REGENERATIVE TOURISM
Our expeditions in Loreto, Baja California Sur, operated with our sister project Baja Adventures, are rooted in regenerative tourism through citizen science, ecological observation, reporting, and documenting illegal or unregulated activities to support both wildlife conservation and local communities.
By following seasonal migrations across diverse ecosystems, we create immersive experiences that educate, inspire, and directly contribute to conservation.
A key part of our model is reinvesting 10% of each expedition cost into conservation efforts, creating a circular system that helps protect the Gulf of California’s unique biodiversity while deepening participants’ connection to nature
WHY REGENERATIVE TOURISM?
Regenerative tourism is a commitment to transforming travel into a force for good, ensuring it gives back more to the communities, ecosystems, and species of the Baja California Peninsula than it takes.
It goes beyond economic benefit by actively supporting local communities while helping protect and restore natural environments.
Building a regenerative tourism model in the Baja California Peninsula is essential for the long-term sustainability and resilience of the sector, aligning tourism with broader goals of reducing ecological impact and advancing sustainability.
Enhancing Species Management Through Community-Driven Data Collection
Data collection to be used in species management
While government monitoring is essential, it’s often limited by resources. Through responsible tourism, especially in remote, hard-to-access areas, we can bring more ‘eyes’ to our natural spaces —enhancing biodiversity tracking, threat detection, and conservation efforts through data generation and community participation.
Camera trap monitoring for 1 biodiversity studies
It is a robust tool for studying biodiversity baselines such as species presence-absence, abundance, population density, threats, and human- wildlife conflicts.
Monitoring of wildlife including deceased animals
Monitoring and reporting systems for authorities regarding dead wildlife from poisoning, vehicle collisions, hunting, and disease.
Photo identification
Photo identification of marine mammals for collaboration with researchers on current studies, informs new management strategies, and creates comprehensive identification catalogs
Data collection for future 4 management plans
Cetacean distribution data collection in Loreto National Park and surrounding areas is essential for informing future management plans and understanding biodiversity distribution and connectivity.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Our regenerative tourism expeditions empower visitors to the Baja California Peninsula to become positive agents of change within the local communities. They leave as storytellers, equipped to share our unique culture and heritage with the world, creating a lasting, positive impact wherever they go.
By engaging deeply with local traditions and ecosystems, travelers not only enrich their own experiences but also contribute meaningfully to the preservation of our environment and the well-being of our communities.
We work at:
Revamping the core of the tourism system
Enhancing destination branding and elevating visitor experiences
Empowering communities and stakeholders to effectively handle tourism
Collaborating in strategic alliances
Transitioning stakeholders from extractive practices to sustainable livelihoods and employment opportunities
We utilize our efforts during expeditions to collect crucial data that we share with scientists and researchers. This collaboration aids in developing effective strategies for conservation, ensuring that our activities contribute positively to environmental sustainability.
ONE DAY EXPEDITIONS
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MARINE EXPEDITION
Duration: 1 day
Location: Loreto
Season: April to DecemberLoreto in the Gulf of California offer an outstanding destination to encounter a vast array of marine biodiversity throughout the year. Dolphins, sea lions, sea turtles, whales, orcas, and large schools of mobula rays, along with diverse fish and seabird species, inhabit this region.
Our day expeditions include cetacean distribution citizen science activities and participation in ongoing monitoring of marine biodiversity. Fieldwork focuses on recording sightings, behavior, and distribution patterns of whales, dolphins, and other marine species to support long-term ecological research and conservation efforts in the region.
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BLUE WHALE EXPEDITION
Duration: 1 day
Location: Loreto
Season: Jan - MarchJoin us for an 7-hour marine expedition in the waters of Loreto, during the winter whale aggregation season, when the region becomes a vital refuge for large marine mammals in the Gulf of California. Search for blue whales, fin whales, humpback whales, dolphins, and occasionally hunting orcas in one of the most important seasonal habitats in the world.
This day expedition includes cetacean distribution citizen science activities, where participants assist in recording sightings, behavior, and distribution data. Our expert team provides field-based guidance in species identification, marine ecology, and conservation status, contributing to ongoing research in this critical winter feeding and refuge area for whales and other cetaceans.
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GRAY WHALE EXPEDITION
Duration: 1 day
Location: Pacific lagoons
Season: Jan - AprilJoin us for a full-day exploration of the lagoons where gray whales gather during their winter migration to socialize, mate, give birth, and feed. This is a strictly non-intrusive experience, with no physical interaction, ensuring full respect for natural whale behavior.
Surrounded by mangroves, migratory birds, coyotes, and coastal desert wildlife, this experience highlights the lagoon as a complete ecosystem—not only the whales, but all interconnected species and habitats that support them.
Participants learn about gray whale ecology and the importance of these lagoons as critical marine nurseries, while also supporting local communities through locally sourced meals and services that contribute to sustainable coastal economies.
