Suggested Packing List For Baja

 

Hiking, Magdalena Bay

SUGGESTED PACKING LIST: BAJA

(Printable Packing List)

___ Passport
___ 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 material that keeps the body warm even when wet). We have a variety of quick dry long sleeve t-shirts                     available  for purchase with our logo: ” I Kissed a Whale and I Liked it“, a variety of quick dry t-shirts are available at our hotel for purchase.
___ 3-4 Pairs of shorts (quick dry and light weight )
___ 2 Pairs  long pants (one pair of quick dry nylon and one pair of medium rated fleece)
___ 1 medium rated sweatshirt  made of capilene/fleece or other synthetic material that
keeps the body warm even when wet (non cotton)
___ One pair of long underwear–( top and bottom- fleece, silk or capilene)
___ One ski cap or beanie for warmth
___ 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 instead of bulky beach towels)
___ Bandana or a Buff  headwear–great for sun protection and flare! We will have our new Blue Water version of a buff, our “blue rag” available for purchase
__ Small Day pack or fanny pack –compact, for personal items when hiking
___ Small Dry Bag to protect personal gear such as cameras, extra clothing and binoculars while kayaking
___ Underwear
___ Toiletries (toothbrush, paste, lotions, aloe, etc,)
___ Sunscreen ( 20 strength or stronger) & lip balm with sunscreen, while snorkeling, consider coral safe sunscreens reviewed here: Corals and Hawaii Bans Harmful Sunscreens
___ Good body lotion for replenishing dry skin
___ Sunglasses with leash
___ Hat with visor or wide rim
___ Insect repellent–we like Lemon Eucalyptus by Repel, an effective non toxic alternative to DEET, others prefer the use of DEET.
___ Insect repellent anti- itch cream – for insect bites
___ Personal medicines ( anti diarrhea,bandaids,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
___ Duffel bag for your clothing and other personal gear lined on the inside with a garbage bag or use ziplocs to organize clothing
___ Mask fins & snorkel – check with a local dive shop for proper fit or you may rent set in La Paz for $15 or separately $10
___ Wetsuit – 3mm long sleeve with short pants (or full body) for comfort while snorkeling or you may rent in La Paz for $15
___ Leggings If using a wetsuit shorty to the kness, we recommend wearing a pair of leggings underneath for sunburn and reef protection, For fun ocean designs go to: OCEAN LEGS
___ 1 Sleeping bag non cotton style; compact and med rated or you may rent in La Paz for $15, thermarest sleeping pads and pillow are provided on cots
___ Garbage bags  for waterproofing gear or packing wet items
___ Flashlight or head lamp and extra batteries
___ Clothes pins for hanging wet clothes on lines around camp
___ Clothes to travel home in and causal wear for our hotel stays

OPTIONAL GEAR:

Fishing gear- compact; our Mexican guides will have some gear for us to use

Paddling gloves

Extra camera batteries, memory card and charger Wetsuit hood

Camera/film –our guides and clients like the Olympus Tough Waterproof Series or the Gopro  More details at More Info Link

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; may be purchased

1 Pair of flip flops

Ear plugs at surf or many kayak shops

Waterproof flashlight or dive light Sarongs

Waterproof watch

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

Light weight synthetic jacket such as the Patagonia Nano Puff  could be used along with a light weight polyester shirt

Kayak Seat pad- for extra comfort and helpful for people under 5’3″ to add a few inches in the kayak seat

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.

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, essential toiletries and personal medications.

STORING GEAR: You will be able to store any gear or clothing not needed during our kayaking trip in a storage room at our La Paz Hotel.

Finding Beach Treasures, Magdelena Bay

SUGGESTED READING LIST: BAJA

Natural History

Reef Fish Identification by Ned Deloach and Paul Newman

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 byThomas Niesen

Whale Books

Sightings: The Gray Whales Mysterious Journey by Brenda Peterson

Watching Giants: The Secret Lives of Whales by Elin Kelsey

Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Gray Whales by David gordon and Alan Baldridos

The Sierra Club Handbook of Whales and Dolphins by Steven Leatherwood

The Oceanic Society’s Field Guide to the Gray Whale

Friendly Whales by Roy Nickerson

Adventure Travel in Baja

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

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