Santa Rosa Island was in full bloom for our day of exploration on “the grasslands in the wind.” The Chumash name for Santa Rosa Island is Wimal, which means driftwood. With the winds gusting, it was easy to see why the Chumash used the driftwood from this island to create their seafaring tomols, or canoes, to travel between islands and to the mainland.

Guests had an extraordinary experience lucking upon a Santa Rosa Island fox in the Torrey Pine grove at the end of a delightful uphill climb. Others were in amazement and delight of the wildflowers that stunned us with their spectacular colors. Back at the ship, our underwater team captivated us all with their video footage of the magical world below the waterline.