Stand Up Paddle Classic Islands
"Juve was very knowledgable and a fabulous cook, boat driver, whale finder and always kept us entertained with his sense of humor. He was always aware and protective of our safety...The staff was the best I have ever had on a group trip.
I would say my favorite part was paddleboarding in a pod of dolphins." Susan Kinney, 2011
We have been leading sea kayak trips in Baja for over 30 years and now we are offering Stand Up Paddleboards on all our trips. Standing up as you paddle over reefs with 100' visibility in the warm turquoise water, is what these boards are made for. You can also see further for spotting all the dolphins, whales and Manta rays (doing backflips).
As you probably know, the SUPS are great when it is calm or the wind is behind you. However, the challenge is paddling into a headwind. Sea kayaks are designed better for those conditions because they are low in the water, track well with rudders and use a double bladed paddle. With this in mind we will be bringing enough kayaks with us so that we can travel in any conditions. They will be towed behind the panga that is carrying all our camping gear, food, kitchen, chairs and amenities to make our camps comfortable.
We will explore the National Marine Park and the protected Islands of Carmen and Danzante in the Sea of Cortez. The vistas are rugged and dramatic. Each remote campsite will become a home that you will be sorry to leave until you land at the next one.
When you look out to sea from your camp you will see; pods of commuting dolphins, frigate birds, osprey, pelicans and boobies in feeding frenzies chasing smaller fish fleeing across the surface being chased by those higher on the food chain. Manta Rays leap high into the air and do backflips. If the timing is right you can jump on your SUP or kayak and see how close you can get to the action. When you put on your snorkel a whole new world will unfold beneath the surface. Fluorescent fish of every size and shape, an ecological niche that you get to visit.
Our Baja trip leaders are full time guides at our base in Sausalito California. Every season they look forward to returning to their second home and reconnect with their friends and fellow local guides Jose Cruz and Juve Orzoco. You will feel the family spirit that infuses every Sea Trek trip.
Date: Friday-Thursday. April 13-19, 2012
Cost: $1195 includes- hotel, delicious meals, three professional guides, Surf Tech SUPs with lightweight Werner paddles, double and single kayaks, motorized support boat, Marine Park fees, tents, snorkeling gear, wet suits.
Itinerary
Day 1-Friday
You will be greeted by the friendly folks from C&C Transport when you arrive at Loreto's airport. We load up into vans for the 15 minute drive to our hotel near Loreto's peaceful, palm-lined waterfront. Your specific rooms will be waiting for you. The afternoon and early evening are at your leisure to enjoy strolling the plaza around the historic mission, visiting the shops and small restaurants of the town, or perhaps just relaxing by the waterfront. The Sea Trek staff will meet with you at 6:00pm at the hotel for a thorough orientation where any and all questions will be addressed.
Day 2-Saturday
After a hearty breakfast at our favorite cafe, a van shuttles us to our launch site at Puerto Escondido. This natural harbor, Baja's largest, is 16 miles south of Loreto and located at the foot of the Sierra Giganta mountain range.
After a basic sea kayaking and SUP lesson, depending on what people need, we easily pack our gear into the panga and depending on the conditons paddle our SUPs or kayaks the three miles to Isla Danzante. The motorized support boat carries our kitchen setup, the group commissary, purified water, iced drinks, food coolers and even chairs.
Isla Danzante is a multi-coved island with jagged peaks that look like a dinosaurs back. From the island, off to the west you can see the rising peaks of the Sierra Giganta range and the coast to the south. It's not unusual for dolphins to pass by our cove in the mornings or to see some of the resident Fin whales. And of course, there's always the magic of Baja's nighttime sky so full of constellations.
Day 3-Sunday
Enjoy an incredible sunrise on the Sea of Cortez that reveals Los Candeleros islands. These sea carved islands are home to cormorants, boobies and osprey. On this day we'll paddle along the dramatic shoreline of Danzante before crossing the channel to Isla Carmen off to the east. The channel between the islands offers another opportunity to see dolphins and whales. Landing on the southwestern tip of the island we set up camp on a beautiful white sand beach with views of Isla Danzante and the mountainous coastline.
The afternoon schedule is flexible, offering more SUPing, kayaking, snorkeling, hiking or just relaxing with that best seller novel.
Day 4-Monday
After a delicious breakfast of Mexican eggs, tortillas, fresh fruit and brewed coffee we'll pack up for a day trip. Exploring the interesting coves of Carmen, we land on a beach for an afternoon of snorkeling and sunbathing. Back at camp, while your guides prepare a feast of yellowtail, herbed rice, mixed green salad and tortillas it's time to watch the sunset color changes on the rock faces of the Sierra de la Giganta range.
Day 5 Tuesday
After two nights on Isla Carmen we cross back over to Isla Danzante and a new camp site. We'll explore more of Danzante's shoreline and then set up camp surrounded by massive rock formations overlooking one of the Island's many tranquil coves.
Day 6 Wednesday
It's time to paddle to our final campsite at Punta Coyote as we cross back over to the Baja peninsula. The point itself is a rocky shoreline with monolithic boulders and the snorkeling here is excellent. Here we spend our last night under the stars and for those with an adventurous spirit we'll paddle out after dinner hoping for a light show of bioluminescence.
Day 7-Thursday
There is still time for early risers to enjoy one more brilliant sunrise over the Sea of Cortez and the magnificent parade of colors as dawn turns to morning.
After breakfast we'll pack up and paddle to our take out at Puerto Escondido. We will say our goodbyes to the Sea of Cortes, change into our traveling clothes and repack into our suitcases for our flight home. Our van will drive us to the Loreto airport for the flight to Los Angeles, homeward-bound connections, and your next adventure.
Please note: The itinerary is always subject to change depending on conditons.