Paddling South has been guiding sea kayak expeditions in Baja California Sur since 1983—long before the Sea of Cortez appeared on adventure travel bucket lists.
Founded by Trudi Angell, one of Loreto’s pioneering paddlers and early advocates for responsible, small-group exploration, Paddling South grew from a simple belief: that the most meaningful adventures happen when people move through wild places with care, humility, and deep local knowledge.
Over four decades, we’ve paddled thousands of miles of coastline, returned to the same remote camps year after year, and built lasting relationships with fishermen, guides, families, and conservationists who call this region home. That continuity matters. It’s what allows us to operate with confidence, restraint, and respect in a place that still feels genuinely wild.
Today, Paddling South is led by Steve Hayward and Galen Licht, alongside our Loreto-based partners Antonio Hernández and Jorge Salas. Together, they carry forward Trudi’s original vision, not as a legacy to protect, but as a responsibility to uphold.
Our Approach:
Care First, Always
We believe great journeys don’t feel rushed, reckless, or performative. They feel held.
Every Paddling South journey is shaped by three guiding principles:
- Nature as the teacher
We paddle, hike, and snorkel at the pace of the Sea of Cortez, letting tides, light, weather, and wildlife shape each day. - Culture as the compass
We travel with respect for the people and traditions of Baja, honoring the knowledge and warmth of the communities that make this place what it is. - Community as the outcome
Small groups, shared effort, and thoughtful leadership create the conditions for genuine connection—between guests, guides, and place.
Our mission:
To share the magic of Baja through deeply considered paddling journeys, led by world-class guides, grounded in local connection, and enriched by unforgettable encounters with the wild beauty of the Sea of Cortez.
