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
Camping Plus
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

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

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

We paddle ahead of the competition by combining outstanding kayaking destinations with top quality kayaks, paddles and all gear. Whether you are a first-time kayaker or an experienced paddler, our fiberglass Seaward Southwind tandems and Seaward Navigator singles were hand-crafted with you in mind and provide optimum performance, stability and comfort. We use Werner fiberglass Camano paddles.

"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

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!  Our guides in Baja include marine biology graduate students from La Paz university.

"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

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, Wilderness Islands

Camping Plus

Since 1993, we have created a category of travel we call "camping plus". The food served on our trips is on par with what you get in a first-rate restaurant; we provide all camping gear of the best quality: tents, sleeping bags with clean linens, self-inflating foam pads and comfortable camp seats; you get the best beach sites and you don't have to worry about missing the wildlife. We're all about truly "getting away", but not quite "leaving it all behind". It's rugged adventure with some worldly amenities. And best of all, you'll receive unbeatable support and camaraderie from each of our guides.

"I give this trip an A plus! It was a beautifully organized and everything worked like clockwork. All we had to do was show up and paddle. I can't rave enough about the food. It was delicious and there were lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Happy hour and fresh cake were definite treats. I would definitely recommend this trip to friends."
-- Ruth Kitchin, Sea of Cortez

Incredible Food

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, a variety of teas, 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

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. Baja tour packages include two or three night's lodging at a comfortable hotel in Loreto and all airport transfers. There's also snorkel gear available, including mask, fins and snorkeling 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 National Audubon Society, The Nature Conservancy, The Ocean Conservancy, Grupo Tortuguero, Save The Salmon. 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, we pack out all our waste products, and recycle all we can.  We pay money to Sustainable Travel International to fully offset our carbon footprint.

SKA’s carbon-neutral policy is a "vitally important" selling point.  For me doing a yoga-kayak trip, one of the things that is of great interest to me is that each tour benefits all beings, not just humanity,"
--Diane Bunting, Sea of Cortez

Travel Awards

2010 National Geographic Travel.com's Best Deals for Adventurous Travelers, 2009 National Geographic Traveler Magazine's 50 Best Trips of a Lifetime, 2009 National Geographic Adventure Magazine's Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth, 2004 National Geographic Adventure Magazine's Best Trips of 2004, 2003 Money Magazine's Best Vacations, 2002 Outside Magazine's 25 Trips of a Lifetime

"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 send 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. Or check us out on YouTube or Facebook.