The BEST Baja California Expeditions (Guide for 2025)

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Baja California is jam-packed with outdoor adventures and breathtaking landscapes that you have to experience at least once in your lifetime, or at least once on your trip to Mexico! The downside is that a lot of the coolest things to do in Baja are difficult to do by yourself. 

I’m not quiiiite brave enough to dive into the ocean with a whale shark by myself, and I’m fairly sure a solo expedition to find the humpback whales in the Sea of Cortez would quickly go wrong. Nope – better to leave it up to the experts who know what they’re doing and book a tour.

To save you the headache of having to find all the best Baja expeditions, I’ve put them all in one place. Let’s dive right in! 

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1. Gray Whale and Glamping Adventure – Best Overall Baja Expedition

• Days: 4 days
• Price: $2,645
• Group Size: Arrive solo or as a family.
• Fitness Required: Moderate.
• Accommodations: You’ll be staying in gorgeous glamping tents. If you want to add luxury to your trip, you can upgrade to the bigger tents.
• Meals Included: All meals are included.
• Service Level: Standard to luxury. You will still be staying at a camp, but the glamping is pretty glamorous!

Get ready to meet the ocean’s gentle giants, grey whales! Each winter, they make a 3,000-mile journey that takes them from the Arctic down to the warm waters of Baja California’s lagoons. 

Throughout this Baja expedition, you’ll get to sleep on the edge of the San Ignacio Lagoon, nicknamed ‘whale central’, where thousands of whales come together to breed and raise their young. Each day, you’ll have the opportunity to hop aboard and sail out into the lagoon in search of whales. They’re super friendly and will often approach you, sticking their heads above the water to say hi! 

You can decide which daily whale tour you want to join (there are 3 each day), then spend the rest of your time going on walks, unwinding with incredible views of the lagoon, or joining kayaking and paddleboarding tours.

Who is this tour best for?

This tour is great for wildlife enthusiasts who want to get up close to the sea’s gentle giants, photography fans who are looking for a new photoshoot opportunity, couples who want to go on a romantic adventure together, and high-end travelers. 

Cons:

• Because the tour is whale-themed, it only runs from mid-January to mid-April.
• One drawback of this tour is that it’s a lil’ pricey.

2. Beach Adventure Camp Isla Espiritu Santo – Best For Beach Lovers

• Days: Choose how long you want to stay. The shortest stay is 2 nights, but you can extend it up to 7 nights.
• Price: $375 per night.
• Group Size: You’ll have a private tent, but there can be quite a lot of people at the camp at once.
• Fitness Required: Moderate. There will be lots of water sports and hikes, so the fitter you are, the easier you’ll find it.
• Accommodations: You’ll be sleeping in tents on the island’s sandy shores. But don’t worry, there’s a proper bed in your tent!
• Meals Included: All your meals are included.
• Service Level: Standard. Even though you’ll be greeted with a glass of champagne when you arrive, you will be sleeping in tents. 

This camping tour on the shores of Espiritu Santo Island is budget-friendly and packed with adventure. Wake up by the ocean and start the day with a morning dip.

You’ll have a lot of autonomy about what you do when, which is exactly how I like to travel. Make sure you join a hike into the island’s stunning landscape, which is a UNESCO World Heritage National Park in Mexico for good reason. 

There are loads of activities you can join throughout the day, like snorkelling or diving expeditions. Rather stay above the water? Then hop on a paddleboard or kayak and get exploring! 

Who is this tour best for?

This tour is great for budget travelers and anyone who loves being by the beach or wants to catch a summer tan. Outdoorsy and sporty travelers will have a blast too – there’s everything from hiking to diving. 

Cons:

• The original itinerary (without any extensions) is pretty short, so it could feel like you haven’t had enough time to properly settle in.
• If you want to go swimming with the local whale sharks, it’s an extra $135.

3. Guided Overlanding Tour – Best Tour For Daring Couples

• Days: Pick how many nights you want to go for (between 2 and 7).
• Price: $375 per person, per night.
• Group Size: Each vehicle has a two-man pop-up tent on top.
• Fitness Required: Moderate – you can choose how much hiking and exploring you want to do.
• Accommodations: Camping on top of the car.
• Meals Included: You’ll be accompanied by a chef who will cook your meals (um, cool!!)
• Service Level: Basic – even though you’ll have a private chef, you’ll still be camping.

Are you an adventurous soul looking for a Baja expedition where you can do things your way? Then this overlanding tour is perfect for you. Pick up your Toyota Tacoma truck that’s loaded up with everything you need, then head into the wild for an adventure of a lifetime. You get to set the pace, and your guide and chef will adapt to you. 

I loved how well mapped out all the best spots along the way are; it makes it super easy to follow and saves loads of time thinking about where to camp or what to see. 

This well-rounded tour will showcase all of Baja’s landscapes, from the vast lagoons to the white sand of Mexico’s best beach towns and desert mountains!sol

Who is this tour best for?

For anyone who likes to travel in their own time and prefers not to have a strict schedule. It’s also great for wild-campers, adrenaline junkies, and outdoorsy couples. 

