Can anyone recommend a kayak vacation...

[Brad Fournier]

Looking for a destination to go kayak camping, maybe in the carribean or sea of Cortez etc. Is anyone familiar with Arawak expeditions? Suggestions appreciated.

Brad.

[glil]

Looking for a destination to go kayak camping, maybe in the carribean or sea of Cortez etc. Is anyone familiar with Arawak expeditions? Suggestions appreciated.

Brad.

Glacier Bay in Alaska is a beautiful and remote kayaking area. Not the warm water of the Carribean, but a very cool place to explore.

Gay

[glad]

Looking for a destination to go kayak camping, maybe in the carribean or sea of Cortez etc. Is anyone familiar with Arawak expeditions? Suggestions appreciated.

Brad.

Baja is a fabulous place to go. The water is not as warm as the Caribbean but plenty warm to practice in and snorkle. The desert environment is spectacular cause most of the geological forms are exposed. There is a lot of stratified layers at odd angles due to uplift

I've been out of Loreto and La Paz. In La Paz, I used Baja Expeditions and can't remember the Loreto outfitter. It is really best to go with a guide. There are some very strong winds; El Norte that will surely ground you with high seas and impossible wind speeds it you run into it.

There are whales and seals, sometimes fantastic flowers and more birds than you'd imagine in such an austere environment.

Living adventure is in the Mexican Riviera. They have lots of really nice boats; romany's and the like. There's is a great location. You fly into Cancun and they are located about 2-3 hours south. See the Yucatan trip description on Wild Turkey Paddlers. trip reports. I haven't gone with these guys but might plan to in the future.

Belize- has one of the worlds longest Barrier reefs so it's pretty protected, fabulous snorkeling and a constant prevailing wind where you can rig a sail on a double. Many of the islands are mangrove. I used Island Expeditions and was pretty impressed with their organization and respect for the environment. The trip had a kayak guide, a Belizian guide who grew up fishing in those waters and a naturalist.

Consider the Exumas- heard they are fantastic and they are on my list. Don't know a good outfitter but Leslie Beale might.

Also, consider St. John staying at Maho Bay Campground...an awesome place. YOu stay in 'tents' on platforms. Leslie Beale, Deb Dempsey and I went a few years ago and rented boats[and they were BIG, clunky things, but...] You can do day trips to some wonderful islands from there .But you must stay in the US Virgin Islands unless you want to deal with customs if you decide to navigate to the BVI's [british Virgin Islands} which are not far off. And there are some really fun islands in the area.

[glil]

Belize- has one of the worlds longest Barrier reefs so it's pretty protected, fabulous snorkeling and a constant prevailing wind where you can rig a sail on a double. Many of the islands are mangrove. I used Island Expeditions and was pretty impressed with their organization and respect for the environment. The trip had a kayak guide, a Belizian guide who grew up fishing in those waters and a naturalist.

If you do end up in Belize, I can recommend an AWESOME snorkel guide on Caye Caulker. If you are kayaking, you can do a lot of snorkeling on your own of course, but I would recommend him to anyone going to or near Caye Caulker. He takes small groups out to the reef in his sailboat. He is very knowledgeable and conscientious, has a tremendous amount of respect for the environment and has fascinating stories about his life in Belize. His name is Juni. He doesn't advertise-all of his business is from word of mouth and his "shop" is in his house with no sign to suggest that he does snorkel tours, but he's well worth tracking down.

Gay