What Sets CampOceano Apart?

Escape the ordinary and immerse yourself in Baja’s breathtaking marine ecosystem, where adventure and purpose go hand in hand. Whether you're traveling as a family or a teen ready for an unforgettable experience without parents, CampOceano welcomes you to a journey of discovery, conservation, and connection.

• Daily Learning & Exploration: Dive into lessons about marine life, Baja’s ecology, and conservation from local experts and educators.
• No Logistics, All Adventure: Leave the planning to us. Transportation, meals, excursions, and accommodations are fully arranged.
• Nature at its Best: Sleep under Baja’s starry skies, explore pristine beaches, and soak in the peaceful beauty of Baja’s untouched ecosystems.
• Travel With Purpose: Support marine conservation, participate in beach cleanups, and contribute to our Aventureros youth program. Afar Approved for eco-travel commitment! 
• Customize Your Experience: Enjoy snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, and optional add-ons like SCUBA diving or wildlife-viewing boat trips.
• Eco-Friendly Commitment: Learn sustainable travel practices and offset your trip’s carbon footprint using Sustainabletravel.org. 

For Families: Create Unforgettable Bonds

CampOceano is the perfect opportunity for families to reconnect, explore, and grow together. Share the wonder of marine life, engage in meaningful conservation efforts, and enjoy quality time in a serene and nature-centered environment.

• Quality Time Together: Strengthen family bonds through shared adventures like snorkeling, boat trips to explore local islands, kayaking, and paddle boarding.
• Learning for All Ages: Enjoy engaging lessons and activities tailored for both adults and children, led by expert educators and conservationists.
• Choose Your Own Adventure: Whether you're seeking excitement or relaxation, tailor your experience to suit your mood. Snorkel with vibrant marine life, paddleboard at sunrise, or explore the ocean on a night snorkel. Prefer a slower pace? Unwind in the shade with a good book, sip a margarita by the waves, or simply enjoy quality time with family on the porch. The choice is yours!
• 1000 Hours Outside Challenge: Families participating in this challenge can add over 100 hours of nature-filled fun to their tally!

For Teens: Adventure With Independence

CampOceano is delighted to welcome teens ages 13-17 as independent participants in this exciting conservation adventure. Under the guidance of experienced trip leaders and educators, teens will explore marine life, practice eco-travel skills, and participate in hands-on conservation efforts—all while forging friendships and building confidence.

• Independence & Confidence: Experience a trip without parents while being supported by expert leaders.
• Exciting Adventures: Choose your own adventure and snorkel with vibrant marine life, enjoy a sunrise paddleboard, a night snorkel, or relax.
• Plot your course: You will explore many marine and conservation careers and learn more about future internship opportunities at Vermilion Sea Institute!
• Make New Friends: Travel alongside other like-minded teens and create lifelong memories together.
• Learn Through Action: Get hands-on experience with conservation activities alongside local marine biologists and conservation leaders!
• Eco-Travel Skills: Discover sustainable travel practices and how to protect natural ecosystems.
• Cultural Immersion: Practice Spanish, explore the town, and learn about the history and culture of Baja.
• Unplug & Reconnect: Spend time outdoors, away from screens, in a pristine and peaceful environment.

A note about registration: 

One person may register on behalf of the entire group, but a liability waiver will need to be signed by each person (or their legal guardian). This can be done after registration.

Location

Situated along the shores of the Gulf of California within the Bahía de los Ángeles Biosphere reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Vermilion Sea Field Station (VSFS) has hosted scientists, conservationists, educators, and students since the 1970’s. Bahía de los Ángeles is a sleepy little town unlike other crowded Mexican tourist destinations. It is primarily known for fishing and was formerly a mining town. It is authentic Mexico at its finest.

Internet/Telephone

We are in one of the rare few spaces left in the world without cell service. Most visitors to Bahía and the Vermilion Sea Field Station take the rare and special opportunity to embrace being “unplugged” and find they connect more deeply with the incredible local environment because of it. However, if totally disconnecting isn’t possible, there are local restaurants within walking distance with WiFi access.

