The second day of our journey through Baja California started as we sailed south towards Los Islotes. This is a very special place, where California sea lions find a suitable environment to haul-out, and to form a breeding colony during the summer months. We spent the morning taking close looks at these wonderful marine mammals, and the multitude of seabirds that roost and nest on the volcanic rocks. We also had an afternoon full of activities in a place called Ensenada Grande. Here, we enjoyed a wonderful hike, paddleboarding, snorkeling, and kayaking.
3/18/2025
Read
National Geographic Venture
Espiritu Santo Archipelago, Baja California Sur, Mexico
We awoke to the distant sound of barking. The low morning sun illuminated the small northernmost islands of the Espiritu Santo Archipelago called Los Islotes. We were here to visit a vibrant rookery of California sea lions who were the source of that barking. Many of our intrepid group visited these playful creatures in their own wet environment. We snorkeled and watched their antics as they chased each other, blew bubbles, and even nibbled at our fins. The rest of our group visited via Zodiac where we viewed their spirited behavior on land and bathed in the cacophony of their barks and moans. We were also lucky to see many birds that roost on the island, including blue-footed and cocos boobies and yellow-footed gulls. We then moved further south in the archipelago to the gorgeous anchorage of El Cardonal on Isla Partida. We kayaked the crystal clear, electric turquoise waters in flat, calm conditions, as brown pelicans, ospreys, and hawks flew overhead. In the late afternoon we went ashore for walks across the island. Here we explored cardon cactus forests, spied on the endemic Espiritu Santo antelope squirrel, and learned about mangrove ecosystems in the beautiful evening light.
