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Why Choose SKA
Elements for Success:
Dedication to Quality & Excellence
Over the years we have
learned a great many things as to what makes a successful tour. Here are the
qualities that make SKA the best choice for your vacation:
Uncompromising Comfort & Safety
Unparalleled Quality Service
Attention
to Detail
Renowned Destinations
Top Quality Kayaks
Exceptional
Guides
Natural History Interpretation
Incredible Food
Best Value
Environmental Ethic
Travel
Awards
Video and DVD
Uncompromising Comfort & Safety
Your safety, comfort and
enjoyment are our priorities. Any concerns about risks and physical abilities
are handled with the greatest care by our office staff and trip leaders. Your
guides are always in close proximity, well equipped and specially trained to handle emergency
situations. Your trip leader will provide a comprehensive kayak orientation and
safety discussion before you begin paddling. We take your concerns or
apprehensions to heart - to make kayaking a positive, fulfilling experience for
you. We are fully licensed and permitted to operate in the areas we do, by all necessary government authorities in both Canada and Mexico.
"As a pilot, I was most
impressed by the guides' knowledge of the winds, tides, weather and currents. I
felt safe and comfortable in their capable hands".
-- David Rifat, God's
Pocket
Unparalleled Quality
Service
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We make a strong
commitment to customer satisfaction. Impeccable service starts at our office
with extensive pre-trip information, communication and immediate response to
your questions - professional, yet personal and friendly at the same time. When
you sign up, we'll send you our extensive trip handbook detailing all aspects
of your adventure from travel arrangements to natural history. During the trip
our quality service continues with your guides. Encouraging, respectful, knowledgeable and
always smiling, each day they'll help you settle into camp, plan the days'
activities, then prepare delicious meals. Our goal is to make sure your
vacation is hassle-free from the moment you make your reservation until you're
back home. We'll even follow up with you after your trip ends, as your feedback is vital to ensuring our excellent service. |
"The Baja trip, from the
outset, was a welcome surprise. The staff was friendly and informative. Once I
had committed to the trip, they stayed in touch, answered questions and mailed
a well-organized information packet. They even asked about food allergies and
aversions, and took my fickleness to heart."
-- John Briley, Sea of
Cortez
Attention to
Detail
We continuously strive
to improve and offer you more. All the details are attended to professionally -
logistics, safety, itinerary, food, pace and superb equipment quality - so you can
focus on being totally engaged in your vacation.
"I have been on several
such trips: never on one that was better organized."
-- Archie Harders, Sea
of Cortez
Renowned
Destinations
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We design our wilderness
adventures to provide you with the best wildlife encounters imaginable. The
coastlines of Canada's Inside Passage, Baja's Magdalena Bay and the Sea of Cortez
in Mexico are world-renowned for sea kayaking and whale watching. The unique areas we
travel to are marine parks known for their pristine wilderness and tremendous
biodiversity. You'll bring back treasured memories of wildlife sightings, the
natural beauty of the area, and good times with new friends. |
"The trip was more than
I expected. It was a total immersion in a wonderful place. Scenery, marine life
& climate - all were intense. This was exactly the adventure I was looking
for."
-- Janice Maves, Sea of Cortez
Top Quality
Kayaks
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We paddle ahead of the
competition by combining outstanding kayaking destinations with top quality
kayaks. Whether you are a first-time kayaker or an experienced paddler, our
fiberglass Seaward Southwind tandems and Navigator singles were hand-crafted
with you in mind and provide optimum performance, stability and
comfort. On some Baja tours, we use SEDA doubles and singles. |
"This was my first kayak
trip and I was amazed as to how far we actually paddled without being
exhausted. Your organization really shown! I had an awesome time on the trip
and did not want it to end."
-- Barbara Steps, Sea of Cortez
Exceptional
Guides
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It's the experience,
professionalism and personality of your guides that ultimately make a trip a
success. SKA guides know their outdoor skills as second nature, enjoy people,
love and respect the environment and keep a constant weather eye on safety.
