Tag: Sea of Cortez

We had to abandon our anchorage around 0100 due to increasing west winds, but the mate was able to keep us comfortable and set us up for a sunrise arrival to La Reina. The conditions here are really good, and the in-water conditions are great. Very little current, wonderful visibility, and loads of fish. After the first dive, the group came back very excited for the second. The second dive was even better, with a manta swimming by both groups right at the very beginning. from there the dive continued to be great. Juan David found a small frogfish, and three turtles were seen as well. The sight turned into a bit of a zoo this morning with divers from La Paz. Probably 60 total divers on dive two, but our groups were able to avoid the crowds. We think some of the local operators will move on for the afternoon.

Around 0700 this morning we got underway and anchored closer to Los Islotes to wait for our pangas for the sea lion dives. Pangas arrived right at 0800 and we were able to get our divers into the two boats by about 0830. And the dive was great. Very good visibility with a huge ball of sardines in the area and lots of playful sea lions. Guests came back raving about it. The second dive left the ship around 1130.

We completed two more afternoon dives and one night dive yesterday in the area around Isla Lobos/San Fransiquito. the afternoon dives were great, with 100’+ visibility and very little current. The winds that had been blowing for the morning died down to almost nothing and the place was gorgeous. A large school of barracudas was sighted as well as a curious sea lion. Lots of reef fishes to look at as well. After dinner, we had 4 brave guests interested in the night dive. They had very calm conditions under a nearly full moon. At least one octopus, countless morays, and a variety of nudibranchs and crustaceans were seen. Everybody really enjoyed the day.

Once in the water, everybody seems to have enjoyed themselves. there was some current complicating the start of the dive, but up closer to the island there was enough lee for everybody to take it easy. There were scorpionfish, nudibranchs, and plenty of puffers to be seen. All guests had a good time. The plan for the rest of today is to make two dives this afternoon at San Fransiquito and