I’ve found that the word “Baja” holds different meaning for everyone who hears you might be going. For some it mean’s fast off-road 4×4 racing through the desert. Others think of tequila and Cabo San Lucas. Still others simply think it’s just that deserted land strip past Tijuana. What most don’t know about the area is that lying between the mainland of Mexico and the Baja peninsula is one of the most biologically diverse bodies of water on our planet, the Sea of Cortez.

Home to giant manta rays, sea lions, dolphins, a plethora of whales, and more species of fish than Cousteau could dream up, the Sea of Cortez is packed with life. I took a guided trip through recently to the Island of Espiritu Santo to witness first hand what the Sea of Cortez holds for adventures. I booked this trip through Boundless Journeys, recently rated one of the world’s best adventure tour companies by National Geographic Adventure, and for good reason. Their 7 day Baja Kayaking trip is a fantastic way to experience the world below the waves, the local culture, some serious paddling, and squeeze in some quality reflection time on the beach.

The trip is doable even for those who have never slipped into a kayak before. The local guides are superb. The head guide for our trip, Miguel, has years of experience paddling the waters around Espiritu Santo and stuck close to his newbie paddlers. An introduction to basic kayaking course the first day preps you for the paddling ahead. The excellent instruction on wet exit, re-entry, and basic paddle strokes provides a solid foundation of safety for the week’s explorations.

The food provided on the trip will exceed any preconceptions you may have about camp food. Ceviche anyone? What about fresh tortillas made daily? Is happy hour more your style? They have one of those every night of the week as well with freshly mixed margaritas, pina coladas, or local beers. The preparation of the food is always timely and everything is made fresh in the cooking tent. Watching the sunset on the beach while eating cilantro seasoned shrimp that were plucked from the ocean just hours before has no match.

Setting up base camp in a tranquil turquoise bay makes for an excellent launching point each day. Daily excursions can be as strenuous or as mild as you make them whether you are kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, fishing for snapper, or taking a siesta. At one point on the trip we took the panga boat (always available for transport or emergency) to the north coast of the island. Here we snorkeled with sea lions and a variety of beautiful damselfish and king angelfish. The adolescent sea lions are friendly and curious creatures. These graceful swimmers torpedo at your snorkeling mask and then turn at the last moment sending your heart racing with excitement.

What does a trip of a lifetime cost? Current pricing for this particular Boundless Journeys trip is $1,895 per person (not including airfare). This includes all food, drinks, snorkeling gear, kayaks, tent, sleeping pads, sleeping bags, hot solar showers on the beach, portable toilet, panga transport to and from the island, airport transfers, as well as expert guides, cooks, and boat captains. Oh yeah, and the most incredible sunsets you’ll ever witness.

What you need to know:

Fly into La Paz, the port city in the bay near the island. There are connections from most major US and Canadian cities through Mexico City or Guadalajara every day. Bring loads of sunscreen. Remember this is a desert climate. Fall and winter are the best times of the year to visit without rain and baking heat. Your guide will be fluent in English, and the shops in La Paz operate on Spanglish, so brushing up on your basic phrases should get you by.

By Jason Heflin