Bahia Almejas, Baja California Sur, 1/23/2020, National Geographic Sea Lion
Aboard the
National Geographic Sea Lion
Baja California
Dawn breaks on National Geographic Sea Lion at our anchorage in Bahia Almejas this morning. The bahia is the southernmost portion of the Magdalena Bay region and is our first opportunity to get out among the gray whales, and boy did we ever! A spectacular first day experience and interaction with these animals.
Our afternoon was spent at Sand Dollar Beach on Isla Magdalena hiking in the dunes and biking on the beach at low tide.
An educator at heart, Dan finds great joy in helping others explore and connect with the world around them. He has taught marine sciences in the Florida Keys and on Catalina Island, science and math in international schools in Mexico, Costa Rica, and ...
Born in Hollywood with a camera in his hand, Ross is a documentary filmmaker and photographer who is inspired by a good-organic-wholesome-LA-vegan cause and strives to raise awareness wherever he can through his pictures and films. While majoring in ...
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This morning and afternoon, we spent several hours among dozens of gray whales in Bahia Almejas. It was fascinating to observe gray whale behaviors in a breeding lagoon. We watched pairs and trios of whales surface and roll near one another. We listened to them breathe and we felt the misty air from their exhalations. At times, gray whales swam very close to our small boats, and it was thrilling!
We began the day anchored in front of Puerto Magdalena. During the stretch class led by Julie, a gray whale was spotted, bringing joy to our guests. After breakfast we headed to the island to enjoy different hikes. Some guests walked along the beach while others hiked up the hill to enjoy a magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean. Along the hike we found different plants, like the galloping cactus, some false elephant trees, and the endemic margarita agave. We finished the morning visiting the gray whale skeletons. We had lunch on board and in the afternoon, we headed back to the island. Chejo led a visit to the desalination plant explaining the whole process, and we also visited the abalone shell handicrafts workshop. We ended the visit at Chejo’s restaurant to listen to his stories while our guests enjoyed margaritas, guacamole, and pico de gallo.
What can I say about today? Magical . . . unforgettable . . . spectacular . . . “whale soup”. We went out in pangas in the morning and again in the afternoon, seeking gray whales in Bahia Almejas. With ideal conditions, calm wind and water, we were rewarded with excellent views of gray whale blows, backs, heads, and flukes as they rolled at the surface, took breaths, and occasionally came close to our pangas. They spy hopped (lifted their heads vertically out of the water) and swam slowly. We were grateful to observe them so peacefully in this lagoon where they were once hunted. It was an absolutely wonderful and memorable day.
