Marine Park Rally of the Loreto Kayak Symposium

Loreto and Sustainable Tourism

How your participation supports the viability of this spectacular place.

About the National Marine Park of Loreto

A World Heritage Site.

Tour Itinerary

Conservation and adventure,
in a variety of styles.

Vision:
To be a force for sustainable tourism based on sound ecology and appreciation for the natural landscape.

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Sustainable Tourism and the Park Rally
Loreto was the original mission in the Californias in 1697, and became the capitol of what is now Baja California, Mexico, and the US state of California.

The region is one of the world's conservation frontiers with research still underway to establish a baseline of what plants and animals exist here. Eco-tourism has increasingly contributed to Baja California's economy and offered alternatives to extraction-based livelihoods.

In this Rally, you can make a positive contribution to sustainable tourism. The proceeds of your trip support:

ongoing research, conservation, and regulation efforts in the park
education of local college students interested in working in sustainable tourism
a kayak company of your choice which offers sustainable eco-tours in the park

About the National Marine Park
On July 14, 2005, the National Marine Park of Loreto, along with all of the islands of the Sea of Cortez, was inscribed to the United Nation's list of protected World Heritage Sites, which states:

The site is one of striking natural beauty in a dramatic setting formed by rugged islands with high cliffs and sandy beaches, which contrast with the brilliant reflection from the desert and the surrounding turquoise waters. It is home to 695 vascular plant species, more than in any marine and insular property on the World Heritage List. Equally exceptional is the number of fish species: 891, 90 of them endemic. The site, moreover, contains 39% of the world's total number of species of marine mammals and a third of the world's marine cetacean species.

The Bay of Loreto National Marine Park was created on July 19, 1996 after the citizens of Loreto petitioned the national government for it. The Park covers 510,000 acres in the Sea of Cortez including 5 islands ranging from Isla Coronado in the north to Isla Santa Catalina in the south. It is a world-class kayaking destination.

Tour Itinerary
Representatives of the National Marine Park and conservation and research groups will meet kayakers on the islands on 1-2 of the days during their trip to give open-air presentations on various aspects of this unique place. Dinner presentations before and after the event will introduce the Rally and bring closure to the experience.

Sunday October 24: Meet in the evening with your Tour Operator; Rally Overview Dinner

Monday October 25: Begin trip with Tour Operator.

Tuesday October 26: Meet with presenters on specified beaches for interactive presentations on topics such as

the uniqueness of the Sea of Cortez and its islands
ancient and amazing sea turtles
whales and what they're doing here

Wednesday-Thursday October 27 & 28: Travel and explore with your group.

Friday October 29: Meet with presenters on El Arroyo, a unique beach on Danzante Island, for an interpretive hike among desert flora to a scenic overlook. Groups will be staggered by specified times and topics may include: