BajaNomad

Isla Espiritu Santo

yorm - 8-9-2007 at 09:14 AM

Hello again,

Two friends and I are heading down to BCS for the first time in mid-September. We'd really like to kayak out to Isla Espiritu Santo and spend a night camping there.

I have several questions/concerns - any help would be greatly appreciated.

1. Although we're young and in decent shape, we're novice (very novice) kayakers. How difficult is it to get out there? Is a guide necessary?

2. Assuming we need a guide, any recommendations? We're only planning on one night on the island. Would a guide stay with us or get us there and then head back? Would it be safe to get back without a guide once we know a little more about what we're doing?

3. We're planning to rent a good sized SUV (probably a Durango or Suburban). Can such a vehicle transport three kayaks? If not, can we arrange for transportation somehow wherever we rent them?

Thanks everyone!

oxxo - 8-9-2007 at 03:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by yorm
Two friends and I are heading down to BCS for the first time in mid-September. We'd really like to kayak out to Isla Espiritu Santo and spend a night camping there.


Experienced people do it all the time. I spent last New Years eve on my boat in one of the coves along Espiritu. I ran into an American from Alaska, his Russian wife, and their 8 y.o. son. They had kayaked over from La Paz and were camping on the beach. They were very experienced.
Quote:

1. Although we're young and in decent shape, we're novice (very novice) kayakers. How difficult is it to get out there? Is a guide necessary?


It is easy to get to - just straight line of sight - but if you are not familiar with the summer weather patterns you could get into a lot of trouble.
Quote:

2. Assuming we need a guide, any recommendations? We're only planning on one night on the island. Would a guide stay with us or get us there and then head back? Would it be safe to get back without a guide once we know a little more about what we're doing?


It will take you pretty much all day to kayak there and all day to get back. If you are only going to stay for one night, here is a better plan. Hire a guy with a boat to take you and the kayaks over the first morning and then come back and pick you up at a designated spot late the next day. They do it all the time. That way, you will have 2 full days to explore the dozens of coves and inlets around Espiritu and you won't get in over your head. Contact one of the "adventure" outfits in La Paz and they will probably send a book or maps of the good spots around Espiritu. This plan will provide you with a memorable two days while keeping you safe and sound.
Quote:

3. We're planning to rent a good sized SUV (probably a Durango or Suburban). Can such a vehicle transport three kayaks? If not, can we arrange for transportation somehow wherever we rent them?


You aren't bringing your own kayaks? Well then any of the adventure stores will rent kayaks and take you by boat out to the islands. That is what you should do. Forget about putting them on the Suburban. During the winter (but not the summer) there are large "mother" ships that take people (a dozen or so) out on kayak safaris. You go out for several days. You eat and sleep on the mother ship and kayak at a different location each day. The kayakers will often stop by my boat for a water refill or just to yak. They are all having a ball. I'm certain that once you do your 2-day exploration you will make reservations to come back and do the one week safari aboard a mother ship. I have friends that operate a mother ship during the winter here in La Paz. Currently the boat is in Alaska for the summer doing kayak safaris there. I can put you in contact if you are interested. Send me a U2U.

Enjoy! WEAR LOTS OF SUNSCREEN!

wilderone - 8-10-2007 at 04:20 PM

"but if you are not familiar with the summer weather patterns you could get into a lot of trouble."
And unpredictable afternoon winds, boat traffic, anything that would come by close and make a wake would be disconcerting for a novice. Get someone to take you over and pick you up. And don't forget your permit for camping on the islands. And leave only footprints. !!