Plan your adventure to Baja California: Sea Kayaking tours, camps and expeditions

SwimTrek Open Water Swimming Expedition

Experience the joy and exhilaration of open water swimming in the crystal clear and protected waters of Isla Espiritu Santo and Isla La Partida.

On this expedition, you’ll swim between 2 to 2.5 miles each morning along craggy rocks and cliffs, past sandy beaches, through remote coves and from island to island. Your coaches for this expedition will be visiting guide Gary Emich, a Certified Level 1 USA Triathlon Coach specializing in open water swimming and a Certified Level 2 ASCA Coach (read Gary's full bio) and Simon Murie, founder of SwimTrek, the world's leading swimming holiday operator (read Simon's full bio).

You’ll be grouped according to your speed so you can relax and swim at a pace that’s just right for you. If you don’t feel like swimming the entire distance you can simply get out and ride the rest of the way in one of the two skiffs that always will be accompanying you.

In the afternoons following lunch you’ll be able to snorkel or just relax on the beach of one of the many coves we will visit. With your fuel supplies replenished you’ll have a choice of a second swim (approximately 1 mile) or a hike (between 1.5 and 2.5 miles) through the spectacular desert vegetation of the interior where you can see such wonders as giant cardon cactus and wild figs clinging to volcanic cliffs.

Our friendly crew and added creature comforts – such as cabin-style tents, cots, sleeping pads and solar-heated showers – make your days and nights in base camp effortless. You’ll dine on tasty Mexican food and enjoy happy hour each evening as sunny days turn into luminous nights filled with stars.

Open Water Swim Expedition Training Tips

Map Url:

Trip Map

Itinerary:

Day 1 ~ Arrive in La Paz, Mexico

Arrive in La Paz and transfer to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day exploring the colorful city of La Paz on your own. (No meals)

Day 2 ~ La Paz to Espiritu Santo Island Base Camp

Today is an early morning as we depart by boat for Espiritu Santo Island, designated a global conservation priority by The Nature Conservancy because of its unique biological diversity. Once we arrive at camp, you’ll have an orientation to camp procedures, assignment of tents, safety briefing and a short open water swim clinic. Following, we’ll then have a 1-mile “shake-out” swim in order to properly match you up with similar paced swimmers for the remainder of the expedition. For those who are up to it, we’ll finish off the day with a moderate hike. Tonight you’ll enjoy a beautiful sunset over the Sea of Cortez while the staff prepares a delicious welcome dinner. (B/L/D)

Day 3 - 6 ~ Espiritu Santo Island Base Camp

Our scheduled swims include an island to island swim between Espiritu Santo and La Partida, a roundtrip swim from Isla Partida to Los Islotes and a swim along the pristine Playa la Bonanza. Following each morning’s swim, we’ll find a secluded cove for lunch and then spend time snorkeling or lazing about. In the afternoons there will be time for either a short 1-mile swim or hike. On the day of our swim to Los Islotes, we’ll return there following lunch for an afternoon of snorkeling with the playful sea lions. If by chance weather or water conditions preclude swimming there are plenty of non-swim activities available. During evening happy hours you’ll sip drinks, enjoy appetizers, and recall the day’s events while watching a spectacular Baja sunset before feasting on a delicious dinner made with fresh local ingredients. (B/L/D daily)

Day 7 ~ Espiritu Santo Island Base Camp to La Paz

The early morning finds us doing a “sunriser” swim as we head to Isla Ballena for a 2-mile circumnavigation. Then it’s back to base camp for a shower, breakfast and a chance to savor the last moments of this incredible getaway. Following a mid-day lunch we return to La Paz by boat and check into your hotel. (B/L)

Day 8 ~ La Paz to your home city

Depart to your home city. (No meals)

This is a general itinerary and is subject to change.

Hotel on night 1 is included in the trip fee.

Trip Fee:

$1,245 pp dbl occ

Includes:

Hotel on night 1; comfortable, catered camping on nights 2-6; B/L/D on Days 2-6 and B/L on Day 7; walk-in tent and cot; sleep kit (Therm-a-rest mattress, sleeping bag, liner and pillow), Swim activities & coach / guide, snorkel gear and single or double kayaks in camp; services of knowledgeable guides and caring crew members; detailed pre-departure information to help you plan your trip.

Trip fee does not cover hotel on night 7 and ground transfers from the airport to the hotel and vice versa.

The Conservation Passport Fee of $25 is not included in our trip fee. The Passport was designed by the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP) to raise funds for the continued protection of the shorelines, inlets, beaches and covers that make this area so extraordinary to visit. The passport allows you to visit Mexico's Protected Areas as many times as you wish for an entire year.

Trip Dates:

Dates	Availability
October 12 - October 19, 2012	Available
October 17 - October 24, 2012	Available
October 22 - October 29, 2012	Available

Open Water Swimming Expedition Guide Reports:

October 18 - 25 2010 (Gary Emich, CertifiedTriathlon Coach)
October 13 - 20 2010 (Gary Emich, CertifiedTriathlon Coach)

October 15 - 22 2009 (Gary Emich, CertifiedTriathlon Coach)

October 15 - 21 2008 (Gary Emich, CertifiedTriathlon Coach)
October 10 - 17 2008 (Gary Emich, CertifiedTriathlon Coach)

The best advice comes from real people. That’s why we’ve made it easy for you to learn from travelers who’ve gone before you. In this section, you can read reviews from past Baja Expeditions participants, and see what they have to say about their experiences on our Open Water Swimming Expedition.

“Last year's Baja swim was my third trip with Baja Expeditions. I did two previous kayaking trips and jumped at the opportunity to do the expedition swim trip because this is one very special location and BajaEx runs great trips. I'm hoping to be able to do the trip again this fall. I've been involved in a Masters swimming program for a couple of years are really needed a break from lap swimming-I've always enjoyed open water swimming.”

“We had a very small group-only four of us-so it almost seemed like a private trip. There are absolutely endless options for swimming locations on Espiritu Santo. The guides can pick the ideal swimming location based on tides, currents and winds. The water is crystal clear and the temperature is perfect. I don't have much body fat so I'm a cold swimmer-there was no need for a wet suit.

“If you go, I would recommend (as I did) to arrive in La Paz a day or two early to relax and enjoy sitting around the pool reading. The Marina Hotel is a bit far from the town (about a half an hour walk down the Malecon) but is very nice and quiet.

“I've done quite a bit of wilderness camping and mountaineering over the years so camping is home for me. I much prefer a hardcore camping style. Over the years BajaEx had made the camping experience pretty deluxe. If you're at all hesitant about camping, don't be here. The food is fabulous and the tents are spacious. If you're more hardcore like me you can always take you sleeping bag out on the beach and sleep under the stars.

"In short, I'd have to say that this is probably the best expedition swimming experiences you'll find anywhere in the world."
—Robert Comfort, Chesterton, Maryland, USA, 2009