Los Islotes & Isla Espiritu Santo
We woke to a beautiful sunrise this morning as the National Geographic Sea Bird approached the rocks of Los Islotes just off the northern end of Isla La Partida. Anticipation was in the air as we readied to swim with the sea lions. Before we even entered the water, several juvenile sea lions came to the surface next to our Zodiacs to check us out. As we slipped into the clear waters, we were delighted to see these graceful creatures flying underwater below us. Not far off, adults and juveniles sunned themselves on the rocks, their vocalizations filling the air. Below water, juveniles twirled around while the bigger males slowly swam by, keeping an eye on these strange human creatures who had entered their undersea neighborhood.
We were also treated to a plethora of colorful reef fish including large schools of sergeant majors, goatfish, and blue and gold snappers. Our undersea specialist, Carlos Navarro, filmed two barberfish cleaning several goatfish. The goatfish would orient themselves vertically in the water, with their head down, and the barberfish would dutifully pick off parasites. We were also thrilled to see a golden phase leopard grouper, a rare sighting in these waters.
After a leisurely time soaking up all the underwater treasures, we headed back to the ship to change into dry clothes and take a Zodiac tour around Los Islotes. It was great to re-focus our attention on the wildlife inhabiting the rocky cliffs of this picturesque outpost. The volcanic red cliffs are covered in streaks of guano. Brown and blue-footed boobies dot the cliffs and soar in the sky above. A lone great blue heron stood perfectly still on one leg surveying the scene. Meanwhile, young sea lions suckled at their mothers teats, juveniles jumped off of the rocks into the water, and adults sunned themselves on the warm rocks.
We returned to the ship for a lunch full of sea lion tales. We then pulled anchor and headed down the coast of Isla Espiritu Santo to a long sandy beach at its southern tip, Punta Dispensa. There we soaked up our last full afternoon in Baja, beachcombing, hiking, and snorkeling. As the sun set and the clouds turned pink, we headed back to our floating home, content with our last full day in this magical place.
We woke to a beautiful sunrise this morning as the National Geographic Sea Bird approached the rocks of Los Islotes just off the northern end of Isla La Partida. Anticipation was in the air as we readied to swim with the sea lions. Before we even entered the water, several juvenile sea lions came to the surface next to our Zodiacs to check us out. As we slipped into the clear waters, we were delighted to see these graceful creatures flying underwater below us. Not far off, adults and juveniles sunned themselves on the rocks, their vocalizations filling the air. Below water, juveniles twirled around while the bigger males slowly swam by, keeping an eye on these strange human creatures who had entered their undersea neighborhood.
We were also treated to a plethora of colorful reef fish including large schools of sergeant majors, goatfish, and blue and gold snappers. Our undersea specialist, Carlos Navarro, filmed two barberfish cleaning several goatfish. The goatfish would orient themselves vertically in the water, with their head down, and the barberfish would dutifully pick off parasites. We were also thrilled to see a golden phase leopard grouper, a rare sighting in these waters.
After a leisurely time soaking up all the underwater treasures, we headed back to the ship to change into dry clothes and take a Zodiac tour around Los Islotes. It was great to re-focus our attention on the wildlife inhabiting the rocky cliffs of this picturesque outpost. The volcanic red cliffs are covered in streaks of guano. Brown and blue-footed boobies dot the cliffs and soar in the sky above. A lone great blue heron stood perfectly still on one leg surveying the scene. Meanwhile, young sea lions suckled at their mothers teats, juveniles jumped off of the rocks into the water, and adults sunned themselves on the warm rocks.
We returned to the ship for a lunch full of sea lion tales. We then pulled anchor and headed down the coast of Isla Espiritu Santo to a long sandy beach at its southern tip, Punta Dispensa. There we soaked up our last full afternoon in Baja, beachcombing, hiking, and snorkeling. As the sun set and the clouds turned pink, we headed back to our floating home, content with our last full day in this magical place.
