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Island Hopping
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Whether you are already a pro or are picking up a paddle for the very first time, kayaks are a perfect way to experience Sea of Cortez marinelife up close. Whales, flying mantas, and sea turtles are just some of the creatures you might see from the surface. Throw on a mask and fins, and an entire world becomes visible below. Beach camping on uninhabited islands completes the experience.
Overnight trips can take a couple of days, a full week, or more; organized trips are an appealing option, especially for novices.
Where to Go
Mulegé to Loreto
Many kayakers begin their Baja expedition paddling the islands of Carmen and Danzante, offshore from Loreto, for a week or more. Protected by land on three sides, 14-mile-long Bahía Concepción between Mulegé and Loreto is a good choice for novice kayakers who want to try a multiday paddle.
It takes 5–7 days to complete the coastal trip from Mulegé to Loreto.
Loreto to La Paz
A more ambitious coastal route begins in Loreto and ends in La Paz, taking in the island of Espíritu Santo at the finish. This 65-mile paddle usually takes 8–10 days.
For a shorter trip, make La Paz your home base and spend two or three days camping on the islands offshore.
Bahía de los Ángeles
With its many islets and islands, Bahía de los Ángeles appeals to kayakers of all levels, though the strong channel currents require some caution.
Pacific Coast
Conditions are much rougher on the Pacific, even in the most protected parts of the coast. Experienced kayakers head to Punta Banda, an inlet-scalloped cape near Ensenada.
Bahía Magdalena, a large, protected bay in southern Baja, attracts many kayakers during the winter whale-watching season.
When to Go
Temperatures are hottest July–September, and winds are strongest November–February, making March–May the best months for a long-distance paddle.
Whale-watching trips take place on the Pacific coast November–March.
by Joe Cummings and Nikki Goth Itoi from Moon Baja, 7th Edition, © Joe Cummings and Avalon Travel
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