About Baja Spirit - Las Animas Wilderness Ecolodge & Tours Since 1989
Baja Spirit Ecolodge and Tours is a family-owned ecotourism and ecolodge company founded in 1989 by Kevin and Carolina Warren. From a remote, boat-in wilderness property on the Sea of Cortez in Baja California, Mexico, we have guided 5,000+ guests through some of the most extraordinary wildlife encounters on Earth - gray whale watching at Scammon’s Lagoon, swimming with whale sharks and sea lions, sea kayaking through the Midriff Islands, and nights under a sky full of stars at Las Animas Wilderness Ecolodge. We are not a resort. We are not a tour bus operation. We are a small team of naturalists, boat captains, and local families - and we happen to own one of the last privately held wilderness properties on the Sea of Cortez coast.
Baja Spirit — Quick Facts
Our Story - From Pacific Surf Breaks to the Sea of Cortez
Our story begins in the 1980s, before ecotourism was a word anyone used. Kevin Warren had just earned his commercial pilot's license and started flying down the Baja Peninsula in search of remote point breaks - landing on beaches and dirt roads, befriending local fishermen, sleeping under stars with camping gear strapped in the back of the plane.
After 10 years focused on remote surfing adventures, Kevin became the person who knew every hidden corner of the Baja Peninsula - remote lagoons, wildlife-rich bays, fishing villages that tourists had never reached. By the late 1980s, he knew there was an opportunity to do something no one else was doing: bring small groups of travelers to experience this wild, undeveloped coastline safely and responsibly. In 1989, the company was formally founded under the name Baja Air Ventures, Inc.
In the years that followed, Kevin began leading whale watching ecotours in Pacific lagoons after noticing that migrating gray whales would approach surfers with apparent curiosity - an encounter that became the foundation of Baja Spirit's most beloved trip. The whale shark expeditions followed in the 2000s, when the Sea of Cortez waters off Bahia de las Animas proved to be among the finest whale shark snorkeling destinations on Earth.
In 2005, Kevin and Carolina purchased land in Bahia de las Animas - 185 acres of beachfront, coastal coves, and Sonoran Desert hillsides - and built Las Animas Wilderness Ecolodge. Every piece of the 8-yurt structure arrived by panga boat, crossing 14 miles of open ocean past seabird-filled islands and pristine bays. The property has no road access, no neighboring buildings, and no development plans - ever.
In 2022, the company rebranded from Baja Air Ventures to Baja Spirit Ecolodges & Tours. Kevin leads trips occasionally. The local staff families have been with us for 18 years. And the guests - many returning year after year - still arrive with the same awe that started it all.
Behind the scenes, Kevin's brother "Tourism Tim" Warren has played a critical role in building Baja Spirit into what it is today. A Certified Value Builder (CVB) and tourism business strategist with over 30 years working alongside Kevin, Tim has led the company's business development, strategic planning, and group travel operations - most notably developing Baja Spirit's longstanding relationship with YPO (Young Presidents Organization) and other executive group programs. Tim's industry expertise, combined with Kevin's field knowledge and Carolina's operational foundation, is a core reason Baja Spirit has remained one of the most trusted small-group ecotourism operators in Baja California for more than three decades.
Our Mission
Baja Spirit's mission is to provide nature-based ecotourism experiences in some of the most remote and biologically rich areas of Baja California - led by experienced naturalist guides and field biologists, in a way that actively protects the environment we're privileged to share.
Our goals:
- Operate responsible ecotours in undeveloped areas of Baja California and the Sea of Cortez
- Facilitate genuine local community involvement in all programs and operations
- Protect and conserve the environment, wildlife, and cultures within it
- Maintain a sustainable growth model that never compromises the experience or the ecosystem
- Provide ongoing quality training for all staff and guides
Las Animas Wilderness Ecolodge sits at the intersection of three of the most protected natural areas in the Americas: the Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California (a UNESCO World Heritage site), a National Marine Preserve, and the largest Desert Preserve in Latin America. Kevin and Carolina Warren own the 185-acre property outright - and their commitment to keeping it undeveloped is not a policy. It is a personal decision, and it is permanent.
PERMITS & LICENSES
Your safety and the protection of Baja's wildlife are at the heart of everything we do.
