Isla Montserrate and Exploring the Sea of Cortez
Early risers started the morning with views of distant blows from the elusive blue whale, a preview to the day’s events. Though sharp eyes aboard the Sea Lion followed the whale diligently, we would have to wait until later in the afternoon before the largest of the marine mammals would allow us good, close looks at the span of her large, sleek body.
After breakfast, we anchored off of Isla Montserrate and set off to participate in a smorgasbord of activities. The first Zodiac out dropped off a small group of intrepid hikers to explore from their own unique landing, up through the arroyo, and into the hidden mysteries of this beautiful island. The rest of us made our way to a sandy stretch of beach flanked by rocky outcrops and sand-colored cliffs. While some donned their wet suits and flippers, others grabbed a paddle and slid into one- or two-person kayaks. A small contingent (both in stature and number) stayed on the beach, gathering up shells, puffer fish and manta ray skeletons, and other fossilized treasures to display for all of us as we returned to shore.
The kayakers paddled out past the rocks, rounding the corner into a new cove, admiring the dramatic cliffs towering over the azul water below. We sliced through the water’s surface, nosing our boats into the lower outcrop of rocks only to discover Sally Lightfoot crabs prancing about, scurrying from one crevice to another. Those who took a moment to rest may have noticed in contrast to the stillness of the water, the life beneath them – the bright yellow fin of the king angelfish or a black-striped back of the sergeant major. Guests sporting their own yellow, black, and blue fins swam beneath the surface to discover a myriad of colorful creatures: scissortail and Cortez damselfish, balloon fish, chocolate chip stars, and more. The light danced off the rocks and the sea floor as the fish swam amongst us in this wonderful orchestration of underwater life. In the late morning, many of us scrambled over some of the rocky coast, peeking our heads into the small habitats of the tidal pools. We found hermit and rock crabs, tide pool sculpin and various members of the starfish family, the echinoderms: sunflower starfish, brittle stars, a brown urchin and sea cucumbers.
We returned to the ship, ready for an afternoon searching the southern waters of the Sea of Cortez. Persistent and relentless binoculars scanned the horizon, and mid-afternoon, just north of Isla Santa Cruz, we spotted our first blows. A blue whale and her calf greeted us in the distance and we made our way closer. Patient, yet delighted, we tracked this magnificent mammal as she and her calf surfaced for several spectacular glimpses, accompanied by a collective awe from the ship’s bow. We ended this full day sheathed in the golden light of the sunset, with the moon rising over the mountains of Isla San Jose in the east.
Early risers started the morning with views of distant blows from the elusive blue whale, a preview to the day’s events. Though sharp eyes aboard the Sea Lion followed the whale diligently, we would have to wait until later in the afternoon before the largest of the marine mammals would allow us good, close looks at the span of her large, sleek body.
After breakfast, we anchored off of Isla Montserrate and set off to participate in a smorgasbord of activities. The first Zodiac out dropped off a small group of intrepid hikers to explore from their own unique landing, up through the arroyo, and into the hidden mysteries of this beautiful island. The rest of us made our way to a sandy stretch of beach flanked by rocky outcrops and sand-colored cliffs. While some donned their wet suits and flippers, others grabbed a paddle and slid into one- or two-person kayaks. A small contingent (both in stature and number) stayed on the beach, gathering up shells, puffer fish and manta ray skeletons, and other fossilized treasures to display for all of us as we returned to shore.
The kayakers paddled out past the rocks, rounding the corner into a new cove, admiring the dramatic cliffs towering over the azul water below. We sliced through the water’s surface, nosing our boats into the lower outcrop of rocks only to discover Sally Lightfoot crabs prancing about, scurrying from one crevice to another. Those who took a moment to rest may have noticed in contrast to the stillness of the water, the life beneath them – the bright yellow fin of the king angelfish or a black-striped back of the sergeant major. Guests sporting their own yellow, black, and blue fins swam beneath the surface to discover a myriad of colorful creatures: scissortail and Cortez damselfish, balloon fish, chocolate chip stars, and more. The light danced off the rocks and the sea floor as the fish swam amongst us in this wonderful orchestration of underwater life. In the late morning, many of us scrambled over some of the rocky coast, peeking our heads into the small habitats of the tidal pools. We found hermit and rock crabs, tide pool sculpin and various members of the starfish family, the echinoderms: sunflower starfish, brittle stars, a brown urchin and sea cucumbers.
We returned to the ship, ready for an afternoon searching the southern waters of the Sea of Cortez. Persistent and relentless binoculars scanned the horizon, and mid-afternoon, just north of Isla Santa Cruz, we spotted our first blows. A blue whale and her calf greeted us in the distance and we made our way closer. Patient, yet delighted, we tracked this magnificent mammal as she and her calf surfaced for several spectacular glimpses, accompanied by a collective awe from the ship’s bow. We ended this full day sheathed in the golden light of the sunset, with the moon rising over the mountains of Isla San Jose in the east.
