Trip Ref #10372
DURATION
7 nights
LOCATION
Mexico
ANNUAL LEAVE
6 days off work
SEASON
Nov-Apr
GROUP SIZE
Up to 16 people
MEETING POINT
Los Cabos International Airport, Mexico
ACCOMMODATION
Classic
Hotel · Wild camping
DIFFICULTY
Moderate
No previous experience is needed just a good fitness level and able to manage 3-6hrs of activity each day
Paddle the Sea of Cortez past hidden coves, pristine reefs and mangrove forests, eyes peeled for dolphins and manta rays
Hike towering cliffs, sandy bays and lava formations, and snorkel with turtles and friendly sea lion pups around Los Islotes
Wild camp on remote beaches, munch on traditional food and sup margaritas under a star-filled sky
Day 1
Bienvenidos
Meet your host at the airport and hop in the van for a drive along the Pacific coastline of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula to the small town of Todos Santos. Check into your hotel and relax before catching the sunset and tucking into a Mexican dinner whilst getting to know your guide and fellow crew.
Day 2
The paddling begins
Kayaking
4hrs · 6-7km
Fuel up on brekkie and head to La Paz where you'll hop in a boat and cross the turquoise waters to Isla Espiritu Santo - one of 900 islands in the Espiritu Santo Archipelago, and a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. After a quick intro to sea kayaking, you’ll paddle along the coast to your camp, the first of 3 stunning beaches you'll visit as you kayak the length of the island, with only seals, dolphins and turtles for company.
Day 3
Snorkel the Sea of Cortez
Snorkeling
2-3hrs
Hiking
2-3hrs · 3km
Buenos días, after a mighty breakfast grab your snorkel and hop in the water with the local sea lion pups who live on Los Islotes in the Sea of Cortez. In the afternoon you’ll strap on your boots and explore Isla Espiritu Santo, hiking the island’s towering cliffs, sandy bays and lava rock formations. End the day in style with a margarita, slap-up seafood fiesta, whilst you watch the bioluminescence light up the shoreline.
Day 4
Back in your boat
Kayaking
4-5hrs · 9-10km
Today you’ll jump back in your kayak and head to the next beach that you will call home for two nights. You’ll paddle past hidden coves and inlets and through the Isla Espiritu Santo mangroves, whilst your guide fills you in on the areas natural history. End the day with another traditional dinner cooked up by your camp chef, and perhaps another margarita or two.
Day 5
Explore the land and sea
Snorkeling
2-3hrs
Hiking
2-3hrs · 4km
Be as active or lazy as you like today! Hike to the highest point on the island, snorkel the furthest reef - eyes open for sea turtles and octopus - or just kick back at camp ready for another epic feast and the sunset of dreams.
Day 6
The final paddle
Kayaking
3-4hrs · 6-7km
Snorkeling
1-2hrs
Fuel up with some fresh fruit and coffee before heading off for your final paddle. You’ll wind your way along the magnificent coastline, paddling below the lava cliffs and granite ridges to the last spectacular beach of your adventure. Grab one last swim with the sea lion pups, or snorkel beside sea turtles near camp then soak up sundown before enjoying your final night on the beach.
Day 7
Last glimpses of Isla Espiritu Santo
Wake up early for a final dip in the ocean before leaving Isla Espiritu Santo and making your way back to Todos Santos. You'll have the afternoon free to explore the town, or just relax at the hotel. Once the sun sets pop on an apron for an evening of Mexican cuisine and margarita making with a legendary local chef. The perfect end to a perfect adventure.
Day 8
Adios amigos
Time to leave Baja California Sur with a bag full of memories and the perfect margarita in tow as your host transfers you to Los Cabos Airport in time for your flight home.
Included
Guides
Expert, local, English speaking guides
Accommodation
2 nights in a hotel, 5 nights wild camping
Meals
Munch on tasty food throughout
Transfers
To and from the start point and everything in-between
Equipment
All your camping, kayaking and snorkeling gear
Permits
All National Park permits
Not Included
Flights to and from the meeting point
Travel insurance
Personal expenses
Tips for your guides
Visas where required
Day 1
Hotel · Twin share
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 6
Wild camping · Twin tent
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 7
Hotel · Twin share
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 8
Departure day
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
During the adventure, you’ll have a chef whipping up delicious meals from their beach kitchen. The welcome and farewell dinner will be a feast of memorable Mexican dishes. Breakfasts include a delicious mix of Mexican breakfast specialities and gringo favourites, including plenty of healthy fare and fresh local fruit. For lunch you might be served freshly caught mahi-mahi ceviche with homemade creamy picante and mayonnaise and a grilled romaine salad with tomatoes, olives and peppers and daily happy hour of course. For dinner more fresh seafood such as barbecued fresh shrimp served over rice. There's a lot of great eating happening on this trip!
Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for - please just request on your passenger info form.
What is the accommodation like?
Los Colibris Casitas
Los Colibris Casitas was made for nature lovers seeking beauty and tranquillity. Each of the casas and casitas have magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean, a freshwater estuary and palm grove oasis to the front, and the Sierra de la Laguna mountains to the side and back. Each room has a balcony, patio or rooftop terrace for you to relax and take in the views.