Fully Licensed & Permitted
- SEMARNAT-Certified Tour Operator — Mexico's environmental authority for whale shark interactions and whale watching
- CONANP Permit Holder — authorized to operate in Baja California's protected island ecosystems
- Fully Insured Vessels — boat insurance included under both government permits
We handle all permits on your behalf, so your experience is seamless, responsible, and 100% above board.
Our Founders
Three decades of field experience, local knowledge, and operational expertise—shaping every Baja Spirit journey from the ground up.
Kevin Warren - Founder & Lead Guide
Kevin Warren is the founder of Baja Spirit Ecolodges and Tours and has been guiding travelers through the Baja Peninsula since the 1980s - long before ecotourism had a name. A licensed commercial pilot and experienced Baja naturalist, Kevin built this company from solo surf trips into remote Pacific coast breaks into one of the most respected small-group ecotourism operations in Baja California.
Credentials & background:
- 40+ years of Baja California guiding experience
- Licensed commercial pilot - flew guests to remote Baja locations before the ecolodge existed
- Founder, Baja AirVentures, Inc. (1989) > Baja Spirit Ecolodges & Tours (2022)
- VP - San Diego Ultralight Association
- Experienced offshore sailor
- Husband to Carolina | Father of three daughters | Avid surfer, sportsman, and musician
Carolina Warren - Co-Founder
Behind every Baja Spirit expedition is Carolina Warren - co-founder, attorney, and the operational and legal architect of everything that makes remote wilderness travel in Baja California possible.
Carolina studied law at the Universidad del Valle de Toluca, then worked for the Mexican government for four years at the Registro Publico de la Propiedad. She later moved to Tijuana to work for her attorney brother-in-law - where she met Kevin as his legal counsel, helping him obtain the permits to establish Baja AirVentures, Inc.
Today, Carolina manages all Mexican staff coordination and payroll, government permitting for the lodge and boats in protected areas, Seguro Social, local community relationships, and tax compliance. A Mexican and US citizen, her deep roots in Baja California and her relationships with local families and institutions are a core reason the company has operated continuously - and responsibly - for more than three decades.
Carolina is behind the scenes by choice. But her presence is felt in every detail of a Baja Spirit trip - right down to the bag lunches she personally prepares for guests on Day 1.
Tim Warren, CVB - Strategic Partner & Co-Architect
The third pillar of Baja Spirit's leadership is Kevin's brother "Tourism Tim" Warren - a Certified Value Builder (CVB) and adventure travel and ecotourism industry strategist who has worked alongside Kevin for over 30 years. Tim has been the business architecture behind Baja Spirit's growth: developing corporate and group travel programs, leading strategic planning, and building the relationships with organizations like YPO (Young Presidents Organization) that have brought high-caliber groups to the Sea of Cortez year after year.
Tim's credentials:
- 30+ years business development & strategic planning for Baja Spirit
- Certified Value Builder (CVB)
- Tourism industry consultant - adventure travel & ecotourism specialist
- Developer of Baja Spirit's YPO and executive group travel programs
- Leadership Santa Rosa – Class 9 Graduate
- International business background | Based in Northern California
Meet Your Guides
When you travel with Baja Spirit, you are not handed off to a seasonal guide who learned the lagoon last year. You travel with naturalists who have spent careers developing the field knowledge, scientific grounding, and teaching instincts that make a wilderness experience genuinely meaningful.
Steve Sanders - Lead Naturalist Guide
Steve Sanders has spent his career in wild places - from the Bering Sea to Denali, from the tide pools of the Pacific to the open waters of the Sea of Cortez. As Baja Spirit's lead naturalist guide, he brings over a decade of Baja ecotourism experience alongside a background in field biology, marine mammal science, raptor research, wilderness kayak guiding, and 23 years of environmental education.
Steve guides whale watching expeditions, whale shark swims, sea kayaking, birding, and tide pool explorations with the kind of calm, knowledgeable presence that turns a great trip into one guests remember for the rest of their lives.
Selected credentials:
- 10+ years Baja California ecotourism guiding
- Wilderness sea kayak guide, Kenai Fjords National Park
- Naturalist, Pacific Whale Foundation (Maui)
- Naturalist guide, Denali Backcountry Lodge
- Fisheries Observer, Bering Sea (NMFS data collection)
- Wildlife biologist & biological monitor, Northern California
- Marine mammal rehabilitation, The Marine Mammal Center
- AP Environmental Science teacher, 23 years | Faculty Service Award 2016
- Board member, Conservation Science Institute
The Property - Las Animas Wilderness Ecolodge
Las Animas Wilderness Ecolodge sits on a privately owned 185-acre property in Bahia de las Animas, Baja California, Mexico - owned by Kevin and Carolina Warren, accessible only by boat, with no road access and no road access planned. Ever.
