Isla Espiritu Santo

Loading up for the crossing to the island (in background)

One of the many shallow bays

Rest stop on the west side of the island

The steep cliffs and reflected waves

The narrow channel between Espiritu Santo and Isla Partida

Looking west between the two islands

On Monday December 13 Kirk C. and I paddled around the island of Espiritu Santo which lies north of La Paz in the Sea of Cortez. The highlights of the trip were the whale sighting, no human sighting and a tail wind both directions on the 35 mile paddle.
I'd been wanting to do this trip for a couple of years but at 35 miles - not alone. It was Kirk who made it possible as I knew he was strong enough and of good character to either tow me back to camp or at least take good care of my possessions in case I didn't make it. We debated for three days whether to go clockwise or counter clockwise each changing our minds so many times we figured it was a toss up. We went clockwise. It was a 40 minute crossing through the shipping channel with our boats more unstable than usual with the water we were carrying on deck. Two hours of paddling (not including photo stops) got us to the top of the island where we crossed the narrow channel separating it from Isla Partida. The eastern side of the island had 3 foot ocean swell and reflected waves off the steep cliffs. By now the wind had changed direction and what was from south earlier in the morning was now blowing from the north. This is normal for this part of the Sea of Cortez and is what makes La Ventana a good kiteboarding location. After two hours of trying to catch the ocean swell down the east side and another 40 minute crossing we were back at our starting point. While crossing the channel we heard a slapping sound about 1/2 mile off. It was a whale which for 15 minutes continued to slap it's tail fin on the surface. We maintained the 1/2 mile distance. All we saw was the tail fin and it was bigger than our boats.
Thanks Kirk.