Whale Sharks to Humpback Whales

Dave and I started our day with huevos rancheros on the high terrace of our hotel overlooking the Bahia de La Paz.  Beyond Dave's happy face you can see the large Marina Cortez.

Dave had some blog work and shopping to do.  I would head out onto the Sea of Cortez with a tour guide, small boat captain, a family of four from Mercer Island, WA, and a remarkably tough and vivacious French couple in their later 70s by my estimate.  I hope Joyce and I will grow up to be like them someday.

After some research, help from Joyce online 1800 miles away and the very helpful receptionist at the Hotel Mediterrean, I walked to the Mar y Adventura to begin a day of exploration on the Sea.  Our first stop after about 20 minutes underway was outside the very thin Penninsula El Mogote that protects the bay.  We snorkeled with whale sharks.  I could not get pictures but may this link give you some idea of the awe I experienced being right next to these scary but benign creatures.  Whale Shark OMG!  It is important not to startle the huge animal causing it to swing its powerful tail into you.  I was respectful and quiet.

A strong northly but warm headwind and rougher seas pounded us for the next 90 minutes as we made our way up the western shore of the Isla Espiritu Santos.  On the way we had a rare treat this time of year to watch a humbback whale splashing its pectoral fin repeatedly in what appeared to be play.

Soon after this we saw a group of multiple spouts of water coming from a group of Common Dolphins.  We were blessed to see about forty of them including calves moving together in a group hunting activity.  Dolphins always seem to look and act happy (Flipper) and all of these seemed to swim with joy.

Take a look at the video I took of them

Our most northerly destination was the Isla Islotes, really just a large group of rocks but a protected sanctuary for sea lions.  I donned my wet suit and gear to go over the side again hoping to swim with sea lions.  Our guide, "Ben" tried valiantly to find one of the sea mammals swimming  but  we could only watch them basking on the rocks from about 90 feet away.  Nevertheless, we saw many fish as we snorkeled the area.

On our way back we stopped for lunch on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world in one of the many protected inlets on the western shore of the Isla Espiritu Santos.

The island is protected closely as a national park and a very sensitive ecosystem. The beaches have very soft, white sand and the waer is warm with greens and blues that draw your attention.

The trip was another very memorable one in large part because of "Ben", our very careful and considerate guide.  As with Roberto at San Ignacio, he really cares for the land and creatures he is showing us and for our better experience of them.