CEDO offers unique opportunities to explore the sea and desert. Join us on one of our numerous CEDO NaturArte ecotours. Go for a hike in North America’s largest sand sea, kayak the channels of Morua Estuary, or explore the diverse marine life found in the tidepools of the Northern Gulf of California. Listed below are the numerous ecotours we offer.

Check out our events calendar for dates and times, as well as additional activities. All tours begin and end at CEDO’s field station in Puerto Peñasco, Sonora. Reservations can be made by phone at (520) 320-5473 in the U.S. or 011-526-38-382-0113, or 0115, in Mexico, or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Reservations should be made at least two days prior to the event.

NaturArte is an award winning conservation project designed to strengthen ties between tourists, local communities and ecosystems, while raising intercultural and environmental awareness. A portion (10%) of the proceeds goes directly to the Estero Conservation Fund. The rest supports CEDO’s other conservation projects. Thank you for your support.

CEDO believes in, and conducts, a "leave no trace" ethic, emphasizing minimal impact to areas we visit. On our tours, we follow the mantra “take only photographs, leave only footprints.”

Accomplished naturalists, experienced in environmental education, guide our tours with the purpose of sharing knowledge, love and respect for the ecosystems we visit.

Our events calendar lists our scheduled eco-adventures (important to take notice of for tide dependent tours), but with enough notice we can plan tours at your convenience with no added fee. (A minimum of 4 people is required, unless you are willing to pay a small premium). Contact us at the above phone or email to learn more about scheduling your own eco-adventures today.

We ask that you bring the following items with you on our tours:
- sunscreen
- hat
- sunglasses
- water bottle
- shoes that you don’t mind getting wet, on our coastal tours
- closed toed shoes made for hiking, on our desert tours
- clothes appropriate for a multi-element day outdoors (full cover if you are prone to sunburn)

We also recommend you bring your camera and a notebook to document your experience!

*** Discounts for all tours: Children: 30%, ages 2-11; Residents: 25%

CEDO NaturArte Ecotours

Discover the Tidepools
Famous for its dramatic tidal fluxes, the Northern Gulf of California has some of the best tide pooling in the world. We explore the intimate wonders of the rocky inter-tidal “ecotone,” a transitional world along the shoreline composed of igneous rock and Coquina reef.

Aided by the eyes and tools of experienced naturalists, you will be initiated into a world of invertebrates and plant life that literally hangs on for life in one of the most extreme habitats on Earth. You will learn of their fascinating adaptations and relationships to one another, as well as how lunar cycles affect all life on Earth, including our own.

This truly informative and explorative tour is a whole lot of fun for kids and adults alike. The best part about tidepooling is that you never know what you are going to find! We always go at low tide and provide flashlights for our guests after sunset.

 
Tour includes: Transportation, Trip insurance, Flashlights, Nets and Containers
*** Please bring flashlight, dive booties or water shoes, and gloves if you have them

Estimated duration: 2-3 hours
Availability: low tide only
Price: $15 per person

Kayaking Morua Estuary
Kayaking the Morua Estuary is easy to manage due to our sit on top, single or double person boats. This is a great option for avid photographers and the best way to get close to birds. Kayaking the estuary is also the best way to discover the rich plant and animal life of this beautiful area.

By kayak you can experience areas that are inaccessible by foot, and you will enjoy becoming one with the environment as you paddle gently down the intertidal streams. Our experienced naturalist guides will make sure you feel safe as you glide along and learn as you go.

 

Tour includes: Transportation, Kayak rental, Trip insurance

Estimated duration: 5 hours
Availability: high tide only
Price: $50 per person; $70 per person w/ lunch

San Jorge Island Tour and Snorkeling
Take a scenic boat ride to explore and snorkel the waters of Isla San Jorge, or Bird Island, a series of iceberg-like rocks located 28 miles from Puerto Peñasco. The waters around San Jorge are home to various species of dolphins and often accompany us on our ride out there. In winter, from October to April, you also have the chance of seeing Orcas and whales! Many species migrate to the Northern Gulf to forage with the upwelling currents, such as the majestic fin whale that is the second biggest animal on Earth.

San Jorge itself is one of the 898 protected islands in the Gulf, and hosts a rich diversity of flora and fauna. You can expect to see an array of sea birds such as boobies, cormorants, red-billed tropicbirds, and brown pelicans. The island is also perhaps most famous for its colony of about 2,500 California sea lions, gregarious marine mammals that when not out fishing, like to bask on the sunny rocks and play in the protected reefs.

Snorkeling with the curious sea lions is one of the most fun interactions you can have with wildlife. In the spring you can see sea lion pups. Snorkeling also offers the opportunity to see a huge variety of beautiful fish and marine invertebrates that live in the rocky reef habitat. This tour guarantees excitement and adventure on the open sea.

Tour includes: Transportation, Snorkeling equipment (wetsuits not included), Lunch and a beverage, Binoculars, Trip insurance, Birding Scope for the Group 

Estimated duration: 6 hours
Availability: year round, need minimum of 6 people
Price: $100 per person

Pinacate Adventure
We will journey into the Pinacate and Great Desert of Altar Biosphere Reserve, the fourth largest land reserve in Mexico. Considered one of the 13 wonders of Mexico, and on the way to becoming a United Nations International Heritage Sight, this is not a place you will soon forget.

The Pinacate Volcanic range is a vast region, rich in its biological diversity. By exploring it with an experienced naturalist you will be initiated into the geological processes that created the landscape, while taking a closer look at the fascinating flora and fauna of the Sonora Desert. You will learn about the different species of trees, wildflowers and cacti, while keeping any eye out for wildlife such as snakes, tortoises, pronghorn antelope, big horn sheep, desert birds and amazing insects.

You will also learn about the ancient tribes such as the O’odham that inhabited this area for tens of thousands of years. We will also skirt the rim of El Elegante, one of the world’s largest Maar Type Craters, and you will feel as if you are walking on the moon. We will also visit the Tecolote Lava Flow and the Cerro Colorado Crater. Don’t forget your camera on this epic and scenic desert safari!

 
Tour includes: Transportation, Admission into Biosphere Reserve, Lunch and a beverage, Binoculars, Trip insurance 

Estimated duration: 6 hours
Availability: Sept. to mid-May
Price: $60 per person

*** To learn about the four remaining ecotours we offer please click below.***