Baja Packing List

SUGGESTED PACKING LIST: BAJA

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___ Passport
___ Covid-19 home kit (recommended to bring 2)
___ Rain gear (durable, not a flimsy thin plastic style–bring both a top and bottom )
___ 1 Bathing suit
___ 3-4 T-Shirts  (you  will receive a BWV  cotton T-Shirt this year)
___ 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).
___ 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
___ 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, worn while kayaking. 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 small bath towel (sarongs are nice to have instead of bulky beach towels 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 may purchase a Blue Water Ventures  “Buff” in Baja
___ 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  at Coral Safe   and   Coral Safe Sunscreen Guide
___ 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, neosporin, pain reliever)
___ Joy dishwashing soap for laundry and saltwater baths (Joy, Dawn and CampSuds are biodegradable; Dr. Brommer’s is not recommended) Our staff likes Reef Safe Stream 2 Sea Hair products
___ 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.
___ 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, we recommend bringing your own mask/snorkel for best fit. Full Face masks are not permitted on our programs. Please read further details on our More Info page.
___ Wetsuit – 3mm long sleeve with short pants for comfort while snorkeling or  may rent a shorty in La Paz for $15. During our February trip you may consider  bringing  a full body wetsuit
___ Leggings If using a wetsuit shorty to the knees, we recommend wearing a pair of leggings  underneath for sunburn and reef protection, For fun ocean designs where 10%  of proceeds are donated to ocean conservation or  research go to:   Waterlust
___ 1 Sleeping bag non cotton style compact, med rated and sleeping pad or you may rent in La Paz for $20, Sleeping pads  and cots are provided.
___ 3 Garbage bags for waterproofing gear or packing wet items and 1-2 gallon ziplocs (optional)
___ 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

OPTIONAL GEAR:

___ 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
___ 1 Pair of flip flops
___ 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
___ Crazy Creek Chair and Seat Cushion (see below)

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 physician 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:  For added comfort. 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. Some of our boats do not offer  back support.

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.

PACKING TIPS AND STORING GEAR: You will be able to store any gear, electronics  or clothing not needed while camping at our hotel in La Paz. There is a secure indoor storage area.  With that in mind, you may leave a larger duffel or suitcase at the hotel and pack only what you need into  a smaller duffel that you bring for camping. Rolling style duffels or large suitcases are not recommended while camping,  but may be left at our hotel.

For those who are joining us on the extension to Loreto  you will not be able to store items at our hotel in La Paz. We would still recommend bringing a smaller duffel for our 4 days of camping in the Sea of Cortez.  Bring everything with you as we leave for whale camp then onward to Loreto. Light weight rolling duffels are acceptable for  those traveling to Loreto.

SUGGESTED READING LIST: BAJA

Natural History

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

Whale Books

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

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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