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The Sea of Cortez in Baja, Mexico is one of the world's richest seas. Home to an amazing variety of fish, sea birds and marine mammals, the magnificence of the Cortez rivals the Galapagos Islands. The water is warm and the snorkeling is superb. While kayaking we occasionally encounter sea turtles, dolphins and whales. In the desert there are more species of cacti here than anywhere else in the world. Clear nights around desert campfires with a million stars above, the sound of lapping waves from the ocean, and the hum of cicadas, etch deep memories and connections in our human psyches.
Our expedition starts in the village of Mulege and finishes 500 kilometers south in the picturesque town of La Paz. The sea is met by desert and the rugged Sierra Gigantica Mountains along our route. Paddling can range from calm and tranquil to windy and challenging. We launch our kayaks before sunrise most mornings to take advantage of calmer seas and to experience the fabled vermillion light in the early hours that has captivated adventurers for centuries. The pre-sunrise beauty on the Sea of Cortez has a cool crystalline quality that speaks of a pre-historic time.
Author John Steinbeck was so moved by the beauty and fecundity of life in this ocean, that many of his novels about humanity were influenced by his Cortez experiences. His classic novel "The Log from the Sea of Cortez" is recommended pre-trip reading.
What type of person are we looking for to join us on this expedition? We are looking for people who have an adventurous spirit, who are physically fit, and who have a flexibility of mind suited for expedition paddling. A reasonable level of sea kayaking skill in a variety of sea states is also a pre-requisite.
Our expedition is divided into two legs. Participants have the option to paddle one or both legs. The two legs are as follows:
Expedition Leg 1 - Itinerary
- April 30 - Meet in Loreto at 5 pm. for pre-trip meeting. (Location to be announced)
- March 1 - Early morning departure for Mulege by road. Expedition launch if conditions allow.
- March 2 to 13 - Paddling south from Mulege to Loreto. Snorkeling, swimming, wildlife viewing, beachcombing, photography, walks in the desert and kayak camp life.
- March 14 - Arrive in Loreto.
Expedition Leg 2 - Itinerary
- March 16 - Meet in Loreto at 5 pm. for pre-trip meeting. (Location to be announced)
- March 19 - Expedition launch if conditions allow.
- March 20 to 29 - Paddling south from Loreto to La Paz. Snorkeling, swimming, wildlife viewing, beachcombing, photography, walks in the desert, and kayak camp life.
- March 30 - Arrive in La Paz.
Please note: the above schedule is weather dependent. We recommend that you arrive in Loreto, Baja several days before the expedition departs to allow yourself time to acclimatize to the warm climate and new cultural surroundings. We also recommend that you allow several extra days at the end of your expedition to allow for weather delays while paddling.
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