___ Passport
___ Covid-19 Vaccination Card
___ Rain gear (durable, not a flimsy thin plastic style–bring both a top and bottom )
___ 1 Bathing suit
___ 3-4 T-Shirts
___ 1-2 Long-sleeved shirts (one quick dry/light weight; cotton OK for sun protection; the other should be a lightweight synthetic material such as polyester or lightweight fleece that keeps the body warm even when wet.
___ 3-4 Pairs of shorts (quick dry and light weight )
___ 2 Pairs long pants (one pair of quick dry nylon, one pair of medium rated fleece for February Trip)
___ 1 medium rated sweatshirt made of capilene/fleece or other synthetic material that keeps the body warm even when wet, non cotton
___ One ski cap or beanie for warmth for February Trip
___ Waterproof Windbreaker or paddling jacket or you may use your rain jacket top as a wind breaker
___ 1 Pair of hiking shoes (either a sturdy tennis shoe or lightweight hiking boot or you may hike in a keen style sandal that offers toe protection)
___ 1 Pair of old tennis shoes, Aqua socks/ surf booties or sandals that are attached with a heel strap that can get wet/dirty, Our staff likes Keen sandals that offer some toe protection.
___ 2 Pairs of socks (one pair for hiking and one to use with fins if not wearing booties)
___ 1 bath towel (sarongs are nice to have also or “camp towels” found at sporting good stores)
___ Bandana (very versatile item; can be worn as a “do rag” among other things) or Buffs for head and neckware sun protection~ You will receive a Blue Water Ventures Blue Rag “Buff”
___ Compact day pack –compact, for personal items when hiking or boating
___ Underwear
___ Toiletries (toothbrush, paste, lotions, aloe, etc,)
___ Sunscreen ( 20 or higher strength) & lip balm with sunscreen, review coral safe sunscreens
___ Good body lotion for replenishing dry skin
___ Sunglasses with leash
___ Hat with visor or wide rim
___ Insect anti- itch cream – for insect bites
___ Insect repellent–we like Lemon Eucalyptus by Repel, an effective non toxic alternative to DEET, others prefer the use of DEET. Avon Skin so Soft Bug Guard if we encounter no see ums /sand gnats.
___ Personal medicines ( anti diarrhea, band aids, neosporine, pain reliever)
___ Joy dishwashing soap for laundry and saltwater baths (Joy, Dawn and CampSuds are biodegradable; Dr. Brommer’s is not recommended)
___ Quart size water bottle, non disposable
___ Duffel bag for your clothing and other personal gear lined on the inside with a garbage bag or use ziplocs to organize clothing. Duffels with rollers are acceptable.
___ Mask fins & snorkel – check with a local dive shop for proper fit Full Face masks are not permitted on our programs. Please read further details on our More Info page.
___ Wetsuit – 3mm long full body suit for comfort while snorkeling
___ 3 Garbage bags for waterproofing gear or packing wet items and 1-2 gallon ziplocs
___ Flashlight or head lamp and extra batteries
___ Clothes pins for hanging wet clothes on lines around camp
___ Clothes to travel home in
___ Face masks and personal hand sanitizer
___ Crazy Creek Chair and Seat Cushion (see below).
___ Small Dry Bag to protect personal gear such as cameras, extra clothing and binoculars while kayaking
___ Fishing gear- compact; our Mexican guides will have some gear for us to use
___ Paddling gloves
___ Extra camera batteries, memory card and charger
___ Camera/film –our guides and clients like the Gopro or Olympus Tough Waterproof Series
___ Portable Solar charger
___ Your Favorite Adult Beverage or Snacks -can be purchased in La Paz before we depart
___ Preferred Tea or instant Starbuck Coffee packages to add additional strength to coffee provided on trip
___ Carabiners- for attaching items to kayaks or hanging clothes around camp
___ Binoculars-pack both camera and binoculars in dry bag
___ Journal with pens or colored pens/ watercolor set
___ Rash Guard Shirt-for added warmth in water and/or sun protection
___ Leggings For fun ocean designs where 10% of proceeds are donated to ocean conservation or research go to: Waterlust
___ 1 Pair of flip flops
___ Surf Changing Poncho
___ Ear plugs
___ Waterproof flashlight or dive light, we will provide lights for possible night dive
___ 1 Sarong and your favorite pair of Pajamas
___ Personal stash of snacks-chocolate may melt in Baja while camping
___ Light weight synthetic jacket such as the Patagonia Nano Puff
___ Small Dry Box (i.e. Pelican boxes) to organize and waterproof miscellaneous items such as camera, sunscreen
___ Soft cloth or “camera air brush” to remove fine sand from camera or other electronics
Sea Sickness Medication: If you are prone to sea sickness, we highly recommend bringing some form of prevention. Medications such as Bonine or Dramamine are usually effective although drowsiness or thirst can be a side effect. Many clients have been very happy with Scopalimine patches that requires a prescription. Your local pharmacist or physican can advise you. Many health food stores will recommend herbal remedies such as Motionease for sea sick prevention and we have found this brand quite effective. In the past, several clients have successfully used “sea bands” which employ a pressure point on the wrists rather than medication. Sea Bands have no side effects and can be purchased at most dive shops or some drug stores.
SUGGESTIONS FOR COMFORT: Since our boat trips on the Pacific side may be six or more hours in duration, we suggest bringing some additional seat cushioning and/or back support. Inflatable seat cushions are affordable and easy to travel with. You may also travel with a cushion design for office chairs. For additional back support consider a Crazy Creek style folding chair combined with a seat cushion. Keep in mind that what you bring for extra back support will get wet from your wetsuit or spray, but we have plenty of room to add extra comfort.
LOST LUGGAGE: Just in case your luggage is misplaced during airplane transfers, pack the following in a carry on bag: mask & snorkel, 1 pair of shorts, 1 T-shirt, bathing suit, 1 long sleeve shirt, 1 pair of pants, camera, sunscreen, face mask, essential toiletries and personal medications.
Reef Fish Identification by Ned Deloach and Paul Numann
The Sibley Guide to Birds by David Allen Sibley
Marine Animals of Baja California by Daniel Gotshall
A Field Guide to the Common and Interesting Plants of Baja California by Jeanette Coyle
The Marine Biology Coloring Book by Thomas Niesen
Sightings: The Gray Whales Mysterious Journey by Brenda Peterson
Watching Giants: The Secret Lives of Whales by Elin Kelsey
The Sierra Club Handbook of Whales and Dolphins by Steven Leatherwood
Friendly Whales by Roy Nickerson
Baja Adventure Book by Walt Peterson
The Log of the Sea of Cortez by John Steinbeck
The Pearl by John Steinbeck
Almost an Island, Travels in Baja California by Bruce Berger
Sea Kayaking in Baja by Andromeda Romano-Lax
The Forgotten Peninsula: A Naturalist in Baja California by Joseph Wood Krutch
Please Note: Many of these books may be found on Amazon.com or ordered by contacting “The Discover Baja Travel Club” at 1-800-727-2252
Phone: (831) 459-8548
Email: bluewaterventuressc@gmail.com
Santa Cruz, California
Monday – Saturday:
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Sunday CLOSED