The ecolodge itself – eight 24’ wide yurts with private bath, a central lodge, and beachfront decks - occupies approximately 5% of the total property. The remaining 95% is untouched: pristine Sonoran Desert, private coastal coves, sandy bays, and Sea of Cortez beachfront that no other guests, boats, or vehicles can reach. There are no other buildings or lights visible in any direction.
The bay facing the ecolodge is half a mile wide with a 120-degree south southeast-facing aspect, naturally sheltered from the northern winds that occasionally affect the Sea of Cortez in winter. This is a private cove - accessible only to Baja Spirit guests. Occasional sailboats cruising the Midriff Islands may stop in to visit, but no other tour operators use this bay.
The property sits at the intersection of three of the most protected natural areas in the Americas:
- The Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California - UNESCO World Heritage site
- A National Marine Preserve
- The largest Desert Preserve in Latin America
The extraordinary biodiversity of these waters has been recognized by the world's most celebrated naturalists. In 1940, Nobel Prize-winning author John Steinbeck and marine biologist Ed Ricketts conducted the first comprehensive ecological survey of the Sea of Cortez - their northernmost collecting sites were in the Midriff Islands, and their last Baja Peninsula stop was Bahia de los Angeles, the same bay guests depart from today.
Two decades later, marine explorer Jacques Cousteau explored and documented the Midriff Islands region in the 1960s, most notably in his 1963 film World Without Sun, describing these waters as among the most biologically extraordinary on Earth. More than 80 years after Steinbeck, that assessment stands.
Getting here requires a 14-mile scenic panga journey past seabird-filled islands, pristine bays, and dramatic rocky points from the nearest town, Bahia de los Angeles (Bay of the Angels). There is no shortcut. That distance is the point - it is what keeps this place exactly as it is.
Our Team & Local Community
Baja Spirit's team is built from the local fishing families and communities of Baja California. Our boat captains, chefs, and ecolodge staff are not seasonal hires from outside the region - many have worked with Kevin and Carolina for 18 years, and their knowledge of the bay, the currents, the wildlife patterns, and the land is the result of lifetimes spent here.
Carolina Warren coordinates directly with all staff and kitchen operations - ensuring that the quality of every meal, every service interaction, and every guest experience reflects the same standard of care that has defined Baja Spirit since 1989.
Steve Sanders guides daily expeditions on water and land with the kind of calm, knowledgeable presence and customer service that turns a great trip into one guests remember for the rest of their lives.
The business and strategic direction of the company has been shaped over 30 years by Tim Warren - Kevin's brother - with deep expertise in global adventure travel and ecotourism operations.
Our team is committed to:
- Safe guided experiences on water and land
- Fresh food sourced locally - much of it caught or harvested by guests and staff together
- Authentic Mexican hospitality and culture
- Low-impact practices that protect the environment for the guests who come after you
STAFF FEATURE - LIZ & TOMAS:
Liz brings over 20 years of professional culinary experience to Las Animas, having trained under Teresa, the lodge's longtime previous cook. As Lodge Manager, she oversees virtually every aspect of the guest experience on shore — from menu planning, purchasing, and housekeeping to staffing, budgeting, and facilities management. Liz is the organizational heart of Las Animas, ensuring operations run smoothly so guests can focus entirely on the adventure.
She and Tomas recently married after more than a decade together, and their shared dedication to the lodge runs deep — Liz loves living at Las Animas and considers it her home.
Tomas has been part of the Baja Spirit team since he was a teenager, accumulating over 15 years of hands-on experience on the water. He trained under veteran local boat captains with more than 35 years of expertise navigating these waters, giving him an intimate knowledge of the Sea of Cortez and its marine environment. An expert diver, Tomas brings that same underwater mastery to guests — diving for scallops and clams in the rich waters surrounding Las Animas.
In the off-season, he works as a commercial fisherman, keeping his seamanship and knowledge of local waters sharp year-round. Beyond the water, he serves as the lodge's all-around maintenance manager, handling solar systems, electrical, plumbing, and carpentry. He holds the required certifications for whale shark tours through SEMARNAT-registered vessels. Together, Liz and Tomas are the backbone of Las Animas — a dedicated team committed to guest safety, comfort, and a truly authentic Baja experience.
