Bahia de la Paz and Punta Dispensa, Espiritu Santo, Gulf of California
This morning we were on our way to Bahia de La Paz, because we heard that there could possibly be whale sharks in the vicinity. As we approached the area, the staff were in the process of planning the logistics of a snorkel with these plankton feeders. We called in as much help as we could muster with the help of an ultra light spotter plane and the capable guides from Cortez Club.
Soon after arriving in the bay, a cry over the radio announced six whale sharks! We wasted no time and loaded with enthusiastic snorkelers and observers. We skipped across the calm water of the protected bay in our Zodiac, and ahead of us, a large, rounded, dark fin broke the surface. We rolled into the water and encountered the largest fish known to man, face to face. It seemed to be standing on its tail as it fed at the surface, mega mouth opening and closing, as it gulped in large volumes of sea water. The shark’s blackish body was painted with a pattern of white spots, stripes and bars reminiscent of a checkerboard. They are suction filter feeders that consume a wide variety of organisms including baitfish, squid and pelagic crustaceans.
These gentle giants are circumglobal in tropical and warm temperate seas and find plenty of food here in this shallow bay. Generally by this time, they have moved further north, but local reports claim that they seem to be spending more time here. We were told by our local guides that they were all juveniles, ranging in size from 12 feet to over 20.They were intent upon feeding and had no interest in us so after several passes, we had to tear our selves away from a rare and for most, a first-time visit with our giant friends.
By late afternoon, we slowed down long enough to enjoy a relaxing leisurely walk across the sand of Punta Dispensa. The high tide had scattered an abundance of treasures from the sea and we had fun trying to sort out one thing from the next. A little snorkeling, a kayak fling and then little time to sit and reflect the days passing.
This morning we were on our way to Bahia de La Paz, because we heard that there could possibly be whale sharks in the vicinity. As we approached the area, the staff were in the process of planning the logistics of a snorkel with these plankton feeders. We called in as much help as we could muster with the help of an ultra light spotter plane and the capable guides from Cortez Club.
Soon after arriving in the bay, a cry over the radio announced six whale sharks! We wasted no time and loaded with enthusiastic snorkelers and observers. We skipped across the calm water of the protected bay in our Zodiac, and ahead of us, a large, rounded, dark fin broke the surface. We rolled into the water and encountered the largest fish known to man, face to face. It seemed to be standing on its tail as it fed at the surface, mega mouth opening and closing, as it gulped in large volumes of sea water. The shark’s blackish body was painted with a pattern of white spots, stripes and bars reminiscent of a checkerboard. They are suction filter feeders that consume a wide variety of organisms including baitfish, squid and pelagic crustaceans.
These gentle giants are circumglobal in tropical and warm temperate seas and find plenty of food here in this shallow bay. Generally by this time, they have moved further north, but local reports claim that they seem to be spending more time here. We were told by our local guides that they were all juveniles, ranging in size from 12 feet to over 20.They were intent upon feeding and had no interest in us so after several passes, we had to tear our selves away from a rare and for most, a first-time visit with our giant friends.
By late afternoon, we slowed down long enough to enjoy a relaxing leisurely walk across the sand of Punta Dispensa. The high tide had scattered an abundance of treasures from the sea and we had fun trying to sort out one thing from the next. A little snorkeling, a kayak fling and then little time to sit and reflect the days passing.