Cons:

• The tour isn’t suitable for families or inexperienced drivers.
• If you want to add on experiences like going into the San Ignacio Lagoon to see the whales, you’ll have to pay extra.

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4. Baja Intimate Insider – Best Tour For Families and Culture-Enthusiasts

• Days: 6 days.
• Price: $3,000
• Group Size: You can go as a solo traveler in Mexico, a small group of friends, or a family.
• Fitness Required: Moderate. Make sure you’re up for hiking and some horse riding.
• Accommodations: You’ll stay at gorgeous and quaint boutique hotels and inns. 
• Meals Included: All your meals are included.
• Service Level: Standard. 

Travel 50 miles north of Cabo to the charming town of Todos Santos in the Baja Peninsula. You’ll call this quirky desert oasis home for the next 6 days, while you travel around on this fun culture tour of Baja, getting to know the traditions and landscapes of this unique place. It’s a great adventure from Cabo San Lucas.

Walk along the Pacific bluffs cliffs at Punta Lobos and watch the fishermen’s boats bobbing in the sea. You might even spot a whale from the shore if you’re lucky, and you’ll pass a colony of sea lions. Try out surfing or opt out and relax on the beach instead. 

Kayak in the Sea of Cortez, which is the home of whale sharks and other impressive marine life. Get out into the Sierra de la Laguna Biosphere Reserve and enjoy the sweeping views down to the ocean.

One thing that makes this tour unique is how much food will feature in your trip. Join cooking classes with local chefs, taste homemade mescal, and visit family-owned farms! 

Who is this tour best for?

This tour is a great option for families traveling with small kids, older travellers looking for some extra comfort, couples, and anyone who wants to dive head-first into Baja’s unique culture. 

Cons:

• Because you’ll be staying in hotels, you won’t get to immerse yourself in the landscape as much as with other tours.

5. In Steinbeck’s Wake: An Epic Voyage Through The Sea of Cortez – For Travellers That Never Want To Leave Baja

• Days: 11 days.
• Price: $6,500
• Group Size: You can join as a solo traveller or group, and you’ll stay on a ship that can fit up to 66 people.
• Fitness Required: Moderate – the fitter you are, the easier it’ll be! 
• Accommodations: Sleep aboard the Safari Voyager in a private cabin.
• Meals Included: All your meals are included.
• Service Level: Standard.

Follow in the footsteps of John Steinbeck’s ‘Log from the Sea of Cortez’ on this immense voyage that will take you to parts of the Baja Peninsula few travelers reach. 

Because the tour is so long, you’ll get a real chance to get to know the local wildlife at spots like Punta Marcial, Isla Catalina, and Santa Rosalia. Not many travelers will ever make it to these remote islands, so you’re in for a treat! 

You’ll also get to sail to the enchanting Isla Espiritu Santo, which has white sand beaches that look like they’re out of a brochure. 

Wondering what you’ll get up to along the way? Well, pretty much everything. Snorkel with the marine life, whale-watch from your kayak, go bird watching (pelicans are my personal favourites in the area), hike through the desert, and even ride a mule at a local ranch! This is some pretty off-the-beaten-path travel.

Who is this tour best for?

This Baja expedition is great for anyone who wants to see and do it ALL! Looking to get off the beaten track and explore beyond the tourist trail? Then this is the tour for you. It’s suited to families with older kids, couples, and even solo travelers. 

Cons:

• It’s definitely not a budget-friendly tour.
• Because it’s a longer tour, you may get a bit travel-fatigued. 

Already in the Baja Peninsula? Not sure you can afford a multi-day tour? Don’t panic – I’ve found loads of great day tours you can choose from that set off from the resort town of Cabo San Lucas. 

Whether it’s jumping on a boat and going in search of grey whales, or diving with whale sharks – here are some epic adventures we don’t think you should miss out on! 

1. Outdoor Adventure: Parasailing in Los Cabos

Ready to add some thrill to your trip? This adrenaline-inducing parasailing adventure is guaranteed to make your heart pound. The scariest bit is when the boat accelerates and you take off!

After that, you slowly relax into being up in the air, and you can start to take in the amazing views all around you. Keep a lookout for sights like the Arch of Cabo San Lucas and Lover’s Beach, which are extra impressive from 600 feet in the air.

2. Whale-Shark Snorkeling Excursion to La Paz

My heart was pounding in my chest, and everything went dead quiet when I spotted the spotty whale shark in the water right in front of me. It’s hard to get a real sense of how enormous these creatures are!

But don’t worry, they’re gentle giants and you won’t be in any danger. It was cool travelling there with a team of marine biologists too, they knew heaps about the whales and other species that live in the area, so none of our questions went unanswered.

3. Kayak Expedition to the Arch of Cabo San Lucas

One of the most famous landmarks in Cabo is the stunning Arch of Cabo San Lucas. I didn’t fully understand how massive this natural rock bridge was until I was below it. Let me tell you, I felt pretty tiny in my little kayak under this force of nature. 

