El Barril, Canal de Soledad, and Isla Magdalena, 2/1/2023, National Geographic Sea Bird
Aboard the
National Geographic Sea Bird
Baja California
We enjoyed two different aspects of Isla Magdalena today. First, the bay created by this island was our target for water exploration. We used kayaks, standup paddleboards, and Zodiacs. The next aspect was terra firma, as we hiked through and across the dunes to the Pacific Ocean.
Born in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Linda and her Air Force family moved extensively throughout the U.S. when she was a child. Linda continues to travel and explore a broader spectrum of the world as a naturalist with Lindblad Expeditions-National Geogr...
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We began our day with an unforgettable gray whale watching adventure in Bahia Almejas. The calm bay provided perfect conditions for observing these magnificent creatures, and we were fortunate to experience several close encounters with spy hopping gray whales. The whales came within feet of our boats, offering a rare opportunity for intimate observations. Our guides shared valuable insights into their migration and conservation efforts, making the experience even more meaningful. In the afternoon, we hiked through the shifting dunes of Isla Magdalena, heading toward the Pacific side of the island. Upon reaching Sand Dollar Beach, we explored the intertidal zone, finding sand dollars, crabs, and vibrant clams. The pristine beach, combined with the surrounding dunes, provided a peaceful and picturesque setting for a relaxing hike and exploration of the local life. Today’s adventure offered an amazing combination of wildlife encounters and breathtaking landscapes, leaving us in awe of Baja California Sur’s natural beauty.
Our day aboard National Geographic Sea Bird began with a wonderful gray whale watching adventure in Bahia Almejas. Aboard our pangas driven by local captains, we were surrounded by spy-hopping whales. In the afternoon, guests enjoyed hikes, fat-tire bike rides, and beverages and ceviche in Puerto Magdalena. What a wonderful way to start our trip!
We welcomed our day with an early whale search. On our way to Boca de la Soledad, we observed double-crested cormorants, magnificent frigatebirds, white ibis, and great and snowy egrets perched on the white mangroves at the north end of Isla Magdalena. Our panguero, Carlos, pointed out a massive bald eagle nest where an adult was guarding the surroundings. As we passed in front of Isla Pelícano, we saw a large flock of American white pelicans standing out among dozens of brown pelicans. As we got closer to La Boca, we spotted gray whale rainblows, spy hops, and a female with its calf. On our way back to National Geographic Sea Bird , Carlos took us to visit the oyster farm by the abandoned phosphorite mine facilities where we found three osprey nests, and one was active with a chick and an adult. We ended our ride observing a pod of bottlenose dolphins. In the afternoon, we hiked the dunes towards Sand Dollar Beach. Our guests enjoyed the beauty of the landscape. We found tracks of different creatures like coyotes, dune bugs, and birds. After dinner we enjoyed the traditional guest slide show. It was a perfect end to a great day.
