Mar de Cortes

For most of history, man has had to fight nature to survive; in this century he is beginning to realize that, in order to survive, he must protect it.

– Jacques-Yves Cousteau

This month´s Magical Setting is the sea of the Pacific Ocean that separates the Baja California Peninsula from the Mexican mainland, also known as Mar de Cortés. I had the great luck of spending a few days sailing around these beautiful waters, which are famous for their biological diversity. And it most definitely lived up to what I had been told! You get to see everything from whales and dolphins to sting rays, sea lions, and pelicans.

The land surrounding Mar de Cortes is under the full protection of the Mexican Government. The magical thing about this place is that there is not one house in sight. It still feels like an untouched part of the world. The urgency of us needing to protect places like this was very present in me during the trip.

I was also so taken by the quality of the water, which in certain bays is crystal clear and light blue. It struck me as incredible that these oceans are part of the otherwise rough and darker Pacific.

One of the days, a group of us went diving. I hadn’t been in many years and almost forgot how psychedelic the experience is. There is a distorted sense of time underwater, and it is easy to get lost in the colors and patterns of abundant sea life. My favorite part was how the light hit the bubbles coming from the tanks, which gave them a metallic effect. They appeared very hypnotic and surreal to me. I also like the conscious breathing of diving, which helps quiet the mind and forces you to stay in the present moment.

It was one of the most spectacular places I have been, and I cannot recommend it more.