STAFF SPECIFICS:
Number of local staff on a typical trip?
6 = 1 staff for every 2 guests or better
Towns and communities represented
Bahia de Los Angeles, Tijuana, Cotopaxi, CO and San Diego, CA
Years of combined experience: 77+ Years
Kevin 37 years | Tomas 15 years | Liz 15 years | Steve 10+ years
Our Boats & Equipment
We own three 26-foot commercial pangas - Las Animas 1, 2, and 3 - each with a 12-person capacity. All three are equipped with life preservers, radio, flares, retractable Bimini shade, padded seating, swim ladder, and a cooler always stocked with cold water and beverages.
Our water sports fleet includes:
- 4 single kayaks and 4 tandem kayaks - Ocean Kayaks
- 4 stand-up paddleboards (SUP)
- 3 windsurfing boards and sails - beginner to intermediate level
- Snorkel masks, fins, and wetsuits for all guests
- Mid-weight fishing poles, reels, and a variety of bottom and surface tackle
- Spotting scopes for wildlife viewing
KAYAK
Seda, Epic, Ocean, & Lifetime
BOAT CAPTAIN CERTIFICATIONS & VESSEL SAFETY
All Baja Spirit vessels and whale watching tour partners we work with are fully registered through SEMARNAT, Mexico's federal environmental and maritime authority, and undergo regular inspections to ensure compliance with required safety standards. Each vessel is equipped and verified to carry the essential safety equipment required for operation — including back-up boats, oars, life preservers, marine radio, and emergency flares.
Whale shark tour operations require additional training and certification through SEMARNAT's permitting process, which Tomas and our boat captains have completed — ensuring every excursion meets the environmental and safety protocols protecting both guests and the marine ecosystem.
For group travelers, these certifications aren't just regulatory checkboxes — they are your assurance that you are in the hands of experienced, accountable professionals operating in full compliance with Mexican maritime and environmental law, in one of the most pristine and protected marine environments in the world.
Our Food & Meals
Happy Hour Spread
Family-style dining at Las Animas Wilderness Ecolodge - fresh seafood, handmade tortillas, craft margaritas
Celebrations
We love celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and weddings. Our cook Liz makes incredible cakes and desserts for special occasions - just let us know when you book.
Every meal at Las Animas Wilderness Ecolodge is prepared fresh using a combination of local Baja ingredients, sustainable daily fishing, and clam and oyster harvesting - often alongside guests. It's not just a meal. It's part of the experience.
What to expect:
- 3 family-style meals daily
- 4-course dinners
- Abundant daily Happy Hour with fresh seafood, handmade guacamole, salsas, and craft margaritas
- Unlimited cold Mexican beers and soft drinks - always available from the open fridge in the main lodge
- Fresh, safe drinking water from our onsite desalination system
- Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available with advance notice
Sample dishes:
- Huevos Rancheros | Omelettes & scrambled eggs | Eggs, bacon & pancakes
- Handmade corn and flour tortillas (guests join our hands-on tortilla-making class)
- Mesquite-grilled fresh catch of the day
- Chicken Mole | Enchiladas
- Homemade salsa & fresh guacamole | Homemade flan and fresh-baked cakes and desserts
- Coffee & teas
Frequently Asked Questions About Baja Spirit
How long has Baja Spirit been operating?
Baja Spirit has been operating ecotours in Baja California since 1989 - originally under the name Baja Air Ventures, Inc. The company rebranded to Baja Spirit Ecolodges & Tours in 2022. Founder Kevin Warren has been guiding trips to this region since the 1980s.
Who owns and operates Baja Spirit?
Baja Spirit is owned by Kevin Warren - founder, licensed commercial pilot, and Baja naturalist - and his wife Carolina Warren, an attorney and Mexican/US citizen who co-founded the company and manages operations, permitting, and community relationships. Kevin's brother Tim Warren, a Certified Value Builder (CVB) and tourism industry strategist, has served as strategic partner for over 30 years - developing group travel programs and business strategy. Kevin leads guided trips. Carolina coordinates staff and kitchen operations, including personally preparing guest lunches on Day 1.
Do you own the land where the ecolodge is located?
Yes. Kevin and Carolina Warren privately own the 185-acre Las Animas Wilderness property - including the bay, the beachfront, the coastal coves, and the Sonoran Desert hillsides behind it. The ecolodge occupies approximately 5% of the total property. The remaining 95% is maintained as private wilderness - no road access, no development, no other buildings or guests within sight.
