We weighed anchor just before dawn then traveled through the Canal de Soledad, observing many species of shore birds in the adjacent mangroves, desert, and sand dunes. We also were honored with an escort of bow-riding bottlenose dolphins, an overflying eagle, and a beach-patrolling coyote. We eventually anchored off El Barril for an exquisite two hours of kayaking or Zodiac cruising along a rich mangrove forest under clear and sunny skies with no wind. Absolutely perfect conditions.
After lunch we traveled to, and anchored off, an isolated beach on Isla Magdalena. We then hiked for about a mile over stunning sand dunes to the several mile long Sand Dollar Beach and the Pacific Ocean. The beach was filled with shells of all kinds and sand dollar tests (of course!), all of this combined with the sound of crashing surf.
Hiking over the dunes back to the landing site was again memorable and all of us will inadvertently carry fine-grained sand home in various articles of clothing! Before boarding the Zodiacs, we enjoyed cocktails on the beach.
Dinner was followed by the traditional guest slide show. Memories were shared, relived, and stored in minds and devices for endless references in the future.
