Isla Espiritu Santo, Baja California
After an absolutely marvelous Valentine’s Day dinner on the beach at Puerto Gato, many of the guests slept in as we cruised south towards the small islets known as Los Islotes. Upon arriving at Los Islotes, located just north of the large island of Isla Espiritu Santo, guests were treated to Zodiac cruises around the islands. The towering rocks harbor many species of sea birds including brown and blue-footed boobies, brown pelicans, Brandt’s and double crested cormorants and Heerman’s and yellow legged gulls. Along the narrow shoreline of the islands approximately 300 California sea lions make their home.
After the Zodiac cruises, guests were thrilled to snorkel with the sea lions. Young sea lions, called pups, delight in teaching us land-based mammals how to swim. As we swam along the surface, the pups rocketed by us, sometimes rapidly swimming up to our face masks, only to veer away at the last minute. It is a totally delightful and memorable experience.
As we weighed anchor, naturalist Michael Nolan began his talk on whales and dolphins of the Sea of Cortez. Mike is a professional photographer and his marine mammal photos are breath-taking. Midway through Mike’s talk, the call came from the bridge, blue whales had been spotted! Mike immediately directed all hands to the bow to view these magnificent whales, the largest animal ever to have lived on earth. The whales were apparently feeding and came to the surface every ten minutes or so. We were amazed at their size and grace. Second mate Miranda Caldwell did a masterful job of staying abreast of the whales. The last blue whale surfaced just 50 yards from the National Geographic Sea Bird before we continued our journey south!
After lunch, Mike Nolan finished his talk and many guests and staff remained in the lounge for a lively and thought-provoking forum on global climate change. Our afternoon concluded with walks and snorkeling on beautiful Bonanza Beach on Isla Espiritu Santo. The air was warm and balmy and the water a brilliant azure blue – the perfect end to an incredible week in Baja California among the great whales.
After an absolutely marvelous Valentine’s Day dinner on the beach at Puerto Gato, many of the guests slept in as we cruised south towards the small islets known as Los Islotes. Upon arriving at Los Islotes, located just north of the large island of Isla Espiritu Santo, guests were treated to Zodiac cruises around the islands. The towering rocks harbor many species of sea birds including brown and blue-footed boobies, brown pelicans, Brandt’s and double crested cormorants and Heerman’s and yellow legged gulls. Along the narrow shoreline of the islands approximately 300 California sea lions make their home.
After the Zodiac cruises, guests were thrilled to snorkel with the sea lions. Young sea lions, called pups, delight in teaching us land-based mammals how to swim. As we swam along the surface, the pups rocketed by us, sometimes rapidly swimming up to our face masks, only to veer away at the last minute. It is a totally delightful and memorable experience.
As we weighed anchor, naturalist Michael Nolan began his talk on whales and dolphins of the Sea of Cortez. Mike is a professional photographer and his marine mammal photos are breath-taking. Midway through Mike’s talk, the call came from the bridge, blue whales had been spotted! Mike immediately directed all hands to the bow to view these magnificent whales, the largest animal ever to have lived on earth. The whales were apparently feeding and came to the surface every ten minutes or so. We were amazed at their size and grace. Second mate Miranda Caldwell did a masterful job of staying abreast of the whales. The last blue whale surfaced just 50 yards from the National Geographic Sea Bird before we continued our journey south!
After lunch, Mike Nolan finished his talk and many guests and staff remained in the lounge for a lively and thought-provoking forum on global climate change. Our afternoon concluded with walks and snorkeling on beautiful Bonanza Beach on Isla Espiritu Santo. The air was warm and balmy and the water a brilliant azure blue – the perfect end to an incredible week in Baja California among the great whales.
