Snorkeling with Sea Lions

Description

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

Experienced and novice snorkelers alike come from around the world to experience the warm, turquoise waters and the colorful marine life of the Sea of Cortez. There's probably no better way to immerse yourself in this magical setting than to don a snorkel and dive in. And, as your reward, you'll get to swim with a rainbow of exotic fish and playful sea lions. Remember to wear a bathing suit under your clothes, wear adequate sun protection and don't forget to bring along an underwater camera to capture all the colorful marine life and extraordinary sights.

Your knowledgeable guide will meet you at the pier and properly instruct you on how to use your provided gear. Then, you'll board your boat and cruise out into the glistening water. Enjoy the sea breezes as you travel past Pichilingue Beach en route to San Rafaelito Island. Once you arrive, your guide will assist you in putting on your gear and lead you into the water. With a low-depth reef, San Rafaelito Bay is a great spot to snorkel; the calm, clear water has a visibility of up to 30 feet and sea lions love to frolic nearby. Home to over 4,000 different marine species, San Rafaelito also offers a magnificent powdery soft, white-sand beach, numerous reefs and underwater rock formations. Have your underwater camera ready as you enjoy snorkeling. Some of the aquatic life you'll encounter include schools of speckled blue and yellow Cortez angelfish and neon-bright queen angelfish, moray eels, coral heads...and of course, sea lions.

Did you know that there are seven species of sea lions in the world? But only California sea lions live on the Pacific Coast from Vancouver to Baja. Even though the males can weigh up to 1,000 pounds and measure seven feet long, they're very gentle, curious creatures who accompany many swimmers on their exploration underwater.

Then, you'll head over to Balandra Bay. Here, you'll find eight inlets, a coral reef and beautiful white sand beaches framed by purple and ochre cliffs. But Balandra is more famous for its unusual rock formation known as Mushroom Rock, or El Hongo, as it's called by the locals. Sculpted by the forces of nature, the 14-foot tall, 18-ton sedimentary "mushroom" measures 10 feet wide and sits precariously atop a narrow base.

After a snack and refreshments you can relax on the white sand beach, gaze out at the vivid turquoise water, take a hike in the low mountains, or snorkel in the salt lagoon teeming with thousands of fish. You'll find that the water is so shallow here that you can walk across to the volcanic cliffs that run down to the shore or to the mangroves that surround the bay.

When your exciting adventure comes to an end, you'll return to the boat for a restful ride back to the pier having had fun with sea lions!

Special Notes:

Wear your swimsuit under your clothing; bring a towel, hat, and reef-safe/biodegradable sunscreen (no other kind of sunscreen is allowed in the water). To avoid sunburn, bring light, long clothing suitable for use as a cover-up. You must be able swim to participate. Minimum age to participate is 8 years old and maximum age is 75 years old. Maximum weight allowed is 280 pounds. Snorkeling equipment including snorkel vest are provided and must be worn. Guests with recent surgeries, heart or respiratory problems and pregnant women will not be allowed to participate. Once participants join their tour, they will be required to complete a liability waiver.