The dawn broke as National Geographic Sea Lion motored south into the Bahia de Loreto National Park in Baja California Sur, Mexico. The objective of the morning was wildlife viewing. Keen eyes crowded the decks and watched eagerly. The productive waters of the area did not disappoint. First the word of a distant whale was whispered, then exclaimed, and finally broadcast ship-wide as sperm whales were discovered over and over. The ship was bobbing in a veritable whale-soup. Just to seal the deal, out of the blue, the hotel team appeared and set up an impromptu Bloody Mary bar right on the bow! After a splendid morning watched the largest member of the toothed whale swim and dive, we continued our journey south to Half Moon Bay. Here the watersport toys were deployed and a splendid day of snorkeling, paddle boarding, and kayaking ensued. Once the day began to cool down, hikes up to a nearby ridgeline were offered, and a group of enterprising near-shore explorers went off to explore the intertidal in the spirit of John Steinbeck and Ed Rickettes. To top the day, dinner was served ashore in a barbeque style, informal dinner, and many a s’more was toasted.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 07 Apr 2018
Loreto National Park, 4/7/2018, National Geographic Sea Lion
- Aboard the National Geographic Sea Lion
- Baja California
James Hyde, Undersea Specialist
Pacific Northwest born James Hyde grew up immersed in the Salish Sea, on Vashon Island with Seattle as his backdrop. A passionate traveler from a young age, James explored four continents before finishing his degree at Western Washington University's...
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