1)Who are BOA?

They are a high quality, friendly outfitters dedicated to providing a vacation that will rank as your best ever. The owners are husband and wife team, Ben and Alejandra Gillam.

Ben is from Wales, UK and grew up on the water owning his first surf kayak 30 years ago; he is a British Sea-kayaking Coach, and has guided hundreds of expeditions in Europe, the USA and Mexico. Alejandra is a native Baja Californian and has established BOA to be one of the few priveleged sea kayaking companies to be fully permitted to operate in the Gulf of California and to have special environmental permission to run expeditions to the Gulf's most spectacular island - Isla Espiritu Santo.

Click here to learn more about BOA's team

2) Where is BOA exactly?

Locate the Malecon (sea promenade) in La Paz. Then drive/walk north in the direction of Pichilingue, you will have the ocean (La Paz Bay) on your left. As you leave town you will cross over a bridge where there is a little public garden with a small wind mill on your left. Continue for another 150 meters and you will see on your right a white Moorish style building called Hotel El Moro. Keep going, cross the street, pass a residence and a local restaurant (Moyeyos) and you will see our BOA Kayak outfitters sign on a two story salmon colored building with a palm tree roof, palapa style. Drive into our parking lot or walk into our office. Allow 5-10 minutes driving time or 30-40 minutes walking time from downtown La Paz.

3) Why book your Baja experience with us?

From the moment you make your first contact with us until the farewell dinner at the trip end, we aim to provide you with an efficient, personal service, quality equipment and some of the best professional guiding in the business! We average 50 expeditions (4 -7 days each trip) to Espiritu Santo Island a season. We attribute this success, in part, because we offer a flexible and affordable schedule of trips. However over the last 10 years we have received tremendous support from our guests. So many return for a second or third vacation with us or send their family and friends. Most say it is the best trip they have ever had!! Our most loyal 'supporters' have flown down to Baja to do their 10th tour with us! After every trip we seek your feed back by way of an evaluation form so that we may continue to 'tweak' the finest details. It is this attention to our guests remarks that has enabled our partners to develop one of Baja's most popular outfitters.

Please compare the itinerary of the trips we offer, take a close look at the number of days spent kayaking, the cost, the philosophy, and above all the efficiency and level of service. Many companies offer week trips that involve 5 or less days kayaking; our interpretation of a week vacation is 7 days activity.

4) What do you mean by Co-operatively Catering and Fully Catered Expeditions?

Co-operatively Catering Expeditions:

At the beginning of the trip your guides will explain how to efficiently pack the sea-kayaks. It will then become a group task each day to load all the gear (camping equipment, kitchen, food and water) into the kayaks before paddling to the next camping beach. The group will all help set up camp, cook meals and clean dishes. We have a pre-set meal plan and the guides take overall responsibility for the meals but everyone will take turns helping with the food prep etc. We find this shared catering enhances the feeling of comradeship and brings the group together to discuss the days experiences and the next days plans.

On the 7 day trip we make a re-provision on Wednesday so effectively, the most you ever carry is 3 days worth of food and water. The midweek re-provision also enable us to take away your accumulated trash and take you out by motor boat to the sea lion colony to swim with the sea lion pups!

The rewards of this style of expedition lie in the feeling of self-sufficiency, a bonding team spirit and a real sense of adventure.

Fully Catered, Motor Skiff Assisted Trips: The itinerary remains very much the same, you still paddle from camp beach to camp beach exploring the island as you go. However a panga (motor boat) carries all the camping gear and provisions leaving you to paddle light, empty kayaks. This alleviates the repetitive task of squeezing all your gear into tiny compartments only to unpack again a few hours later. It is also physically easier to paddle a light kayak.

The panga driver and guides will take care of providing you with 3 healthy meals a day and they will do all the cleaning up. Also, having a motor boat along means that we are able to take ice chests full of cold beer and other refreshing beverages. We are also able to offer a more flexible program. For instance, less energetic folks may choose to hitch a ride in the panga to the next camping beach. We can also provide side trips to otherwise inaccessible snorkeling locations and/or go on a fishing trip to try and catch dinner. Please note that we still require your assistance to set /take down your own tent and help loading and unloading the boat every time we change camp.

Please note: Our trip prices include the meals and beverages on 'both' styles of trips.

5) What is the weather and sea temperature like?

6) How can you reassure me that the trip is safe?

We operate with the following guide/guest ratio:

• co-operatively catered trip.- 1 guide per 6 guests.
• fully catered trip.- 1 guide/crew per 4 guests

You are equipped with a US Coastguard approved life preserver and the guides carry a cellular phone to maintain contact with the BOA office. At the beginning of each trip the guides give a safety talk and instructions for group control on the water. You will also practice rescues and receive concise information on our safety procedures. The guides are trained by Ben Gillam and the company safety policy is based on the guidelines of the BCU (British Canoe Union).

