Baja Kayak Tours FAQ

Where is Loreto and how do I get there?
What do I need to bring?
What about money?
What is the Sea Of Cortez like?
What is the weather like in Mag Bay?
Are there any bugs?
What about venomous critters?
Can we fish?
Can we snorkel?
Are the expedition trips motor boat supported?
What kind of kayaking can we expect?
On Expeditions, how much kayaking do we do per day?
Is it okay for beginners?
How is the food at the camps and at the Eco Resort?
What is the water situation at your camps?
What about the water at the Eco-resort?
Okay, what about the toilet facilities?
Does BWK supply alcoholic drinks?

Where is Loreto and how do I get there?
Loreto is a charming town of about 5000 residents located on the Sea of Cortez side of the Baja Peninsula about 600 miles south of San Diego. There are inexpensive scheduled flights to Loreto from Los Angeles (LAX). In Feb - April 2007 these flights arrive and depart to and from Loreto daily. The fares range from $450-$550. See our Travel Info (link) page for details.
NOTE: Blue Waters has a limited number of advance purchase group fares available. Call us for information.

What Do I Need 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, as the locals prefer to receive U.S. dollars. We recommend that you bring about $300-$400 in small denominations to pay for tips, 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 and the ATMs only dispense Mexican currency, so come prepared with the cash you'll need for your return trip home.

What is the Sea Of Cortez like?
The Sea of Cortez is a large inland sea about 150 miles wide which separates the Baja Peninsula from the Mainland of Mexico. It is characterized by rugged mountainous desert terrain and deep blue waters that are known for supporting abundant marine life. The vegetation along the shores is lush desert foliage similar to the Sonoran Desert of southern Arizona. The Cardon, the Baja version of the American Seguaro cactus can grow to be 60 feet tall!

What is the weather like in Mag Bay?
From February through April, daytime highs in the Loreto area are between 75 and 80 degrees; lows at night are around 60. Afternoon sea breezes are common.

Are there any bugs?
None that will bother you; no mosquitos! The Sea of Cortez is scorpion habitat. You may encounter one, but they are not aggressive. Very rarely there may be an unpleasant encounter, which, although painful, is not fatal. Our guides are well trained to deal with any situation of this nature that may occur.

Can we fish?
Yes, with a fishing license that you can procure in Loreto.

Can we snorkel?
Yes, there is excellent snorkeling available from the Sea of Cortez Eco Resort and at most Sea of Cortez expedition camps. Serious snorkelers may want to bring their own gear, or you can rent gear from us for the duration of your stay.

Are your expedition trips motorboat supported?
No, we do it pure expedition-style, taking everything with us for the week. We like it that way, and you will get the advantage of learning how to run a real expedition trip!

On expeditions, what kind of kayaking can we expect?
The crossing from the coast to the nearest island, Isla Danzante, is about three miles. There are several beautiful camps that we use on Danzante. If time and weather permit then we may paddle to Isla Carmen, another crossing of about 3 miles.

How much kayaking do we do per day? Is it ok for beginners?
On expeditions, the average day will average about 6-7 miles of paddling. Beginners in reasonable shape usually can do this with no problem. For those who want to do more, there is ample opportunity for side-trip paddling in the afternoons after we get to camp. We have single kayaks available for those who want to practice their kayak skills with our expert instructors.

How is the food at your camps?
Great camp food, home cooked by our Mexican chefs. We can and do accommodate vegetarians and people with dietary restrictions.

What about the food at the Eco-Resort?
At the resort, food is prepared for you in an open-air kitchen by local Mexican chefs. All the food is mainly organic and always fresh. A variety of local fresh seafood is always plentiful and locally grown fruits and vegetables will satisfy the most discerning vegetarian diet. The kitchen is "hands-on", so you may choose to participate as much as you wish. You can even learn from the best how to make tortillas and tamales!

What is the water situation on the expeditions?
We bring all our water with us, plenty of purified water for drinking.

What about the water at the Eco-Resort?
Don't worry about drinking the water there. It's pure and fresh, running right out of a mountain spring well in the Sierra de La Giganta mountains behind the resort.

Okay, what about the toilet facilities?
On expeditions, in accordance with "Leave No Trace" principles, we pack out all waste. With the newly added "wag bag" technology, this is not a problem. For your comfort we provide privacy-screened toilet facilities.

At the Eco Resort, Special composting toilets were specially designed just for the delicate desert location. They are very user-friendly and aesthetically quite pleasant.

Does BWK supply alcoholic drinks?
No, but we will be happy procure alcoholic beverages for you prior to the trip.