Will there ever be road access to the property?
No. The 14-mile panga journey to Las Animas Wilderness Ecolodge is not a logistics challenge we're trying to solve - it is fundamental to what makes this place what it is. Kevin and Carolina have no plans to build or permit road access, now or in the future. The remoteness is the point. These are the same waters that John Steinbeck and Jacques Cousteau documented as among the most biologically extraordinary on Earth - and they remain extraordinary precisely because they are not easy to reach.
How do I get to Bahia de los Angeles?
Most guests fly into San Diego, California, then drive south into Baja California in our 15-passenger van. The drive from San Diego to Bahia de Los Angeles takes approximately 7.5 hours with rest and scenic stops. This is a guided scenic journey - the drive through Baja is part of the adventure. From Bahia de los Angeles, the panga ride to Las Animas Wilderness Ecolodge takes approximately 45-60 minutes.
Is it safe to travel in this part of Baja California?
Yes. The remote areas of Baja California where Baja Spirit operates – Scammon’s Lagoon and the Sea of Cortez - are far from urban areas and have an outstanding safety record. Baja Spirit has operated guided trips in this region for 35+ years with over 5,000 happy guests. We travel only on main roads during daylight, in well-maintained vehicles with experienced drivers.
SAFETY PROTOCOLS: Safety is our first priority — and we've built real systems around it.
Las Animas Wilderness Ecolodge is equipped with Starlink satellite internet, giving our lead guide and guests real-time call, text, and email capability from one of the most remote locations in Baja California. Our van is equipped with a Starlink Mini for the same connectivity while driving. We receive daily updates on weather, road conditions, and any factors that could affect travel, comfort, or safety.
All three of our pangas are registered and permitted with SEMARNAT and CONANP as Certified Tour Operator vessels, and carry all required safety and communication equipment on board.
Kevin Warren and lead naturalist guide Steve Sanders both hold Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certifications from Wilderness Medical Associates. Steve additionally holds First Aid, CPR, and AED certification from the American Red Cross.
In the event of inclement weather forecasts or heightened travel advisories, we will make whatever decisions are needed — including delaying departure, returning early, or canceling a trip entirely — in accordance with our emergency response plan. If sheltering in place is required, Las Animas Wilderness Ecolodge is one of the most protected and self-sufficient locations in Baja California: boat-access only, Starlink-connected, fully provisioned, and far from any urban risk.
How big are the groups?
Maximum 16 guests, with an average of 8-10 per trip. Small group size is fundamental to Baja Spirit's approach - it allows for more meaningful wildlife encounters, safer boat operations, more personalized guiding, and a better experience for every guest. We maintain a 2-3 guest per staff member ratio throughout every trip.
How experienced are the guides?
Lead naturalist guide Steve Sanders brings 10+ years of Baja ecotourism experience alongside careers in field biology, marine mammal science, wilderness kayak guiding, and 23 years of environmental science education. Kevin Warren, the founder, has been guiding in this region since the 1980s.
Is Baja Spirit a sustainable operator?
Yes - and ownership of the land makes that commitment concrete. Kevin and Carolina Warren have chosen to keep 95% of their 185-acre property as undeveloped wilderness, adjacent to a UNESCO World Heritage site and a National Marine Preserve. Baja Spirit employs local fishing families, sources food locally using sustainable fishing and foraging, uses an onsite desalination system for fresh water, and has operated in this ecosystem for 35+ years without degrading it.
Do you accommodate guests with different fitness levels and ages?
Yes. Baja Spirit trips are designed for a wide range of ages and fitness levels - guests range from age 5 to over 85. Whale watching from a panga boat, tide pool walks, and ecolodge stays require no special physical conditioning. Sea kayaking, windsurfing, and more active options are available for those who want them. Our deluxe yurts include bathroom safety rails, and we can accommodate mobility-challenged guests. Not suitable for wheelchair users. Activity level is easy to moderate, entirely at your own pace.
How do I book a trip with Baja Spirit?
All Baja Spirit trips are booked directly by phone with Kevin or Tim. There is no online booking system - every reservation begins with a personal conversation to match guests to the right trip, dates, and group. Call 619-421-2235.
Ready for a Real Adventure?
Call Kevin directly or send a message. We'll match you with the right trip.
📞 Call 619-421-2235