Swims with the Fishes

Snorkeling around the Rocky Reefs

Swimming with the Fishes

John Peering through his Light-Box

A Fascinating Underwater World

A Pretty Landscape ashore

We spent our second day at Caleta Partida snorkeling around the rocky reefs near the entrance to the bay. Reefs and rocky shorelines provide the best opportunity to see a multitude of fish and the reefs at Caleta Partida were especially rewarding. Schools of fish surrounded us as we moved through the water displaying our own brightly colored fins. I felt like a guest in a strange new world and could nearly reach out and touch these underwater creatures. Different species of fish swam in and out of their hiding places in the coral, while others swam among the sea urchins clinging to the rocks. We noted that the water felt much cooler than our previous visit in November; however the water temperature was still acceptable for us northerners. John had brought his air-mattress for some relaxation time on the water. Not only was he comfortable bobbing on the sea but he could spy on the fish with his homemade “light-box” which he had also brought. Constructed with a wood frame and a Plexiglas bottom, he could easily see the colorful fish and sea life below, while enjoying the warm sun on his back; not a bad way to vacation! After our swim with the fishes, we took the dinghy to a small secluded beach and walked on shore to admire the giant cactus and see what else we could discover. We found a National Park sign indicating that a water well was nearby. Known as Candeloro’s well, it was made by shark fishermen during the 1940’s. The well water comes from the rain that filters through the rocks along the “arroyo” which finally accumulates underground. This accumulation of water also supports the growth of vegetation within the canyon. We hiked up the valley a short distance and easily spotted the well. We weren’t alone however; the bees were using the well as their source of drinking water! Not wanting to linger, we headed back to the beach and walked in the soft white sand before motoring back to the mother ship for some lunch. After lunch and a short siesta, we positioned the boat at Ensenada la Gallina (cove of fowl) off Isla Espiritu Santo. We headed out to explore once again, this time by kayak and paddled around the bay admiring the beautiful, clear turquoise water. We spotted several large fish; of course the Pelicans were much more adept at finding fish than we were. They quickly zeroed in on their prey, tucked in their wings, and shot straight down in front of our kayaks snatching a fish and gulping it down whole - it was great fun to watch. After our afternoon anchorage off Isla Espiritu Santo, we headed for La Paz and arrived at dusk.