BAJA SEA KAYAKING

Imagine paddling along a spectacular section of the Sea of Cortez coastline and exploring desert islands piercing the blue waters. The towering volcanic escarpments of the Sierra Giganta Mountains rising out of the sea create your backdrop. Red-hued desert colors, azure blue water and magical landforms give this area great aesthetic and photographic appeal.

Paddling a sea kayak in these waters offers exceptional opportunities for viewing dolphins, sea lions, fin and blue whales in their natural habitat. Blue-footed boobies, high-flying frigatebirds, osprey, and squadrons of pelicans soar above on the lookout for fish. The clear, warm water is alive with brightly colored fish - perfect for snorkeling. You will discover lovely white beaches in hidden aquamarine coves.

Activities include snorkeling in search of exotic fish, paddling between islands or along a remote shore and hiking up scenic canyons and headlands offering breathtaking panoramas of the wild coastline and scattered islands.

Camping here is a real treat. With almost no insects most people sleep outside their tents under stars astonishingly more numerous, beautiful and luminous than one could ever imagine possible. Find out why the Sea of Cortez is a kayaker's paradise.

In 2001 we are offering three expeditions in the Sea of Cortez: Coast, Islands, and Loreto to La Paz. The Coast expedition explores the rugged coastline north of Loreto. This fascinating landscape is dotted with huge cacti, lovely white sand beaches, sea caves, dramatic cliffs and hidden coves. The Islands expedition begins south of Loreto and explores the beautiful Islas Carmen and Danzante in Baja's newest marine park. The Loreto to La Paz expedition is the ultimate kayaking experience covering 65 miles in 10 days. All three itineraries offer excellent kayaking, snorkeling, hiking and whale watching.

Day 1: Arrival in Loreto airport. You'll be greeted by our ground service and transported to the hotel. Check into pre-assigned rooms. Pre-trip meeting at the hotel later in evening (ground service and hotel rooms included in trip cost).

Day 2: In the morning we’ll meet for breakfast then you'll board our van and ride to the launch site. We'll teach you the basics of paddling and thoroughly review safety procedures before launching kayaks. Paddle to our first night's campsite.

Day 3-5 (7-day); Day 3-6 (8-day): Our days begin with spectacular sunrises and end with delightfully cool evenings around a campfire. We'll spend our mornings kayaking to a new campsite. After lunch there is plenty of time to snorkel, hike, swim, fish or relax with a good book. Evenings find us feasting on delicious fresh food and enjoying margaritas as the sun sets on the horizon.

Day 6 (7-day); Day 7 (8-day): After a final lunch, we break camp and paddle to our take-out site around 2 p.m. Load van and proceed to Loreto. Check into hotel. No host farewell group dinner at a favorite local restaurant.

Day 7 (7-day); Day 8 (8-day): Our ground service will provide transportation to the airport for your flight to Los Angeles and connecting flights homeward.

Note on Itinerary: We will do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above. However, the itinerary may change due to reasons beyond our control such as wind, waves or inclement weather.

7-day Sea of Cortez Island trips meet in Loreto December 27, 2000; February 3-9; February 4; March 3, 24 2001.

8-day Sea of Cortez Island trips meet in Loreto November 19, 26; December 23, 31 2000; January 14, 28; February 11, 18, 25; March 4, 10, 17, 31; April 7, 14 2001.

8-day Sea of Cortez Coast trips meet in Loreto March 4, 11, 18, 25; April 1, 8, 22-29 2001.

7-day cost: $940; 8-day cost: $1050.

All trip prices include: Two nights’ hotel accommodations in Loreto, airport transfers and ground transportation, all meals from first to last lunch, guides, all equipment, tents, sleeping bags, pads and dry bags. Snorkeling equipment and wetsuit rentals are available from us.
Not included: airfare, meals in town, gratuities. All prices are based on double occupancy (Hotel Single supplement: $65).

