Once the gateway to California when it was founded by Spanish missionaries over 3 centuries ago, Loreto is now the gateway to the largest marine and island park in the Sea of Cortez, as well as adjacent destinations stretching from San Basilio Turtle Reserve to the Solitario Pinnacle at Agua Verde.
As I plunged into the water, I knew I wouldn’t make it to the whale shark in time before it swam away. The magnificent creature continued to glide back and forth, savoring its feast of plankton. But the refreshing water was too inviting to leave so soon. After the warm waters of Conception Bay, I was reluctant to climb back onto New Life. We had headed towards a sandy beach along the rocky foreshore to drop anchor, knowing we could expect decent holding in the sand flats in front. And sure enough, the anchor gripped well when we motored backward to set it properly.
There are many places to work on one’s boat: in a boat yard, on anchor, or even in your backyard. Marinas are usually are not one of them, as the noise and dirt are frowned upon.
After over a week in various idyllic anchorages around Refuge Bay, today we are setting off for the journey south. The bay offers shelter from any wind direction, hence the name. Apart from that, just barren rock with countless cacti and the incessant noise of sea lions.
After a fortnight in the marina at Puerto Penasco, we set sail for New Zealand. Even if, as we hope, it will take several years to get there, the start journey is what we worked for so hard in the past months.
Barely in the water, anchor with other boats in teh San Carlos Bay, then we go on our first cruising adventures, dive a shipwreck, Meanwhile the countdown to departure from San Carlos continued. With videos of San Pedro, diving with seals, sunken ferry, and boat schooling in action.
So, after ‘splashing’ with New Life on the second of April, the pace of life completely changed for us. First,
