![]() ![]() Our first stop is the blue-footed booby rookery at La Gaviota where, hopefully, we can observe dozens of these photogenic, blue-footed birds enjoying life on their rock in the Sea of Cortez. Today, we say farewell to Camp Cecil but hello to two unmatched wildlife experiences. Before turning in for the night, cast a shell into the water to test if the bioluminescence will put on a show! We return to camp in time for sundowners, followed by another remarkable meal. We disembark for a hike at the bay, learning about the geography and natural history of the island as we go. Males strutting with their enlarged red gular sacs, downy chicks huddling with their mothers, and the wild cacophony of colony life surround us. Once we're exhausted, we return to camp for a hot, delicious brunch and round out the morning snorkeling along the nearby fish-rich reef.Īfter lunch and a siesta, we take the boat to San Gabriel Bay for an encounter with the magnificent frigatebird colony in an exposed stretch of mangroves. And like all children, they are disappointed that we can't match their endurance for a game of tag. These playful marine mammals are curious and interact readily with humans. In the morning, we board the boat for the permanent sea lion colony of Los Islotes for one of life's most joyful experiences - swimming with sea lion pups! Staying on the island allows us to arrive early and have the area all to ourselves. Our own chef-prepared dinner follows shortly after. If we're lucky, we may spot some of the sea turtles that love to munch on the vegetation on the sea floor!īack at camp, we wind down with sundowners as the sun sets and watch the vast array of coastal birds diving into the waters hunting for their dinner. In the afternoon, we take out the kayaks and paddleboards to explore the beautiful inlets and bays around camp, enjoying gorgeous island scenery along the way. Our home for the next three days is Camp Cecil de la Isla, and upon arrival, we settle in to our comfortable tents before enjoying the first of many wonderful island meals. Relaxing in the balmy breeze, reading beach novels, and sipping margaritas is also highly encouraged. It's a remarkable place to explore, and we spend the days doing exactly what pleases us: kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, swimming with sea lions, stand-up paddleboarding, bird watching, and exploring hidden lagoons and desert beaches. There's even an endemic ring-tailed cat, the babisuri. The island itself is incredible, with magnificent towering cliffs, spectacular sandy bays, amazing lava rock formations, and rock art left by the now-extinct Guaycura and Pericu Indians. Centered in a national marine park and UNESCO World Heritage Site, the island is one of the best marine life viewing destinations in the world.ĭuring the coming days, we have the opportunity to view several of the marine park's residents, including whales, dolphins, whale sharks, sea turtles, manta rays, plenty of beautiful tropical fish, and a terrific range of bird species - blue-footed boobies, reddish egrets, great blue herons and yellow-footed gulls. We are outfitted with the gear we need for our time on the island before boarding our private boat to Isla Espiritu Santo. ![]() This morning, we descend from the Sierras to La Paz (about two hours) on the coast of the Sea of Cortez. Our safari is bookended by overnights in Todos Santos, a coastal artist’s enclave where we enjoy traditional Mexican cuisine and views over the Pacific from our perfectly located boutique hotel. Here, we enjoy a variety of water-based wildlife explorations and plenty of time to enjoy our idyllic surroundings. The surrounding national marine park covers an area of 48,000 hectares and is home to blue-footed boobies, playful sea lions, and the enigmatic whale shark. We then venture offshore, to Isla Espiritu Santo, a UNESCO World Heritage site. A variety of animals and plants thrive here, including mountain lions, mule deer, gophers and badgers, and a wonderful array of birdlife, including the endemic cape pygmy owl, Xantus hummingbird, and Belding´s yellowthroat. ![]() ![]() The mountains of the Sierra de la Laguna Biosphere Reserve form the spine of the peninsula and offer scenic hiking in a beautiful but little explored area. Here, we explore safari-style, allowing us to experience Baja’s wilderness while enjoying the simple luxuries of real beds, soft linens, chef-prepared meals, and sundowners in idyllic settings - a true connection to nature. Isla Espiritu Santo in the Sea of Cortez and the Sierra La Laguna Biosphere Reserve are two of Baja California Sur’s most beautiful and biodiverse locations - a "mini-Galapagos" much closer to home. ![]()
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