Anchorages in review - Bahia Santa Inez towards Santa Rosalia (April 24)

Nearing Santa Rosalia with Tres Virgenes (volcanos) in distance

[Our April 26th update from Santa Rosalia gave a brief description of our 'lumpy, bumpy' voyage over the 27 nm from Bahia Santa Inez.  Here are a few more details.]

Dropping anchor in Bahia Santa Inez basically cut our travel time in half to Santa Rosalia.  We did not have to awaken at 'oh-dark-thirty'; rather we were underway by the more reasonable 07:12 hours.  As we rounded the south point of Punta Chivato ,we were quickly  into 2 - 2.5 foot NE swells and strong current against us. No speed records set today.  Our radio reception was spotty, but we received a weather update from SV Content:  N 11 - 15 winds for the morning, with NNE 10 - 13 winds for the afternoon.  Paula and Bill had decided to cross to the mainland later that day and we wished each other safe travels.

Credit:  free whale image (Google images)

INTREPID II does a valiant job of moving through the water. She averaged 4.6  - 5.5 - 6.2 knots, motor-sailing that day as she bounced up and down and plowed through the contrary waves and current.  At one point, as Carol was below verifying our speed and course, Kelly called out "WHALE!", slowing down immediately as a large humpback, followed by dolphins, crossed our bow no more than two boat-lengths ahead.  We watched as it moved further east, then turned southward and paralleled our starboard side 100 feet away.  As it moved into a brilliant beam of sunlight we had that unforgettable picture of its massive tail flukes outlined against the sky.  [This photo was the closest we could find to recapture that moment.]

Then, while savouring that marine experience, we had to get INTREPID II back on course, continuing on our way towards the eastern side of Isla San Marcos.  Winds were NNW 10, on the nose, as we held to a 328 heading and took pictures of the changing topography of this island, which is home to a gypsum mine and a small village.

Rock formations on crest of Isla San Marcos

Pelican heading southward

There are anchorages available around San Marcos, all somewhat impacted by the noise and dusty air of the mine.  Off the northern tip, strong tidal currents are prevalent and we stayed well off the rocks and reefs as we continued our approach to Santa Rosalia.  By 11:40 we were dropping the main, putting out fenders and attempting to contact the Fonatur Marina for a slip.  No answer on VHF radio, so we kept our fingers crossed and entered the breakwater with a sharp left turn towards the docks.  From our initial visit, we knew we wanted a slip with the wider dock.  Fortunately although there were several boats tied up, we slipped into A14, starboard tie.   Engine went off at 12:09; travel time of just over 5 hours.  This time our fuel calculations showed a better result:  0.7gallons/hour; not bad for all the headwinds and adverse currents encountered that day.

Looking towards breakwater and harbour entrance (east)

Gathering up our 'important papers' we headed to the marina office.  Once we were assured there really was hot water in the showers and laundry, we paid for our moorage and set off to see the town.

PS:  For the LGD infrastructure folks, project signs are important in Baja California Sur as well.  This one is located near the central plaza and is a project for the lighting of the locomotive monument.

[This brings things back 'up to date' in a round-about way....we were able to do blog updates from Santa Rosalia on].