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Outfitter options for Baja, Mexico
Question: My wife’s friend told her about a guided wilderness trip in Baja, Mexico, where they took part in kayaking, hiking, and climbing on an island. About 13 people, including a guide, go there and stay for a week. Could you tell me where to get more information on this?

Ken Dillie
Ft. Wayne, IN
kadillie@itt.com

�����ԹϺ��� Adviser: Since sea kayaking in Baja is practically the hippest active vacation choice out there right now, it’s no big surprise that there are about a gazillion outfitters (OK, slight exaggeration) who run weeklong trips to this paddling mecca. That said, I’m not quite sure which one in particular you’re referring to, so I’ll
offer you instead a brief rundown of likely candidates worthy of a closer look–most of which offer hiking, climbing, and island camping as standard fare.

REI �����ԹϺ���s runs a reasonably priced eight-day trip out of Loreto for $985 per person, not including airfare. You’ll spend your days paddling the Gulf of California’s blue-green water, snorkeling among brightly colored fish, and exploring dry Sonoran desert islands. Nights are spent camping under the stars on secluded island beaches. Departures generally run from October
through May, with one March trip this year leaving on the 16th. For more information, call 800-622-2236.

San Diego-based Baja Expeditions has a seven-day kayaking/whale-watching trip in Magdalena Bay for $895 per person, airfare extra. Using this Pacific Coast bay as your base camp, you’ll spend the mornings exploring mangrove-lined estuaries and watching for California gray whales to surface in their winter breeding waters. Afternoons are spent whale-watching from skiffs,
hiking, bird-watching, or kayaking. For a longer trip that covers more ground, consider booking a spot on their nine-day coastal islands trip from Loreto to La Paz for $1,325 per person, including meals, kayak, camping gear, guides, and crew. Choose from either a March 8 or March 18 departure date. For more info, call Baja Expeditions at 800-843-6967.

Other outfitters to consider: Paddling South Tours (707-942-4550), Sea Quest/Zoetic Research (360-378-5767), and River Travel Center (800-882-7238). And, while you’re at it, check out in our Winter 1995-1996 Travel Guide.