Frequently Asked Questions

What types of guided trips do you offer?

We offer two types of guided trips:  Expeditions and Quick Getaways.

Expeditions are typically 7-9 days long (including your travel days to and from Baja). Hotel accommodations are included at the start and end of the trip. In La Paz, we use our hotel, Posada LunaSol. We offer 8-9 day skiff-supported expeditions to Espiritu Santo Island, the islands between La Paz and Loreto, and along the remote coastline from Loreto to La Paz. During gray whale season, we combine our camps at Espiritu Santo and Magdalena Bay for our “Best of Baja” trips, that include hotel nights at the front, middle, and end of the trip.

Quick Getaways are offered less frequently and they are our shorter trips, from 3-5 days in length (not including your travel days to and from Baja). We offer Quick Getaways to our base camp* on Espiritu Santo Island and our whale watching base camp on Magdalena Bay during the whale season from late January through early March. While our Quick Getaways do not include hotel accommodations, we are happy to make reservations for you at our hotel Posada LunaSol, or you may select a hotel of your choice.

* Due to potential new National Park regulations, we may need to move camp once during the Espiritu Santo trips

What is a skiff-supported guided trip?

One or more 30-foot motorized skiffs accompany all skiff-supported trips. Having the skiff allows us to carry all gear, luggage, food and beverages (including large coolers with ice for fresh food and cold drinks) and supplies from camp to camp, leaving your kayak light and easy to paddle. Skiffs also offer an additional measure of safety for possible evacuations from remote locations.

What if I’m an experienced paddler and do not want to go on a guided trip?

We also offer kayak rentals to experienced paddlers all year. For more information visit the self-guided kayak rental page.

What is a typical day like?

Kayaking and camping on the Sea of Cortez: Coffee is usually ready between 6:30-7:00 AM and breakfast usually served around 8:00 AM. Folks interested in fishing take off just after coffee is served and return before breakfast. After breakfast, we embark on our morning activity which may include sea kayaking, hiking or snorkeling or combination of any two. We break for lunch anytime from noon to 1:00 PM, enjoy an hour or so of siesta, then embark on our afternoon activity with the same options as the morning. We settle into camp for the night by late afternoon and enjoy happy hour with a cocktail and appetizer at sunset then dinner shortly afterwards. Once the sun has set and dinner is completed with dessert, we enjoy stargazing, entertainment by the guides and crew, or friendly conversations with our fellow traveling companions.

Whale Watching on Magdalena Bay: Coffee is usually ready between 6:30-7:00 AM and breakfast is usually served around 8:00 AM. After breakfast, we embark on our morning activity of whale watching in our 30-foot motorized skiffs for about 2-3 hours. Other choices of activities might include walking along the beautiful beach at our base camp or across the dunes to the Pacific Coast, kayaking into the nearby mangrove estuary, clamming when tides allow, or visiting a local fishing village. We break for lunch anytime from noon to 1:00 PM, enjoy an hour or so of siesta, then embark on our afternoon activity with the same options as the morning. We return to camp for the night by late afternoon and enjoy happy hour with cocktail and appetizer at sunset, followed by dinner shortly afterwards. Once the sun has set and dinner is completed with dessert, we enjoy a presentation by our guides on the ecology of the area and biology of the gray whale, stargazing, or conversations with our fellow traveling companions.

How physically demanding are the trips?

The physical demands of each trip varies as can the conditions day to day. In general no previous kayaking or camping experience is required for any of our trips because all our guided trips are accompanied by motorized support skiffs. If you get tired OR uncomfortable just hop in the boat and your kayak goes onto the top rack. To ensure a more pleasant experience for yourself we do recommend you have at least some experience in a kayak prior to joining one of our more strenuous paddling trips such as the Baja Coast & Islands. With some prior experience you’ll at least know you enjoy the activity of sea kayaking. It is also a good idea to do some basic physical training before your trip if you are not used to getting much exercise.

Can I fish on your trips?

Yes, please go to our fishing section here for detailed information on fishing.

Can I choose my own dates for a guided trip?

This is very difficult due to the numerous logistics of setting up our camps and scheduling guides. For this reason we need to stick to our schedule found on the By Date page. Occasionally, we can bring you back from a trip a day early if necessary. There is a $250 – $300 fee for a specially arranged shuttle boat ride back to La Paz. If you are a larger group looking to charter your own private trip, we have more flexibility in scheduling, especially with advance notice. The minimum group size to charter a trip can vary from 6 to 16 depending on the time of season and the trip. For more information on chartering your own private trip, please contact us.

Do you offer 1 night trips?

No, sorry, we do not offer 1 or 2 night trips.

What type of bathroom facilities are provided during the trip?

Portable toilets in secluded locations and washing facilities are set up at each camping location. Your guides will give you basic instructions on their operation.

What training do the guides have for emergencies?

Our guides are certified WFR (Wilderness First Responder) professionals and carry an extensive first aid kit recommended by the Wilderness First Aid Association. All of our trips are accompanied by motorized skiff, so in case of serious injury, evacuation by skiff will be arranged. Patients will be transported to a hospital in La Paz. Guides and crew members have cell phones and marine band radios on hand.

Where can I store items that I don’t need while I’m on your trip?

You can leave extra luggage and other items that you won’t need on your trip at our office in a safe storage room.

What if someone from home needs to reach me while I’m on a trip?

We will provide you with a contact number for our office in La Paz, Mexico prior to your trip. If someone needs to reach you in case of emergency, he or she can phone our La Paz office. Our office staff then can radio a message to your guide. Cell service is unreliable or non-existent in most locations.

What if I’m traveling single?

If traveling single a single supplement fee usually applies because our rates are based on double occupancy. This fee varies by trip. You can find this fee on our website under the details tab for the particular you’re booking.