We woke up anchored at Puerto Magdalena, a quiet fishing village that has witnessed amazing geological and historic events. First, we had some hikes through the canyons on Magdalena Island, an “Ophiolite complex” starting on a beach of fossilized shells; we gained altitude and went into awesome metamorphic rocks, until we ended our walk on a Pacific view saddle.

In the afternoon we visited the desalinization plant that supplies fresh water to the community. We enjoyed hearing from our local host, Jose Chejo, to learn how his family has crafted the area: since the years his great-grandfather moved in to work on lichen harvesting in the late 1800s, to the present when Jose manages a touristic restaurant and also forms part of the “Pangueros Union.”

This was the best way to start our expedition on Magdalena Bay: with a lot of local flavor.