Sea kayak across turquoise waters, snorkel with playful sea lions, hike into colorful canyons, and relax on pristine beaches under starry Baja skies.

Espiritu Santo Island in the Sea of Cortez provides the perfect base camp for our exploration of this aquatic playground. A variety of activities are at your fingertips each day, from kayaking to hiking to snorkeling and fishing. Excursions on motorized skiffs take us to outlying islands and the locals' favorite fishing and snorkeling spots. We delight in the Sea of Cortez's many treasures, including hidden coves, white sand beaches and a sea lion rookery where we join the graceful creatures for a swim. And of course, there's always the choice of relaxing on the beach with a good book, soaking up the warm Baja sun.

Day 1: Arrive in La Paz, Mexico, and stay overnight at our waterfront hotel.

Day 2: Transfer by motorboat to our comfortable beach camp on Espiritu Santo Island. Receive an introduction to the island and a sea kayaking orientation. Begin to explore the nearby coves and deserted beaches.

Days 3-5: From our base camp, paddle along the shoreline discovering hidden lagoons and pristine beaches. Snorkel among colorful fish and swim with sea lions. Hike into canyons for stunning vistas. Indulge in evening happy hours while watching brilliant sunsets, then enjoy feasts of fresh local specialties, while relaxing under starry skies.

Day 6: Spend the morning sea kayaking, snorkeling, or hiking before our afternoon transfer back to La Paz. In the evening, enjoy a farewell celebration and dine on more regional cuisine.

Day 7: Say adios to new friends.

Sea kayaking with Boundless Journeys is the outdoor equivalent of the five star hotel. Motorized skiffs transport all of your equipment, your camp staff, and your week's worth of sunset fine dining to the pristine island Espiritu Santo. Your responsibility? Explore and indulge!

THE BOUNDLESS JOURNEYS' ADVANTAGE

• A passion for travel. Simply put, we love to travel, and that is woven into every one of our journeys.
• Unique, award-winning itineraries. Our flexible, hand-crafted journeys have received accolades from the world’s most revered travel publications.
• Insider connections. There is simply no substitute for traveling with a knowledgeable insider.
• Small groups. We tread softly, and our average group size is just 6-8 guests.
• Flexibility to suit your travel style. We offer both small-group departures and Private Collection trips.
• Customer service that goes the extra mile. There is no request that is too big – or too small.
• Sustainability. We are committed to traveling responsibly.

Most Convenient Airport:
La Paz Internacional Airport, Manuel Marque de Leon; La Paz, Mexico (airport code LAP)

Meeting Time and Place:
If you arrive on day one of the trip, your guide(s) will meet you at the airport when you arrive in La Paz to drive you to your hotel. The organized group activities of your trip begin the following morning, after breakfast, in the lobby of the Hotel Perla.

Departure Time and Place:
Your guides will provide transportation to the La Paz airport on the final day of the trip in time for your departing flight.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Physical Activity
Boundless Journeys trips are designed for energetic and flexible individuals who like to be active and have a spirit of adventure and a positive attitude. Baja & the Sea of Cortez Adventureis rated 2, easy to moderate, on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being the most strenuous). This trip is suitable to both beginning and experienced kayakers. Our kayaks are extremely stable and easy to use, and our guides provide expert instruction. Setting out from base camp we will paddle on average 2-4 hours daily. This is a relaxing trip with time for photography, beach-combing, hiking, snorkeling, fishing, or extra paddling.
 
Preparing for this Trip
It is very important that you realistically assess your physical condition with regard to the demands of this trip. The more well prepared you are for the activities on this trip, the more you will enjoy yourself! Please consider some sort of strength building and flexibility maintenance for your core and upper body. Done correctly, kayaking makes use of abdominal muscles and the muscles of the shoulders and back.
 
About Sea Kayaking
It is hard to accurately rate the difficulty of a sea kayaking trip as much of the challenge is determined by the weather. We typically plan our daily schedule and routes to avoid periods of strong wind and currents. In Baja the wind tends to get stronger in the afternoon, so we try to take advantage of the calm morning conditions for much of our paddling. It is especially important on a sea kayaking trip that you travel with a spirit of flexibility and an openness to enjoy nature and all it presents.
 
