1. Puerto Balandra (Isla Carmen)
Puerto Balandra, a small bay on Isla Carmen in the Southern Sea of Cortez, was the first anchorage after we left Santa Rosalía. This place is located in the National Marine Park of Loreto and therefore a protected area. The high concentration of aquaculture in all forms was impressive. I had my most beautiful snorkeling experience in this cove so far as the water was crystal clear and the temperature was so warm that you could stay in there for hours without getting cold.
Next to dozens of different kinds of fish and corals I also had the chance to spot a sea turtle which was feeding in the reef. Furthermore there were scallops sitting at the stones all over the place and the biggest ones I've ever seen. Colourful fish came that close that I could nearly touch them, I wished we would have had a fish identification book aboard to learn more about them. An interesting experience to watch was a turned over and damaged sea urchin which attracted plenty of fish which were picking up parts of it.