Loreto Bay is sheltered by the islands, so the sea is almost always flat at first light. It is one of the best coastlines in Mexico for paddling and it takes no experience: after a ten-minute briefing, any healthy person can handle an hour on the water.
What time to paddle
Early. Wind in the Gulf behaves with real consistency: calm at dawn, a building breeze by mid-morning and steady wind in the afternoon. The good window runs from seven to about ten thirty. In winter, add the north winds, which can build swell within an hour; in summer, the heat pushes you out even earlier.
One simple rule
Always paddle into the wind on the way out and with it on the way back. If you head out with the wind behind you, the return can turn into a serious problem.
Routes by level
First time: in front of town
Leave from the hotel beach and paddle parallel to the shore toward the malecon. Shallow water, visual landmarks the whole way and the return always in sight. Forty minutes round trip.
Intermediate: the south shore of the bay
Small beaches and rocky points strung out to the south. You can stop and snorkel on the shallows. Two or three hours at an easy pace.
With a guide: Isla Danzante
The best paddling experience in the area. The kayak is trailered to Puerto Escondido and you paddle the island’s west face: cliffs, caves at water level and coves with turquoise water. Half a day. There is context on each island in the marine park guide.
Expedition: the crossing to Coronado
For experienced paddlers only, with a guide and in perfect conditions. There is open channel and the wind shifts fast. This is not a casual plan.
Paddleboarding
A paddleboard works even better than a kayak in the first hour of the day, when the sea is a mirror. The technique takes five minutes standing and one minute kneeling. The best minutes of all are sunrise behind Isla del Carmen. One tip: from a board you see rays and fish on the bottom that go unnoticed from a kayak.
What to bring
- A long-sleeve rash guard and a hat: two hours of glare off the water burns more than you would think.
- Mineral sunscreen, the only kind recommended inside the park.
- Water in a reusable bottle, tied to the deck.
- Your phone in a dry bag. It works as a camera and as a phone if something goes wrong.
- Water shoes and, if you are going far, a whistle.
Safety
Wear the life vest, do not strap it to the deck. Tell the front desk where you are going and when you will be back. Do not go farther than you could paddle back tired and into a headwind. If the north wind catches you out, paddle for the nearest shore, not for your starting point.
Where to get gear
We have kayaks and boards available for guests; guided trips to Danzante and full-day routes are booked through experiences or at the front desk. You can see the beach area and the pool under rooms, and plan the rest of your itinerary with things to do in Loreto.
What you will see out there
A kayak has one advantage over a motorboat: silence. The animals do not leave. In an hour of paddling around the bay it is normal to see rays buried in the sand, sardine schools moving like a shadow under the board, herons and pelicans fishing a few feet away and, along the rocky shore, crabs and urchins in the tide pools.
With luck, dolphins turn up, and the right response is to keep your distance and stop paddling, and sea turtles come up to breathe. In winter you can make out whale blows offshore from the kayak. None of this is something you go looking for. It simply happens when you move slowly and without an engine.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need experience to kayak in Loreto?
Not for the bay routes. Island crossings do require experience and a guide.
What is the best time of day to paddle?
Between seven and ten thirty in the morning, while the wind is calm.
Kayak or paddleboard?
Kayak if you are covering distance or carrying gear; paddleboard if you want to see the bottom and spend an hour near shore.
Can you paddle with kids?
Yes, in a double kayak with an adult in the back and a child-sized life vest. More ideas in Loreto with kids.
What time of year is best for paddling?
April through November. Winter has excellent days, but the north winds mean checking the forecast every morning.
