Scuba Diving in Baja

FAQs Weather... The weather in the Gulf is generally mild with warm days in the mid to high 70's-80's. Water temperatures in the Gulf are mild with the average surface temperature between 70 to 75 degrees. The nights are usually mild but can upon occasion dip to 60 degrees or lower in the winter months. Be prepared for anything is the rule on these trips. On still days, of which there are many, a t-shirt and shorts are all you need for strolling the beach. Sunburn and dehydration, in any weather, should not be taken lightly. Our activities are dictated in some degree by the weather and  safety is always our primary concern. Please follow the suggested clothing list closely and if you have any questions about the appropriateness of your gear, call us! Pacific Lagoons in winter have many faces... Mornings are usually cool, temperatures may be in the 50's & 60's. Daytime temperatures can range from 60's to 70's. Once the sun sets it cools down. Layer clothing so that you can acclimate. Also be prepared for the possibility of rain at any given time. The wind can blow off the bay so a windbreaker is very useful. Comfort & Health... We can normally accommodate people with particular food requirements, including vegetarians. Our menus are American with a Mexican influence. Please inform us before  departure if you have any dietary concerns. If you have any sort of chronic condition that warrants medical attention and could cause you trouble, or if you have any doubt of your physical condition we ask that you have a physical examination. Discuss with your doctor the details of the trip described in our literature, and let your doctor determine your fitness for this journey. Even though  we have adequate first-aid and emergency gear we will be in a remote area far from medical facilities. No vaccinations are required. Please remember to bring a hat, sunglasses and water  bottle. Also sunscreen is very important. Sunburn is a real danger and hindrance to your enjoyment of your trip. You can bring any sunscreen you prefer, but we recommend one with a blockout rating of SPF #15 or higher. Chapstick with a sunscreen is also recommended. Safety... Your safety is our first concern. It is important to remember that these trips take place in a wilderness environment, far from hospital services. Engaging in activities like viewing animals  from skiffs, sea kayaking, hiking, exploring, and swimming in a natural environment contains certain inherent risks. If at any time you have concerns about your own safety, please advise the  guide. Remember all participation is voluntary. Binoculars... Very useful for viewing birds and whales. They need not be expensive or fancy. You will get the most out of them if you practice using them at home and if you make a habit of wearing them regularly on the trip. Day Packs... Useful while out whale watching or hiking to carry a water bottle, snack, binoculars, camera, film, and, suntan lotion, and first aid essentials. Shoes... You should be your own judge as to the type of footwear to bring. The area is mostly sand with low lying vegetation and shell fragments. Some people are comfortable with tennis shoes, while others need the support of hiking boots. Sandals with ankle straps, an old pair of tennis shoes or wetsuit booties are great for getting in and out of the whale watching skiffs. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Educate yourself about the geography, customs and manners of the Baja region before your trip. Our Suggested Reading and E-SourceList (below) will point you in the right direction. Learn at least a few words of Spanish so that you can connect with the local people more quickly. LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS Take only photographs, leave only footprints. These two simple phrases sum up the heart of traveling responsibly. Do not leave litter of any kind, and do not take any souvenirs from archeological sites and natural areas. In some instances, like removing coral from protected reefs, it's a crime. DO NOT DISTURB Never disturb anything that you can avoid disturbing. Leave rocks and shells where they are; your desk will survive without another paperweight. The "it's only one shell" attitude multiples when a million people each take one shell from the same beach. THE ROAD MOST TRAVELED Always follow designated trails and resist the urge to go off the beaten path. Do not disturb animals, plants or their natural habitats, and hopefully they will not disturb you. R-E-S-P-E-C-T Respect the privacy of others and always ask before photographing people. Also be respectful of local people's land by asking permission before entering private buildings or acreage. Showing respect will gain you the most treasured of souvenirs-trust. BUY RESPONSIBLY Souvenirs are a vital part of every trip, special for their uniqueness and direct mental link to a fabulous vacation memory. As a responsible traveler, do not buy products made from endangered plants or animals, such as tortoise shell, animal skins and feathers. Purchase souvenirs from local artisans to keep cultural traditions alive. Be aware of the rules for bringing back souvenirs by downloading the U.S. Customs Department's online brochure at www.customs.gov. CHOOSE AND DONATE WISELY Select a tour operator whose business practices are based on responsible tourism guidelines, and who has adopted an environmental code of conduct. Encourage them by letting them know this was part of your decision-making process. Learn which non-profits and conservation organizations are doing the most to protect the area you are visiting and donate to their cause.   SUGGESTED READING AND E-RESOURCES DID YOU KNOW? Mexico boasts the fourth highest biological diversity in the world. It is home to the world's highest reptile and amphibian diversity, as well as more than 25,000 species of vascular plants, 449 mammals, 1,050 birds and more butterflies than in the U.S. and Canada combined. These books can be purchased through Amazon.com or through LongitudeBooks.com to help you learn more. FIELD GUIDES: Baja California Plant Field Guide, Norman C. Roberts, 1989. Lonely Planet Diving and Snorkeling Guide to Baja California, Walt Peterson, 1999 A Guide to Marine Invertebrates, Alaska to Baja California, Daniel Gotshall, 2005 National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, National Geographic Society; Jon Dunn and Erik Blom, 2002 A Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians, Robert Stebbins, 2003 Fishes of the Pacific Coast, Gar Goodson, 1988 Lonely Planet Baja California, Wayne Bernhardson, 2005 NATURAL HISTORY AND TRAVEL NARRATIVE: The Log of the Sea of Cortez, John Steinbeck, 1941 Searching for Steinbeck's Sea of Cortez, Andomeda Romano-Lax, 2002 The Forgotten Peninsula, A Naturalist in Baja California, Joseph Wood Krutch, 1986 Reflections of a Whale Watcher, Michele Gilders, 1995 Almost an Island, Travels in Baja California, Bruce Berger, 1998 A Desert Country Near the Sea, Ann Zwinger, 1983 Saving the Gray Whale: People, Politics, and Conservation in Baja California, Serge Dedina, 2000 ADVENTURE: Baja Adventure Book, Walt Peterson 1999 Into a Desert Place, Graham Mackintosh 1995 Sea Kayaking in Baja, Andromeda Romano-Lax 1993 FICTION: King of the Moon: A Novel of Baja California, Gene Kira, 1996 The Pearl, John Steinbeck, 1947 The Girl of the Sea of Cortez, Peter Benchley 1982 WHALE WATCHING: Eye of the Whale, Epic Passage from Baja to Siberia, Dick Russell, 2004 Whales and other Marine Mammals of California and Baja, Tamara Elder 2002. Oceanic Society Field Guide to the Gray Whale, The Oceanic Society 1989   BOOKS FOR YOUNGER READERS Ages 4-8 The Journey of a Whale (Lifecycles), Carolyn Scrace 2000 Adelina's Whales, Richard Sobol 2003 Usborne First Nature: Fishes, 2000 Seashore Sticker Book, G. Saunders & S. Swallow 2002 Ages 9-12 Finding Out About Whales, Elin Kelsey 1998 A Pod of Gray Whales, Francois Gohier 1994 Shells Sticker Book, G. Saunders 2002 Ages 4-12 ZooBooks Aquatic Animals Series (includes Seals& Sealions, Dolphins & Porpoises, Sharks, Whales, Turtles, Seabirds, Sea Otters, and Penguins). The Great Undersea Search, Kate Needham 1996 The Night Sky Spotter's Guide, N. Henlust & S. Aitkinson 2000