Isla Espiritu Santo Kayaking Tour

Please check out our Transportation Guide for our recommendations on how to get to La Paz.

Yes, all of our tour pricing is in US Dollars.

Included: Skilled professional guide services, ground transportation, motorboat support to carry gear, snorkeling equipment, camping equipment, including tents, sleeping bags, liners, and sleeping pads. Our camping trips include all meals from lunch on the first day to lunch on the last day.

Not Included: Airfare, transportation to and from the airport, gratuities, hotels, National Parks & Biosphere Reserves access fees required by itinerary, and items of a personal nature.

For all of our Baja tours, we use high-quality, fiberglass kayaks made by Seward. The majority of our fleet is comprised of tandems, as these boats offer the greatest stability, speed, and ease of paddling. There are typically a small number of single kayaks present on the tour, which will be utilized by the guides. Depending on weather conditions and interest, they may allow guests to rotate into singles; however, this will be at the guide's discretion based on safety and the paddling objectives for the day. We also have a limited number of solo kayaks available to reserve and use throughout the trip (for an additional cost) for paddlers who have ocean kayaking experience.

Yes, if at any time a guest does not want to paddle, they are welcome to ride in the panga instead.

We have single kayaks available to reserve and use throughout the trip (for an additional cost of $100) for paddlers who have previous ocean paddling experience. If you would like to reserve a single kayak for your trip, you will need to contact our Adventure Consultants to add this to your reservation and provide a summary of your ocean paddling experience.

Whether you are an avid sea kayaker or it is your first time, you’ll enjoy these incredible trips and share in our passion for adventure, commitment to conserving the environment, and relishing unique experiences. For those new to the sport, kayaking is easy to learn in the sheltered waters that we visit, and we provide all of the camping gear, kayaking equipment, and guidance needed. In addition, we keep our groups small to allow you to not only travel intimately among nature, but to ensure you receive the necessary attention from our guides.

When stopping at shore, you should be able to climb in and out of the kayaks on your own. They will be floating in calf-deep water. Your guides are happy to assist, but balance and limberness are required. When you get to your evening campsite, all group members must be able to help carry the kayaks above the high tide line, in teams of 6-8, before the group disperses. You will change camp sites almost every night, but you may have a layover day. Camp sites are assigned by the National Park Service immediately prior to the tour.

When you get to your evening campsite, all group members must be able to help carry the kayaks above the high tide line. You will change campsites almost every night, but you may have a layover day. Campsites are assigned by the National Park Service immediately prior to the tour. We endeavor to secure the very best campsites for the natural beauty and amenities of the area. Your guides will give a demonstration of how to set up and take down your provided dome tent. We will also provide you with a sleeping bag, liner sheet, pillow, and an inflatable thermarest sleeping pad. There will be a kitchen/dining area and shade tarps where you can sit back and relax.

While kayaking, we can only carry enough fresh water for drinking and cooking. There are no fresh water sources on most of the coastline and islands we visit. You can clean up with saltwater and soap off above the high tide line, or bring disposable shower wipes. A porta-potty will fit into a hatch of the kayak or on the panga support boat, and will be transported to each campsite and set into a sheltered area for solid waste. Liquid waste can be expelled below the high tide line or in a separate porta-potty bucket.

Watch Now: Camping in Baja

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We know your Guide will make the biggest difference on your trip! This is why we pride ourselves on employing only the best local guides for all of the incredible locations that we visit. Part of this is to support our eco-tourism efforts, but we also believe that there is no better way to experience a new destination than through the eyes of a local! We find talented and skilled local guides, train and certify them, and provide a positive and consistent source of income to them and their families.

Most of our guides are with us for the long-term, despite the seasonal nature of the industry. Our top-notch equipment, unique itineraries, and perfected operations attract extraordinary guides, many of whom are highly sought after in the industry. Sea Kayak Adventures guides know their outdoor skills as second nature. Each trip will have 2-4 guides to assist, inform, and lead the way so you get the most out of your adventure. They love to share conversation, knowledge, games, and laughter - and they’re great cooks!

Spring and fall are the most ideal times for yoga on the beaches of the Sea of Cortez, as the seasons are characterized by warm days, glassy calm waters for paddling, and endless sunshine. Fall trips enjoy the chance for a desert in bloom and warm water snorkeling, while during spring, many cetaceans migrate into the Sea of Cortez and sightings may include blue, fin, and humpback whales.

