TRIP DETAILS AND CAMPING INFORMATION FOR
SELF-SUPPORTED KAYAK EXPEDITIONS
(for best results print in gray scale)

Airlines:
For flights into La Paz (LAP) from Los Angeles (LAX), your choices are AeroMexico (800-237-6639), Alaska (800- 252-7522) and Delta (800-221-1212). There is also the option to fly into San Jose del Cabo, also called Los Cabos (SJD) and take a three hour bus ride to La Paz. Some of the airlines that fly to Los Cabos (SJD) are Alaska, American, Continental, American West and US Airways. Expedia.com is a good web site to find the best deals from your area. If you need more suggestions, feel free to ask our US booking office or contact a travel agent.

Bus Service between Cabo and La Paz:
If you plan to take the bus from Cabo to La Paz, please keep in mind that they can be unreliable especially if you arrive into Cabo in the evening with only a couple of buses leaving that evening. We recommend allowing plenty of time or hire private transport to alleviate any stress of buses possibly being cancelled or full (especially around any holiday times). If you are interested in sharing a private transport service to take you to La Paz and wish to share it with other passengers arriving at the same time, please inquire with our US booking office. Here are links to the available transport services:
Baja Only
Lybs

Trips Include:
All accommodations in Baja including hotel stays based upon double occupancy, all meals and drinking water and some soft drinks at camp and the farewell dinner on the final night, transfers between hotels and camps, trip equipment including tents, dry bags (about two medium sized bags per person), guides and cooks.

Not Included:
Airfare, airport transfers, alcoholic beverages, gratuities, single supplement for hotel and/or tent, sleeping bags and pads, snorkeling equipment (these items can be rented in La Paz. Please see prices below under Personal Gear and Rentals). Single supplement for hotel and tent accommodations is $95. A Single tent is $25. If you book as a single person, but are willing to share we will try to find you a room mate of the same sex, but if we can not the single supplement fee will apply.

Qualifications:
Our expeditions are designed to be fun, active, adventuresome and educational. If you enjoy the outdoors, have a sense of adventure and are fairly fit you should have no problem participating in any of our expeditions even if you have never kayaked or camped. Some trips spend more hours kayaking while others are more multi-activity oriented. We have a wide variety of trips and therefore suggest you check out our web page, Need help choosing a trip and check the sea kayak ratings on each trip description or talk to our office prior to choosing a trip to be sure you choose the right expedition according to your interests and kayak skill level.

Personal Gear and Rentals:
Sleeping bags with pads, snorkeling equipment and foldable, compact beach (Crazy Creek) type chairs may be rented in Baja. Costs per trip are: Sleeping bag with pad $20 / Sleeping bag or pad separately $15/ Snorkel gear $15 / mask, snorkel or fins separately $10 / wetsuit $15 / Crazy creek chair $10. Wetsuits are highly recommended for trips in November through May. Most of our wetsuits are 3mm long-sleeved short pants with a zipper up the front. Please make sure to reserve all equipment rentals on your trip application form. Payment will be collected in Baja prior to your trip departure in cash or traveler checks. About two medium sized dry bags will be provided per person for your personal clothing and gear so please pack light. We do suggest bringing a small dry bag to keep personal items such as a camera or dry clothes from getting wet when kayaking. We no longer provide kayak seat pads and highly recommend you bring your own. If you are vertically challenged (under 5'3" tall) we recommend you bring a seat pad that adds a couple inches of height while sitting in the kayak seat as our shorter clients have exclaimed how much comfort this adds to their paddling experience. You may also want to bring along a pair of paddling gloves to prevent getting blisters. If you think you might like to join a night snorkel, to observe the nocturnal creatures of the sea, on fall trips (when the water is warmest) bring along an underwater falshlight with fresh batteries.

Kayak Equipment:
Our fleet of kayaks on each trip is comprised of approximately 2/3 double kayaks and 1/3 single kayaks. Most are made by SEDA products of fiber glass construction and ALL are equipped with rudders. We do have a few rotomolded or plastic boats in our fleet for variety in seat construction as some of our guests find the plastic boat seats more comfortable. Based upon your experience, size and group composition your guide will help determine what kayak you will paddle, double or single, fiberglass or plastic. As well we encourage the group to rotate kayak seats so everyone has a chance to paddle to their desire. If you are particularly tall (over 6'2") or large (over 200 pounds) please let us know well in advance as we may have to arrange a special kayak to be brought to camp. We now offer exclusive use of a single kayak on most trips for a fee of $50 although you MUST be fit and experienced in kayaking and screened by our office. This option is NOT available on the Islands or Magdalena Bay and Espiritu Santo Island Combination trip. Light weight Swift and Nimbus paddles, PFD's (Personal flotation device otherwise known as a lifejacket), nylon spray skirts, paddle floats and bilge pumps are all provided on our expeditions as well as dry bags on our self supported trips.

