Sand Dollar Beach & Hull Canal
Heading north along the west coast of Baja, the National Geographic Sea Bird began her journey towards Sand Dollar Beach, a sand dune-covered barrier island. Our morning began with cool, crisp air and a calm fog. The earth seemed to be at peace, and we could hear only the consistent beat of the ocean’s swift movements; a relaxer for us all. Pulling anchor, we set out for our destination. Breaking through the blanket of mist that surrounded us, we were greeted by a sunrise that spoke magnificence to our eyes. With the sun slowly peeking its way above the horizon, the still waters mirrored the sky and all its colors and abstract cloud formations. It was truly a sight to see.
Still in awe, nature had more in store for us. Coming closer to La Entrada (the entrance to Magdalena bay) a pod of common long-beaked dolphins were spotted swimming not far from the ship. This was too good to simply pass by; the ship slowed, and all gazed upon the greatness of these amazing mammals. Growing to several hundred strong, the group began to move side by side with us. With dolphins breaching and swimming in complete harmony, photography was at its best. Moving with great dignity and power, they put on a show of pure beauty for all to see. Then, as if a message had been relayed, our new friends broke free from the line and swam off in their own direction with speed and perfection.
Already being witness to so much, it was hard to believe that it could get any better. In late morning we arrived and dropped anchor at Isla Magdalena. Preparing to go ashore and begin the hike to Sand Dollar Beach, inevitable excitement slowly set in. Our naturalists led hikes and touched on the various wildlife, history, and vegetation of this interesting place. Navigating through the sand dunes, we came across many signs of life: tracks left behind by coyotes, jackrabbits, lizards, and even the smallest trails created by black beetles. Arriving at Sand Dollar, we could see how it got its name. Spread all over the beach, these sand dollars appear in all sizes. With waves breaking, a soft wind, and the sun on our backs, the moment was perfect.
During lunch we picked up our local pilot and began navigating north through the Hull Canal, into Magdalena Bay. Passing by mangrove areas, bird lovers found great pleasure in taking pictures of the many species found here. Moving further along, numerous grey whales were spotted, including several mother and calf pairs. It was truly awe-inspiring to be so close to such incredible creatures. Laughter and excitement filled the ship as we were amazed by our surroundings.
Slowly congregating inside, some guests swapped pictures and stories, and others wrote home about their adventures. With the evening closing in, a recap of the day and a cup of coffee were had by our naturalists and expedition leader. Finishing up with a fantastic dinner by the chefs, bed time is near, and the same thought fills us all. What will tomorrow bring?
