The sea-kayaking group expedition around Espíritu Santo Island in Baja California, the ribbon peninsula of desert running down Mexico’s Pacific coast, is one of our favourite Latin American active adventures.  The 8-day guided trip circumnavigates the island. You pull in at a series of rocky bays where the beaches are sugar white and the sea varies from cobalt to jade.

It’s a desert environment: the sun shines almost all the time, and the uninhabited hinterland is of rugged copper-red canyons, mangroves or scrubby woodland.  The kayaking is accessible to most: normally there is no more than 2-3 hours paddling per outing; at landing sites there are also hikes and nature walks. Each afternoon, you beach, and having erected the lightweight tents,  you can sit back and relax over a cocktail to watch the sunset: vivid amber, scarlet and purple streaks the sky.  All meals are provided and are very good, prepared with fish, meat and fresh salads or vegetables.