We woke up to beautiful calm seas between Isla Carmen and the Baja Peninsula. Conditions were perfect to search for marine life, it almost seemed as if the Sea of Cortez was not a sea, rather a big laggon with mirror-smooth waters. As we approached Isla Danzante, we spotted two whales, mother and calf. The relatively low indistinct blow, as well as the small size, highly falcate fin, and sharply pointed snout identified them as minke whales, an uncommon sighting in these waters. The sea was also extremely active with five or six large schools of sardines that seemed to be the only organisms other than the whales interrupting the smoothness of the water.
After the sightings, we enjoyed a magnificent hike on Isla Santa Catalina, home of the endemic giant barrel cactus and rattleless rattlesnake.
