Isla Espiritu Santo Kayaking Adventure, Baja

Things to know

• What’s included?

  Included:

  • • Professional naturalist and bilingual guides
    • 5-day Isla Espiritu Santo kayaking tour
    • Beach camping for 4 nights
      • Single or double tents set up for you each night
      • Private bathroom tent (set up and taken down each day)
      • Tables and chairs
      • Appetizer table with snacks, fresh water, and drinks available at camp at all times
      • Designated kitchen area where guides prepare fresh meals each day
      • Sleeping bag with liner
      • Inflatable sleeping pad
      • Pillow with pillowcase
      • Necessary dry bags
      • Tents with rain fly
    • All meals and beverages as indicated in the itinerary
    • All transportation during the tour
    • All kayaking, camping, and snorkeling equipment
    • Panga-supported kayaking tour
    • Taxes
    • $30 National Parks & Biosphere Reserves access fees

  Not included:

  • • Transportation to and from the starting/end point (La Paz)
    • Accommodations before and after the tour
    • Meals not listed in the itinerary
    • Guide gratuities — optional
    • Travel and medical insurance — optional
• How fit do I need to be?

  Good fitness is required for this Isla Espiritu Santo kayak tour. When stopping at shore, you should be able to climb in and out of the kayaks on your own. They will be floating in calf-deep water. Your guides are happy to assist, but balance and limberness are required. When you get to your evening campsite, all group members must be able to help carry the kayaks above the high tide line, in teams of 6-8, before the group disperses. You will change campsites almost every night, but may have a layover day. Camp sites are assigned by the National Park Service immediately prior to the tour.

  Kayaking trips are motorboat-supported, so in case you get very tired or don’t want to paddle anymore, you’re welcome to ride in the panga instead!

• What do I need to bring?

  This adventure is best enjoyed if you travel light. It’s best to have everything essential in your carry-on, and it’s also recommended to bring a small daypack.

  All kayaking and snorkeling equipment will be provided. If you decide to bring your own sleeping bag, pad, etc., please inform your guides to ensure they do not overpack gear as space in kayaks is limited.

  Essential items

  • • Passport, a photo of your passport on your phone, a photocopy of your passport
    • Copy of your air tickets with ticket numbers
    • Credit and/or Debit/ATM card that works internationally
    • Cash (pesos) & USD, CAD or Euros for guide gratuities at the end of your trip
    • Watch or small travel clock with alarm
    • Money belt or concealed passport carrier
    • TSA-accessible lock for luggage security when not on your person (optional—can buy these at any travel or outdoor recreation store)

  Active clothing
  We highly suggest that all of your kayak clothing is synthetic or wool, not cotton.

  • • One – three pair long, lightweight, nylon pants with zipper pockets (zip off legs give you more options)
    • One pair of nylon shorts
    • Swimsuit
    • Rashguard — great for use as sun-protection and extra warmth when snorkeling
    • Sarong (optional, but super handy for changing clothes, laying on the ground, etc.)
    • One – three short sleeve button-up shirt(s) or t-shirt(s) (synthetic is best)
    • One – three long sleeve shirts, ideally with SPF protection
    • One light-weight bottom layer like a long-sleeve synthetic shirt or merino wool t-shirt
    • One medium-weight layer of fleece – synthetic or merino wool for warmth
    • One heavier-weight layer of fleece OR a “puffy jacket” of synthetic down
    • One windbreaker or light raincoat (better)
    • Underwear
    • One wide-brim, tie-on hat
    • Three pair light synthetic or merino wool socks
    • One pair sturdy trail shoes, or running shoes, to use for hiking and for casual camp time. They will get sandy at camp
    • One pair of sandals with ankle straps to wear while kayaking, on the beaches, walking around towns, etc.
    • One buff – for sun protection as well as wind protection on cold days
    • One warm beanie cap or ski cap (especially important on trips from November to March when cooler winds can be present)

  Casual clothing

  • • One – two other comfortable pairs of bottoms: pants, shorts, skirts, dresses, etc.
    • One pair other lightweight shoes for time in town
    • One – two tops: short sleeve, long sleeve and/or button up shirt(s)
    • One light sweater or jacket for warmth in the evenings and mornings
    • One pair pajamas

  Additional gear

  • • Retaining strap for glasses and sunglasses
    • Flashlight or headlamp
    • One pair of paddling gloves
    • One pair of light wool gloves if you get cold easily
    • Small day pack or fanny pack for hikes
    • One wide-mouth water bottle, 1 liter or larger
    • One carabiner (this is optional but useful for clipping your water bottle to your kayak)
    • Camp towel (small lightweight towel, backpacking style works great)
    • ​Camera and appropriate charging mechanism
    • Back up battery pack for electronic devices
    • Waterproof camera or valuables case
    • Binoculars or monocular
    • Glasses or contacts if needed
    • Polarized sunglasses
    • Reusable dirty/clean gear bags for wet or soiled items
    • ​Small ​​reusable, leak-proof bags for liquid or spillable personal items
    • Books or E-reader, pen and notepad, headphones, etc. If you want to listen to music, please do it privately with earbuds or headphones

  Toiletries and first aid

  • • Standard toiletry kit including general hygiene products, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, etc. (keep liquids under 3.38 oz.(100ml) for carry-on)
    • Insect repellent
    • Reef-safe sunscreen (we highly recommend Stream2Sea)
    • Lip balm with SPF 30-50
    • Pre-moistened toilette packets or disposable shower wipes to refresh
    • Prescriptions and any necessary personal medicines (please be sure to bring necessary prescriptions and any needed emergency medicine such as an EpiPen, Benadryl, etc)
    • Heavy duty skin lotion for dry, sun-baked, and salted skin
    • Small squeeze bottle of hand-sanitizer gel
    • Shampoo and soap (we recommend biodegradable, multi-purpose options)
    • *Optional female urinary device (allows women to urinate standing up without removing clothing). Silicon or hard plastic ones work great. Popular name brands include Gogirl and Shewee

  Got everything you need? Grab your gear through Active Junky and earn cash back on top outdoor brands — plus a $10 bonus on your first $25+ purchase. Shop now at Active Junky!