Each trip has 2-3 guides to assist, inform, and lead the way so you get the
most out of your time with us. They are experts at inspiring confidence and
trust, as well as sharing conversation, knowledge, games and laughter - and they're great
cooks! |
"The guides are
extremely capable, knowledgeable and able to transform a group of strangers at
the beginning of the trip to good friends with very special shared memories by
the end".
-- Linda Eberle, Baja's Desert Whales
Natural History
Interpretation
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Interpretation is an
important part of what we do. Your guides will give entertaining, informative
presentations on the cultural and natural history. We make geology fun and
understandable. Tell one species of whale from another by the size and shape of
its spout. Hear tales of native peoples who lived here long ago. You'll learn
about the area while enjoying its beauty. Trips also carry an extensive library
with books on the natural and cultural history of the area.
"The leadership from
Terry and guides throughout the trip was first rate in all respects including
attention to safety, kayaking instruction, camp set-up, meal prep, fellowship
and education regarding weather, tides, marine biology and history of the area.
We would not hesitate to travel with you again."
-- Mike & Esther
Rogers, Wildernes Islands |
Incredible
Food
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The source of many
compliments, our legendary wilderness meals are prepared from fresh, healthy
ingredients. Our specialty is Dutch oven cookery with savory main dishes like
chili rellenos, baked salmon and vegetable lasagna; and delicious desserts from
brownies to pineapple upside-down cake. We serve fresh ground coffee as well as
an abundance of local fruits and vegetables. Wine and mixed drinks are served
with hors d'oeuvres each evening for happy hour. Special dietary requests can
easily be accommodated. There's a special emphasis on our meals because we
believe you are entitled to gourmet dining in the wilderness as you are at
home. |
"The food served on the
trip deserves a special commendation. Really excellent, on par with what you
get in a first-rate restaurant."
-- Rudy Mayr, Sea of Cortez
Best
Value
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When comparing
outfitters, be sure to consider our value-adding differences. Besides a high
guide/guest ratio and quality service, we provide all camping gear: tents,
sleeping bags with clean sheets, self-inflating foam pads, comfortable camp
chairs and three waterproof bags for your belongings. Neoprene booties are
included on our Canada trips for keeping your feet warm. In Baja, we include
two night's lodging at a comfortable hotel and all airport transfers. There's
also snorkel gear available, including mask, fins and wet suit. You'll save
time and money preparing for your trip and can travel without check-in
luggage.
"This trip was an
excellent investment of time and money. I would recommend Sea Kayak Adventures
to anyone interested in exploring our natural environment."
-- Joe Palena,
Baja's Desert Whales |
Environmental
Ethic
Our tour philosophy
combines ecological awareness and low-impact camping techniques with a passion
to share these unique ecosystems with our guests. Our belief is "educate,
respect, protect". SKA actively supports a number of conservation organizations
including The Marine Conservation Association, The Natural Audubon Society, The
Nature Conservancy and The Ocean Conservancy. We are fully licensed and permitted to operate in the areas we do, by all necessary government authorities in both Canada and Mexico, and pay all required taxes and fees. We promote the hiring and development of local guides, and the protection of the areas' natural resources. We were the first to pioneer the design, manufacture and use of a porta potty that kayaks can carry, and we pack out all our waste products, and recycle all we can.
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Travel
Awards |
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Outside Magazine's 25
Trips of a Lifetime 2002, Money Magazine's Best Vacations 2003 and National
Geographic Adventure Magazine's Best Trips of 2004.
"It exceeded any and all
expectations. It was one of the best trips I have been on, and I have been all
over the world."
-- Carol Singler, Johnstone Strait
Video and
DVD
We will be happy to loan
you a VHS video or DVD featuring our tours so you can see for yourself what our
trips are all about. Please call us for a copy.
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