Nuqui Sea kayak Exploration

Day 1

We will meet in Nuqui, where you can enjoy the amazing untouched landscapes of Chocó-Pacifico! Then, we will have a 1-hour boat ride along the coast to reach a more secluded area where our eco-lodge, Casa Balae, is located.

Use the afternoon to snorkel the nearby reef, stretch out, and get your gear sorted for tomorrow. Your guide will also introduce the basic safety and navigation information, while presenting the marine ecosystem and incredible biodiversity of the region.

Day 2

Today, we will start to explore the coast, doing a day trip toward the southern end of the golf of tribuga, and the village of Arusi.
You will paddle 2h30 to reach the Punta Arusi where you can find two of the most emblematic marin birds of the choco: the fragata and the piceros pata azul. Another 30 min will bring us to the Poleo restaurant, where francis, the chef will share his creative cooking and his passion for the unique ingredients and products of the Pacific. After lunch we will go to the little village of termales to enjoy a relaxing dip into the natural hot springs. This fantastic day will end by a sunset paddle back to the lodge, and a relaxing evening overlooking the ocean.

Paddling distance: 20km

Day 3

Wake up in the jungle! After breakfast, take a walk to the Nearby waterfall Cascada del amor. After lunch, paddle 10 km north to the village of Coquí, well-known for it’s welcoming comunity, incredible cuisine, and vanilla plantations!

Chola, the local host, welcomes us into her house, where we can enjoy a view over the beach, and a humble hammocks camp. Stroll in the village and meet the local characters. Everyone here is unique, and each interaction reflects the profound love and conenection this village harbors with it’s surroundings.

At nigth, this symbiotic relashionsph bettween the comunity and the land, will be experienced by taste, with a gourmet meal at the famous Zotea restaurants. This comunity-led iniciative has been recognised internationally for it’s unique way to create fine dishes in such remote areas.

Paddling distance: 10 km

Day 4

Start the day exploring the Mangroves with the tides and the intricate labyrinth of roots that protects this ecosystem!

Let the local guide introduce you the 7 different species of mangroves growing here, and the countless endemic species that thrive among the vegetation. If lucky, you can even observe caimans and turtles from up close! Back on the ocean, we will initiate the return trip towards casa Balae, taking our time to enter protected bays and explore the coral reefs by snorkeling!

Paddling distance: 20 km
Hiking distance: 10 km

Day 5

Wake up for one last morning at Casa Balae and enjoy your final breakfast in front of the ocean. When arrives the time to say goodbye, we hop on the boat for the 50-minute ride back along the coast to Nuquí and the expedition ends where it started.

Pioneers of Sea Kayaking the Chocó

Every year, between roughly July and October, humpback whales swim up from Antarctica to the warm water of the Gulf of Tribugá to give birth and raise their calves. It’s a trip of around 8,000 km, during which they barely eat. That means every mother arrives running on the fat she stored in Antarctica, and she has to use it to feed and protect a newborn, so she can’t afford to waste energy.

Yet a 2023 study in the gulf found that only 14% of whale-watching boats kept the recommended 100 m distance, and mothers with calves were among the groups most likely to swim away from them.

We wanted to find another way in, and with a sea kayak you can go very close to them whilst respecting their space and staying silent.

Start-point

Your adventure begins in Nuquí, a small Pacific town reachable only by air or sea. Fly in from Medellín (about 50 minutes) and meet our team on arrival. From there, a private boat takes you along the coast to Casa Balae in roughly 50 minutes. The expedition ends back in Nuquí, so you can book your onward flight from the airport on Day 5.

What is the food like ?

The Pacific coast has one of Colombia’s most distinctive cuisines, and you’ll taste it here: fresh fish, coconut, tropical fruit, and recipes passed down through generations of Afro-Colombian cooks. Two meals are highlights: lunch at Poleo with Chef Francis, and dinner at Zotea with Chola, both multi-course and served with local drinks and cocktails. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are possible if you tell us in advance.

What is the accomodation like ?

The accomodation is a mix of comfortable hostel stays and jungle camping.

Where you’ll sleep:

- Nights 1, 2 and 4: Casa Balae, a quiet eco-lodge by the ocean, with jungle at your back and waves at your door.
- Night 3: a hammock in Coquí under a tarp, with the sounds of the Pacific night all around.

The Chocó is among the rainiest and greenest places on Earth. Expect warm, humid air, tropical showers that arrive and vanish without warning, and clear light in between. The sea is warm enough for long swims and snorkelling. Come ready to get wet and to love it.

Life here follows the tides. The exact timing of each activity, from paddling stretches to mangrove visits and departures, depends on the tides and sea conditions, so your guide may adjust the schedule day by day to keep things safe and make the most of the water.

From June to September, humpback whales pass through these waters. Sightings are never guaranteed, since this is wild nature and not a show, but a quiet paddler has a real chance of hearing them before seeing them. The same goes for dolphins, turtles, caimans and other wildlife along the way. Some days the ocean is generous, other days it keeps its secrets, and that’s part of the magic.

Daytime temperatures usually sit around 28-31°C (82-88°F), dropping to about 23-25°C (73-77°F) at night.

• Transport: Private boat rides between Nuquí and Casa Balae
• Guides: Expert bilingual local guides (English and Spanish)
• Accommodation: 3 nights at an eco-lodge, 1 night in a hammock
• Meals: All meals during the expedition (lunch day 5 not included)
• Equipment: All technical equipment: sea kayaks, paddling and safety gear, hammocks and tarps
• Insurance: Medical assistance insurance (valid only during the booked tour)

• Flights to and from Nuquí
• Visas
• Personal Expenses
• Travel Insurance

What do I need to bring?

• Passport for internationals, ID for nationals. Physical documents required.
• Lightweight, quick-dry clothing, long-sleeves
• Closed-toe shoes that can get wet, with good grip (no flip-flops, crocs or sandals)
• Trekking shoes with good grip
• Sunhat
• Sunglasses
• Rainjacket
• Comfortable small trekking backpack
• Drybag for valuables (20L min)
• Headlamp and extra batteries
• Reusable water bottle
• Quick-dry towel
• Sunscreen
• Natural insect repellent