Trip Overview
Departures
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Duration
8 Days
Activities
Boating/Rafting
Camping
Kayaking
Snorkeling
Wildlife Viewing
Physical Rating
Moderate
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Feel the Spirit of Baja
This beginner-friendly Baja kayaking adventure in Mexico is a thrilling active adventure that includes one of the most spectacular sea-kayaking destinations in North America, known as the “Galápagos of Mexico” for its diverse marine ecology. We return to nature as our paddles transport us to hidden lagoons, spectacular bays and sea caves. We take to the sea to snorkel with sea lion pups, bathe in the glorious Baja sun, watch manta rays leap from the water and visit the curious gray whales of Puerto Chale.
Lose Yourself in Beauty
A Slice of Paradise
Our adventure begins with a night of canyon camping under a star-studded sky with nearby natural hot springs to soak in. We then journey to La Paz with its beauty and charm, voyaging around the coast of Espiritu Santo Island, where life teems beneath the water and around us as we kayak.
This was an awesome trip, words can’t describe how I felt seeing the whales, especially the mamas and babies, so close you could almost touch them. Our guides Monica and Nishma were amazing! This was the perfect escape from an Iowa winter!”
Deborah B.
Itinerary
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Day 1
Arrival
Get into the Mexican Groove
Today we meet our Wild Women guides and group in front of Hotel El Encanto in San Jose Del Cabo. We drive an hour to Canyon del Zorro, Santiago, where we enjoy our first taste of Mexican cuisine at a local restaurant before a short walk to take in the views of Fox Canyon and bathe under a 40-foot (12 m) waterfall.
From there, it’s a 30-minute drive to Santa Rita Canyon, where we walk approximately 40 minutes to our secret campsite under the shade of a fig tree. The campsite is a short walk away from a steamy natural hot spring, where we enjoy a reviving soak before (or after) a filling grilled dinner prepared over the fire.
Included Meals
Lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Camping at Santa Rita Canyon
The HIKE
Hike to waterfalls (15 min each way)
Hike to campsite 1.5 miles (2.5 km) (up to 40 min) on dirt trail
Elevation gain: 90mTravel
1.5 hours by private taxi – 40.4 miles (65 km)
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Day 2
Santa Rita Canyon
Explore Natural Rock Pools
Today we have the entire morning to explore the depths of Santa Rita Canyon. We hike and climb our way up this spectacular canyon, taking full advantage of the deep pockets of freshwater rock pools that we can dip in.
Following lunch, we transfer to La Paz and check into our hotel. After a refreshing shower or nap, we take a slow stroll along the sea promenade to absorb the bay views and stunning sunset, followed by dinner at a local restaurant.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Hotel Seven Crown Centro Historico or similar
The Hike
1.9 miles (3 km), which takes about 3 hours (other route alternatives available based on group’s abilities, at guide’s discretion)
Elevation gain: 285 feet (87 m)TRAVEL
Driving 2 hours 35 minutes, 90 miles (145 km)
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Day 3
Espiritu Santo Island National Park
Swimming with Sea Lions
Today we make a beeline for the sacred Espiritu Santo Island National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a three-hour motorboat ride, roundtrip. We deep dive into our island adventure with one of the trip’s unmatched highlights: a face-to-face snorkeling experience with playful sea lion pups!
Tonight, we camp on the beach in a protected bay on the west coast of the island. Here, we have our first kayak orientation with a one-hour paddle around the bay, followed by a feast on the beach, before retiring to our cozy tents.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Tent camping on Espiritu Santo Island
The Paddle
Approximately 1.5 miles (2–3 km), which takes about 1 hour
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Days 4 & 5
Espiritu Island
Explore by Land and Sea
Over the next two days, we explore the island on foot and by kayaking and snorkeling the coast. This mini kayaking expedition offers countless opportunities for up close and personal wildlife sightings above and below our kayaks. Our camping sites may include Candelero, Coralito Bay or Dispensa Beach, the location of an intricate mangrove ecosystem. Our destination depends on sea conditions and Mother Nature’s wind machine. The group’s safety and weather always dictate our route.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Tent camping on Espiritu Santo Island
The Paddle
Day 4: Up to 6 miles (10 km), which takes about 3 hours
Day 5: Up to 6.6 miles (10.5 km), which takes about 3.5 hoursThe HIKE
0.6 miles (1 km)
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Day 6
Frigate Bird Colony
For the Birds
This morning, we slip into our kayaks for one last, precious morning paddle to a frigatebird colony situated in a former pearl farm. It’s quite a sight to observe these sinister, thieving birds with their hooked beak and distinct forked tails cruising the thermals. After having a solid bird’s eye view of the colony, we jump into a motorboat, speed back to La Paz for a 50-minute ride and check into our hotel. There is time to unwind, wash the sand and sun from our skin and/or stroll the promenade before gathering for dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Hotel Seven Crown Centro Historico or similar
The Paddle
4.6 miles (7.4 km), which takes about 2.5 hours
Travel
Boat ride distance: 50 mins, 16.5 miles (26.5 km)
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Day 7
Whale Watching
Observe Majestic Gray Whales
This morning, we have a private two-hour van shuttle to Puerto Chale, the departure site of our whale watching excursion. The anticipation of being in the presence of 49-foot (15 m), 80,000 pound (36,000 kg) whales and their calves is the finger-crossed hope of our three-hour boat ride today. Their curiosity is as great as ours, and the whales will often swim parallel to our tiny vessels for a closer look.
