AZTinman
Contributor
Just returned from a quick weekend dive trip to Puerto Penesco (Rocky Point), Sonora. A Phoenix-based dive instructor friend was certifying a couple of students and invited me to come along. Since I had not heard very good reports about diving there, I was not sure what to expect.
Dives were done off the Isla San Jorge (Bird Island). The diving was exceptionally good. Visibility was 50+ feet and there was no shortage of critters. Upon our arrival at the island, we knew the diving would be good. We could see the sea floor clearly with the boat anchored in 20 feet of water.
The island is well-known for its large population of sea lions and it lived-up to its reputation. After watching sea lion poop raining from a large group cavorting in front of me during a dive at the Rock Ridge dive site, I did my best to avoid interacting with large groups. Getting showered with turds is not on my list of things I want to do.
Our dive at the Lighthouse site was amazing. The site was loaded with Spanish Shawl Nudibranchs and Queen Conch. The sea lions at Lighthouse were a little pushy. I guess they did not like being ignored. Several pulled on my sleeves and another actually latched onto my head as I was down on the bottom looking at nudibranchs.
The water was still cold (low 60's), but we found some pockets of warmer water. It looks like the water is trying to warm up.
Just a few comments about logistics
We dove with the Fun & Sun Dive Shop. Dave, the shop owner, has just acquired a new dive boat. It is actually a classic Californian Cruiser. Conversion of boat into a dive boat is a work in progress. He has not installed tank racks yet, but he has the boat in service. It is a solid, stable boat with lots of deck and cabin space to get comfortable. This is a good thing as the trip out to Bird Island is 27.4 miles. His crew did a great job. Lunch was cooked and served in the salon
My instructor friend gave me the telephone number of a guy who manages several condos and houses in Rocky Point. His rates are substantially lower than the going rates at the resorts. We easily save enough on lodging to pay for diving. If you need a name and number, PM me.
-AZTinman
Dives were done off the Isla San Jorge (Bird Island). The diving was exceptionally good. Visibility was 50+ feet and there was no shortage of critters. Upon our arrival at the island, we knew the diving would be good. We could see the sea floor clearly with the boat anchored in 20 feet of water.
The island is well-known for its large population of sea lions and it lived-up to its reputation. After watching sea lion poop raining from a large group cavorting in front of me during a dive at the Rock Ridge dive site, I did my best to avoid interacting with large groups. Getting showered with turds is not on my list of things I want to do.
Our dive at the Lighthouse site was amazing. The site was loaded with Spanish Shawl Nudibranchs and Queen Conch. The sea lions at Lighthouse were a little pushy. I guess they did not like being ignored. Several pulled on my sleeves and another actually latched onto my head as I was down on the bottom looking at nudibranchs.
The water was still cold (low 60's), but we found some pockets of warmer water. It looks like the water is trying to warm up.
Just a few comments about logistics
We dove with the Fun & Sun Dive Shop. Dave, the shop owner, has just acquired a new dive boat. It is actually a classic Californian Cruiser. Conversion of boat into a dive boat is a work in progress. He has not installed tank racks yet, but he has the boat in service. It is a solid, stable boat with lots of deck and cabin space to get comfortable. This is a good thing as the trip out to Bird Island is 27.4 miles. His crew did a great job. Lunch was cooked and served in the salon
My instructor friend gave me the telephone number of a guy who manages several condos and houses in Rocky Point. His rates are substantially lower than the going rates at the resorts. We easily save enough on lodging to pay for diving. If you need a name and number, PM me.
-AZTinman
