Reservations and Payments

Blue Waters Tours: To secure your reservation, Blue Waters requires a $500 non-refundable deposit, payable by check, money order, Visa or MasterCard. The balance is due at least 90 days prior to your tour, payable by check or money order, or using credit card by arrangement with our office.

CANCELLATION POLICIES

Blue Waters Tours: Participants may cancel up to 90 days prior to the scheduled departure date, and receive a full refund less the $500 deposit. If you must cancel within 90 days of the tour, a refund will be issued only if Blue Waters is able to replace you from our waiting list. Otherwise, no refunds or credits will be issued. We regret that no exceptions to this cancellation policy can be made, even for family or medical reasons. That is why we strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance.

WHAT IS PROVIDED

At Laguna San Ignacio Whale Camp, Blue Waters provides roomy double-occupancy YURTS with cots and thick Therma-rest inflatable sleeping pads. If you wish to have a YURT to yourself, you must let us know in advance. Likewise, you may bring your own sleeping bag or request to rent one from us.

On kayaking expeditions, Blue Waters provides roomy double-occupancy tents with thick Thermarest sleeping pads. If you wish to have a tent to yourself, you must bring your own or let us know in advance that you'd like to rent one from us. Likewise, you may bring your own sleeping bag or request to rent one from us.

WHAT TO BRING

Most importantly, bring your ability to work and play with others and a desire to make this trip a once-in-a-lifetime experience for everyone. We send each participant a packing and equipment list to assist you in your preparations. For your comfort and enjoyment, please be sure to bring everything on the list. You may want to bring a small dry bag for personal belongings (such as binoculars, camera or sunscreen) that you may want easy access to while kayaking or whale watching.

MONEY

It is not necessary to exchange currency. We recommend that you bring some US dollars in small denominations to pay for tips, and for our Loreto based trips, dining out and smaller purchases in town. If you are driving, also bring enough dollars or pesos for gas, meals, showers and shopping. MasterCard and Visa are accepted at some hotels, shops and restaurants. The local banks will not advance you American dollars from your credit card. The ATMs in Mexico will dispense Mexican currency. Come prepared with the cash you'll need for your return trip home.

TOUR COSTS

Laguna San Ignacio Whale Camp Tours Includes:
Van transfers to and from San Diego Hotel to charter aircraft
Charter flights to and from Laguna San Ignacio
All airport transfers and ground transportation within Mexico
Daily fees for Biosphere Reserve
All meals at Whale Camp
Use of kayaking and camping equipment (except sleeping bag)
Guide services
Double-occupancy YURTS at whale camp

Does not include:
Optional Sleeping Bag Rental
Single supplement fees
Additional fees that may apply to special programs
Gratuities

GRATUITIES

Gratuities for your kayak guides are not included in the cost of the trip. Your guides do all they can to provide you with a wonderful vacation and are eager to serve you in every way. If you wish to acknowledge them for their exceptional service, your tips are welcome and appreciated. A suggested gratuity of 10% of the base tour cost is typically shared amongst your guides and cooks. An additional $2-5 per participant is suggested for each van transport and panga ride.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

We highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. This inexpensive insurance not only protects you if you injure yourself and are unable to go on the trip, but will also protect your vacation investment if any member of your family, or a relative remaining at home, becomes ill or injured. The insurance also covers emergency evacuation as stated, and covers your non-refundable air flight if you have to cancel at the last minute due to injury or illness. It also covers baggage loss, accidental medical and tour cancellation/interruption costs. If your arrival is delayed and you need special livery to join the group in progress, or you need to be evacuated, you are responsible for covering the expenses of water and land transportation, extra hotel nights, etc. Rapid emergency evacuation to U.S. medical facilities is extremely difficult and not guaranteed. We highly recommend travel insurance in case of such emergencies. Travel insurance operates on a reimbursement basis, so you must get receipts for submission to your insurance company. There are many insurance companies; enclosed you will find an application for one of them. Please read the details carefully, as you'll find variations in coverage from one carrier to the next.

CHANGE OF ITINERARY OR CANCELLED TRIPS

Blue Waters Kayaking reserves the right to change the itinerary due to hazardous weather, change in government regulations, and/or circumstances that render the trip unsafe or unsatisfactory to the welfare of the group. Blue Waters Kayaking reserves the right to cancel any trip prior to departure for any reason whatsoever, including insufficient registration or logistical and safety complications that may impede trip operations. A trip cancellation due to insufficient registration normally occurs no later than 3 weeks prior to departure, in which case your complete fee will be returned.

PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY

Trip participants have the responsibility to select a trip appropriate to their interests and abilities. We are happy to discuss the trip with you if you have any questions. You are responsible for being in sufficient good health and for bringing appropriate clothing and equipment, so read all the pre-trip information carefully. Please complete and return the enclosed liability release form, reservation checklist and confidential questionnaire with your final payment no later than 90 days prior to your departure date.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY

A liability release form must be signed by each participant prior to the trip, both in the U.S. and in Mexico. No participant will be permitted on our trips without signing release forms, and we cannot issue a refund if a release form has not been signed.

THEFT/ACCIDENTS

Blue Waters Kayaking is not responsible for loss of personal items or injury. There is always a risk of theft or injury wherever you are. Even though present statistics show Baja to be safer than California, it is wise to be cautious. When we leave our campsite unattended for several hours, bring along your most valuable items.

MEDICAL AND HEALTH

Although this tour is not rigorous, it can be physically challenging, and access to medical facilities may not be immediately available. Blue Waters carries a well-supplied first-aid kit and our guides have Wilderness First Responder and C.P.R. training to handle emergencies. However, Blue Waters Kayaking is not responsible for medications, inoculations or the provision of health care. Please bring from home any first-aid items you know you will need, as well as your personal supply of medications.

If you do have medical problems or disabilities, it is important that you call our office well before your departure and make them known to us. You and your private physician should decide what is necessary for your safe participation on this trip.

EMERGENCY CONTACT

It is difficult and expensive to contact participants during the kayak tour, so please ask friends and family to do so in case of extreme emergency only. Participants are responsible for all costs incurred in the delivery of an emergency message. Please call the Blue Waters office @ 415-669-2600 in case of emergency.