The Sea of Cortez - A New Appreciation

I have always been a tourist-type snorkeler. In the past I truly enjoyed my experiences in Hawaii and the Caribbean. luckysanto.com However, nothing prepared me for the game changing experience I had in the Sea of Cortez. 

I was working at a new project in La Paz, BCS and had arranged for a group of 10 folks to participate in the popular excursion to Isla Espiritu Santo and then to Los Islotes to snorkel with the sea lions. We cruised along the coast of the island and were truly in awe of its raw beauty.

Approaching the sea lion colony I was struck by the shear number and as we drew closer by the noise they created as they chatted among themselves. Our guide had explained how large the sea lions are and how smooth and powerful they swim. She laughed and explained how they will swim right up to the front of your face, look at you as if to say... you are an amateur swimmer my friend. 

We jumped in the water and were soon literally face-to-face with our new friends. I was definitely taken back a little the first time a large sea lion came up on me like a shot, hesitated briefly right in front of me and then bolted away. Swimming among so many and watching how graceful they are is impressive. I could have stayed all day... what a great experience!

After we got back in the panga and headed off to our next experience we started to settle in when my Spanish-speaking friend and I heard our Captain start chattering back and forth on his radio. I asked my friend what was happening and he said the captain was in communication with a small airplane nearby who had just spotted a couple of whale sharks. The engines revved and we set in a new course to encounter the whale sharks, guided by the plane above. 

My friend started to put on his snorkeling gear and I asked why. He explained that in 15 years of diving he had never been lucky enough to swim with a whale shark and this would be his chance. Honestly, I had no idea what a whale shark was, but my personality would not allow me to not jump in for this experience. Of course I didn't think anything about the name including both a whale and a shark.

So, excitement is building and things are moving fast. I have my gear mostly on and the Captain tells us to get ready to jump in. At the last moment, someone hands me an underwater camera and asks me to take a picture. I grab the camera, the Captain says jump and suddenly I am in the water trying to adjust my mask and not lose control of the camera. I make one turn and nothing prepares me for the sight in front of me. 

At first I thought it could be a submarine coming right at me. Of course, I panicked. I spun around and around trying to get out of the way. Later the people on board said it looked like an old comedy film watching me thrash about. However, I saw enough to be hooked. We jumped back in the panga, raced in front, and jumped back in just in front. 

By our fifth rendezvous I had regained my composure. I cannot adequately describe the experience. I was able to look face to face, to swim along side as if we were pals and then to watch as it continued on its journey. That one minute experience is permanently etched in my memory.

There are moments in life that are game changers. This was one of them. My appreciation for sea lions, whale sharks, Isla Espiritu Santo and the Sea of Cortez soared. I am so lucky to live in the paradise that is La Paz, the gateway to the Sea of Cortez.