Playful sea lions, sparkling turquoise waters, songful whales, and remote desert islands await us while kayaking in Baja, Mexico

A gay kayaking vacation in the Sea of Cortez

October 12-21, 2008

Sea kayaking offers a way to explore remote regions that few people ever see. And there's no more beautiful spot to learn this exciting sport than Baja, Mexico!

Join a small, friendly gay and lesbian group in the Sea of Cortez to explore enchanting islands, snorkel with sea lions, and paddle through astonishing green grottoes.

We'll visit four of the desert islands here along the Baja (pronounced baha) coast. Each island offers different wildlife and a unique personality. On Isla Santa Catalina we'll see giant barrel cactus and perhaps the elusive rattleless rattlesnake which is indigenous to this island. Also hike an arroyo (wash) where beautiful colorful birds may be seen.

Another island, Isla San Jose, offers beautiful pink amphitheaters with green waters ideal for kayaking. At each location, our guides will handle all our gear, setting up camp, happy hour, and gourmet meals.

What are you waiting for? The whales and the dolphins won't wait for you, and the crystal clear Baja water and skies are calling you to come play! And what better vacation opportunity could you find to meet other gay men and women who are outdoors enthusiasts? Let's paddle!.

Highlights:

• Snorkel with a curious and playful sea lion.
  
• Paddle through green grottoes opening onto cavernous pink amphitheaters.
  
• Watch for Baja's famous Gray Whales as you paddle through the surf.
  
• In the evening, enjoy meals at your campsite on a deserted island.
  
• Fall asleep under clear starlit skies.
  
• Hike an arroyo that is home to Baja's beautiful colorful birds.
  

Dates and Price:

• October 12-21, 2008 - $1,995

** A trip for gay men & lesbians

E-mail: Travlgrrl@aol.com for more info! 

Prices are per-person, based on double occupancy. Tours often fill up months before departure. We regularly update our travel schedule to show the status of this and other trips.

Travelling Alone?
So are most of the people who travel with us. You do not need to pay extra to travel by yourself. Prices are per-person, and the single supplement applies only if you'd like a room by yourself.

Location: Begins in La Paz; ends in Loreto, Mexico.

Price includes: All accommodations based on double occupancy including hotel in La Paz on first night and Loreto on last night (other nights will be camping); Dinner on first and last night; Sleeping bag and pad; Tent; Kayak and related gear; Mask and snorkel equipment; All meals while camping, beverages, and happy hour each day, prepared by the crew; Transfers from the La Paz airport to hotel for those arriving on starting date of trip; Experienced crew and local guide.

Not included: Airfare to and from starting and ending points; Transfer from Loreto hotel to airport at end of trip; Airport departure taxes; Gratuities for guides.

The Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez, is a long, narrow body of water squeezed between Mexico and the Baja Peninsula. Here, as the desert kisses the sea, a fantastic variety of life has evolved. Dolphins and whales share the calm waters with kayakers who have traveled from all corners of the globe for a holiday. Turquoise waters reflect towering peaks of the Sierra Giganta.

Join us here for a week amongst some of the earth's most beautiful scenery. We call this a sea kayaking trip, and that's what it is. But once you're here, you'll understand that a kayak is merely the best means for enjoying the quiet beauty of a very special place. Snorkeling, camping, and hiking are also among the week's highlights.

1: Arrival Day

Our week begins in the quaint little coastal town of La Paz, Mexico. Early arrivals may want to fit in some scuba diving or snorkeling before the trip begins. The waters around La Paz are full of sea stars, colorful fish, coral, and - for the advanced divers - underwater caves.

Our accommodations - generally cabanas on the beach - are only two blocks south of the downtown area on the Malecon facing La Paz Bay. We have direct beach access and are in easy walking distance of two marinas, fine dining, and evening entertainment.

At 6:00 p.m. our group meets for dinner, and an opportunity to get to know the others with whom we'll be spending the week. There will be 13 to 16 of us in our crew plus 2 guides and a support crew for setting up our campsites and preparing our meals.

Dinner is followed by orientation, with time to review common questions about what to expect and bring along. Our outfitters will be carrying all our gear but since we'll be camping, there's not much need for the dancing shoes and fancy eveningwear.

A few in our group may wish to enjoy some sightseeing on the town or choose a splash in one of the romantic swimming pools, play Ping-Pong, or just relax in the hotel sauna.

2: On the Water Depart for Isla Espirtu Santo

Our boat, the Ensenda Grande, will be waiting for us for an early departure to the enchanting island of Espiritu Santo. This island is stunning with beautiful white sand beaches, canyons adorned with hanging fig trees and magnificent stretches of arroyos. One could easily spend a week exploring the volcanic cliffs and hidden canyons of this desert paradise.

