Drascombe Longboats operate on the
same basic principles as larger boats,
making them ideal for learning sailing
skills.
Photo:
Paul Koubek
About two-thirds of the way down the Baja peninsula on
the Sea of Cortez, you’ll find the small Coyote Bay,
part of the larger Conception Bay (Bahia Conception).
In this seaside paradise, NOLS Mexico lies
right on the water, surrounded by islands,
palm trees and cardon (saguaro)
cacti. Immediately behind NOLS Mexico are the
dry, rugged mountains of the Baja peninsula,
cut by arroyos and covered in mesquite trees.
About 20 miles north of this desert oasis is
the small town of Mulege, with a population
of 1500.
Before transferring the property to NOLS
Mexico in 1971, a man named Manuel Diaz owned
the facility. Manuel’s legacy continues
to live on in Coyote Bay—three of his
children have worked at NOLS Mexico for decades.
The original house is the center of the base
and serves as a lounging area for instructors,
staff and students. The shower house and
bathroom facility are in a separate building,
with eco-friendly composting toilets and
open-air showers. Two new buildings store
kayaks and provide students with a sleeping,
meeting and classroom area. Electricity at
NOLS Mexico is supplied by solar panels mounted
on the buildings. Read more about sustainable design at NOLS Mexico.
On your sea kayaking, sailing, or backpacking
adventure, you’ll have the opportunity
to view Mexico’s unbelievable wildlife,
including whales, sea turtles, dolphins, seals,
a diverse collection of birds and semi-tropical
fish. Many courses have a chance to interact
with fisherman on the Sea of Cortez and families
that live and ranch in the mountains. So after
you have secured your passport and brushed
up on a little Spanish, come explore Baja with
NOLS Mexico.
It is almost always sunny and dry
in Baja, with occasional rain storms.
Passports are required for travel
in Mexico, so make sure you get one
before you come down!
10 native Mexicans
are employed at the base, and many
of their families have lived in the
Mulege area for generations.
A Baja
Sea Kayaking expedition is
an immersion in culture, land, water and sky. It provides you with
an opportunity for learning in a setting unmatched by anything in
the world.
Photo: Tom Bol
“Out there on the ocean, I found that inner
champion inside of me that has no fear and refuses to quit. It
was transforming and I will never forget it. We became kayakers
out
there, but most of all, we became leaders.”
Erran Matthews
Baja Sea Kayaking, 2000
EXPLORE NOLS MEXICO...
WHAT MAKES NOLS THE
LEADER?
NOLS' college credit
program is unparalleled in wilderness education. Read more reasons...
