1.26.2013 18:00pm
So far, we’ve done 10 dives/snorkels at the Sea of Cortez — all on our own, based on recommendation from cruising guide and dive book. They were pretty good, but nothing spectacular. After we anchored at Isla Coronoda, a well-known dive site, we deicide to pay up for professional service for a change. We called up Dolphin Dive Center, the dive shop at Loreto. Divemaster David, a very professional and friendly mexican diver, picked us up the next morning and lead two dives around north Isla Coronado. It was so worth it. The dives were outstanding! We saw sea turtles, giant sea bass, and played with sea lions! Big difference when you have local knowledge. This trip significantly changed our diving experience at the Sea of Cortez. Here is the video made from the first dive, and the second one, which is even better, is coming soon. Enjoy!
A ballonfish in its normal form.
James Bond theme
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Diane and I are really enjoying following your travels. Without cell coverage, do you have connectivity with sat for internet or television? How important are they in your plans? What guide books are you relying on for the Sea of Cortez? We are trying to put together our plans for the first year on Aurora and your trip appears a great start.
Cheers!
Thanks Bob – you will not be disappointed with Mexico. This is our first time cruising here, and we can’t believe the natural beauty the friendly people and great anchorages. We have had no issues with crime or any possible threats, and are finding the area safer than the streets of San Francisco. We would recommend as a cruising guide “Sea of Cortez” by Shawn Breeding and Heather Bansmer – excellent drawings of the anchorages, the depths are accurante and the suggestions on wind and swell protection have been right on.
For connectivity, we are using the Telcel 3g USB stick (we purchased in Ensenada) on Christine’s computer for uploading and updating the blog except where we find a wifi connection like a marina or possibly an open wifi in the anchorage (like now). The coverage is good around populated areas, but definitely some spots where we do not have the telcel. It was $60 for 6GB of data which we have are finding to be enough.
We also have a KVH V7 – which we use carefully as we are on the metered plan – which is a $1 / MB. We prepay for 250MB each month and I find I can check my email and look at the stock market in the morning and it’s about 3 – 5MB (maybe 10MB if I look at the WSJ online). As you know – many of the other Nordhavn owners use the KVH unlimited plan (around $1000 / month), we’re able to get by so far on the metered plan. We have been using the KVH about 10 – 12 days out of 30. We also use the KVH for phone calls as it’s 50 cents / min anywhere in the world. We are not big TV people, so elected to go without TV and satelite connection – once a day internet connection seems to keep us connected enough.
Thanks again for the post and best of luck with the new Aurora.