On our return trip to La Paz, we stop for lunch and to stretch our legs. Tonight is our final dinner together and the conversation is guaranteed to be full of cherished reflections and tall whale tail tales!
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Hotel Seven Crown Centro Historico or similar
Travel
224 miles (360 km), about 4 hours roundtrip
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Day 8
Departure
Until We Meet Again
We have an early breakfast at our hotel before taking a group taxi directly to Los Cabos airport (SJD) at 8 a.m. Please do not book flights before 2 p.m. Before departure, be sure to figure out the answer to the burning question with your fellow Wild Women: where next?
Included Meals
Breakfast
Travel
121 miles (195 km), which takes about 2.5 hours
Field Notes
Want all the details in one handy package? Download the summary itinerary here.
What’s Included
- Entrance to Espiritu Santo Island National Park
- Gray whale watching excursion
- Sea lion swimming encounter and snorkel gear
- Four-day sea kayaking and camping expedition
- Support motorboat to transport luggage, gear and food during kayak expedition
- One night hiking and camping in Santa Rita Canyon Hot Springs
- Seven nights’ shared accommodations in La Paz hotel (three nights), tents at canyon campsite (one night) and on the beach (three nights)
- Mexican-inspired meals from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8
- Potable water to refill bottles
- Awesome professional and bilingual female guides
- All tips for auxiliary staff (restaurant staff, hotel staff, drivers, boat skippers, chef’s)
- Group camping gear
- Sea kayaks and all paddling safety equipment
- Women will be expected to take turns in a tandem kayak and also have the opportunity to paddle solo
- Ground transportation; Los Cabos–La Paz–Espiritu Santo Island–Los Cabos
Please Note:
All applicable taxes are included in the trip price
Tips for your main guide(s) is not included in the trip price
Optional single private upgrade, subject to availability
Our destination depends on sea conditions and Mother Nature’s wind machine. The group’s safety and weather always dictate our route.
Itineraries may be subject to change without notice due to weather and other environmental conditions. Please review our Booking Terms.
Trip Details
Know Before You Go
Click HERE for all of the logistical details you’ll need to know prior to departure—including the packing list, arrival and departure details and suggested tipping information.
This trip starts in Los Cabos (airport code: SJD) and finishes in Los Cabos (airport code: SJD).
The Wild Women Way
If you’re wondering how we roll, it’s together. The Wild Women Way is our modus operandi, our mantra and our rock solid foundation. You can learn more about our Wild Ways HERE.
How We Support You
Ready for a big adventure? We’re in it together. On this trip, we kayak for hours at a time and hike over uneven terrain. New to paddling? While this trip is beginner friendly and your guides will lead you through a full orientation on the trip, we recommend you take a lesson or two with a local kayak outfitter beforehand. Yes, it can be a challenge, but you’re never alone. Like thousands of women before you, you’ll draw on strength you didn’t know you had and come out feeling like the goddess you are.
Like all our trips, this trip can be scaled to suit different abilities and comfort levels. If you have concerns or reservations about your ability to complete or enjoy this trip due to any physical or medical reasons, please contact us and let’s talk about it.
What the Trip Entails
This is an active multi-activity adventure. We would like you to be comfortable with the following:
- Paddling a tandem sea kayak for up to 4 hours in one day, in varying weather and conditions, including light wind and waves
- Camping in a tent (4 nights)
- Being in and on the water, as there may be unexpected swims and snorkeling is a big part of this trip
- Not comfortable swimming? Please let us know!
- Be flexible! Day-by-day itinerary depends on sea conditions and Mother Nature’s wind machine. The group’s safety and weather always dictate our route, so please understand that the itinerary may change.
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Physical Rating: Moderate (Good level of fitness required. Trips are moderately challenging with an average of 4 to 6 hours of activity each day.)
- Kayaking Ability: Suitable for novice to intermediate kayakers
- Hiking rating: Moderate trails
