1.9.2013 15:00pm 75F

So far, we have cruised for 4 days in south Sea of Cortez. The desert-like Baja mountains kept amazing us with her unique landscape and rustic nature. But today, as Gray Matter approached the infamous Isla Espiritu Santo, we were stunned — the real beauty of the Sea has just begun. Red rock mountains rise and fall, stretching the 8 miles along the N-S axis of the island, with short ridges extending westwards. These short ridges drop sharply into the water, forming the most wild-looking red cliffs. As many described before, it feels like the Grand Canyon, but only in water.

We anchored at Puerto Ballena, one of the three coves in the mid island. Turquoise water occupied the inner half of the cove, ending in white sandy beaches. A tranquil paradise.

Red cliffs surround the cove, with Baja Peninsula in the distance.

Isla Gallo in front of Puerto Ballena.

Cactus is among the typical vegetation here.

A slice of green on the cliff.

Gray Matter relaxed in the sunset

Clear and calm water, paradise for SUP. Octopus and rays can be spotted in the shallows.

[google-map-v3 width=”350″ height=”350″ zoom=”7″ maptype=”satellite” mapalign=”center” directionhint=”false” language=”default” poweredby=”false” maptypecontrol=”true” pancontrol=”true” zoomcontrol=”true” scalecontrol=”true” streetviewcontrol=”true” scrollwheelcontrol=”false” draggable=”true” tiltfourtyfive=”false” addmarkermashupbubble=”false” addmarkermashupbubble=”false” addmarkerlist=”24.473843,-110.380929{}cruiseship.png” bubbleautopan=”true” showbike=”false” showtraffic=”false” showpanoramio=”false”]