Isla Santa Catalina & San Jose
The second day of our expedition through the Gulf of California started as we approached Isla Santa Catalina. This remote island is one of the most interesting in the entire gulf. Due to its oceanic origin, the island was never connected to the peninsula or the mainland, therefore all the species that exist here arrived by chance. Remoteness, isolation and time worked together to create species of plants and animals that have specifically adjusted by evolution to the particular conditions of this island.
Here we had the opportunity to explore the interesting underwater world, by snorkeling near “Elephant Rock.” A great abundance of fish adorned the undersea landscape. Hundreds of yellow tail surgeon fish and scissor tail damsels were seen. Some of the most striking fish we saw were the king angel fish and some colorful blue-chinned and bumphead parrotfish. The visibility was really good and it was a very enjoyable experience.
Exploring the island by foot was also a fascinating thing to do. We got close looks at unique giant barrel cacti and healthy giant cardones. The sandy arroyo offered a comfortable walking surface, surrounded by the most unusual looking plants, which mother nature has carefully placed on a landscape that would seem to be designed to be a natural botanical garden.
We left Isla Santa Catalina behind, and headed South with following winds. On our way to our evening’s destination, a huge pod of long-beaked common dolphins joined the ship to play on its bow wave and wake. These dolphins are quite abundant in the Gulf of California and despite their name, “common dolphins,” their intricate colored patterns and hydrodynamic shape make them some of the most beautiful creatures.
To end the day, our hotel department prepared a wonderful dinner ashore. Isla San Jose is where we spent the evening. We enjoyed the bonfire as the sky turned orange and pink. Accompanied by the guitar we sang traditional Mexican songs and stargazed under the desert sky.
