Whales in the Sea of Cortez

by Esther Donaldson

Whales are back early this year to the Sea of Cortez at Rocky Point. El Niņo effects? Who's to say for sure, but the weather and the water in general suggest that these magnificent creatures have come early to mate and perhaps avoid any other unpredictable El Niņo effects.

The folks at Santiago's Ocean Services have been seeing whales--320-ft. finbacks--for the past few weeks out as close as 12 to 15 miles from the beaches at Rocky Point.

On one excursion the whales were so close to the boat that when they blew (spouted water) everyone on the boat got sprayed. Needless to say, the passengers all got out cameras and videos and began taking pictures of this extraordinary event.

Experiences like these are reasons to come to Rocky Point--not only some of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico but opportunities to play with almost every type of sea creature you can imagine.

Esther and her husband Dale are long-time Puerto Peņasco residents and owners of Santiago's Ocean Services. http://penasco.com/fishing.htm