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BIOCULTURAL EXPEDITION
Duration: 1 day
Location: Loreto
Season: Year RoundExperience the Sierra de la Giganta and Loreto’s desert–mountain landscapes on a mule ride guided by local rancheros, who share their knowledge of the region’s ecosystems, history, and traditions. This experience supports ranching livelihoods and helps preserve cultural heritage.
Participants take part in camera trap biodiversity monitoring, including the placement and setup of camera traps in key wildlife corridors. These citizen science activities generate baseline data on wildlife presence and movement across the Sierra.
By combining science and local knowledge, the program supports biodiversity conservation while strengthening ranching communities and helping keep cultural traditions in the Sierra de la Giganta alive.
Building a future where tourism heals nature, culture, and people
By prioritizing regenerative practices, we can create an inclusive framework that nurtures both people and nature, ensuring that tourism contributes positively to the region's cultural heritage and natural resources.
Considering tourism's substantial impact on our economy, nurturing a regenerative tourism sector also aligns with broader initiatives to reduce our ecological footprint and advance sustainability. Our expeditions improve the preservation of the environment by fostering a relationship between humans and nature and the root cause of environmental issues: human behavior. We aim to create meaningful, life-changing experiences for our participants that will inspire everyone to become more intimately involved in conservation long after their experience with us is over.
MULTI-DAY EXPEDITIONS
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WHALES AND OASES EXPEDITION
Duration: 4 days - 3 nights
Location: Loreto
Season: January and MarchA marine conservation expedition in Loreto focused on generating critical cetacean distribution data through citizen science to support the protection of Loreto Bay National Park.
Whales and cetaceans are keystone species in marine ecosystems, and Loreto is an important winter refuge and feeding area (January–March) for blue whales, humpback whales, gray whales, fin whales, and dolphins. The region provides critical habitat for feeding, reproduction, and nursing, especially for blue whales, whose presence indicates high ocean productivity and ecosystem health in this globally significant marine environment.
This program integrates whale and cetacean monitoring with workshops on identification, ecology, and conservation, offering a comprehensive understanding of marine biodiversity and ecosystem connectivity.
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WHALES OF LORETO
Duration: 5 days - 4 nights
Location: Loreto
Season: Jan - MarchA marine conservation and citizen science expedition in Loreto focused on generating critical data to support the protection of Loreto Bay National Park and seasonal cetaceans.
Loreto is a winter refuge for whales and cetaceans, including blue whales, humpback whales, fin whales, and dolphins, providing essential feeding and nursing grounds. Their presence reflects ocean health and ecosystem integrity in this globally significant marine environment.
Participants assist in field monitoring by recording whale and cetacean sightings, behavior, and distribution patterns, contributing to long-term research on habitat use and population dynamics.
Includes: Cetacean citizen science monitoring, field observation and data collection, species identification training, conservation workshops, accommodation, transportation, meals, and field equipment.
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LORETO LAND AND SEA EXPEDITION
Duration: 4 days - 3 nights
Location: Loreto
Season: Apr - Jun, Sep - Dec,A combined marine and terrestrial conservation initiative based in Loreto, focused on generating critical citizen science data to support the protection of Loreto Bay National Park and surrounding ecosystems.
The program explores both the marine park and the Sierra de la Giganta, including its canyons and desert oases, providing a holistic understanding of connected coastal and inland ecosystems.
Cetaceans are keystone species and Loreto is a winter refuge and feeding and nursing ground for highly migratory whales and dolphins. Their presence reflects ocean health and requires long-term scientific monitoring.
This program integrates cetacean monitoring with land biodiversity surveys, combining marine and terrestrial fieldwork to study ecosystem connectivity.
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ISLANDS OF LORETO EXPEDITON
Duration: 5 days - 4 nights
Location: Loreto
Season: April to DecemberDiscover the Loreto islands and their vibrant marine life through a regenerative ecotourism and citizen science experience. Participate in field-based conservation activities that contribute directly to the protection of the Loreto Bay National Park.
Encounter dolphins, mobulas, rays, sea turtles, sea lions, cetaceans other marine species while cruising by boat around the five islands of the Loreto Bay national park, as well as hiking, snorkeling, and birdwatching in its surrounding waters and landscapes.
Collect observational data on cetacean distribution to support long-term monitoring and conservation efforts for highly migratory marine species.
This program supports community-based science, environmental education, and the generation of critical data that helps justify and strengthen the protection of Loreto Bay National Park.
CAN’T DECIDE?
If you’re unsure which species or season to choose for your participantion, contact our team for expert guidance on migrations and biodiversity. We can help you discover which species and times of year best match your interests, and also share information about citizen science projects you can get involved in to make a meaningful contribution.
In the wild places we explore, our expeditions fuel conservation, science, and community. We believe all tourism can be regenerative, healing the damage humans have done. Change happens when we act, and we are proud to be those who do. -
Regina Domingo,
Nakawe Project founder