If it’s too windy to paddle, your guides will have alternative activities for guests to enjoy. There are opportunities to snorkel, hike, or just relax on the beach with a margarita. We plan our itineraries to minimize risks posed by weather, but there is always an element of unpredictability in nature. The risk of capsizing is reduced by our stable boats, but exists. All of our kayak guides are certified in kayak rescue.

La Paz offers some unusual highlights, such as swimming with playful sea lion pups and the chance to see Whale Sharks (harmless plankton eaters, and the largest fish on the planet!). Espiritu Santo is stunningly beautiful, with deep coves of turquoise water surrounded by white sand beaches and burnt sienna colored volcanic cliffs. Additionally, because La Paz is only a couple of hours from Los Cabos (via a shuttle service from the airport), the city is easily accessible by air. You can also fly directly to La Paz.

In general, fishing is allowed in La Paz. You would need to obtain a fishing license either before arriving or upon arrival. Our guides will not allow fishing if you are unable to produce a valid license. You will also need to bring all of your own fishing equipment. Along our kayaking routes, there are areas where fishing is allowed; the guides will let you know where fishing is prohibited. Also, fishing is only allowed at the guide's discretion, as we have an itinerary, schedule, and other group members that we have to take into consideration.

If you are having trouble deciding between the two destinations we suggest reading this Blog detailing the differences between Loreto and LaPaz.

Sea Kayak Adventures will provide you with a detailed packing list prior to your trip. We provide all of the necessary camping, paddling, and snorkeling equipment, which you will need to fully enjoy your adventure. If you are interested in more specific information, check out our general Baja packing list here! If you have any questions or need help deciding what to bring, you can call or e-mail one of our friendly Adventure Consultants at any time for some extra advice!

Our renowned wilderness meals are prepared daily by our guides using local, fresh, healthy ingredients. In Baja, you can expect an authentic dining experience, with savory dishes like chiles rellenos, tostadas, ceviche, and chicken mole. We even serve delicious desserts like brownies and pineapple upside-down cake! Each morning, we serve up freshly brewed coffee or tea. Throughout the day, we provide an abundance of local fruits, vegetables, and other snacks. Wine and mixed drinks are served with hors d’oeuvres each evening for happy hour. We do our best to accommodate special dietary requests, working within the parameters of the destinations in which we operate. If you have a very strict diet, we recommend packing extra snacks that you know you can eat.

To keep our group size small and our impact minimal, we typically limit our tours to 14 people or fewer. 

Please check out this great website Weather Underground for temperature averages in Baja.

Solo travelers will always have their own tent during kayaking tours, at no additional cost. 

You can leave your luggage at your tour hotel while you are on tour. We recommend getting a luggage lock if you are leaving any electronics in the bags. We’ve never had any issues with guests leaving their bags at the hotel, but it’s always better to be safe just in case.

If you will be extending your stay in lovely LaPaz before or after your tour, consider joining us for a day to snorkel with Whale Sharks. La Paz is home to a unique and prolific Whale Shark population. We partner with a local research and non-profit organization to facilitate these tours. Don't miss the adrenaline rush of snorkeling with these gentle giants, while simultaneously learning about this unique species. Please inquire with the office if you would like to add a Whale Shark tour to your reservation.

A deposit of $500 per person is required within 10 days of your reservation to hold your spaces. If the tour you are signing up for is a confirmed departure, your deposit is non-refundable. For this reason, we strongly encourage you to purchase travel insurance to protect your vacation investment. US residents may purchase travel insurance directly through Sea Kayak Adventures offered by Travel Insured International.

If you find it necessary to cancel your trip, you should notify Sea Kayak Adventures in writing, by e-mail, immediately. If written cancellation is received (call to verify) before the final balance is due, you will be given a refund less the amount of the deposit. Deposits are not refundable. If cancellations are made on or after the final due date, no money will be refunded. If you are unable to go on the trip, you are welcome to find a replacement for yourself. Please understand that once you've signed up, we are unable to sell your reserved space to other individuals or groups. Therefore, we regret that we cannot make exceptions for personal emergencies. For this reason, we strongly recommend you consider purchasing a Travel Protection Plan to protect your vacation investment.

Full payment is due 60 days prior to the launch date, as indicated on your invoice. Due to the high demand for these trips, please be sure to pay your balance on time so as not to jeopardize your reservation. Your final payment must be paid by check or bank draft in US funds. Alternatively, you may pay your final balance with a credit card, but a 3% administrative fee will be added.