Long noted for its spectacular scenery, historical missions, and azure bays, the tranquil town of Loreto now hosts the center for a protected national marine park offering a wonderful environment for outdoor adventure. The city of La Paz, about 200 miles to the south, offers easy travel access to beautiful offshore islands. Calm lagoons populated by gray whales are perfect for dune camping and natural history wildlife viewing. The islands, shores and reefs of the Sea of Cortez are rich with life. On one island, over one hundred species of plants and 16 species of birds can be seen.
Animal life is abundant, including jackrabbits, coyotes, and ringtailed cats.
Birds, lizards, and hermit crabs will often entertain you at camp. Fish and marine mammals such as whales and dolphins are a thrill to encounter as you snorkel or paddle along. On commercial Baja sea kayaking tours you load equipment, food and water into kayaks and slip away to explore the remote coast most tourists never see. Some companies offer a skiff support as you paddle along in lightweight kayaks to your day's destination. And in the whale lagoons, kayaks are employed to cruise the mangrove lagoons on the outskirts of protected whale watching areas.