San Jose Channel
Fin whales were our morning wake up call as we cruised through. We paused to watch gentle blows and dark finned backs gliding along through dawn reflections on the water.
We landed at mid-morning on Isla San Francisco. A long white crescent of beach lined the turquoise waters of our anchorage and from there, we spread out for various explorations. Some of us went right into the water for a brisk but refreshing swim and snorkel. Hikers climbed up to a ridge overlooking the Sea of Cortez where crystal clear waters beckoned us for our afternoon’s whale search.
The ship cruised under sunny skies and a gentle breeze for the entire afternoon, accompanied often by dolphins but at a loss for whale blows. As we neared Los Islotes to take in it’s spectacular birds and sea lions, we finally spotted a few blows far to the west. The ship turned in their direction and suddenly, the action began. Bait balls of fish screamed across the surface and were chased by seabirds and jumping dolphins. Small fins wafting above the water turned out to be sharks and rays that were clearly visible in the now-glassy water. The first whale encounter was a loose group of a half dozen Bryde’s whales that surfaced and dove as we cruised right by, our sights on numerous blows now highlighted by the setting sun to the west.
As the sun sank toward the horizon, we neared an almost overwhelming array of marine mammals. Hundreds of dolphins splashed glitter at the surface with their constant movement and antics. Whale blows hung in the air and dark backs glided continually by. Suddenly, three fin whales lunged to the surface as several dolphins sprang into the air around them. The whales were moving quickly and making tremendous splashes with each breath at the surface. It was an absolute confusion of whales and dolphins and splashes for many moments as we watched them continue on at their high pace into the distance.
Then we turned back to the setting sun, the glimmering dolphins, the golden whale blows. It was an overwhelming ending and a fitting tribute to our spectacular voyage in Baja.
Fin whales were our morning wake up call as we cruised through. We paused to watch gentle blows and dark finned backs gliding along through dawn reflections on the water.
We landed at mid-morning on Isla San Francisco. A long white crescent of beach lined the turquoise waters of our anchorage and from there, we spread out for various explorations. Some of us went right into the water for a brisk but refreshing swim and snorkel. Hikers climbed up to a ridge overlooking the Sea of Cortez where crystal clear waters beckoned us for our afternoon’s whale search.
The ship cruised under sunny skies and a gentle breeze for the entire afternoon, accompanied often by dolphins but at a loss for whale blows. As we neared Los Islotes to take in it’s spectacular birds and sea lions, we finally spotted a few blows far to the west. The ship turned in their direction and suddenly, the action began. Bait balls of fish screamed across the surface and were chased by seabirds and jumping dolphins. Small fins wafting above the water turned out to be sharks and rays that were clearly visible in the now-glassy water. The first whale encounter was a loose group of a half dozen Bryde’s whales that surfaced and dove as we cruised right by, our sights on numerous blows now highlighted by the setting sun to the west.
As the sun sank toward the horizon, we neared an almost overwhelming array of marine mammals. Hundreds of dolphins splashed glitter at the surface with their constant movement and antics. Whale blows hung in the air and dark backs glided continually by. Suddenly, three fin whales lunged to the surface as several dolphins sprang into the air around them. The whales were moving quickly and making tremendous splashes with each breath at the surface. It was an absolute confusion of whales and dolphins and splashes for many moments as we watched them continue on at their high pace into the distance.
Then we turned back to the setting sun, the glimmering dolphins, the golden whale blows. It was an overwhelming ending and a fitting tribute to our spectacular voyage in Baja.
