Isla San Jose and Isla San Francisco, Baja California, México
Morning started bright and early with sunrise on the shores of Punta Colorada, Isla San Jose. Our sleepy-faced guests came prepared for a pre-breakfast walk and set off up the winding arroyo. This large island of volcanic rock is covered with deposits of marine sediments over one hundred and fifty feet thick. One can find the ancient fossils of shells and many other marine creatures, but especially impressive are the bones of an ancient whale cemented to the surface. Cruising by Zodiac is an ideal way to get a good look at the impressive multicolored rock and it was easy to see the layers.
Water sport activities then commenced after the short hikes and included snorkeling and scuba diving. We observed manta rays, needlefish and even a large turtle from the surface while peering into the clear calm water. Below the surface, a shy octopus slithered into a crack upon our approach and huge yellow snapper tried to hide their oversized bodies under the small rock overhangs. The water was filled with so many mysid shrimp that at times it was difficult to see! These tiny crustaceans are an important food source for many organisms.
Shortly before arriving at our afternoon’s destination, one of our natural history staff gave us a wonderful presentation about the lives of birds. Later, we explored the beach and interior of Isla San Francisco, located of the southern end of Isla San Jose. Conditions were once again perfect for kayaking, swimming or snorkeling, and scuba diving. We back rolled from our Zodiac into the warm water and finned our way down to explore. Almost immediately, we were greeted by spiny baloonfish and they were our escorts throughout the dive. Colorful nudibranchs inched across many of the algal covered surfaces, scraping away at the marine vegetation with their sandpaper-like radula. Many groups of fishes of different sizes, shapes, and colors were feeding on microscopic plankton in the rich water column.
As the sun started to slowly descend in the western sky, the enticing smell of barbecue assaulted our senses. With full bellies, we sat in our chairs and enjoyed the company of our fellow guests while we gazed out across the bay. A fire was lit, marshmallows crackled over the fire and stories and songs filled the darkening sky. And so ended another amazing day in Baja California.
Morning started bright and early with sunrise on the shores of Punta Colorada, Isla San Jose. Our sleepy-faced guests came prepared for a pre-breakfast walk and set off up the winding arroyo. This large island of volcanic rock is covered with deposits of marine sediments over one hundred and fifty feet thick. One can find the ancient fossils of shells and many other marine creatures, but especially impressive are the bones of an ancient whale cemented to the surface. Cruising by Zodiac is an ideal way to get a good look at the impressive multicolored rock and it was easy to see the layers.
Water sport activities then commenced after the short hikes and included snorkeling and scuba diving. We observed manta rays, needlefish and even a large turtle from the surface while peering into the clear calm water. Below the surface, a shy octopus slithered into a crack upon our approach and huge yellow snapper tried to hide their oversized bodies under the small rock overhangs. The water was filled with so many mysid shrimp that at times it was difficult to see! These tiny crustaceans are an important food source for many organisms.
Shortly before arriving at our afternoon’s destination, one of our natural history staff gave us a wonderful presentation about the lives of birds. Later, we explored the beach and interior of Isla San Francisco, located of the southern end of Isla San Jose. Conditions were once again perfect for kayaking, swimming or snorkeling, and scuba diving. We back rolled from our Zodiac into the warm water and finned our way down to explore. Almost immediately, we were greeted by spiny baloonfish and they were our escorts throughout the dive. Colorful nudibranchs inched across many of the algal covered surfaces, scraping away at the marine vegetation with their sandpaper-like radula. Many groups of fishes of different sizes, shapes, and colors were feeding on microscopic plankton in the rich water column.
As the sun started to slowly descend in the western sky, the enticing smell of barbecue assaulted our senses. With full bellies, we sat in our chairs and enjoyed the company of our fellow guests while we gazed out across the bay. A fire was lit, marshmallows crackled over the fire and stories and songs filled the darkening sky. And so ended another amazing day in Baja California.
