Bahia Bonanza, Isla Espirtu Santo & Los Islotes
We awoke early this morning, despite our travels the day before, eagerly anticipating our first day exploring the Gulf of California. We were not to be disappointed, with dolphins sighted from the bow even before we ate breakfast!
The fist order of business today was to prepare ourselves for the various activities the Sea Voyager has to offer. Procedures for Zodiac landings, sea kayaking and snorkeling were explained to us, and once we had outfitted ourselves with snorkel gear we were soon on our way ashore to try it for real.
The site of our morning landing was the long golden sand beach of Bahia Bonanza – the bay of plenty – on the southeastern corner of Isla Ispiritu Santo. In 2003, this 23,800-acre island was purchased by an international coalition of conservation groups, given to the government of Mexico, and is now a protected area. We took a stroll inland, following a dried up riverbed or Arroyo, to explore the desert landscape with our naturalists. Returning to the beach, the sheltered bay proved the perfect spot to refresh our skills with mask and snorkel, or simply swim and cool down after our hike. Some chose to try out one of the Sea Voyager’s fleet of sea kayaks, paddling lazily along the shoreline at eye level with the shorebirds feeding along the beach.
Our little ship repositioned during lunch to the rocky islets of Los Islotes, off the northern tip of Isla Partida. This island reserve is an important haul-out spot for the California sea lion, and we could hear their barks echoing off the pinkish tuffstone cliffs as we approached. We were in for a much more intimate encounter with these magnificent beasts though, as we embarked Zodiacs to snorkel the waters just off the haul-out rocks. Entering the realm of the sea lions proved an exciting experience, catching glimpses of the large animals as they played in the shallows, amazing us with their speed and grace. Amongst the rocks we also spotted a good variety of reef fish, including colourful king angelfish, blue and gold snapper, and the yellowtail surgonfish.
Once dry following our snorkel we were soon back out in the Zodiacs again, this time for a tour along the shoreline, circumnavigating the island. The late afternoon sun illuminated the scene beautifully, as we cruised along the rocky cliffs, observing and photographing sea lions, blue-footed & brown boobies, magnificent frigatebirds and brown pelicans before returning to the ship.
Evening recap was delayed slightly, allowing us to watch the sun set over the glassy calm ocean before meeting in the lounge to hear about plans for the next day. If this first day of our expedition aboard the Sea Voyager was anything to go by, we were in for an exciting and busy trip!
We awoke early this morning, despite our travels the day before, eagerly anticipating our first day exploring the Gulf of California. We were not to be disappointed, with dolphins sighted from the bow even before we ate breakfast!
The fist order of business today was to prepare ourselves for the various activities the Sea Voyager has to offer. Procedures for Zodiac landings, sea kayaking and snorkeling were explained to us, and once we had outfitted ourselves with snorkel gear we were soon on our way ashore to try it for real.
The site of our morning landing was the long golden sand beach of Bahia Bonanza – the bay of plenty – on the southeastern corner of Isla Ispiritu Santo. In 2003, this 23,800-acre island was purchased by an international coalition of conservation groups, given to the government of Mexico, and is now a protected area. We took a stroll inland, following a dried up riverbed or Arroyo, to explore the desert landscape with our naturalists. Returning to the beach, the sheltered bay proved the perfect spot to refresh our skills with mask and snorkel, or simply swim and cool down after our hike. Some chose to try out one of the Sea Voyager’s fleet of sea kayaks, paddling lazily along the shoreline at eye level with the shorebirds feeding along the beach.
Our little ship repositioned during lunch to the rocky islets of Los Islotes, off the northern tip of Isla Partida. This island reserve is an important haul-out spot for the California sea lion, and we could hear their barks echoing off the pinkish tuffstone cliffs as we approached. We were in for a much more intimate encounter with these magnificent beasts though, as we embarked Zodiacs to snorkel the waters just off the haul-out rocks. Entering the realm of the sea lions proved an exciting experience, catching glimpses of the large animals as they played in the shallows, amazing us with their speed and grace. Amongst the rocks we also spotted a good variety of reef fish, including colourful king angelfish, blue and gold snapper, and the yellowtail surgonfish.
Once dry following our snorkel we were soon back out in the Zodiacs again, this time for a tour along the shoreline, circumnavigating the island. The late afternoon sun illuminated the scene beautifully, as we cruised along the rocky cliffs, observing and photographing sea lions, blue-footed & brown boobies, magnificent frigatebirds and brown pelicans before returning to the ship.
Evening recap was delayed slightly, allowing us to watch the sun set over the glassy calm ocean before meeting in the lounge to hear about plans for the next day. If this first day of our expedition aboard the Sea Voyager was anything to go by, we were in for an exciting and busy trip!
