Puerto Gato, 2/2/2022, National Geographic Venture
Aboard the
National Geographic Venture
Baja California
Our morning started with a very unusual event: it rained! Not a drenching rain, but just enough to make the desert flora very happy and all of us a bit wet. But no matter, light rain did not dampen anyone’s spirits. We hiked, kayaked and snorkeled. Beautiful Puerto Gato is not a port, nor was it named for the cats that inhabit the region. Instead, the name came from the nurse sharks that sport whiskers and were once found in these bays.
Dana was born with a curious nature, which endures to this day. At a very young age she developed a love of wildlife and being outdoors. Although she loves all aspects of nature, it was seeing her first Humpback whale that was the impetus to pursue a...
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Our morning began with a stop at Los Islotes, part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, for a sunrise snorkel with playful juvenile California sea lions. As they twisted and turned through the water with ease, it was such a joy for many to experience their curiosity so closely. We also enjoyed closer looks at the island from the bow of National Geographic Venture . The chorus of barking sea lions hauled out on the rocks was a raucous experience; we also observed a variety of birds, including Cocos and blue-footed boobies, and some California brown pelicans seeking refuge from the wind. After a fantastic brunch, we cruised the Canal de San Jose of the Gulf of California in search of wildlife, and it did not disappoint. Our first sighting was a humpback mother with her calf, cruising in the same direction as us. Then not long afterwards, the distinctly angled blows of sperm whales were sighted, while four mobula rays passed along our starboard side. And then the largest animals on our planet surfaced! Can you believe it? Blue whales!!!
Today was an amazing day, the last day of the first month of the new year. In the morning we pulled National Geographic Venture into a bay called El Cardonal, near Isla Partida, which provided protection from the furious north wind. We observed the dramatic erosion on the rock cliffs, which are made of ignimbrite and pyroclastic flows. We made a variety of landings for different activity interests: kayaking, interpretive nature walks, and even a mega-adventure-trek up from the beach at Ensenada Grande. The water at our landing site was crystal clear and the approach to the beach was a wonderful turquoise color. Kayakers were treated to close views of many yellow-crowned night herons and brown pelicans; a few guests even caught a fleeting view of two ospreys in a nest upon shuttling to shore. The occasional gust of wind reminded us of the conditions outside of the bay. In the afternoon, we ventured into La Paz for a wonderful series of cultural presentations, followed by a delicious private dinner at a local restaurant.
What a glorious day exploring Ensenada de los Muertos! We started the day snorkeling over a large reef at the south end of the bay. We were greeted by colorful king angelfish, multiple species of damselfish, Mexican goatfish, flower urchins, and Chinese trumpet fish. As that group came back to the ship other groups set out on Zodiac tours exploring the bay. In the afternoon, we traveled by Zodiac to a peaceful cove south of Ensenada de los Muertos to explore a desert arroyo path. We hiked through cardon, organ pipe, and cholla cactus up to a gorgeous lookout over the bay. It was great to stretch our legs while learning about the desert ecosystem of the Gulf of California. We returned to National Geographic Venture for an interesting recap, including a video of the underwater world shot that day by the undersea team. We can’t wait to see what tomorrow has in store!