Lodging

The Vermilion Sea Field Station is first and foremost a field facility for researchers and educators in the environmental sciences with minimalistic and rustic, yet enjoyable accommodations. The field station consists of a central two-story adobe and stone facility with 12 multi-purpose rooms, a large kitchen, outdoor bucket-flush bathrooms and an additional family house.

Most participants at our field station choose to sleep outside under the starry skies, as the nights stay quite warm. This outdoor sleeping option offers a slightly cooler and more immersive experience. However, we understand that weather conditions can be unpredictable, and some individuals may prefer or need indoor accommodations available in shared rooms designed for storing participants’ belongings. It’s important to note that the Vermilion Sea Field Station does not have air conditioning.

Please be mindful that fresh water is a precious resource in our location. While we do provide an indoor and outdoor shower for rinsing, we actively practice water conservation to ensure sustainability. Additionally, we encourage individuals to utilize the ocean for bathing, using eco-friendly products to minimize environmental impact. 

As a working field station, we emphasize a communal ethos where each visitor is responsible for pitching in to clean up after themselves and help maintain the facility. We encourage everyone to leave it better than they found it, ensuring that the station remains a welcoming and sustainable facility for all who use it.

For additional information such as a suggested packing list and other travel related questions, please review the VSI CampO Trip Planner which will be provided after registration.

We provide a payment plan option where the outstanding balance, following the $300 deposit, can be divided into three convenient payments and scheduled through autopay for your ease and convenience. No additional charges apply.

Also, participants can also share contribution pages where friends and family may directly contribute alot or a little toward the cost of the trip. (How to Create a Contribution Page)

Make a positive impact with your travel dollars! Proceeds from CampOceano go to directly support the Aventureros program, a youth conservation and leadership program in the local community. We contract with local fishermen, culinary staff, and conservation experts to ensure that program funds benefit the community and protect local ecosystems. In addition, time is dedicated for CampOceano participants to meet with local students from our Aventureros program for games, activities, and lessons. 

The Vermilion Sea Field Station incorporates low-waste and water and energy conservation practices,  minimizing the environmental footprint of your trip.

We encourage you to offset the carbon emissions from your trip through Sustainabletravel.org. For instance, to offset the carbon footprint generated by ground transportation and flights from an East Coast departure city, the approximate cost would be $20 per person.

Meet your new Baja Family!

Depart from San Diego at 6 a.m. sharp for Bahía de los Ángeles (in two 15 passenger vans), arriving approx. 7 p.m. Stops on the way will include lunch, stretch breaks and scenic views. The road trip is part of the fun and gives opportunities for making new friends, playing car games, and the occasional carpool karaoke.

Learn. Explore. Relax.

Desert and marine environments create endless learning and exploration for the whole family. Kids gain responsibility (setting up cots, launching paddleboards), while adults enjoy newfound freedom (kayaking solo, sunrise hikes, afternoon naps).  CampOceano reignites childlike wonder for adults and teaches kids about community responsibility. The open-air "camping" style fosters a connection with nature. Expect stunning sunrises, delicious meals, and a mix of exciting adventures, optional town exploration, and relaxing downtime. Time is dedicated for CampO participants to meet with local students from our Aventureros program for games, activities, and lessons. 

• Daily CampOceano lessons and activities with science educators. 
• Unlimited snorkeling, paddleboarding, and kayaking steps from where you stay.
• Lessons about the abundant marine life and local ecology.
• Participate in beach cleanups, community science projects, or community service opportunities.
• Choose from exciting options like a sunrise hike and town exploration trips to learn about local history, conservation and culture.
• Includes two boat trips for exploring marine life, discovering islands, and engaging in conservation learning.
• Evenings: Free time for optional activities (kayaking, hiking, stargazing, etc.).

By day 5, members of the trip are settled in and this is the perfect day to "Choose your own Adventure!" Previous participants have chosen to relax at the station, spend another day searching for wildlife via boat, rise early and go fishing with our local expert fishermen, take a final trip to town, enjoy a margarita with new friends, and organize a farewell talent show!

Costs for optional activities (per person):

• Additional boat day: $60
• SCUBA: 2-tank dive (for certified divers only): $250
• Fishing voyage: $150

Depart Bahía de los Ángeles at around 6 a.m. for San Diego, arriving approx. 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. (please do NOT schedule returning flights on Day 6 as arrival time cannot be guaranteed).