Have you booked a whitewater rafting, sea kayaking trip or multi-sport vacation to Mexico or Canada with O.A.R.S.?  You may want to read the following Associated Press article that outlines the new I.D. rules for travelers crossing the U.S. border:

New rules requiring passports or new high-tech documents to cross the United States’ northern and southern borders tale effect Monday, June 1, 2009.

In 2001 a driver’s license and an oral declaration of citizenship were enough to cross the Canadian and Mexican borders; Monday’s changes are the last step in a gradual ratcheting up of the rules. Now thousands of Americans are preparing by applying for passports or obtaining special driver’s licenses that can also be used to cross the border.

Tweet This Post

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

No Comments »

O.A.R.S. offers three unique itineraries in Baja, Mexico:

• Espiritu Santo Island Circumnavigation
• Sea of Cortez Island Hopping
• Sea Kayaking the Baja Coast

Here is a partial suggested packing list for your Baja sea kayaking vacation: 

• 2-3 pair fast-drying shorts
• 4 t-shirts and/or tank tops
• waterproof windbreaker
• one set long-sleeved light clothes (shirt/pants)
• fleece jacket and/or sweat shirt
• swimsuit (1 or 2)
• beach towel and washcloth
• sun hat with strap
• plastic bags for wet/dirty clothing
• 1 comfortable hiking shoes and socks
• toiletries, including biodegradable soap that lathers in salt water
• one pair sport sandals or aqua socks
• snorkel gear
• sunglasses with securing strap
• sunscreen
• lip protection

Tweet This Post

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

1 Comment »

You will need to fly to La Paz, Mexico, for the O.A.R.S. Sea of Cortez Island Hopping and Espiritu Santo Island Circumnavigation sea kayaking trips.  The Sea Kayaking the Baja Coast trips begin in Loreto and end in La Paz. 

• Alaska Airlines (www.alaskaair.com) (800-252-7522) flies to La Paz – from Los Angeles on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays
• Delta (www.delta.com) (800-221-1212) flies to La Paz – from Los Angeles on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays an Sundays)
• Aero Mexico (www.aeromexico.com) (800-237-6639) flies to La Paz – from Phoenix or Tucson
• Another option is to fly into San Jose del Cabo and take a four-hour bus ride to La Paz.  Cabo is serviced by American, Continental, America West, Alaska, Delta and Frontier Airlines.

Kayaking the Baja Coast begins in Loreto and ends in La Paz.  For trips between Loreto and La Paz, contact Alaska Airlines, AeroMexico or Delta.

Tweet This Post

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

No Comments »

O.A.R.S. offers a suggested reading list for a Baja Sea Kayaking adventure travel vacation:

Field Guides:

• Baja Plant and Field Guide, Norman C. Roberts and Jeanette Coyle
• Marine Animals of Baja California, Daniel Gotshall
• Fishes of the Pacific Coast, Gar Goodson

Tweet This Post

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

No Comments »

Average temperatures (Fahrenheit) to be expected for a Baja sea kayaking / whale watching adventure travel vacation are:

MONTH          WATER          AIR
OCT                    80               80-95
NOV                    73               70-85
DEC                    63               60-80
JAN                     60               60-80
FEB                     60               65-85
MAR                    65               70-85
APRIL                 68               75-90
MAY                     70               80-95

Tweet This Post

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

No Comments »

The daytime temps have fallen into the 60s/70s (from the mid-90s) recently here in Northern California.  (Downright chilly in these parts.)  Tioga Pass, the road through Yosemite National Park’s high country, is temporarily closed due to the snow.  The commercial California whitewater rafting season is over.  Makes sense to head south, doesn’t it?

O.A.R.S. offers three unique sea kayaking in Baja adventures:

Espiritu Santo Island Circumnavigation

Tweet This Post

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

No Comments »

Don’t let the fact that the California whitewater rafting season is winding down deter you from making other adventure vacation plans.  O.A.R.S. still has plenty of other 2008 departures remaining:

CHILE:
Futaleufú River Multi-Sport:  Nov 29; Dec 5, 12, 26, 28

ECUADOR:
Ecuador Multi-Sport:  November 16, 30; December 21, 28

Tweet This Post

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

No Comments »