You won’t just get to kayak, though; you’ll also stop to snorkel at the reefs around Pelican Rock! 

4. Camel Ride and UTV Combo Adventure

I was relaxing on the beach one day when I poked my head above my book and saw a camel. That’s right, a camel! I was stunned. Surely camels didn’t belong in Los Cabos? 

I went online right away and started looking for camel riding tours, and sure enough, there were loads. But none are quite as good as this one, which also includes an ATV adventure! 

Start off on the shores of Migrino Beach, where you’ll jump on a camel’s back and wander through the sand. Then get ready to ip to pace with a speedy ride through the desert and along the cliffs on an ATV. Finish the day off at a ranch, drinking shots of tequila.

5. Cabo San Lucas: Snorkel Tour with Open Bar

Hop onto a catamaran and sail out into the open waters of the Sea of Cortez, with views of Cabo’s sandy shore and steep cliffs in the distance. You’ll travel past gorgeous beaches like Playa del Amor and El Medano Beach.

Just as the sun started to get really hot, we pulled up at Santa Marina Bay and jumped into the cool ocean! Kitted out in snorkeling gear, we swam around the bay in search of colorful sea turtles, mobula rays, and angel fish. Having a bar on board was also very convenient!

Is This the Best Backpack EVER???

We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.

Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!

View on Osprey

Getting ready for a trip to Baja involves a little more than just booking a tour. To save you the time and hassle of having to do all your own research, I’ve gathered everything you need to know into one place – you’re welcome!

Best Time to Visit Baja

Getting your timing right is even more important for a trip to Baja than most. Arrive a few days late and you could completely miss the gray whales – my worst nightmare! It also gets uncomfortably hot in Baja for part of the year, and I’d suggest avoiding hurricane season. 

You can pretty much guarantee the sun will be scorching from June through to September, but there are a few reasons you might still want to visit in the hotter months. Mobula rays come to Baja to breed between late April and July. But don’t panic, they come back in November and early January too! 

Personally, I think December is the best time to come. It’s when all the humpbacks and gray whales are in Baja and the temperatures are gorgeously warm, but not suffocatingly hot. But don’t worry if you’re tied up with Christmas plans, the whale season is from December through to April! 

Bear in mind that the La Paz whale shark season is from October through to April, so you’ll be able to catch them too if you book a sunny winter escape to Baja. 

Travel Insurance for your Baja California Expedition

Unfortunately, things can go wrong when you least expect them. This is why good travel insurance is essential before you head on your trip to Baja California.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

One thing that’s great about Baja is that, because it’s warm year-round, you don’t need to bring many layers. You will need to think of ways to protect yourself from the sun, though. But don’t worry, I’ve done all the thinking for you.

I hate paying for extra luggage, so I always challenge myself to bring as little as possible and then spend the money I save on cocktails by the beach! 

From swimming gear to less obvious bits and bobs, here’s a handy list of everything you should add to your backpack:

• Lightweight hiking trousers for cliffside hikes. Ideally, get ones that unzip into shorts too! The Arc’teryx Gamma SL Pant is my fav.
• Swimwear. To save extra space, see if you can find swim trunks that double up as hiking shorts, too.
• Sun cream. Baja is hot, hot, hot! 
• Sunglasses to protect your sensitive eyes from the blaring sun on kayaking trips.
• Your best camera to capture all your adventures.
• A lightweight, quick-drying travel towel for the beach.
• Some thin pyjamas.
• A good dry bag that you can put your phone and important documents in when you’re out whale hunting.
• Hiking sandals, like a pair of Tevas or Keens. 
• Bring along a transparent waterproof phone case if you want to take underwater pictures.
• Got some snorkeling kit at home? Bring it along! That way, you can save some money and do some solo-snorkelling.
• Pack a daypack that you can take on hikes.
• Bring a reusable water bottle. Baja is hot and arid, so it’s a good idea to always have water on you!

DON'T DIE OUT THERE! …Please 🙂

Things go wrong on the road ALL THE TIME. Be prepared for what life throws at you.

Buy an AMK Travel Medical Kit before you head out on your next adventure – don’t be daft!

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I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – you have to go to Baja at least once in your life! This amazing peninsula is a haven of marine wildlife, outdoor adventures, and vibrant Mexican culture. I’m not always a huge promoter of multi-day tours, but seeing as you’ll definitely need a guide for most of Baja’s greatest expeditions, it makes sense to join a longer tour. 

There are loads to choose from and only you know which suits your travel style the most, but if you’re completely frozen by choice paralysis, then I’d recommend the Gray Whale and Glamping Adventure! 

Not ready to commit to a multi-day tour? Then visit Baja your way and add on some day tours, like this awesome Whale-Shark Snorkeling Excursion to La Paz. 

A couple of you lovely readers suggested we set up a tip jar for direct support as an alternative to booking through our links, since we’ve decided to keep the site ad-free. So here it is!

You can now buy The Broke Backpacker a coffee. If you like and use our content to plan your trips, it’s a much appreciated way to show appreciation 🙂