Playa Santa Maria

12/28

We got a tip about a “secret” cove a few miles up from Cabo San Lucas. We heard that it could fit 2 or 3 boats on anchor and that it was where the locals took the tourists for snorkeling. After exploring Cabo we saw a few post cards with Playa Santa Maria on them and decided it looked worth a stop. We left Cabo San Lucas with enough time to stop at Playa Santa Maria and if it didn’t work out we could still make it to Cabo San Jose in the daylight. We’re cruising up the coastline and see a huge Catamaran disappear into the bluffs. Comparing that with my GPS coordinates we decide that’s got to be the spot. We change course to head in and notice a few big powerboats pulling out. We get in view of the opening and what is actually going on. there are 4 Catamarans and 2 powerboats tucked in there. And they’re big, double decker, party boat style. ‘Sweet Dreams’ is hot on our trail hoping to fit in the little cove too. So we do a few loops outside the tiny cove, scoping it out. Then claire and I decide to venture in there, being the smallest of our convoy. We sneak in between all the party boats and do a few laps. The cove is actually bigger than it looks and we do like the locals do and drop anchor right ontop of everyone else. ‘sweet dreams’ rolls in and does the same. Not too bad and the party boats leave about a half our later. Then our new friends on (red) ‘serenity’ (I say red because we also know a green serenity) show up and the three of us anchor comfortably for a night in a perfect triangle. The water was crystal clear to the anchor on the bottom with many different fish species swimming around. One of the guy working on the snorkel boat told me there are huge grouper on the far side and I want to say he said carp? was abundant. Not sure if that sounds right but his accent was thick and shouting over anchor chains and motors doesn’t help either. I caught a few fish as soon as we got in. We hiked to the top of one of the bluffs and watched one of the best sunsets so far on this trip, not to mention the full moon. From up on the cliff you could see whales all over, tails and all coming out of the water. The next morning claire and I got up at 7am and decided to pull up anchor and move. We thought it’d be best to claim prime turf before the party boats came in for another days work. We moved over to the side and closer to shore, throwing out a bow and stern anchor. This locks the boat in a solid positioning. Rather than just a bow anchor where we do 180 or 360 turns all days with the tides and winds. Bow to stern can be dangerous but in such a small anchorage it’s acceptable. It’s almost like our own mooring set up. Plus it keeps the swell, that is squeezing through the bluffs, breaking along the bow. Which is a lot more comfortable in a tight area than it slapping the side of the boat and causing it to heave side to. We did the same set up in little harbor on catalina island. After we set this up we noticed the water wasn’t as nearly as clear as the day before. I talked to the first boat that came in that morning and he said that the little arroyo must have bled out last night causing sediment. What a bummer because we were excited to spend a day playing, snorkeling, and spear fishing. Well we made up for it by playing with our latest attraction. Our spare halyard makes a great rope swing. Later that day after all the party boats were departing ‘sweet dreams’ had a great time playing tug of war. One of the party boats actually dropped anchor perfectly ontop of their anchor, snagging it and creating a huge headache. They had to untangle everything and fully re-set up their bow and stern anchors. 12/29 pulled anchor up at 10:30. Clear water has returned. Tons of fish feeding and manta rays jumping. We got a bad news phone call. Claire’s grandmother, GranFran isn’t doing too well. Claire needs to go home ASAP to be with her and her family in time of need. After a few talks and navigation calculations we decide our best plan of action is to head straight to Cabo San Jose to anchor for the night. About 11 miles away. The airport is in there and she can easily depart.

looking back towards Cabo San Lucas

there we are! (red) serenity, splendid isolation, and sweet dreams

most outrageous sunset yet. photos do no justice.

looking to the backdrop of purples, blues, teals, turquoise, clear water, red hills, cream sand, bright full moon. photos still do no justice to the palate of three dimensional colors.

swinging way too close for comfort. 

one snorkeler was actually tugging on my anchor line? dumb. he got cussed out.

this is what happens in haste and over crowding. amazing how it perfectly locked anchors. none of us had seen that before.

our new solar shower. hangs perfectly from the boom into the galley. we can shower in privacy with fresh, warm water. it all just gets sucked up and drained out the bilge pump. please, savor your luxury at home in your full bathroom. you'd be surprised that not much of the rest of the world knows how that is.

get 'em!

on night watch slaughtering moths

aerial view from google

something spectacular

this is what was on all the postcards in town.