Baja Expeditions - Plan your adventure to Baja California: Special interest: Swim, Science or Family Adventures

SEE Turtle Monitoring & Sea Kayaking Expedition

Work with scientists and local fisherman as you actively participate in projects to help save endangered sea turtles on this exciting conservation tourism program.

The SEE Turtle project partners with GrupoTortuguero, Pro Peninsula, The Ocean Foundation, Ocean Revolution and Baja Expeditions to personally connect travelers with wildlife and local conservation efforts for an inspiring, natural adventure. Your first-hand participation in this trip will directly support community-based conservation of endangered sea turtles, while at the same time provide an alternative income to fishing and help to train local community members in ecotourism. You can’t get closer to real eco-tourism than this!

This great 8-day long trip combines the best of two very different areas. The first days you willlodge in our recently improved Espiritu Santo Island Eco- Camp, where kayaking near secluded beaches, hiking on a beautiful unspoiled island and snorkeling with colorful tropical fish and sea lions will be only a few of the highlights. The second part will take place on Magdalena Bay, where a group of local fisherman and conservationist have set up a camp under the direct coaching and supervision of Baja Expeditions. Here you will directly participate in the turtle monitoring process, in which conservationists use scientific monitoring to measure the effectiveness of efforts to recover threatened populations. You will also be part of a novel social and conservation effort in which many different NGOs have created an alternative source of income for local fisherman.

Read the Press Release on our first SEE Turtle Monitoring and Sea Kayaking Expedition that took place in November 2008

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Trip Map

Itinerary:

SEE Turtle Monitoring and Sea Kayaking

Day 1 ~ Arrive in La Paz
After transfer to your hotel, you can spend time exploring the colorful city of La Paz, with its charming boardwalk and many fine restaurants and shops. Overnight at hotel. (No meals)

Day 2 ~ Espiritu Santo Island

Meet in the lobby of the hotel early in the morning, packed and ready to go. After a light breakfast, a boat ride takes you to our tent camp on Espiritu Santo Island, a marine protected area because of its unique biological diversity. 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 ~ Espiritu Santo Island

After instruction in sea kayaking basics, you’ll begin to paddle, exploring nearby turquoise lagoons and deserted beaches. From camp, you’ll kayak along the shoreline to explore hidden coves, snorkel among dazzling fish and sea lions, and hike the beautiful island. (B/L/D)

Day 4 ~ Return to La Paz

The morning finds you kayaking, swimming, hiking or snorkeling. We return to La Paz after lunch and check into your hotel. (B/L)

Day 5 ~ San Carlos Turtle Monitoring

Today the group travels across the peninsula to the fishing town of San Carlos on the Pacific ocean. Members of Magdalena Baykeeper, a local conservation group working to protect the area’s green turtles, will give an orientation to the research they are conducting. Overnight will be camping on a nearby island in Magdalena Bay. (B/L/D)

Day 6 ~ Turtle Monitoring and Magdalena

Today you will help to put out the nets used in efforts to study green turtles. After lunch, we’ll set off to kayak through the mangroves and estuaries of Magdalena Bay. Afterwards, we will check the nets and bring the turtles ashore for study. Overnight camping in Magdalena Bay. (B/L/D)

Day 7 ~ San Carlos and Magdalena Bay

Explore Isla Magalena and check the nets one more time for green turtles. After a final lunch in San Carlos, the group returns to La Paz in the late afternoon for a free afternoon shopping or exploring the town. Overnight at hotel. (B/L)

Day 8 ~ Departure Day

Return home with incredible memories and a new view of the world. (No meals)

This is a general itinerary and subject to change. Hotels on nights 1, 4 & 7 are included in the trip fee.

Trip Fee:

$1,795 pp dbl occ

Discounts of 30% for kids 8 - 15 years old and 50% for 2 - 7 years old. Kids will be staying in a kelty tent beside their parents' or guardians' tent.

Includes:

Hotel on nights 1, 4 and 7; comfortable, catered camping: walk-in tent on nights 2 & 3;(small camping tent on nights 5 & 6); B/L/D on Days 2, 3, 5 & 6 and B/L on Days 4 & 7; sleep kit (Therm-a-rest mattress, sleeping bag, liner and pillow), snorkel gear and single or double kayaks in the Espiritu Santo camp; taxi vouchers to hotel from La Paz airport on Day 1; ground transfer to San Carlos on day 5 and return on day 7, services of knowledgeable guides and caring crew members; detailed pre-departure information to help you plan your trip.

The Conservation Fee of $30 is not included in our trip fee. This covers the use of Mexico's new conservation passport and the support of the Fund for the Protected Areas in Southern Baja California (FOSANP). The Passport was designed by the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP) to raise funds for the continued protection of the shorlines, 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.

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