7) How long has BOA been in business?

BOA was founded in 1994.

8) What happens if you have to cancel a trip?

We have never had to cancel an overnight trip except when we did not get the minimum number of 4 sign-ups to run the trip or strong winds are forecast. In this case, we give at least one month's written warning that the trip will not take place.

Regarding a day tour, participant is given a full refund. No other compensation is offered.

9) What is your payment & refund/cancellation policy?

• Payment: Must be made in full 2 months prior to the trip departure. We require 50% of the trip fee as deposit to reserve a space on any of our Baja expeditions.
• Refunds:
  
  
  a) Baja Overnight Trips
  
  
  • 100% refund with 2 months notice prior to the trip. (minus $80US admin fees).
  • 50% refund with 1 month notice prior to the trip.
  • NO refund less than one month notice prior to the trip.
    
    b) Baja Day Tours
    
    
  • One week´s notice: Full refund is given (minus $50 US admin. fees)
  • Less than one week´s notice but more than 48 hours: 50% of full trip price is refunded.

  • Less than 48 hours: No refund is given.

    The above terms are final. When you have booked and paid for a trip you agree to abide by these terms.

    We strongly recommend that you purchase a travel insurance that would cover you in the event that you need to cancel your trip

10) What type of kayaks do you have?

We have a mixed fleet of fiberglass and plastic, doubles and singles, sit in side and sit on top. Manufacturers are Seaward, Prijon, Dagger and Necky.

11) Can I paddle a single/double kayak?

During the trip we normally switch around so that everyone has a chance to try all the 'boats.' However if you have a particular desire to be in a single or double, this can be arranged providing the guide considers it is safe to do so. Many of our experienced guests are able to paddle a single for the duration of the trip providing we are notified of such a request on the registration form.

12) Which month do you recommend we visit Baja?

The end of October, November and early December is our favorite time as the weather is lovely and warm and the water is perfect for snorkeling. December - March is often windy. April and May are less likely to be windy and the days are consistently hot. Check the air/sea temperatures above if this is an important factor and you have flexibility over your vacation time.

13) What type of meals do you have on your trips?

We provide 3 meals a day with a tasty Mexican/European flair. Quantities are plentiful and we consistently have guests raving about how delicious the meals are. We endeavor to catch fresh fish or buy from the local fishing families on the island or passing prawn trawlers. Warning: You may put weight on!

Wine is served with the evening meal and on fully catered trips we have a cooler full of ice cold beers. We also carry Sodas, fruit juice, potable water and there is a choice of coffee and tea in the mornings. We also have beverages for making delicious cocktails every evening - BOA margaritas and Pina Coladas are a legend!

On the registration form please mention if you are a vegetarian or have any special dietary requirements.

14) What is La Paz like

La Paz is a clean and safe seaside town and is state capital of Baja California Sur. It is charming and authentically Mexican with courteous locals and a very relaxing ambiance. Tourists come to La Paz as it is well known as the gateway to many outdoor pursuits. Besides sea kayaking, there is world class diving, mountain biking, wind surfing, yacht charters, fishing trips and to the south lies a mountain range offering excellent day and overnight hiking. The sea-promenade is the focal point of the town and is lined with excellent seafood restaurants, lively bars and the odd night club. In the evenings the local families stroll along the promenade (Malecon) enjoying the cool sea breeze. A margarita at sunset is fast becoming a La Paz tradition! You can also click here for general information about La Paz and Loreto.

15. Where do you recommend staying?

Please ask for our lst of recommended hotels by email

16) Do you have specific trips for families?

We endeavour to put families together to promote better group dynamics - please ask which of our trips already has a family booked, or mention to us if you would rather adult company only.

17) What to Bring and How to Get to La Paz?

Please click on the following links to get our "what to bring list" and "how to get here" info.

18) Can I bring my fishing line/rod?

By all means. There is plenty of opportunity to fish on all our trips either from your kayak or from the rocky headlands. You may even be able to contribute to the menu!

19) How much should I tip the guides?

Tips are a gratitude and they should represent your satisfaction with the trip. However it is customary in the industry to tip 5 to 10% of the trip fee. Please allow your own judgement of our service to dictate your generosity. Note that tips are shared evenly amongst all the crew participating on a trip.

These are the most frequently asked questions but there are of course many more, so please get on your email and drop us a line with your own specific questions. We are looking forward to hearing from you and helping plan your sea kayaking trip to Baja.