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Trip Reports

Tour #3 Los Islotes and more blue whales March 4

Dear whalewatchers:

Our final day was pretty busy starting with  a skiff ride into the mangroves at Isla San Jose. The tide was perfect and so the skiffs could stay a little longer and I think everyone enjoyed the trip.

We travelled south towards Los Islotes and we found four more blue whales, bringing the trip total to 18 blue whales up until then. We arrived at Los Islotes and did a skiff ride for everyone. Then all the snorkelers went in and had a great time with the sea lions.
We had some daylight left and for our finale we found a group of eight blue whales in a 2-square mile area! We were able to get some great looks at multiple animals close so it was a great way to end the trip.

We are headed for Cabo with a very happy group,
Capt Art

p.s. The photo is a sunset on another Baja tour, thanks to Charles Howell

2011-03-06T06:32:58-08:00March 6th, 2011|Trip Reports|
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Tour #3 Isla Santa Catalina and blue whales

(Many thanks to Hilary Thompson for her beautiful photo of Isla Santa Catalina landscape!)

Hello whalewatchers,
This morning we were at Isla Santa Catalina for a hike and a snorkel. The wind was back blowing strong, but fortunately we were anchored behind this wonderful island. We stayed here until after lunch and then headed out and see if we can locate a whale.
We went towards the peninsula and we saw two blue whales right away. The wind  diminished and we were able to work and follow the whales. We spent a little time with these blue whales and continued south looking for something else. We found more blue whales and had great looks with good lighting.

With an hour left of daylight a male sperm whale breached in the distance so we went over that direction and were able to get a look at the whale through binoculars. It surfaced three times, 20 minutes apart, and on the last surfacing we were able to get close enough to see the whale without binoculars. Oddly enough the whale didn’t fluke, it just dissappeared. Most of the time sperm whales fluke to dive deep, so maybe it didn’t have to dive very deep. Everyone was happy to see a sperm whale.
We’re having margaritas and BBQ buffet on the back deck and are hoping for a chance to see bioluminesence tonight.
Capt Art

2011-03-04T11:58:53-08:00March 4th, 2011|Trip Reports|
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Tour #2 Isla Santa Catalina and blue whales

Hello whalewatchers,
Well, we are certainly living right! We expected to have good weather for the morning and then possibly have some more wind in the afternoon. Not only did we get great weather this morning, but this afternoon it is even better, with the sea glassing off completely and the swell diminishing to where the boat is barely moving. We are liking it!
We had a great walk this morning at Bahia Tambobiche with good birding. We left there to look for whales and we saw a pair of blue whales not too far from there. We had excellent looks at these whales with perfect lighting and we were able to keep track of them so everyone had a good look. We stayed for over two hours and then we left to look for something different.

We came across a big herd of common dolphin that gave us a great show. There were at least 1000 dolphin in the herd. We left them in search of something different and we found an area of birds feedin,g with balls of krill on the surface and then two Bryde’s whales showed up. We had a great show with Brydes whales feeding on the balls of krill and small bait fish. It was spectacular!
Headed to Isla Santa Catalina tonight for another calm spot and a good night’s rest.

Looking forward to tomorrow,
Capt Art

p.s. Thanks to Chef Charles for the dolphin photo!

2011-03-02T19:23:44-08:00March 2nd, 2011|Trip Reports|
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Tour #3 Isla Partida and fin whales

Hello whalewatchers,
The Sea of Cortez wind gave us a wild ride last night!  We adjusted the itinerary and stopped at Isla Partida in a great cove this morning. Everyone  went for a nice walk with lots of birdwatching and then a skiff ride afterwards. We had lunch in the bay and then we left to go offshore to look for whales. We travelled up to Isla San Francisco and we came across a pair of fin whales and a large group of bottlenose dolphins. We had great looks at the fin whales in good weather.
We are headed north and will anchor for the night. We’ll go ashore on the peninsula early and then back out to look for whales. We hope to have good weather tomorrow.

More then,

Capt Art

2011-03-01T20:19:49-08:00March 1st, 2011|Trip Reports|
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Tour #3 Humpbacks singing and breaching February 27

Hello whalewatchers,
Today was a great day at the Gorda Banks offshore Cabo San Lucas. We had great looks at humpback whales starting with a big group of 8. Lots and lots of fluke shots were taken today. After that, we were lucky to find two cow/calf pairs in shallow water and they were breaching and tail lobbing and exhibiting all those great behaviors you hope for on this day.
Around lunch time we headed north to Bahia Los Frailes and everyone went ashore and saw lots of birds and had a good walk. We are headed north tonight.
More tomorrow,
Capt Art

2011-02-28T19:01:34-08:00February 28th, 2011|Trip Reports|
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Tour #3 Loads of gray whales! February 26

Hello whalewatchers,
We had another great day in Laguna San Ignacio! Everywhere you look there are whales. It is truly the most whales we’ve seen here in a long time. We also had a visit at Searcher from the whale named Kuyima, with the light colored head and the bump on the lower left jaw. It’s remarkable that this whale continues to show up and exhibit the same behavior as  previous years, like rubbing on the anchor line and staying around the boat for hours. It was a great show from the deck today and that whale kept us busy on board today.

The trip to the mangroves was short this morning, due to the low tide, but it was enjoyed by all. We also had an afternoon trip to the beach for those who wanted to go and plenty of time in the pangas for all. We have great weather with just a little wind this afternoon. We are headed south tonight and will see what tomorrow brings.

More then,
Capt Art

2011-02-27T16:54:15-08:00February 27th, 2011|Trip Reports|
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Tour #3 Laguna San Ignacio magic February 25

Hello whalewatchers,
Today has been a tremendous day which started with a great sunrise and a group of common dolphin joining us before we entered the lagoon. We crossed the bar at the lagoon entrance and were amazed at the amount of whales. As we traveled up the lagoon there were more and more whales, and when the pangas arrived the pangueros told us the last census taken reported almost 350 whales in the lagoon. Wow!
Needless to say, the whalewatching was superb and everyone came back beaming after their first trip this morning. The weather is great with light winds all day from the north and the afternoon trip was equal to the morning trip with plenty of close encounters–from cows with calves, single animals, and even a pair of whales hanging around Searcher. The crew who stayed aboard even had some great photo opportunities.
What a day! The sunset is also beautiful and we are looking forward to “lights out” and quiet time tonight.
More tomorrow,
Capt Art

2011-02-27T16:53:28-08:00February 25th, 2011|Trip Reports|
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Tour #3 February 24 Islas San Benito

Hello whalewatchers,
Today we were at Islas San Benito. There were plenty of Guadalupe fur seals to observe and photograph on the way to the island this morning. And the group was greeted with four male elephant seals on the landing beach on Isla San Benito west.

Everyone enjoyed the hike around the island today since we had great weather, sunny skies, a little breeze to keep the temperatures just right for hiking. Several people mentioned the great views of osprey on nests. There are still plenty of elephant seals still, though some females will start to leave the island, leaving their pups behind to become “weaners.”

Looking forward to Laguna San Ignacio tomorrow,
More then,
Capt Art

p.s. The photo is of an elephant seal “weaner,” taken last trip by Chef Charles.

2011-02-24T19:21:52-08:00February 24th, 2011|Trip Reports|
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