Wild Camping
You'll spend five nights wild camping on remote uninhabited beaches - without a doubt the best way to soak up the wild nature of the Isla Espiritu Santo. Because of its protected status, no permanent structures of any sort are allowed in Isla Espiritu Santo, aside from the camps of the local fishermen who have traditionally made their living from the island and surrounding waters - and where your chef regularly buys seafood for dinner. Your support crew will select the best locations to set up camp depending on conditions and you'll sleep in high-quality dome tents with camp beds, sleeping bags, pillows and rugs for your comfort.
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room and tent can be booked for an extra charge, see Optional Extras for the price. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability).
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Los Cabos Airport
Anytime on Day 1
Ends
Los Cabos Airport
Anytime on Day 8
Transfers
Your host will meet you at Los Cabos Airport and transfer you to Todos Santos - your start point for the kayaking adventure in Isla Espiritu Santo. On the final day, your host will transfer you from Todos Santos back to Los Cabos Airport, in time for your onward flight.
Travel options
There are direct flights to Los Cabos Airport (SJD) from all over the US and flights from the UK generally connect through Los Angeles or New York.
Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear
In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.
What's included?
Tandem sea kayaks and paddle
Life jacket
Dry bags
Camping equipment
Sleeping bag
Wetsuit
Snorkelling gear
What do I need to bring?
BAGS
Soft duffel bag or rucksack
Daypack (25+ litres)
CLOTHES
Lightweight waterproof and windproof jacket
Fleece jacket or similar
Lightweight trousers/shorts/skirts for hiking
T-shirts
Underwear & socks
Swimwear for ocean
Sunglasses
Sunhat
Something to sleep in
Hiking shoes (worn-in)
Sandals for camp
OTHER
Universal travel plug adapter
Power bank or solar charger
Passports (and visas)
Travel Insurance documents
Suncream (reef/coral-friendly)
Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
Quick-dry towel
Alcohol hand-gel
Face mask
Headtorch or torch
2 x reusable water bottle (x1 litre)
OPTIONAL
Earplugs
Energy bars and snacks
Pre/Post trip accommodation in Todos Santos (Single/Twin/Double)
Payable Before Departure
Pre/Post trip accommodation in Todos Santos (Single/Twin/Double)
… Per Night
Optional Private Room & Tent Upgrade
Payable Before Departure
Optional Private Room & Tent Upgrade
… Per Person
The trip was great! The island is absolutely beautiful it's as nice as the pictures if not better! The teal there was absolutely nice, super flexible to accommodate what we wanted to do. The food was way beyond expectations for camping! The highlight of the trip was swimming with the sea lions it was an incredible experience.
We've crunched the numbers to work out the total carbon footprint of this trip, and plant enough trees to suck 2x as much back out the atmosphere.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 130kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal for 2023 to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you in it).
- A return economy class flight London - New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. For every person booked with us since 2016 we’re planting enough trees to suck at least 2x more carbon out the atmosphere than is emitted by their trips. All native trees, as part of amazing projects that are re-foresting degraded land, tackling the biodiversity crisis and supporting local communities at the same time. We go further than that too, also funding re-wilding projects worldwide to help protect important keystone species from extinction. See the reforestation and re-wilding schemes we support. See our carbon action plan.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
You do not need any previous kayaking experience, full guidance will be provided at the beginning of the trip and while on the water. A general level of fitness will be useful, building a little arm strength before can help with sea kayaking.
You'll be paddling with a fellow adventurer in double sit-in sea kayaks. Your guide will lead the activities and your support crew will choose camp spots and cook meals. Your main luggage will be left with your host when you set off from Todos Santos on Day 2 as you pack only what you need in your dry bags. You'll be reunited with your luggage again on the afternoon of Day 7.
Sure can! Over 50% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion and are non-compulsory on this trip. Of course, if you feel that your guides provided an exceptional experience then you are welcome to tip as much as you feel is appropriate.
Your host will provide fresh drinking water to fill up your bottles at various points during the kayaking and at camp.
The weather from November through April is generally perfect, with highs during the day in the low to mid 20°C and lows at night in the mid 10°C. There may be windy days that can have an impact on certain adventures, and there is the occasional rainy day in those months as well.
Yes, you can store excess luggage at the hotel at the start of the trip. You'll be reunited with your luggage on Day 7.
For current advice about travelling in Mexico, have a read of the UK Foreign Office pages here.
Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.
Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our adventures. Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure.
Your insurance policy should also include specific Covid-19 cover, including cancellation and curtailment cover if you, your travel companion or a close relative are diagnosed with Covid-19.
We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.
You're in good company. Our adventures are typically made up of a mix of solo travellers and small groups of two or three friends who simply love adventure, pushing themselves and meeting awesome like-minded people. See here for more info about our lovely bunch of Much Better Adventurers.
Want to book a private trip? Just tap ‘Private Group’ in the dates and prices tab.
Your trip is led by carefully curated local hosts and expert guides. See here for more info about the guides we work with.
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