Gazing out at the stark, plunging guano-covered cliffs of San Pedro Martir from the bridge of the ship, it seemed as though the ship must have had a bull's eye painted on its lido deck. Brown boobies, blue-footed boobies, pelicans, and even the occasional tropicbird swooped in to have a closer look at the guests enjoying the sun in the deck chairs. In the water, juvenile sea lions frolicked and dove in concert all around the Zodiacs as the boats toured the island and then ferried intrepid snorkelers to explore the plush marine shallows. The sea lions must have enjoyed the snorkelers as much as the snorkelers enjoyed watching them. The playful animals "buzzed" snorkelers, sometimes barking behind them, sometimes gently tugging on fins, and sometimes swimming up to stare eye to eye.

Floating in the water were several large jellies, undoubtedly feeding on the abundance of small planktonic invertebrates that thrive in these nutrient rich waters. Luckily for us, the jellies were not in "stinging mode." Although some of us were so enthralled with what was happening in the watery depths that we glided into their tentacles, no one was stung by the nematocysts (harpoon-like stinging cells) embedded in the tentacles of these animals.

Heading toward Isla Tiburon, we encountered two different bait balls and watched as diving birds, common dolphins, and even two species of whales (humpback and Bryde's) fed on the swirl of fish. Arriving at Isla Tiburon just before sunset, we gathered many species of seashells and bones of various marine mammals on the beach. We were treated to nature's lovely palette of colors in a fantastic sunset behind the hills (see photograph), and then had a magnificent beach barbecue, complete with a roaring fire, songs, and s'mores.