South Baja 2018

[Grateful Diver]

I recently returned from an 18 day trip to the South Baja and the Revillagigedos (Socorro) Islands. I spent 8 days on the Solmar V, and another 8 days working my way up the Sea of Cortez coast from Cabo to Loreto (roughly 320 miles). Did five days of diving in the Socorros, and another four days in Cabo Pulmo, La Paz, and Loreto.

Here's some of my favorite pics from the trip ...

A close encounter with a manta ...


Silky shark ...


... close-up of silky shark ...


... descending through a large school of jacks ...


... this thing looks like a muppet ...


... at the sea lion rookery ...


... surfing on boat wake ...


... this shell looks like a Tolkien map ...


... lovelies making love ...


... happy Bob ...


... just another tequila sunrise ...


... Bob (Grateful Diver)

[ScubaJess]

Looks like a fun trip, excellent photos

[Gdog]

Hey Bob, great pics! Sounds like an awesome trip. I really really like the manta shot, and the shark with what looks like jacks? in the background. All really good tho!

[Vjw]

What amazing creatures you saw! Sounds like a fabulous trip!

[H20doctor]

good stuff as always Bob .... How was the Live aboard accommodations ?

[oldsalt]

Bob: Your photo looks like the long-beaked dolphin. Do you know if that is right?
-Curt

[RoxnDox]

Wonderful shots! Looks like a really fun time...

[Penopolypants]

Lovely shots Bob!

Both the Socorro and Loreto are high on my list. I hope to be traveling to one or the other next year.

[YellowEye]

Great job Bob! Really nice photos!

Amongst others, really nice manta, and that Tolkien map critter's patterns are certainly very unusual!

[Grateful Diver]

good stuff as always Bob .... How was the Live aboard accommodations ?

The liveaboard was quite nice. I was on the Solmar V ...



Sleeping quarters are a bit cramped, unless you're lucky enough to get your own room ... but everything else about this operation gets five stars from me. The crew was outstanding, the food wonderful (the cook was the most popular person on board), and the diving was amazing.

May isn't the best time to visit the Socorros, however ... some animals, such as whale sharks and whales, are more readily found during the winter months. And the water in May is murky (30-50 feet most dives) and cold (68-72 F). I was in a 5 mm suit most of the time, and got cold to the point of shivering on some dives.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

[Grateful Diver]

Bob: Your photo looks like the long-beaked dolphin. Do you know if that is right?
-Curt

I don't know ... but there sure were a lot of 'em. The water was churning for about a mile by maybe 100 yards across. They called it a super pod and said there were easily 1000 dolphins, if not more, surrounding us.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

[Grateful Diver]

Lovely shots Bob!

Both the Socorro and Loreto are high on my list. I hope to be traveling to one or the other next year.

Well, I might be living in Loreto this time next year. I retire at the end of the year, and will put my house up for sale. Once sold, I'm taking my money and moving on. Part of the purpose of this trip was to see if there's someplace down there I could spend some time. Loreto definitely caught my attention. But I am told it gets super hot down there during the summer. So I'm probably going to rent a place, give it six months to a year, and see how I like it.

I WILL get a place with an extra bedroom, as I expect I'll be getting some guests while I'm there ... hopefully you and Grant will be among them ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

[Penopolypants]

We would be delighted!

I've been to Cabo Pulmo in August, can confirm it's hot. It wasn't outrageously so IMO for general living, but I wouldn't go hiking at noon in the summer or anything like that. It's not hot in the ocean!