No Experience Necessary

Over the years we have introduced hundreds of folks to their first kayaking experience. Paddling a sea kayak is comfortable and easy to learn. You glide silently across the water observing wildlife and the coastal environment close up. Anyone healthy and fit with a positive attitude can enjoy kayaking. The amount of paddling is a good balance of challenge and ease. Our premium quality, two-person kayaks are very stable and seaworthy. If this is your first adventure tour, and you are naturally a little apprehensive about going solo, we will support you each step of the way. Please call if you have any concerns.

"As a single female, I was a bit nervous traveling alone. All three guides made me feel comfortable, safe and completely at ease".
-- Margaret Garner, Sea of Cortez

"I am a novice kayaker at best, and the skill level and the ability of our guides to encourage us and instill self confidence in tackling "new horizons" was excellent. You have a terrific program and I look forward to our next adventure with you".
-- Suzanne Anderson, Sea of Cortez

Ordinary People Realizing Extraordinary Dreams

Our guests are active people seeking educational, once-in-a-lifetime experiences; yet health-promoting and relaxed vacations. They range in age from low-teens to low-seventies. We get a mixture of singles, couples, families and friends. What they all share in common is a spirit of adventure and a willingness to experience the natural world on the most profound and intimate level. Many keep returning again and again, knowing they'll receive only the best from SKA. They have given their permission for you to contact them with questions about our trips. Call us to request our reference list.  Click here to hear a testimonial from a happy guest. "I don't think you could find another outfitter that works as hard to ensure their guests have the kayaking experience that they've dreamed of. All 3 of my SKA tours were sublime". -- Linda Eberle, Baja and Johnstone Strait

A Typical Day

During the trip, time is perfectly balanced. You never feel rushed, bored or restless. There's coffee waiting when you get up at sunrise and time to enjoy some quiet moments by the water. Then get dressed for the day and enjoy a yummy breakfast. Afterwards, we'll take down the tents, pack up the kayaks, stretch and head off. We'll stop by a favorite beach for lunch and snorkeling or a hike, then paddle to your next campsite. Set up camp, have a laugh at Happy Hour, look through the library to identify the names of fish you had seen, beachcomb with new friends. You'll have dinner, watch the stars come out, learn about the constellations, play a game and head to bed. You can be as active or as relaxed as you like. The days just flow. "We truly enjoyed this trip and consider it possibly the best vacation we have ever had. Your attention to detail, care of your equipment and planning is evident in the success of your trips. We are so glad you made our first kayaking adventure a pleasant, memorable one. Keep up the good work". -- Bob and Elizabeth Mills, Johnstone Strait

Your First Experience

For novices, here are some things to keep in mind when choosing an outfitter or trip for a positive first experience. First, let the outfitter know you are new to sea kayaking and what your current typical physical regimen is. Ask if there are times of year in their location where the weather is ideal for an introductory trip.  Research the different locations and level of difficulty and the amount of daily paddling. A good tour company will want to match you with a trip that best meets your needs. Other questions to ask include: the qualifications and experience of the guides, who are the typical participants on the tours (age, gender, prior paddling experience), their philosophy and years of experience, their approach to novices (including asking if they teach the basics of paddling), the guide-to-guest ratio on the trips, who does the cooking, what kayaks are used (double or single kayaks, expedition style, fiberglass or plastic, rudders or not, etc). Ask what is included in the tour price (airport transfers, hotel nights, taxes, park fees, camping gear, sleeping gear, single supplements) and for references. Our niche at SKA is introducing novice kayakers to the sport and to the areas we paddle - we live to show folks the magic of our locations by stable sea kayak!

"Apprehensively, I slid into the kayak and started paddlling - - it was the start of a journey that became one of the best adventures in my life".
-- Elle Andra-Warner, Johnstone Strait

Preparing for your First Trip

Most people in good health, with a good level of fitness and mobility and comfort around water can easily adapt to sea kayaking.  We've had youth as young as 11 and adventurers in their early 80's on our Baja sea kayak tours in the calmest times of year.  It is wise for participants to assume some kind of regular weekly regimen 2 months prior to the trip, such as brisk walks and strengthening upper and core body areas to build up endurance. The tours also offer opportunities for hiking, snorkeling, and a higher level of physical activity than in one's typical life.  Sea kayaking for most first-timers is quickly learned and within an hour, most folks find a rhythm and pace that works for them.  Your tour guides should be actively involved in fitting you into your kayak, showing you how the seat back and pedals adjust, how the spray skirt works, and how to paddle with efficiency yet using the least amount of effort during your first day on the water. Most guides are happy to help you refine your paddling stroke over the course of the trip and are well prepared to teach you the basics of kayak navigation and the finer points of paddle strokes and technique. We always encourage novices and families with youths to try a half day or full day kayak tour first, to get an idea of sea kayaking prior to booking a multi-day sea kayak tour. That being said, we have taken many first-time kayakers on our multi-day tours (3, 4 or 5 days of kayaking) and they've done just fine.

The guides are always in close proximity, well equipped and specially trained to handle emergency situations. They take your concerns or apprehensions to heart - that way they can help make kayaking a more positive experience for you, so please communicate closely with them. Find your comfort zone - the journey will be much more enjoyable.

The goal of any sea kayak tour- whether you are a first-time kayaker or an experienced paddler - is to have a good time and a great adventure. So relax and enjoy exploring the beauty of nature from a viewpoint only possible from a kayak.

"Since this was my first trip of this kind, I really didn't know exactly what to expect. However, the whole experience was just great…the people, the first-rate equipment, the area & nature, the guides, the food was wonderful, plus the weather and traveling connections. I especially appreciated the equipment list you sent. It all fit into my backpack and I was ready to go."
-- Arlene Perry, Sea of Cortez