Two-thirds of our kayak fleet is comprised of double kayaks and one-third is single kayaks. The kayaks are primarily constructed of fiberglass, and all are equipped with rudders. Based upon your experience, and the size and composition of the group, your guide will help determine what kayak is most suitable for you, with safety always the first concern. If you feel strongly about having exclusive use of a single kayak throughout the entire trip, we can provide one for you at an extra cost of $50 if you meet the following criteria:

• You should have done a controlled wet exit within the last two years
• You should be comfortable paddling in 4 ft. waves either following, broadside or head-on
• You should be able to do stopping, reverse, sweep, and high and low brace strokes
• You should have taken a basic safety course or beginning kayak class, and/or have at least 80 hours on the water paddling a sea kayak
• You should be able to paddle up to 2 ½ -3 miles per hour in calm, flat-water conditions

Camp Life
Our home on Espiritu Santo Island is a comfortable beach camp where we pitch a cook tent (which may be used for dining in adverse weather), a shade tent, and three-person tents for double use. Chairs are provided but not dining tables. Bathing is available daily in the sea using bio-degradable soap that lathers in salt water. Freshwater solar showers will be available for a quick rinse to complete the process. The toilet is a portable system which is placed in a secluded spot at camp.

Meals are a combination of the best of American and Mexican traditions prepared using fresh local ingredients. Barbecued chicken, fresh fish Vera Cruz, grilled steak tacos accompanied by guacamole and a variety of Mexican salsas, plus fresh soups and salads are just a few examples of our menu items. The support skiffs allow us to bring plenty of ice to store fresh produce and indulge in luxuries such as cold juice, soda, and Mexican beer. Each evening we serve a cocktail and appetizer for “happy hour” so you can enjoy the spectacular Baja sunset while sipping an ice cold Margarita! Special diets are easily accommodated.
 
Weather
Daytime temperatures range from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter and up to 90 degrees in the fall and springtime. Water temperature ranges from 60°F in January to 80°F in October. There is little chance of rain during spring and fall, but rain and wind are possible during winter.
 
You may obtain more detailed weather information at www.weatherbase.com
 
When To Go
Spring and fall are ideal times for enjoying the Sea of Cortez. The strong northerly winds blow longest and strongest from late November through early March so spring and fall are characterized by calmer, warmer days.
 
Fall trips (October)offer warm, clear water for great snorkeling (80-85 degree water temperature with visibility up to 80 feet) with 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 (January) are ideal for those who prefer a milder climate as days tend to be cooler and water temperatures are in the mid 60’s.
 
Spring trips (April) offer 68-75 degree water temperature with warm, calm days.

 

Overview:  Full service camping, complemented by a first-class hotel at the beginning and end, provide a relaxed style to our Baja adventure.

Nights 1 & 6:  Hotel Perla
La Paz, Mexico

Hotel Perla is conveniently located in the heart of La Paz, overlooking the Sea of Cortez.  Amenities include a heated pool, restaurant, and lounge.

Nights 2, 3, 4 & 5:  Espiritu Santo Island Camping
Espiritu Santo Island, Sea of Cortez

Our home on Espiritu Santo Island is a comfortable beach base camp from which we explore the island and its beautiful coastline. Three person tents are provided for double occupancy, however you may choose not to use a tent and sleep under the starry night sky. A large tent is set up by our staff and used for cooking, and a shade tarp is also set up for taking breaks from the midday sun.
 

DAY 1
La Paz

Arrival day – on your own to explore La Paz.

Upon your arrival in La Paz you are greeted at the airport by your guide who provides you with information about the week ahead, and transports you to your hotel overlooking La Paz Bay. Today is yours to explore the capital city of Baja California Sur, or simply to relax on the sandy beach.  For dinner, you are free to choose from among the many fine restaurants in the area.
Hotel Perla, La Paz

DAY 2 
Espiritu Santo Island

Kayaking – introduction to sea kayaking, easy paddling with instruction, 2-3 hours in the afternoon.

After breakfast, our sea kayaking adventure begins as we meet our guides in the lobby of Hotel Los Arcos, packed and ready to go. We are fitted with equipment, and briefed on the logistics of our five days in the Sea of Cortez. Soon after we are on our way, transported from La Paz by motorized skiff to Espiritu Santo Island, four miles away. Once there, we are oriented to the amenities of our island base camp before taking to the water for an introduction to paddling. Our guides provide us with safety instruction and, for those who are new to sea kayaking, the basics of paddling technique. For more experienced paddlers, guides help fine tune strokes for better efficiency in the water. By afternoon, our quiet water exploration of this remarkable sea and landscape begins.

