Here in Baja California, it’s always a pleasure to awake to flat calm seas with the stunning Sierra de la Giganta as a backdrop. As National Geographic Sea Bird sailed south towards our morning destination, Isla Danzante in the Bahía de Loreto National Park, eyes on the bridge and bow were scanning for signs of marine life in the first morning light. As the sun rose higher, we began to see flashes and splashes in the distance. Soon after, bottlenose dolphins came in to ride our bow wave, at one point including a very small youngster. We then encountered a group of long-beaked common dolphins that rode our ship’s wake as shutters clicked away. We turned back towards Isla Danzante and discovered a fantastic show of mobula rays jumping over and over, while we watched huge schools of rays gliding past below the surface.
Isla Danzante is a lovely anchorage and a perfect spot for a full day of activities, beginning with a morning snorkel. In the clear waters that spread out from the white sand beach, we saw stingrays, scorpionfish, box crab, large schools of sergeant majors, and plenty of marine life to keep us entranced throughout the outing.
Calm water makes kayaking or standup paddleboarding in this scenic bay an absolute pleasure. Quietly paddling along the coast we found snowy egrets and great blue herons along the rocky shores and a small mangrove area.
After our water-based activities we set off for afternoon walks around the island. Isla Danzante is fantastic in its rugged beauty with red rocks, jagged cliffs, and dramatic shoreline. From some of the lower peaks we climbed (yet steep enough to make one think carefully about each step), and we were rewarded with staggering views.
Really, when you stop to think about the fabulous beauty of Baja California, the area around Isla Danzante and the Sierra de la Giganta is hard to beat visually. The hills and peaks create layers of sculpted pinnacles drifting back in successive tonality creating a sense of depth in our photos.
Later, our black inflatable “taxis” whisked us back to the ship for another quick change before heading for our beach barbecue. The crew welcomed us with delightful beverages, and we eagerly awaited the incredible dinner to come.
Our taco fiesta on the beach was delicious! The array of salsas caught a few by surprise with chilies of varying intensity. Kudos to our chef, hotel manager, and all the crew who made this evening a terrific success.
Sunset passed with a starburst in the peaks, and darkness brought out an array of stars. Songs and stories from around the campfire wrapped up another wonderful day on National Geographic Sea Bird.
