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KAYAKING & SNORKELING TRIP MARINE PARK AND EAST CAPE
By Carlos R. Ponce
That late-spring morning, when guides Ruben and Carlos indicated we could start our trip to the waters of the Sea of Cortés by Cabo Pulmo (about an hour north of San José del Cabo) for a day of kayaking and snorkeling, I had no idea what a thrilling adventure this would be.
Ocean Bound
We began our trip by hopping into two Hummers that would provide transportation for the seven of us—the two guides, two couples who came to Los Cabos expressly to experience the pristine turquoise waters of the Sea of Cortés, and me. What I learned is that, as a general rule of thumb, even if you possess previous experience in these types of physically challenging yet enjoyable activities—snorkeling and kayaking–you should always be careful when it comes to the ocean’s mood swings.
Getting Wet
We arrived at Cabo Pulmo’s protected area at around 9:30 a.m. Our guides skillfully arranged our gear so that we could kick off our adventure along the secluded shoreline. After about 30 minutes of paddling, we made a stop at a small harbor. Ruben and Carlos set up a couple of shades for our comfort. Suddenly we spotted a sea lion that had been washed ashore seemingly due to a severe injury of some sort. We were instructed to not get too close since these creatures’ reactions are unpredictable.
We then put on our snorkeling gear so we could submerge ourselves in the crystal-clear Sea of Cortés. I had previously snorkeled at other locations, but the shapes and colors of the inhabitants of this part of the world’s best aquarium could do nothing but mesmerize me. When it comes to the feeling of weightlessness and relaxation during the snorkeling experience, I simply cannot get enough. Unwittingly, I strayed away from the group; an unexpected undertow reminded me that the ocean is not to be feared but respected.
Safe Ashore
For the last part of our trip, we leaped onto our kayaks again and commenced the last leg of our sea outing, which was led by expert guide Carlos. We headed out and around the harbor toward the open ocean and hit it hard; this was the longest part of our paddling experience: a straight three-mile ride across the bay bound to our meeting point with Ruben, our land guide. It was during this part of the trip that I was reminded of the mercilessness of the sun’s rays when we are not conscientious (remember your sunblock if you don’t want to sport the same lobster-red sunburn I had for five long days!).
Finally we surrendered our equipment to our guides, and they took us to a nearby shoreside restaurant to enjoy fish and shrimp tacos, the regional delicacy favored by locals and foreigners alike. It was a tasty grand finale before we headed back to San José del Cabo. After this rather demanding yet memorable trip, I had only three thoughts in my mind: a cold shower, my bed, and a deep desire to do it all over again. I was hooked!
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