Mexico is one of few places in the world where travelers can watch endangered sea turtles nesting and laying their eggs and then see newborns taking their first steps, making their way to the ocean. It's a fascinating natural sequence of events that several resorts actively promote as part of the guest experience.

Now, a tour company, Sea Kayak Adventures, is packaging the opportunity to volunteer with naturalists and local fishermen in Baja California who are trying to save the local sea turtle population and, during the trip, explore the natural landscape of the Sea of Cortez by kayak.

"We're trying this for the first time after talking with our Mexican guides who are involved in the sea turtle project," said Nancy Mertz, co-owner. "It's a wonderful opportunity for people who want to make a difference on their vacation and also want to combine volunteering with three days of kayaking."

The Oct. 24 to 31 program can be shortened to only the three-day sea turtle volunteering part for those not interested in the sea kayaking portion, which is designed for novice as well as experienced kayakers.

The company is working with RED Sustainable Tourism and Grupo Tortuguero's Eastern Pacific Green Sea Turtle Monitoring Program, both of which specialize in sea turtle conservation.

The itinerary starts in the Baja town of Loreto, where guests stay the first night in a local hotel. They then begin three days of sea kayaking and two nights' camping in Loreto Bay National Park. They spend another night at a Loreto hotel before traveling across to the Pacific side of the peninsula to Magdalena Bay to the turtle research base camp for two nights.

Magdalena Bay is a protected area, known primarily as the place where gray whales give birth each February. In October, it is a prime sea turtle hatching grounds. "It's also a birder's paradise and great time to see birds," said Mertz.

Participants will be outfitted with waders and ride in skiffs to help monitor green turtles, collect data and release turtles with local fishermen and naturalists.

The price, which for the entire program is $1,650 per adult and $1,485 for participants ages 12 to 17, includes hotel accommodations, all meals at camp, sleeping and kayaking equipment, airport transfers, instruction, guides and taxes.

Forty percent of the price is donated to the local sea turtle conservation organization, Mertz said. See www.seakayakadventures.com.