Isla San Marcos
“Where the Desert Meets the Sea.” The presumptive title of our voyage. Perhaps should be re-titled as “In the midst of Whales.” We began our day as we ended it, enjoying spectacular views of these magnificent marine creatures. That, in itself would have been reward enough, but we also found time for some beautiful strolls up an arroyo on the north end of Isla San Marcos, we explored the rocky northern tip of the island in kayaks, and we snorkeled around, under and through caves and rocky outcropping in waters that teemed with fish!
So, the day began a little after sunrise, with fin whales feeding in the deep Baja waters as we approached Isla San Marcos. We watched them surface, blow and dive many times, in search it seemed of their favorite food item, Humboldt squid. We then explored Isla San Marcos, as already detailed with interpretive nature walks, with kayaks and with snorkel gear. It was a wonderful morning.
The afternoon was devoted to cruising at sea, in search of marine life. The waters were silky smooth, and even a small fish at the surface was visible from miles away, so we were confident, if a whale was around we would see it! After three hours of searching, we scheduled a lecture form one of our expedition staff, confident that a lecture would result in a whale sighting. Sure enough, as the lecture was close to concluding, short-finned pilot whales were spotted.
Then began a remarkable show indeed, the pilot whales came over to investigate the ship, not once, but again and again and again! They were spy-hopping (lifting their heads completely out of the water for a better look), they swam alongside, they came to the bow, they investigated the stern, and in waters where we could see them ten feet or more below the surface. Then Carlos Navarro our Undersea Specialist asked if he could try and swim among them with the underwater camera, to see if he could get some footage? The Captain and Expedition Leader said please give it a try. The resulting show of Carlos and whales, whales and Carlos was surreal, each investigating the other. Of course this is the type of day seldom seen, and so it was no surprise when a huge Sailfish swims by Carlos, and Carlos fast as a bullet chases after the sailfish, camera in hand.
That night in the Lounge we all witnessed some absolutely incredible video footage, Carlos had been face to face with whale after whale, we had seen the whales at the surface near to him, but for every whale at the surface, there were five whales below, all investigating him. Indeed, everything about this day was “in the midst of Whales."
“Where the Desert Meets the Sea.” The presumptive title of our voyage. Perhaps should be re-titled as “In the midst of Whales.” We began our day as we ended it, enjoying spectacular views of these magnificent marine creatures. That, in itself would have been reward enough, but we also found time for some beautiful strolls up an arroyo on the north end of Isla San Marcos, we explored the rocky northern tip of the island in kayaks, and we snorkeled around, under and through caves and rocky outcropping in waters that teemed with fish!
So, the day began a little after sunrise, with fin whales feeding in the deep Baja waters as we approached Isla San Marcos. We watched them surface, blow and dive many times, in search it seemed of their favorite food item, Humboldt squid. We then explored Isla San Marcos, as already detailed with interpretive nature walks, with kayaks and with snorkel gear. It was a wonderful morning.
The afternoon was devoted to cruising at sea, in search of marine life. The waters were silky smooth, and even a small fish at the surface was visible from miles away, so we were confident, if a whale was around we would see it! After three hours of searching, we scheduled a lecture form one of our expedition staff, confident that a lecture would result in a whale sighting. Sure enough, as the lecture was close to concluding, short-finned pilot whales were spotted.
Then began a remarkable show indeed, the pilot whales came over to investigate the ship, not once, but again and again and again! They were spy-hopping (lifting their heads completely out of the water for a better look), they swam alongside, they came to the bow, they investigated the stern, and in waters where we could see them ten feet or more below the surface. Then Carlos Navarro our Undersea Specialist asked if he could try and swim among them with the underwater camera, to see if he could get some footage? The Captain and Expedition Leader said please give it a try. The resulting show of Carlos and whales, whales and Carlos was surreal, each investigating the other. Of course this is the type of day seldom seen, and so it was no surprise when a huge Sailfish swims by Carlos, and Carlos fast as a bullet chases after the sailfish, camera in hand.
That night in the Lounge we all witnessed some absolutely incredible video footage, Carlos had been face to face with whale after whale, we had seen the whales at the surface near to him, but for every whale at the surface, there were five whales below, all investigating him. Indeed, everything about this day was “in the midst of Whales."
