Safari Quest - Sea of Cortez Cruise Off Baja Mexico

By Linda Garrison, About.com Guide

The Safari Quest anchored for the night at Puerto El Gato, and since the sunrise promised to be spectacular, six of us opted to take the skiff onto the beach and watch the sunrise show. Seeing the sun come up over the ship and the ocean and hit the gorgeous sand stone rocks was quite a treat! After breakfast, Ronnie and I took out a kayak and paddled around the bay. We got very close to a brown pelican drying its wings. In the clear water, we could see many brilliantly colored sea anemones, most of which were burgundy or purple.

Back on the Quest, Kevin suddenly announced that the captain had seen orcas in the distance, so we set off in search of them in the skiff. It was great fun, and the calm waters made spotting the killer whales easy. We zipped along, and the animals didn't mind our small boat at all.

Upon our return, it was time for a late lunch as the Quest cruised the bay, watching for whales. We saw some more blue whales and watched them for a while. Suddenly we heard the cry - orcas ahead! The large mammals were everywhere. We could tell the babies from the adults by the size of their fins. They came very close to the ship and bumped the skiff tied behind the Quest. We were all running around on the decks from side to side and front to back, pointing them out and watching them swim almost everywhere.

Kevin suggested we go out on the skiff, and he didn't have to ask us twice. What followed was a "once in a lifetime" event for all of us. The orcas swam under, around, behind, and in front of the skiff. A couple of us almost (but not quite) got to touch one of the beautiful creatures. We could even see their teeth! I got some great photos, but finally gave up taking pictures and just enjoyed the ride.

We returned to the ship after an hour or so, raving and reliving the experience.

Sunrise at Puerto El Gato Photos

Killer Whale Photos

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