What You'll Get
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Life is full of difficult choices, like the choice between whales and caves. With today's Groupon, $25 gets you a sea-faring adventure with OEX Dive and Kayak, a $55 value. Choose between two high-seas kayak tours: an up-close view of the majestic grey whale migration, and an in-depth exploration of seven sea caves in the La Jolla Ecological Preserve. Let the sharks go on swimming inside your TV—this is your chance to splash around with the whales or glide into unexplored grottos.
The annual grey whale migration is the mightiest marine mission of all. Every year, whale pods make the pilgrimage from icy Arctic waters to the bathwater-warm lagoons of Baja California to birth their calves. Since San Diego’s coast lies along their route, you’ll be able to harmlessly spy on these stunning specimens as they spyhop (that’s whale slang for peeking up from underwater) and triumphantly burst out of the sea. You’ll have the best view possible, and when Monday rolls around, you’ll have the best weekend story of all.
While most people find whale watching to be a spiritual and awe-inducing experience, some might have reservations about coming eye-to-eye with the ocean’s gentle giants. Relax—OEX guides are well trained and certified, making your aquatic escapade totally safe and something you’ll remember fondly for thousands of years to come.
If you like exploring small, mysterious spaces, the cave trip is right up your alley. You'll get to oar through two to three of the legendary La Jolla sea caves: magnificent marine caverns cut deep into the cliffs and only accessible via kayak or snorkel. Your guide will be on hand to point out all the grotto-dwelling wildlife that resides inside these ocean-carved caves.
On an OEX tour, you can experience the California coastline from a completely new perspective. Kayaks lack noisy motors, so they won’t scare off cute, timid sea creatures such as the friendly turtles, fish, harbor seals, dolphins, and baby sea lions you can expect to see on either trip. The one-mile journey is a bit of a workout, but it's still easy enough for beginning paddlers.
Your Groupon includes rental of the kayak, paddle, wet suit, and life vest, as well as the guided tour and transportation of kayaks to and from the beach. A guide peppers the adventure with interesting facts and history of the surrounding area. Explore the La Jolla Ecological Preserve on a 1.5-hour tour from now to the end of October, or come eye-to-eye with whales on the 2.5-hour tour during their annual migration, from mid-December to the end of March (weather permitting).
Reviews
The Yelp reviews are not the greatest overall, but nothing negative was mentioned regarding the Kayak Tours. Those who kayaked have good things to say:
Extremely Natural: Extreme Nature
OEX’s whale-watching trips get you an extreme view of whales—up close from the water. OEX rival Extreme Nature takes it one step further and offers the following extra-extreme nature tours:
- Bird’s Eye View of Birds Tour
- Swim with the Worms Garden Snorkling
- Penguin Iditarod
The Fine Print
Promotional value expires Apr 1, 2010. Amount paid never expires. Limit 1 per person. May purchase multiple as gifts. Recommend reservations 24 hours in advance. Ages 6 and up. Merchant is solely responsible to purchasers for the care and quality of the advertised goods and services.
About OEX Mission Bay
Enthusiastic instructors at OEX Mission Bay invite beginning and experienced adventurers into the cerulean waters of the Pacific. The outpost began as a kayak and freediving center, but has since branched out to include standup paddleboard, outrigger canoes, and poker tournaments with local sea bass. Staff members happily help sea student get fitted with the perfect-sized gear and train them in basic safety before their expedition over and under the blue bay waters.