SVSoulsticeAdventures

Bahia Cobre, Puerto de la Lancha and Puerto Ballandran on Isla Carmen

April 4- April 8

La Lancha ( north anchorage on Isla Carmen)

Happy Easter!! We sailed from Bahia Concepcion to Bahia Cobre, 90 nm sail or approximtely 18 hours. We had some mild conditions so only made 3 knots at times but then had a strong finish with a close haul and 7 knots to finish. We were asked to be the net controller for the amigo net on Easter Sunday and we were excited as it was our 1st time for net controller this year on the Sonrisa net. We had 9 check in’s total. We arrived in Cobre around noon and I was excited! Stephen took a nap and I took to blowing up the paddleboards ASAP so we could go for a paddle as soon as he woke up.

I also diligently continued with my celestial navigation studies. I haven’t mentioned that but I have decided to delve into the celestial navigation book by David Burch. Stephen had been studying CN since last year and thoughtfully with many 3-4 hour morning study sessions even when we returned to Reno. The nice part about that is that my studies are feel have been expedited because I have a knowledge source onboard for my questions. We have taken sights and reduced them together which has made my studies in the book more understandable. Nuff’ said on that!

Bahia Cobre was one of our favorite anchorages last year. It has a great ridge-line hike and great fishing. The visibility was just ok on our paddleboarding later that afternoon. On the way back to the boat we both saw a LARGE fish, which we have agreed now, that a LARGE fish = Shark! I said that is a shark and he said, “Nah, that is a tuna.” He circled around twice to check us out on the paddleboards and I felt a tuna would just bugger off, sharks are curious creatures. We got back to Soulstice and decided we would do a sunset hike on the ridge. It was 4 pm and we had a time change so sunset now for us is 7:30pm:) We paddled to shore and enjoyed our hike which gives you great views of the anchorage and additionally affords you views of Bahia Salinas. There is a ram or two who enjoys the same terrain and we see their scat but still have yet to lay eyes on one. The frigates and vultures were having a great thermal session above the peak. As we walked the ridgeline from above we did see the LARGE fish from above. Stephen now agreed based on his behavior in the water and tail movements that he/she was a shark indeed. Indeed! I felt vindicated but this did ruin my thoughts about open water swim for the next day and even made us 2nd guess a spearfishing session if visibility improved.

April 5, 2021, was a nice placid morning! Another paddleboard session was had in the am and no evidence of the LARGE fish today:) but South Easterly Winds were going to occur later that afternoon and Cobre does not provide protection for that direction. We decided to have a nice afternoon sail to La Lancha that was on the northern tip of Isla Carmen and would provide for Southeast or Southwest winds. It would prove to be a great decision as the winds kicked up that night and into the next day. We scoped out Puerto La Plancha with the paddleboards and it has great deep walls and snapper, grouper and Pargo could be seen from our paddle. We were excited to plan a spearfishing session on the 6th if the winds were not too rowdy which was not the case. But the water maker was unpickled and we added some water to the tanks!

The next morning the wind has settled and we decided to paddle in for a hike. We shot some great drone footage that I will add to this blog post once I get it edited and figured out. Without good internet editing/downloading etc.. is a challenge. Everything uses an app and requires updates, etc... The drone really does help you appreciate the beauty of a place but it is not without the added element of frustration with a digital device that one can encounter.

After our hike, we needed to scoot and boogie to Puerto Ballandra to be tucked in for the North winds coming. It was a short sail but a long one too because the winds were light. Stephen and I say we got 'Nothin' to do and All day to do it!" so we just enjoy the ride. There were only 2 other boats in this anchorage but by sunset, another 4 had arrived. I enjoyed a nice swim in the anchorage at the temp was a respectable 70 degrees. I am loving my shorty wetsuit for these types of conditions. There was some coral as I swam the perimeter of the anchorage and some tropical fish but to be honest it was not as scenic as La Lancha. We were still lamenting leaving La Lancha because it truly seemed like an ideal anchorage to spend days hiking, spearfishing, paddling, and snorkeling. We will definitely be back there in the future.

The fun part is we have now been to several anchorages we have never been to before even with 3 seasons in the Sea of Cortez. Again, it is and would be easy to just stay here as your needs are easily met for enjoyable activities and spectacular scenery. But we are on a time schedule now as I mentioned previously to get to La Paz by 4/15, so off to Puerto Escondido Marina for an oil change, some freshies ( 1/2 a head of cabbage and some red onions are left-meal planning challenges), and laundry.