Travel: AeroCalifornia Airlines services Loreto and Los Angeles International airports. Our travel agent has reserved seating for our guests.
Call Dana at West Marin Travel,
(800)-562-4026 or (415-663-1900).

Encompassing 65 miles of coastline and offshore islands between Loreto and La Paz on the peninsula's eastern coast, this is Baja's classic sea kayak expedition.The Sierra Giganta Range plunges into the Sea of Cortez, creating a stunningly beautiful backdrop the entire trip. We'll make camps on beaches that dot the base of these magnificent mountains. Canyon hikes take us into the desert interior, while kayaking allows an intimate exploration of the many coves and islands. The clear waters of the Sea of Cortez teem with life, and the snorkeling is excellent. We often see pods of dolphins, as well as massive blue whales. The expedition begins with your arrival in Loreto and after an adventurous 10 days of paddling you'll arrive at the take-out site near La Paz. Dates: April 16 - 27, 2001

Day 1 Monday April 16: Fly to Loreto from Los Angeles. You'll be met by our ground service and transported to our hotel in Loreto. Group orientation meeting with trip leader at 6 PM. Dinner on your own in town.

Day 2 Tuesday April 17: After breakfast the group meets outside the hotel to board the van for the drive south to our launch point near Agua Verde. At the beach the guides will give a comprehensive sea kayak instruction and then we’ll paddle the loaded kayaks down the coast to our first campsite.

Days 3-10 Wednesday April 18 to April 25: Each day’s paddle is 7-8 miles; or 4 to 6 hours of moderately paced paddling, stopping every 2 hours to rest. We'll spend the afternoons exploring by foot and snorkel. Activities include a nature hike up an arroyo and visits to the remains of a Jesuit Mission and to a small fishing village, as well as opportunities for beachcombing, fishing, wildlife viewing, photography, stargazing, and swimming in crystal clear waters.

Day 11 Thursday April 26: In the morning we break camp and paddle to our take-out site near Punta Coyote, where we'll be met by vans for transport to La Paz. After checking into the hotel there is time to shower and explore the town. This evening there is a no-host farewell dinner at a local restaurant fronting the yacht harbor, where we’ll toast our new kayaking skills, and new-found friends.

Day 12 Friday April 27: Our ground service will provide transportation to the La Paz airport for your flight to Los Angeles and connecting flights homeward.

Cost: $1495. Cost Includes: First night's hotel accommodation in Loreto; last night's hotel accommodation in La Paz; tents; sleeping bags and pads; all meals while kayaking; all group camping equipment; kayaking gear; guides; airport transfers & ground transportation. All prices are based on double occupancy. (Single supplement of $65 charged if you desire a single hotel room). Snorkeling gear rentals are available from us.
Not Included: Airfare, gratuities, meals in town.

Travel: AeroCalifornia Airlines services Loreto, La Paz and Los Angeles International airports. Our travel agent has reserved seating for our guests. Call Dana at West Marin Travel, 800-562-4026 (415-663-1900).

Baja's Pacific coast is home to a series of lagoons sheltered from the open sea by a barrier of desert islands. The sandy barrier islands protect the lagoons from oceanic currents, creating a fascinating environment of twisting mangrove-lined estuaries, chaotic sand dunes and blooming desert plants. Each winter, hundreds of gray whales travel over 5000 miles from the Bering Strait to mate and bear their young in these protected waters.

Our one-day excursion focuses on whale watching from a 22-foot boat in a remote part of the lagoon accessible only by water. In addition to whales, the lagoon is home to dolphins, sea lions, pelicans, and thousands of shorebirds. The tour includes a short hike and lunch on the barrier island. Your guide will introduce you to the desert plants, birds and other wildlife of Bajas' lagoons. The tour also includes a stop in the desert to learn about the flora, fauna and geology of Baja.

Dates: Daily, January 27 - March 11 by request.

Cost: $115.
Cost includes: transportation from Loreto, 3 hours whale watching by boat, lunch, seafood dinner.
Not included: hotel accommodation (we can arrange accommodation).