We booked our tour in Loreto at the tour office directly adjacent to the Mision. Sorry I don't have the name, but the office is on the corner, on the east side of the Mision. It is on the corner of Calle Salvatierra and JM Pino Suarez. The tour cost $55 USD per person, for each person in our party of four. We were required to place a 50% deposit at the time of booking and pay the remaining 50% to the Panga captain at the end of the tour. We were able to choose the day and time of pickup. It was very convenient because the Panga picked us up from the beach at Loreto Bay, in front of the hotel. We chose to be picked up at 9 am, which was great as we got to Coronado Island before any other boats and could enjoy the solitude for a while. A box lunch was included; a burrito, apple and drinks (pop/water). It was pretty good! We knew people who booked their trip at the kiosk by the Marina. They paid $50 US each, but also had to pay to get to Loreto and back. They also had no choice about timing; their tour left at 8 am from the marina. It sounded like the trip had the same agenda as ours.

I think $7 is a high estimate. Closer to $2US or less. I’ve been going for here 15 years and don’t recommend “on your own”., but your call. I’m guessing it’s more about getting the right guide, l understand that. Most of the resorts have recommended guides. If you’re interested, I’ve been using same fellow for the whole time I’ve visited here. He is an experienced scuba guide, commercially fished (hand lines out of pangas) for years so he knows where to scuba fish. Most of the Sportsfishing guides don’t. There’s also an American lady “Sue” who is an excellent resource. She used to uRun a guide service called “Baja ...something. Most locals know here. Also, Stephen, another expat who owns “Cocos Cabanas”, is an excellent resource to reliable guides (especially if you’re referred to him ). Tell him Roberto from Oregon sent you to him. LOL. If you want contact info to my guide, txt me 503-349-8557.

I think it was Land and Sea Eco Tours? A US couple own it. The office was right on a corner. We also booked a second tour in Nopolo and that was they the hotel there. Both were excellent.

Loreto Coastal Expeditions has a Glass Bottom Boat tour that rocks! Wild Baja by Chris has fabulous area photography. Both on Facebook.

Middle of February through the end of March is the usual time period they are in the area. Humpback whales, fin whales also are in the same areas at the same times. They are all feeding on krill/green stuff in the ocean. It's not unusual to see adults and "babies". During the same period you could take a trip to the Pacific side and hang out in a few lagoons with the gray whales both adults and babies. The trip takes about 2 hours driving from Loreto. All whale watching is closely regulated and tour providers all need a special permit.

We stayed at the Hotel Santa Fe. It was clean, had a small kitchen, a patrolled parking lot, and was about $50 per night. Also the steak and seafood restaurant right next door was great.

i have not been in the Loreto area in December but just travel thorough in Nov and then this year I hung out in March and April. I have a casa closer to San Jose del Cab. Usually that time of year in Baja is pleasant however and the water warm.

Hola! Contrate el viaje a las islas Coronado en la Marina de Loreto. En mis comentarios viene la información de la persona que contratamos (muy recomendable) y también el costo, espero sea de ayuda. Slds,

I will second the other recommendation about Sea and Land Eco Tours. Sara and Juve can set up any of the local activities for you.

you can take a tour or you can just walk over to the boat launch on the malecon near the whale shark statue and there are plenty of private pangas 'for hire' Definitely have someone take you to Coronado Island for swimming and a picnic