• Opportunity to go swimming with whale sharks

  There are a few places in the world where you can observe whale sharks in the wild, even less where you can actually get in the water and experience them up close and personal! This day-long tour departs from a designated marina in La Paz at a specified time, which is determined when your guides get the Park permit*. Usually this is early in the morning, but you will be informed the day before of the exact time. The trip takes about 4-5 hours, depending on a variety of factors. Snacks are included in your outing as well as the full services of talented interpretive guides. Make sure to sign up early! Due to Baja Park authorities, permits to swim with whale sharks are highly restricted and limited.

  You’ll depart from La Paz marina and travel about 45 minutes to the whale shark swimming zone, a designated area where the whale sharks are feeding and swimming. You’ll prepare by putting on a wetsuit, fins, mask, and snorkel. Once a whale shark is spotted, you slide off the skiff under the direction of your guide. This is your chance to swim alongside the ocean’s gentle giants! Watch their gaping mouths engulf mass amounts of plankton as they slowly glide along. The juvenile whale sharks in La Paz are a whopping 4-8 meters (12-24 feet) long with mouths that yawn open over 4-5 feet, yet they’re no Moby Dick with their mild disposition. It’s rare to experience something as awe-inspiring as swimming alongside these mammoth, polka-dotted creatures that course the Gulf of California. A talented local, National Park-certified whale shark guide accompanies you on your swim. Their knowledge and passion for whale sharks is obvious as they work to make your time swimming in La Paz educative, meaningful, and memorable.

  *Note that this activity is very well managed by the Park and marine authorities of Mexico. There has to be a minimum number of whale sharks in the area before it is opened for swimming with them. There is a strict limit to the number of boats that can enter the whale shark-protected zone. These regulations have changed every year in the past few years and are generally getting more and more restrictive. Therefore, it’s of paramount importance that you sign up as well in advance as possible.

• What about bad weather?

  Strong winds and/or rough water conditions sometimes prevent the tour from going as scheduled. Port Captains are the ones who determine if ports are open or closed. Winds may prevent you from crossing from the Port to Espiritu Santo Island, which is why a port Captain may have to close the port or prohibit crossing.

  In this case, there are different solutions:

  • • The crossing may have to be delayed by a day or two, or you’ll have to leave Espiritu Santo Island a day or two early. If that happens, substitute activities are provided for the day(s) that you cannot kayak.
    • If the weather forecast predicts a series of days with strong winds, your guides reserve the right to transfer the trip to Magdalena Bay on the Pacific Coast, which is almost always in calm, protected waters. We recognize this isn’t ideal, but sometimes there’s really no other option. Decisions to alter trips are not made until the last minute, since decisions are based on the forecast. Your guides will inform you at the evening orientation meeting if the trip location has changed or the itinerary has been altered. The safety and security of the trips is the primary focus of any alterations.

  At any rate, there will always be an alternative activity for you to enjoy! There are opportunities to snorkel, hike, or just relax on the beach with a margarita.

   

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and pricing

  • • For this Isla Espiritu Santo kayak tour, the minimum number of people is set at 4 participants.
    • With 4 to 5 guests, there will be 3 guides (1 kayak, 1 panguero, 1 assistant panga). With 6 to 12 guests, there will be 4 guides, and with 13 to 14 guests, 5 guides.
    • The tour can be booked up to 21 to 28 days prior to the trip departure.

  Isla Espiritu Santo kayak tours can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors older than 12 may be permitted to join the Isla Espiritu Santo kayak tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. 9-year-olds may join if it’s a private trip.

  If your group has kayakers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Getting there and meeting location

  The starting point of your Isla Espiritu Santo kayak tour is La Paz in Baja California Sur, Mexico. To get there, most people fly into San Jose del Cabo Airport (SJD) or La Paz Airport (LAP). If you land at La Paz Airport, it’s only a 15-minute drive to La Paz. If you land at San Jose del Cabo Airport, you can either rent a car to reach La Paz or take a shuttle—it will take you anywhere between 2 and 3 hours.

  Make sure to arrive a day prior to Day 1 of the tour. Accommodation for the night before the tour is up to you and you can spend the day at your leisure. You’ll meet your guides for a pre-trip meeting on Day 0 where they’ll answer any questions you may have and you’ll settle on the meeting time for the following day. The meeting place is the designated tour hotel, which is where you will meet your guide at 6pm MST and go over the upcoming trip.

• Safety measures and insurance

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

  Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

  Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  Deposits

  You can secure one of the set dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

  Cancellations

  Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

  Basic

  • • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 90 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a 70% refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-89 days before the trip, there is no refund.

  Flexible

  • • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 90 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 60-89 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, there is no refund.

  Super Flexible

  • • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
      For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.