Hiro Kawashima
Born and raised in Ensenada, Baja California, México, Hiro´s heritage can be traced around the world, from Japanese immigrants to adventurous Finnish sailors, French entrepreneurs, and Spanish roots going back to the first settlers of the Peninsula. His love for nature came at a very young age, spending most of his summers in the waters of the Gulf of California, where his family had fished for generations. He learned to surf and free dive in his childhood and developed a deep connection with the ocean and the land, always amazed by the creatures that inhabited the surreal landscape. His passion for learning and sharing has led him to be interested in practically everything, always trying to understand how things work and how they are interconnected. With over 200 expeditions led, his skills, experience and the depth of knowledge, combine to give the best experience possible for our guests.
Gemina Garland-Lewis
Gemina’s work as a photographer, photo instructor, and EcoHealth researcher has brought her on adventures in over 40 countries on all continents, but she found her home in Baja California Sur. Raised in northern New Mexico and having spent a decade living in the Pacific Northwest, Baja California’s unique combination of ocean, mountains, and desert brought her all her favorite places together. Both her photography and her research explore the human connection to animals and to nature, and she is passionate about building partnerships with communities, non-profits, and academic groups for impact-driven visual storytelling. She has worked as a trip leader and guide around the world since 2010, and is happy to help you with tips and tricks to make the most of your translating your experience into photos. Gemina is an avid outdoor adventurerand environmental stewardship advocate. She isoften found playing outside, chasing the lightwith camera in tow!
ABOUT US
Welcome to Cactus By the Sea! We are a locally owned and operated travel company based in San Ignacio, Baja California Sur. Together, we have over 40 years of experience guiding, and we specialize in personalized, made-from-the-heart small group experiences that get you outside and off the beaten path through week-long trips exploring Baja California Sur, as well as custom trips throughout the peninsula to meet your adventure needs!
Our ethos is simple: share our home with people while supporting local community, protected ecosystems, and the next generation of environmental and cultural stewards. On our trips, you may plant a mangrove with a local conservationist, eat our tia's tamales (the best you've ever had!), or help local kids have their first gray whale experience. We design our trips from the heart to help reach yours, making for an unforgettable experience.
