Three Island Journey

12 Days
Advanced
$3835

Do you love to paddle to beautiful places, then chill and explore once you get there? This trip’s for you! We’ve heard your requests for a longer trip, and we get it. It’s a big exciting world out there!

Each of Loreto National Park’s 5 islands has a unique personality. Start from Loreto and make a giant loop of the three inner islands on a longer journey. The 16,000 year old volcano of Coronados Island and its skirt of fossil reefs is our appetizer with lava feeder tubes frozen in time, looking like giant petrified cabbages. A colony of playful sea lions flirts with kayakers and snorkelers.

Isla del Carmen is a satisfying main course with marine fossils, colorful cliffs, sea caves and a ghost town. Rock hopping and sea caves add flavor.

Top it all off with sweet little Danzante Island. the Island of the Dancer takes igneous rock to new artistic expressions. Volcanic dikes, hoodoo peaks, thin purple ash layers, mushroom rocks, and natural arches keep your head turning. So does the vibrant underwater life throughout the Loreto National Park.

Join us for this one and see how much adventure can you pack into 12 days!

Skill Level

Intermediate; frequent paddler. Challenging activity.

Intermediate kayaking experience is required. This includes a calm capsize, wet exit (flip over and get out), and assisted deep water re-entry. You will need stamina to paddle strongly for 2 hours at time, and up to 5 hours in a day. Experience paddling in whitecaps is essential. These trips are ideal for building intermediate skills. Please be sure you are ready for this level of learning. Explore trips and Sea Paddler Trainings are perfect for developing the foundation to enjoy this one.

Average paddling conditions
  • Average Daily Distance: 8-12nm (3-4 hours of paddling)
  • Max Daily Distance: 15nm
  • Wind: calm to 16kts; force 4; prevalent whitecaps
  • Seas: up to 4′
  • Crossings: up to 7nm
  • Surf landings: up to 3′
  • Safety skills: learning to assist others, becoming an asset to the group
  • British Canoeing standard: Coastal Sea Kayak Award
  • American Canoe Association standard: Level 3

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

 

 

Sample Itinerary – 3 Islands Journey
SELF-SUPPORTED CAMPING TRIP IN SEA KAYAKS

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. Paddle from Loreto to Isla Coronados. Set up camp on a white sand beach. Enjoy a picnic lunch and explore the hiking trails on the island’s upraised marine shelf. 8nm.

Day 2. Circumnavigate the island. Flirt with playful sea lions. Pick out volcanic flows frozen into fantastic shapes. 11nm.

Day 3. If it’s windy, take the day to hike island trails. Feeling ambitious? Try the volcano trail. The first part crosses different levels of fossilized coral reefs. Then it gets brutal. The cone is steep with loose footing. Good view, though!

Day 4. Cross the channel to Isla del Carmen, passing tiny Isla Cholla when we’re almost there. Crossings are great opportunities to give oneself to the journey. To watch distant landmarks slowly change perspective. Cross paths with seabirds far from land. Marvel at how far to sea butterflies wander. 8-9nm

Day 5. Traverse Isla del Carmen’s north side, planning good weather for this exposed and dramatic section. El Refugio is a stunning beach nestled between white cliffs, and one of our favorite campsites. 8nm.

Day 6. Paddle around Punta Lobos, Carmen’s wild northeast tip. Geology turns colorful here, and the horizon opens up to new possibilities. Take a few short breaks and a lunch and reward a long day with a stay at Salinas, at the other end of a mile-wide white sand beach from the historic salt mine town, once Loreto’s largest employer. 13nm.

Days 7. Relax a day here, hiking to the salt village. Paddle out to a shallow shipwreck and tie the kayaks to the buoy to snorkel the shallow wreck.

Day 8. Pause along today’s journey to top up water at a spring and rinse the salt from our faces and lifejacket zippers. Continue to the majestic Arroyo Blanco, weaving between rocky reefs for fun. 6nm.

Day 9. Paddle around Carmen’s southern tip and up to another scenic beach in Bahia Marquer, where the snorkeling is wonderful and the evening light makes art out of the limestone cliffs and volcanic hills. Receive a resupply of food and water. 10nm

Day 10. Cross to the volcanically expressive Danzante Island and set up our final camp to enjoy it for 2 nights. 6nm.

Day 11. Layover on Danzante. Circumnavigate its intricate coastline, pausing to snorkel at the Aquarium perhaps, or hike the scenic trails. 8nm.

Day 12. Paddle to the take-out for a delicious lunch, a ride to your hotel, and a refreshing shower.

Day After. Relax in Loreto. Or head home with wonderful Baja memories to share!

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.

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.

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.

  • 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

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 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!

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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