Explore the remote coastal regions of southern Baja California Sur, where dolphins, sea turtles, and migrating whales share the waters you paddle, then come ashore to wander the towering sand dunes of Bahía Magdalena.
With over 20 years of professional sea kayaking and guiding experience, San Carlos Kayaks offers guided, single-day trips and multi-day kayaking tours. Enjoy a stunning adventure that includes camping and whale-watching in Magdalena Bay and the Sea of Cortez, starting from the fishing town of Puerto San Carlos in Baja California Sur. Each trip combines deep local knowledge with strong safety practices and outdoor education, creating meaningful connections to Baja’s land, sea, and community.
While on your kayaking tour, all meals are included and inspired by the local diet, with a mix of fresh seafood and satisfying vegetarian dishes. Every meal is prepared with care to give you an authentic taste of traditional Baja cuisine. Dietary restrictions and allergies can be accommodated.
Comfortable lodgings at our base camp are included during your tour, so you can relax between paddling days. However, Pre- and post-trip accommodations at our Airbnb are not included in the tour price and can be booked either through Airbnb or directly with us.
Set among Magdalena Bay’s sand dunes and mangrove channels, Campamento Coyote is an off-grid base camp offering 3-day/2-night (Fri–Sun) and 4-day/3-night (Mon–Thu) gray whale and sea kayaking adventures from late January to mid-March, priced at $350 CAD per person per day.
Join small-group, locally guided trips that launch from Puerto San Carlos and take you into the heart of Baja’s most spectacular coastal environments. From the seat of a kayak, you’ll explore quiet bays, camp on remote beaches, and watch gray whales up close. You’ll also enjoy fresh Baja-style meals with the experienced local guides of San Carlos Kayaks.
Day Tour
A full-day sea kayaking tour from Puerto San Carlos to the sand dunes of Los Arenales on Isla Magdalena. Paddle 6 km across Bahía Magdalena with a local guide, land on a remote barrier island, walk from the bay to the Pacific, and enjoy lunch among the dunes, with time to explore quiet mangrove channels before paddling back.
Campamento Coyote
An off-grid gray whale and sea kayaking adventure in the heart of Magdalena Bay, based at a cozy beach camp among sand dunes and mangrove channels. Spend your days paddling, watching whales surface near camp, hiking coastal dunes, and sharing fresh Baja-style meals with local guides from Puerto San Carlos.
Sea of cortez
A base-camp style kayaking adventure in the turquoise bays of Agua Verde, with daily paddles to quiet coves, sea caves, and sheltered beaches. Spend your days kayaking and snorkeling with tropical fish and rays, then return each evening to a comfortable seaside camp with fresh meals and star-filled skies.
Eduardo Rivas, founder of San Carlos Kayaks, was born and raised in Puerto San Carlos and has been guiding sea kayaking trips since the early 2000s. A former National Outdoor Leadership School instructor with experience in Alaska, Baja, and Vancouver Island, he now returns home each winter to lead small-group adventures grounded in deep local knowledge.
These Baja expeditions bring you into sheltered lagoons and open Pacific waters where gray whales and pods of dolphins travel each season. From boats and kayaks you may meet curious whales at the surface, watch huge flocks of pelicans and cormorants fill the sky, and walk quiet beaches alive with shorebirds, surrounded by wildlife in every direction.
The ocean is calling. Our Baja kayak tours are for travelers who want more than a quick photo stop, and who are ready to paddle, camp, and share quiet moments with whales, sand dunes, and star-filled skies. Led by local guides from Puerto San Carlos, each trip offers a simple, comfortable base and full days on the water, with plenty of time to slow down and connect with this coastline. We are now booking for the upcoming season. If you are unsure which trip is the best fit, contact us and we will help you decide. Reserve your place today and start planning your Baja adventure.
“Whale Watching and Sea Kayaking Experience”
Campamento Coyote Base Camp experience starts and ends at the office of San Carlos Kayaks in Puerto San Carlos.
5:00 PM – Pre-trip meeting at our office
Meet with your guides, Eduardo and team.
Review the itinerary and important safety protocols.
Address any last-minute questions or concerns.
Dinner is on your own; recommendations will be provided by the team.
6:00 AM – Breakfast at San Carlos Kayaks office
8:00 AM – Departure to Base Camp by kayak
It is about a 25 km paddle and will take us all day to get there, but it will be a full day and very memorable. Doing this paddle is optional, since it is a long paddle. If someone does not want to paddle, there will be a boat available.
