The colours of Baja Mexico

Kayaking in Baja Mexico in the Sea of Cortez

A kayaking trip to Baja, Mexico is a fantastic way to enjoy the outdoors in winter. I love the consistent sunshine, the blue skies, and the stark landscape that the Baja, Mexico area is famous for. Some of the best weeks of my life have been spent on kayaking trips out of Loreto.

Kayaking in Baja Mexico means blue skies
The colours of Baja Mexico

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15 reasons you’ll love kayaking in Baja, Mexico

Easy to access

Baja, Mexico is easily accessible via direct flights from Calgary on WestJet, Phoenix via American Airlines, Los Angeles via Alaska Airlines, and Tijuana via Colaris. Even from Calgary it’s only a 3.5 hour flight to reach Loreto To get to La Paz – one of the other gateway cities for kayakers. you may have to take a bus.

The view from the plane as you get close to Loreto, Mexico
The view from the plane as you get close to Loreto, Mexico

Best time to go kayaking in Baja, Mexico

The best time to go kayaking is during the winter months in the northern hemisphere, particularly November through April. It starts getting very hot by late March.

Wind can be a problem at any time when kayaking in Baja, Mexico and you can become island bound in a bad blow. December and January are the windier months. Once though on a trip in early April, the harbour was closed in Loreto because the wind gusts were so strong.

Beautiful white sand beaches on Coronados Island

Where to go kayaking in Baja Mexico

There are three primary areas to kayak in the Baja – in and around Loreto Bay National Marine Park, the Magdalena Bay area, and the islands of Espiritu Santo and Isla Partida near La Paz. Each area is appealing in it’s own way.

Sparkling clear water in the Baja
Sparkling clear water in the Baja

Choose a kayaking trip in the Baja that fits who you are

You can choose a trip that suits your style – paddle a few hours at a leisurely pace or make the journey from Loreto to La Paz kayaking hard for 10 days.

Who doesn’t love a beautiful beach?

Beaches are beautiful. Often secluded. On kayaking trips I’ve done in the Baja, I’ve camped on beaches where there wasn’t another soul.

Scenery you can expect to enjoy while kayaking in the Baja
Scenery you can expect to enjoy while kayaking in the Baja

Marine life

Are you wild about whales? Head to Magdalena Bay for exceptional experiences. In the Sea of Cortez you can also expect to see whales, including blue whales.

Want to swim with sea lions? Then head to the Espiritu Santos area though you can see them also on Coronados Island.

Chances are you’ll see dolphins while you’re kayaking in Baja, Mexico – regularly and up close.

Watch out for flying manta rays. These giants burst out of the ocean at regular intervals and are truly a sight to behold.

Sea lions on Coronados Island in Baja Mexico
Sea lions on Coronados Island in Baja Mexico
The Espiritu Santos area
Beautiful beaches and wildlife in the Espiritu Santos area

Excellent hiking on the islands

Hiking is fantastic on some of the islands – particularly Carmen and Coronados. Don’t forget to pack a pair of running shoes as there are a lot of spiny plants and sharp volcanic rock.

Once you leave the beach the walking gets tough in short order in Baja, Mexico
Once you leave the beach the walking gets tough in short order

Sunsets

Sunsets are sublime, especially with all the red rock around. They are one of the daily highlights of kayaking in Baja, Mexico.

Birdlife in the Baja

The bird life is fantastic and entertaining at the same time. Spend hours watching the brown pelicans and blue and brown-footed boobies drop out of the sky.

Other birds you might see include the magnificent frigatebird, white ibis, blue, tri-colored, black-crowned, yellow and green herons, Heerman’s gulls, egrets, least grebes, varied bunting and many more.

The stunning blue-footed booby is a common sight while kayaking in Baja, Mexico
The stunning blue-footed booby is a common sight while kayaking in Baja, Mexico
The male frigatebird with its red pouch in Baja Mexico
The male frigatebird with its red pouch

Another UNESCO site to visit

Add another UNESCO World Heritage Site to your list; the Loreto Bay Marine Park covers 2,065 square kilometres in the Sea of Cortez. It includes Coronado Island in the north through to Catalana Island in the south.

Cold beers and guacamole 

Dine on guacamole (a food group when I’m kayaking in the Baja) and throw back a cold Mexican beer – with a fresh lime.

A big serving of guacamole post Baka Mexico kayaking trip
A big serving of guacamole post Baka Mexico kayaking trip

Go swimming and snorkeling

Swim (with a wetsuit much of the time) and snorkel. Schools of colourful fish, octopi, rays and sharks are your reward.

Lots of options for kayaking trips in Baja, Mexico

There are no shortage of kayaking companies offering adventure tours to the area. Some itineraries are as short as three days but do yourself a favour and book a week in this enchanted part of Mexico.

Stunning white sand beaches are a big reason to go kayaking in Baja Mexico
Stunning white sand beaches are a big reason to go kayaking in Baja Mexico

Would you do a kayaking trip to the Baja?

Further reading on things to do in Baja, Mexico

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6 Comments

  1. I would like brochures to be sent to me if possible?
    I’m interested in kayaking, hiking in warm weather this year. 5 to 10 days?

    1. Hi Cecily, Unfortunately I write about kayaking and outdoor adventures but I don’t run a tour company. There are lots of kayaking companies that run out of Loreto and La Paz.

  2. I have visited Mexico twice yet and I love this country. There so many amazing tourist spots in Mexico and I just love them all. In my both trips I have visited Mexico City, Cancun, Guadalajara and Chihuahua. But I have never heard about the place Baja.

    I am fond of kayaking and I would definitely love to visit this place. The beach Photos which you have posted are really so beautiful and I hope it would be more thrilling to perform kayaking here. I will plan my trip as early as possible. Thanks for posting.

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