Fishing:
We offer fishing as a side activity only. If you want to fish, please come prepared with your own small compact rod and reel and lures. Small minnow-type lures are suggested such as a Rebel jointed Fastrac or mid size Rapala Magnums (4.5 to 5 inches or 9-12cm in length). Suggested colors include: blue/silver, black/silver, black/gold, green mackerel/gold or blue mackerel/silver. Fishing is done by trolling from your kayak and can only be done at certain times when the guide allows. Please check with your guide about when it is a good place and time to fish from your kayak..

Gratuity Guideline:
Many people ask, "should I tip the guides and how much?" Tipping is voluntary and any amount you leave is greatly appreciated! If you would like to leave your guides a generous tip showing appreciation for an excellent job, 10% of the trip cost is standard in the adventure travel industry. Gratuities are pooled and distributed among your trip guides and staff evenly. If you do choose to leave a tip, please leave cash only. No travelers checks, personal checks or credit cards can be accepted.

La Paz Money Situation:
Some businesses in La Paz accept credit cards and travelers checks but you'll be surprised how many do NOT. US dollars are accepted at most establishments so it is not necessary to change your dollars into pesos before you arrive. We recommend bringing plenty of cash and in small bills such as 1's, 5's, 10's and 20's to use for rentals, restaurants, tipping and other incidentals.

Camping facilities:
We camp on sand beaches along the west coast of Espiritu Santo Island. The guides will be responsible for organizing the kitchen and community area and preparing the meals although your help is welcome at any time. A shade tarp is set up for taking breaks from the noon day sun. Chairs are NOT provided but we recommend bringing a crazy creek or thermarest compatible type chair if you'd like. We also have them available for rent in La Paz. Dry bags are provided for your personal gear, about 2 medium sized ones per person. Quality tents are provided for double occupancy but it is not necessary to sleep in a tent and many folks choose to sleep out under the starry night sky.
Cooking is performed by our staff yet especially on our self-supported trips if the guests lend a hand it leaves the guides more time to be out guiding you around kayaking or hiking or snorkeling, so feel free to lend a hand at any time. It's a great way to practice your Spanish! Special diets are not a problem as we are stocked with copious amounts of all types of foods.
Bathing is available daily in the sea using a biodegradable soap that lathers in salt water (Dr. Bronners does NOT lather in salt water. Campsuds, Joy or Dawn work well and are biodegradable). The toilet is a porta-potty system. It is basically a small self-contained toilet basin. It is placed in a secluded spot at each camp and is available from the time you arrive until you depart.

Weather:
Spring and fall are the most ideal times for enjoying the Sea of Cortez. The strong northerly winds blow longest and strongest from late Nov through early March so spring and fall are characterized by calmer, warmer days.
Fall trips (Oct & Nov) offer warm (80-85 degrees F), clear (visibility up to 80 feet) waters for great snorkeling with daytime highs in the 80's and 90's and little chance of rain or strong wind. An added attraction on fall trips is the opportunity to observe the Baja desert in bloom which follows the rainy season of August and September.
Winter trips (Dec, Jan & Feb) tend to be cooler with more chance of wind and some chance of rain, water temperatures are in the mid 60's and daytime highs from the 60's to 80's. The weather in Magdalena Bay on the Pacific coast during whale watching season in mid winter does tend to be windy and chilly. Daytime highs may be in the 70's but with the wind may feel more like the 50's.
Spring trips (Mar, Apr & May) offer 68-75 degrees F waters with warm calm days being common, air temps are in the mid 80's to 90.
Summer in Baja (June-September) is hot and humid with chance of hurricanes.

Insects:
Due to the dry desert nature of Baja, and most of the beaches we camp on, it does not tend to be buggy. Although, certain years can provide sufficient precipitation to support mosquitoes, gnats and no-see-ums. It is a good idea to bring some form of insect repellent along just in case, especially on fall trips (October, November) which follow the rainy season.

Delays:
Sea & Adventures and Mar Y Aventuras are not responsible for any costs incurred due to delays that may occur due to transportation (airline), weather, road conditions, government intervention, sickness or other contingencies for which we are unable to control.

A Special Request:
If you have any old clothes or shoes you'd like to donate, please bring them along and we'll distribute them to the fishing villages we visit. Warm type clothes like rain jackets and fleece are especially appreciated by the fisherman as well as T-shirts, pants, and shoes (sneakers, Tevas or hiking boots, all sizes). Kids clothes and shoes are also needed. Muchas Gracias!

Repeat Guests & Group Discounts
We offer group discounts of 5% with a group of 5 or more and 10% with a group of 10 or more. We offer a 10% discount for our special repeat clientele.

References
We have compiled a list of references of people who have already joined at least one of our trips, so that first time inquiring guests can talk with someone outside our company who has already experienced one of our adventures first hand. Call our toll free number for a reference in your area or additional information on charters, group and repeat guest discounts: 800-355-7140

Charters
Whether you're a group of friends, family, club or organization we offer attractive charter rates for groups of 8 to 16 people. Our Montana office can assist you in scheduling your special trip date subject to availability.

Videos and DVDs Available
Gray whale watching in Magdalena Bay or Sea Kayaking in Baja. If you're considering a trip these videos can help you decide or if you have already been on a trip, a video can serve as a lasting momento of your adventure to show your family and friends.