While on our first trip to Baja, we were looking for an opportunity to get some experience kayaking in the La Paz area and signed up for a four day trip to Espiritu Santo Island with Mar y Adventuras. It was great.

Briefly, I would highly recommend it for people with an interest in snorkeling, kayaking and learning about the local flora and fauna, in a moderately plush camp setting. If you're looking for extended paddling they have longer trips, and if you don't do tents or need a shower every day look elsewhere.

Our first day started in the afternoon with a panga ride from Tecolate beach (north of La Paz) to Playa Mestano on Espiritu Santo. We had a great look at a pod of dolphins riding the bow wave on the way out. After situating our gear in our roomy tents, we practiced wet exits in the kayaks and went over some basic paddling technique. With just five people in our group this went very smoothly and we were soon enjoying our sunset margaritas before a great dinner. There were no other groups or individuals camped on our beach, so we felt truly away from it all.

Our second day started with a great breakfast. Let me save further comments by saying that the food was superb, every meal cooked by Chui, who apparently has a slew of job offers from former satisfied clients. After breakfast, we went by panga to Los Islotes, for a snorkel with the sea lion colony there as well as lots of colorful fish. This is a popular spot; we got to enjoy it before most of the boats from La Paz arrived. We returned to camp for lunch then kayaked to El Candelero beach, getting a rinse off from the fresh water well there, and trading off using the different kayaks. We got to see lots of birds and the magnificent cliffs up close.

Our third day we reversed our schedule, going for a three hour paddle around nearby Isla Ballena, with our great panga skipper Angel on hand to give a ride to one person who felt a little tired from the increasing wind. After lunch we all headed out in the panga to explore some tide pools, a fish camp, and do some more snorkeling. That night the infamous wind, el norte, really kicked up and we were glad for the shelter of the cook tent to eat in.

The fourth morning greeted us with continued wind, so after a leisurely breakfast we headed back to the mainland via panga. This trip is scheduled to coincide with flights in and out of La Paz from the US so you can fly in day one and out day four.

The really outstanding feature of this trip, next to the natural beauty of the island, was the staff. Angel, skiff driver and fisherman, was so skillful and made sure we got a good look at the scenery, birds, and animals, safely. Georgina, our guide, is from the area and recently completed her Masters degree in Marine Biology in Halifax, Canada. She was a wealth of information and instruction. Most importantly,she was enthusiastic. Her interest in and love for the flora and fauna was obvious. She also had the ability to lead a group of strangers, making good decisions about what activities were appropriate for the group and the conditions. As people who generally do things on our own, even off the beaten track, we were pleasantly surprised at how much we enjoyed this trip. We did have some free time for hiking and snorkeling at the campsite.

Mar y Adventuras can be reached at: 1-800-355-7140 or www.kayakbaja.com. Their address in La Paz is Calle Topete 564 (between Navarro and 5 de Febrero) and the phone is 1-123-0559.