Los Islotes and Dispensa Beach
We awoke this morning to a sky on fire. A stunning sunrise greeted us as we approached Los Islotes, a tiny group of rocks with a breeding colony of California sea lions. After breakfast we boarded the Zodiacs for an exploration of the rocks and their inhabitants. Brown boobies clung to the cliffs, blue-footed boobies danced, and a great blue heron was hunkered down in its nest. Along the waters edge, yellow-footed gulls scavenged for food while sally lightfoot crabs feasted on algae.
Next, we donned our masks and snorkels to enter the realm of the sea lions and were treated to an underwater ballet. Curious sea lions played with us, as we played with them. Spinning, twisting, turning, flipping, they are incredibly graceful and acrobatic. At times, it was hard to tell who was having more fun, the young sea lions investigating the humans, or the humans trying to imitate the sea lions. Abundant fish surrounded us during the snorkel, including clouds of damsels, vibrant rainbow wrasses, and some stunning king angels. As we pulled away from the rocks, the sea lions barked an “adios” and we all had fond memories of this special place.
For the afternoon, the long sandy beach of Dispensa was our destination, and we divided into different activities to explore this southern tip of Isla Espiritu Santo. Snorkeling was rewarding with abundant corals and many fish, including Mexican goatfish and yellow-tailed surgeonfish. Kayaking in the sheltered bay was a perfect way for solo exploration, and along the rocks were many crabs, pelicans, and a vociferous pair of American oystercatchers. Many chose to explore the vegetation beyond the beach and some joined the long walk for a summit attempt of a high peak. After a bit of a scramble to the top, a fantastic view over the surrounding bays of the island and the mountains on the peninsula was well worth the effort. After the sunset, the sky once again turned to fire, closing the full circle back to the morning.
We awoke this morning to a sky on fire. A stunning sunrise greeted us as we approached Los Islotes, a tiny group of rocks with a breeding colony of California sea lions. After breakfast we boarded the Zodiacs for an exploration of the rocks and their inhabitants. Brown boobies clung to the cliffs, blue-footed boobies danced, and a great blue heron was hunkered down in its nest. Along the waters edge, yellow-footed gulls scavenged for food while sally lightfoot crabs feasted on algae.
Next, we donned our masks and snorkels to enter the realm of the sea lions and were treated to an underwater ballet. Curious sea lions played with us, as we played with them. Spinning, twisting, turning, flipping, they are incredibly graceful and acrobatic. At times, it was hard to tell who was having more fun, the young sea lions investigating the humans, or the humans trying to imitate the sea lions. Abundant fish surrounded us during the snorkel, including clouds of damsels, vibrant rainbow wrasses, and some stunning king angels. As we pulled away from the rocks, the sea lions barked an “adios” and we all had fond memories of this special place.
For the afternoon, the long sandy beach of Dispensa was our destination, and we divided into different activities to explore this southern tip of Isla Espiritu Santo. Snorkeling was rewarding with abundant corals and many fish, including Mexican goatfish and yellow-tailed surgeonfish. Kayaking in the sheltered bay was a perfect way for solo exploration, and along the rocks were many crabs, pelicans, and a vociferous pair of American oystercatchers. Many chose to explore the vegetation beyond the beach and some joined the long walk for a summit attempt of a high peak. After a bit of a scramble to the top, a fantastic view over the surrounding bays of the island and the mountains on the peninsula was well worth the effort. After the sunset, the sky once again turned to fire, closing the full circle back to the morning.
