Los Islotes & Espiritu Santo Islands
This morning we were heading toward Los Islotes just at sunrise when we encountered a huge school of common dolphins. As the sun came up we followed the dolphins for a short time then headed toward our anchorage. The sounds of barking sea lions greeted us as we came up on deck. All along the shoreline of the rocky island were large numbers of California sea lions both hauled out on the rocks and cavorting in the water.
We loaded the Zodiacs and while some of us snorkeled with the sea lions others enjoyed a cruise around the small island where we were able to get very close for some excellent photographs. Sally Lightfoot crabs crawled over the rocks and yearling sea lions played around the boats. The snorkelers were able to see the amazing agility of these elegant animals in their watery home.
After our morning activities we moved to the south end of Isla Espiritu Santo where we went ashore on Bahia Bonanza. While the kayakers explored the shoreline others of us headed inland to hike along the La Paz Fault that bisects the island. From the top of the hills overlooking the beach we had wonderful views of the surrounding landscape. W e searched in vain for the black jackrabbit that is endemic to the island.
Back aboard the Sea Lion we enjoyed a cocktail party courtesy of Stanford University and later the Captains Farwell Dinner. Later in the evening we headed for La Paz and the end of the first leg of our adventure in Baja California.
This morning we were heading toward Los Islotes just at sunrise when we encountered a huge school of common dolphins. As the sun came up we followed the dolphins for a short time then headed toward our anchorage. The sounds of barking sea lions greeted us as we came up on deck. All along the shoreline of the rocky island were large numbers of California sea lions both hauled out on the rocks and cavorting in the water.
We loaded the Zodiacs and while some of us snorkeled with the sea lions others enjoyed a cruise around the small island where we were able to get very close for some excellent photographs. Sally Lightfoot crabs crawled over the rocks and yearling sea lions played around the boats. The snorkelers were able to see the amazing agility of these elegant animals in their watery home.
After our morning activities we moved to the south end of Isla Espiritu Santo where we went ashore on Bahia Bonanza. While the kayakers explored the shoreline others of us headed inland to hike along the La Paz Fault that bisects the island. From the top of the hills overlooking the beach we had wonderful views of the surrounding landscape. W e searched in vain for the black jackrabbit that is endemic to the island.
Back aboard the Sea Lion we enjoyed a cocktail party courtesy of Stanford University and later the Captains Farwell Dinner. Later in the evening we headed for La Paz and the end of the first leg of our adventure in Baja California.
