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.

Local Facts NOLS Mexico is “off the grid,” running off solar power, and using composting toilets that don’t need plumbing. 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.