12:00 PM
There will be lunch at camp for the people who take the boat. For the paddlers, we will have lunch along the beach on our way to camp. There are plenty of places to explore on the way, including the fishing village of Puerto Magdalena.
1:00 PM
People at camp are welcome to explore the surroundings and make themselves at home.
A short boat ride to the camp.
4:00 PM
We should be arriving at camp around this time. After putting the equipment away, people settle into their tents and familiarize themselves with the camp. Dinner will be coming shortly after.
6:00 PM – Dinner at the camp
We all enjoy delicious local seafood and other Mexican dishes.
8:00 PM
Relax by the fire and discuss the plan for the following day.
7:30 AM – Breakfast at the camp
8:30 AM
Depart on the pangas to witness the gray whales interacting in their natural habitat.
12:00 PM – Lunch back at camp
1:30 PM
Relaxing and exploring Magdalena Island.
3:00 PM – Back to camp
4:00 PM – Optional afternoon paddle
6:00 PM – Dinner at the camp
Share stories and experiences around the campfire.
7:30 AM – Breakfast at the camp
8:30 AM – Kayaking expedition
Paddle to different areas of the bay, very likely to the south end of Magdalena Island.
12:00 PM – Picnic lunch on a secluded beach
1:30 PM
Continue kayaking back to camp.
4:00 PM – Return to camp
Relax and unwind; perhaps take a short nap or read a book.
7:00 PM – Farewell dinner at the camp
Enjoy a special meal and reflect on the adventures of the past days.
7:30 AM – Breakfast at the camp
8:30 AM
Free time to relax, pack, and enjoy the last moments in this beautiful setting.
11:00 AM – Early lunch at the camp
12:00 PM – Depart from Campamento Coyote
1:00 PM – Arrival back at San Carlos Kayaks office
End of the tour; time to say goodbye to new friends and guides.
We look forward to welcoming you to Campamento Coyote for an unforgettable experience in Magdalena Bay, Baja, filled with nature, exploration, and local culture. Saludos.
(Los Arenales)
Join us for a full-day kayaking trip to the sand dunes of Magdalena Island, locally known as “Los Arenales.” The route begins in San Carlos with a 6 km crossing to the island, followed by a guided exploration of the dunes and a walk to the Pacific side. After lunch, we continue paddling north along the island to explore the mangroves before returning to San Carlos, for a total distance of approximately 15–18 km.
For less experienced paddlers, or for those who prefer to shorten the return paddle, a boat pickup is available for an additional fee of 3,000 MXP. Please inquire if you would like to add this service.
A minimum of 24 hours’ advance booking is required.
Kayak Day Tour to Magdalena Island Sand Dunes
Morning:
8:00 AM: Meet at San Carlos Kayaks Office in Puerto San Carlos
Quick introduction and safety briefing
Gear up with kayaking equipment provided
8:30 AM: Depart to Launch Site
Launch kayaks and begin the paddle across Magdalena Bay (approx. 6 km)
10:00 AM: Arrive at Magdalena Island
Disembark and explore the sand dunes
Guided nature walk to learn about the unique ecosystem and local wildlife
Midday:
12:00 PM: Picnic Lunch on the Island
Enjoy a delicious, packed lunch with snacks and non-alcoholic drinks
Relax and take in the beautiful surroundings
Afternoon:
1:00 PM: Optional Activities
Continue exploring the island’s dunes and beaches
Bird watching in the mangrove estuaries
Leisure time for swimming or sunbathing
3:00 PM: Return to Puerto San Carlos
Enjoy the scenic views from our kayaks and keep an eye out for marine life
4:30 PM: Arrive at San Carlos Kayaks Office
Wrap up the tour with some light refreshments
Share your experiences and photos
Professional local guide
All kayaking equipment (kayak, paddle, life jacket, spray skirt, bailer)
Picnic lunch and snacks
Safety gear and first aid supplies
Breakfast
Boat pick up
Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
Refillable water bottle
Lightweight, comfortable clothing
Wind breaker
Swimwear and towel
Water shoes or sandals
Insect repellent
Personal medications
Waterproof bag for personal items
$1200 MXN per person
Minimum group size: 2 people
Maximum group size: 12 people
