cold or wet northern winters. The peak kayak-camping season falls between October and early May. Temperatures can vary widely between day and night in the desert, and Loreto is no exception. Average highs are 70-80s (mid to high 20sC) and lows in the 50s (teens C).

October and late April are quite warm and settled. December through February have the greatest potential for Baja’s famous Norte winds which can last a few days. November and March are transitional. Summers are hot and humid, which makes them grand for in-water activities but a bit toasty for beach camping.

Where to Meet

Our Expedition Base is located near the center of Loreto, on Nicolas Bravo 2 doors south of the tall concrete auditorium. It is staffed at designated meeting times and during store hours.

Directions

Go to the waterfront, and turn south on the Malecon (the waterfront road/walkway). At the end of the road and walkway, turn inland (right) one block, then turn left. Pass the tall concrete building on the right, and one house. Our name is painted on the outside wall. We will be prepared to meet you at the pre-arranged meeting time, or during store hours.

What's Included

National Park permits
Single sea kayaks; doubles available for partners
PFD (life jacket)
Paddle
Spray skirt
Set of Drybags various sizes
Healthy camping meals
All kitchenware
Purified drinking water
Sanitation system, toilet paper & hand sanitizer
Library of field guides
Transfer to launch and back

Kayaks

Single kayaks with skegs (not foot-operated rudders) are the standard on all our trips. If you would like to paddle a double with your partner, just let us know! We are happy to provide them.

What’s Available for Rent

Tent
Camping mattress
Sleeping bag
Helinox camp chair
Kokatat PFD-mounted hydration system
Paddle jacket
2mm Shorty wetsuit and neoprene jacket
Mask, fins, snorkel

What’s Not Included

Lodging in Loreto
Airport transportation
Meals in town
Tips for guides

What to Bring

If you’re paddling a single kayak, the hatch openings you’ll be packing into are 10″ and 8″ across. These are performance kayaks, designed for the joy of paddling. Your joy in packing will be proportional to how “minimalist” you can pack.

Food, water, and kitchen equipment will be shared among all paddlers. Please plan on fitting your personal equipment into 1 or 2 hatches (there are 3: front hatch, day hatch, and rear hatch).

Baggage Limits. Just like the airlines.

Camping mattress: diameter 6″ length 20″
Tent: total diameter 8″ length 20″
Sleeping bag: diameter 9″ length 11″

For paddling

2 liters of water in bottle(s) and/or hydration system
Sunscreen and lip protection
Sunglasses with strap
Strap for regular glasses
Hat for sun
Non-cotton long-sleeve shirt for paddling
Quick-dry shorts/pants
Water shoes or sandals with heel strap

For Camping

Camping gear: tent, mattress, sleeping bag (available for rent)
Towel
Bathing suit
Camp T-shirt (s)
Warm camp shirt
Windbreaker jacket
Long warm pants
Socks
Underwear
Warm hat for evening
Beach / light hiking shoes
PJs
Head lamp
Bug repellent

Personal

Passport
Toothpaste & tooth brush
Sunscreen, Reef-safe please!
Camera
Spare batteries for everything
Any clothes you’d like in town
A few Ziplock bags of various sizes
Medications (2 sets; leave one in hotel luggage)
Personal first aid, OTC meds you might want
* Print-out of medical history and list of medications
* Copy of health insurance card, travel insurance contacts, passport, emergency contacts
Ziplock the above * items and keep them with you
Sense of adventure!

Optional

Comb or brush
Binoculars
Solar lantern
Sarong or wrap
Journal, book
Shampoo, soap (NOT Dr Bronners soap! It doesn’t work in salt water. Trust us.)
Handi-wipes and a ziplock to responsibly manage the used ones
Fishin’ stuff & lots o’luck (pre-purchase your fishing license online)
Paddling gloves
Compact beach chair (available for rent)
Lifejacket-mounted hydration system (available for rent)
Paddle jacket (available for rent)
Wetsuit (2mm shorty & neoprene top (available for rent)
Mask, fins, snorkel (available for rent)
Your own paddling gear if preferred: Life jacket, paddle, spray skirt (bring skirt to meeting to test fit on our kayaks)

Tips for Guides

Tips for your guides/coaches/captains are always appreciated! Fifteen percent is typical, but completely at your discretion. Tips may be added to your credit card bill if you’d like (5% fee), or handed in cash to your lead guide at the end of the trip, to divide among the guide and captain team. Mexican pesos are ideal, but unmarked US dollars with no rips or physical damage are also good in any denomination.

Tips for taxis are included in the trip price.

Thank you!

Reservations & Cancellations

Payment

Deposit: half of the trip price will hold your spot
Balance: due in full 30 days prior to trip

Cancellation

Before 30 days advance of trip:

Full refund minus $250
Full credit for other trip within 12 months.

Within 30 days of trip:

Full credit for other trip within 12months
No refund for any reason

Within 7 days of trip:

Half credit for other trip within 12 months
No refund for any reason

If we cancel a trip, we will refund the full trip amount.

Low enrollment

We will not cancel a trip that has 5 or more people on it.
We will guarantee your trip to run with 4 people for a 5% surcharge.
We will guarantee your trip to run with 3 people for a 10% surcharge.
We will guarantee your trip to run with 2 people for a 25% surcharge.
The surcharge will be included with the payment of your balance one month before trip if nobody else has signed up by then.
If more people join trip within that month, we’ll refund the surcharge or portion of it that pertains to the final number of paying participants.
If feasible, you may switch to a comparable trip.

Please INSURE your trip with Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) insurance.

Ready to book your adventure?

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