For the next four days we have the opportunity to choose our own activities from among the many adventurous or relaxing options available to us on the island. 
Espiritu Santo Island Camp

DAY 3
Espiritu Santo Island

Kayaking – easy to moderate, 2-4 hours.  Afternoon hiking from camp, time and distance variable.

With a steaming cup of coffee and a fresh breakfast to get us started, we begin our first full day of island life. By taking advantage of morning’s ideal paddling conditions, we explore the island’s varied shoreline with its volcanic rock cliffs separating secluded white sand beaches tucked into shallow turquoise bays. From the comfort of our kayaks we drift over sea cucumbers and urchins, purple and gold cushion stars and the thin-limbed and delicate brittle starfish. You will quickly appreciate why Baja is a world-class sea kayaking destination.

In the afternoon, after indulging in a catered midday meal, we may choose to explore the inland canyons, draped with wild fig and plum trees, or hike to higher ground for an expansive view over the bays of Espiritu Santo and its island neighbors. 

We return to camp in time for a dinner cooked by our guides, Baja locals who are expert handlers of the native ingredients. While we wait for the main course, we are treated to cocktails, appetizers, and no doubt a spectacular Baja sunset.
Espiritu Santo Island Camp

DAY 4 
Espiritu Santo Island

Kayaking – easy to moderate, 2-4 hours.  Snorkeling in bays or offshore at Los Islotes.

Today we continue our exploration of the island from the cockpit of our kayaks and by the power of our fins. With snorkeling gear close at hand we stop wherever we like for an impromptu exploration of underwater reefs and marine life.   

For a slightly more remote snorkeling experience, today may be the day we elect to take the skiffs to Los Islotes to swim with the sea lions. Los Islotes, a small cluster of volcanic rock islets and underwater pinnacles off the northern tip of Isla Partida (neighbor to Espiritu Santo), is home to a sizable sea lion rookery.  Graceful swimmers with playful personalities, the sea lions are as curious about us as we are about them! It is truly rare to experience wildlife in this intimate way and inevitably this will be a highlight of our Baja adventure.
Espiritu Santo Island Camp

DAY 5 
Espiritu Santo Island

Kayaking – easy to moderate, 2-4 hours. Optional skiff supported fishing.

This morning we may decide to dedicate ourselves to an entire day of paddling in and out of the picturesque bays, or we may wake early to take advantage of Baja’s renowned fishing before breakfast. Trolling behind the skiff, our guides take us to some of their favorite spots. While they provide us with rod and reel, we should bring our own lures (small minnow-type lures are suggested).

For dinner we enjoy another fully catered meal of favorite local recipes, and we toast the marvels of the Sea of Cortez.
Espiritu Santo Island Camp

DAY 6 
La Paz

Kayaking – easy to moderate.  Motorized skiff transport to La Paz.

This morning is our last opportunity to enjoy paddling and hiking from our island camp before we return to the mainland in the afternoon. The luxury and amenities of Hotel Perla await us, ready to help soothe paddling muscles and newly-sunned skin. Relax by the pool, schedule a massage, or take in the downtown marketplace. 

Dinner this evening is at a local restaurant, chosen for its fine food and service—an ideal place for a final celebration.
Hotel Perla, La Paz

DAY 7 
Return Home

For breakfast you are free to dine on your own, and a shuttle service from the hotel to the airport will be available for you. Your guides will assist you with scheduling a departure time.

Please note that this is a typical itinerary, and actual activities may vary to take advantage of weather conditions, local events, and to allow serendipity to play a hand in your experience. Accommodations are as outlined in the itinerary, although we reserve the right to change these should the need arise.

• Expert leadership and camp and cook staff
• All accommodations
• Kayaking equipment (kayaks, paddles, life jackets)
• All meals except for one dinner and one breakfast
• All transportation during the tour, including airport transfers on days 1 and 7, and boat transfers between La Paz and Espiritu Santo Island
• All activities as noted in the itinerary