After having enjoyed a wonderful sunrise at sea, we arrived to Los Islotes shortly afterwards. We began hearing the barking, coughing and calling of the abundant resident California sea lions that call it home while we were still a few hundred yards away. Soon, the dark shapes on top of the rocks and swimming around were clearly distinguished as the National Geographic Sea Bird dropped her anchor on the south side of the rocks. Los Islotes is part of the Espiritu Santo Island Complex Biosphere Reserve, and the waters around the islets have been protected for several years as well, making it a really nice place to visit and admire the abundant marina life. We explored the islets using our expedition landing craft and got the chance to get excellent views of the big male sea lions, the always-graceful females and the ever-curious youngsters: many of them actually followed us for a while. We all took many photographs of them resting on the rocks or swimming around, as well as the abundant sea bird species that live here too, including blue-footed and brown boobies, magnificent frigatebirds, yellow-footed gulls, turkey vultures and even a couple of great blue herons. Later, we joined the sea lions in their own element, the water, and went snorkeling. What a great way to fully appreciate how perfectly adapted to marine life they are! Their movements are extremely graceful as they utilize their long front flippers as wings to “fly” underwater, being capable to outmaneuver any fish. The young ones, which are about to become one year old since they were all born last May, were particularly curious, inquisitive and very fond to “play chicken” with us. At the same time, we also enjoyed watching the abundant fish life, including yellow-tailed surgeon fishes, king angels, pyramid and cushion sea stars, blue and gold snappers flower sea urchins, crowns of thorns and leopard groupers.
During the afternoon we landed at a beautiful sandy beach located on the south end of the Espiritu Santo Island, named Bonanza Bay. Facing the San Lorenzo Channel and the Peninsula, Bonanza Bay made the perfect setting for a very enjoyable time kayaking, snorkeling and hiking in the desert. Some got lucky and saw the endemic black jackrabbit, whereas others decided to relax walking on the beach. In any case, everyone had the chance to have a great and meaningful last evening of our expedition together in Baja California.
