Classic Islands
7 Days Exploring Carmen & Danzante Islands
Enjoy Baja sea kayaking in the National Marine Park and explore 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 into a 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. Florescent fish of every size and shape, an ecological niche that you get to visit.
The Baja trip leaders, Mitch Powers and Michael Morgan are full time guides at our base in Sausalito Ca. teaching every level of kayaking and leading all our local trips. They each have been Sea Trek's senior Baja guides for over 10 years. Every season they cannot wait to be back 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.
2010-2011 Schedule-7 days Friday-Thursday:
November 5-11, November 12-18, November 19-25,
February 11-17, February 18-24, February 25-
March 3, March 4-10, March 11-17, March 18-24, March 25- 31,
April 1-7, April 8-14.
Cost: $1250 includes: first night's hotel, all food while camping, three professional guides, support boat, Marine Park fees, tents, snorkeling gear, wet suits.
Classic 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 lesson we easily pack our kayaks with just our personal gear and make the two mile crossing to Isla Danzante. Our 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 kayaking, singles rescue practice, 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: This Baja sea kayaking Itinerary is subject to change.