Our morning will be spent getting acquainted with our paddling craft. Alyson Adventures will be represented by Ron Cannell has been a kayaking instructor for both whitewater and sea kayaking for 15 years. Together with our local guide you will have the finest instruction on the joy of paddles to guarantee and fun and safe trip.

After some easy lessons and instruction, we'll move on to the northern end of the island where we will experience a sea lion's life at Los Islotes as we snorkel and frolic with these clown princes of the sea. We may also see mantas leaping from the water's surface, pods of dolphins and possibly humpback, blue or fin whales.

Delightfully exhausted from our first day of adventure, we'll arrive at our campsite, all set up by our support crew. It's now time to enjoy happy hour with an evening cocktail while we enjoy a spectacular Baja sunset.

3: Mangrove Estuaries and the Colorful Birds

Back on to the Ensenda Grande, we make our way North along the Baja Coast to San Jose Island. Blue and Fin whales are often seen in the canal that separates the mainland from the island. As a towering backdrop to the west we view the awesome Sierra Giganta Mountains. We'll camp on a beautiful white sand beach at Punta Colorado, and begin our exploration by kayak and on foot of this spectacular island.

As they do each evening, our crew will serve a Mexican gourmet delight. The brilliance of the Baja sky soon unfolds, followed by stars ablaze releasing you into a restful slumber.

4-5: A Closer Look at Isla San Jose

One could easily spend a week enjoying this spectacular deserted island. We'll have several choices here to be as active or Baja restful as you prefer. This is truly paradise found and we'll spend our days hiking among the giant cardon cactus, fishing in some of the best spots in the world, whale watching, and of course, paddling all around our incredible blue lagoons.

This area is known for large schools of dolphins, and whales, whales, whales! Also, there are incredible opportunities here for bird enthusiasts with constant sightings of frigates, boobies and many colorful tropical birds.

6-7: Isla Santa Cruz and Isla Santa Catalina

Today we have a delightful little cruise further North along the Baja to arrive in time for lunch at Isla Santa Cruz. Here we'll spend some time snorkeling along a beautiful rocky coastline. Later in the afternoon, we'll head further North to our evening destination, Isla Santa Catalina. Here we will find another stunning rocky shoreline to explore with lots of opportunity for fishing, snorkeling and fun paddling.

Our typical evening Happy hour and Mexican gourmet dinner awaits us as we surrender into the Baja sunset.

We have the entire next day and night to explore the diversity of bird life on this incredible island, kayak and snorkel along the shoreline or go on a hunt for the elusive rattleless rattlesnake. Santa Catalina is known especially for its giant barrel cactus and the waters surrounding the island are teeming with whales and many varieties of colorful fish species. Today you'll feel like Darwin himself and have the chance to be totally absorbed by the beauty of our untouched natural surroundings.

8: Taste of the Baja Mainland

Today we take a ride with our crew to La Playa Ballena on Baja's mainland. There's plenty of time left in the afternoon to paddle along the coast and explore the area around Santa Marta. There's a beautiful beach here and a last chance for some snorkeling the crystal clear waters around camp. Camping here gives us another chance to experience the diversity of this spectacular land.

This evening we'll have a final fiesta with our crew. By this time the magic of Baja will have us all under a spell. A paddle under the stars may be a fitting way to wind down our journey before surrendering to the sounds of the waves lapping the shores just a few meters away from our tent site.

9: Morning Paddle to Bahia Agua Verde

A final paddle north along the coast for a few miles takes us to our take-out sight at Bahia Agua Verde. Our pecs are now pumped and we're returning home with abs of steel. This is one trip where without suffering pain we have conditioned our bodies and we'll be feeling and looking awesome. Time to head back to civilization in the Mexican hospitality of Loreto.

As the first capital of the California's, Loreto's culture runs as deep as its rich history. Among its main attractions is the Nuestra Senora de Loreto Mission, which was built in 1697.

The seafront malecon has been completely restored and features a romantic walkway right at the edge of the Sea of Cortez. The waters here were recently declared a Nation Marine Park by the Mexican government. Frisky dolphins are a common sight, and blue whales also come through thse waters occasionally. Before our group farewell dinner, we'll have a bit of time to explore this historic seaside town.

10: Bye Bye Baja

The Baja has worked its wonder and we're ready to face civilization again with a fresh and healthy outlook. We now know of a place timeless and enchanting where we can escape to crystal clear turquoise waters and unparalleled beauty.

As we head for the airport, somehow we know this won't be our last holiday trip to Baja!