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Nature
Cruise to the Islas Los Coronados
Pirates & Rum Runners, Whales & Dolphins,
Elephants Seals, Sea Birds, and More!
By Lisa D. Smith
Southwest Blend
Magazine,
www.southwestblend.com
Nancy and I recently went out to sea on
San Diego Harbor Excursions newest cruise
– their Nature Cruise to the Coronado
Islands. This exciting journey began
around 10 am when we boarded ‘The Morning
Star,’ and met our guides, Captain Ben
Griffith and his Co-Captain Steve. Nancy
and I made ourselves comfortable in the
seating at the top of the boat – we wanted
the full ‘out to sea’ experience – fresh
air, sunshine, and the full view….on boy
did we get it!
 As
we headed out of the harbor area, Captain
Ben explained the fascinating history of
the San Diego harbor - how it was built,
its military heritage and more, whilst
pointing out historic sites and
attractions such as the Cabrillo National
Monument and Point Loma Lighthouse, the
USS Midway Museum, and more. It was
amazing to travel past the Cabrillo
National Monument where in 1542, Juan
Rodriguez Cabrillo stepped into history as
the first European to set foot on what is
now the West Coast of the United States.
Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo also founded the
Los Coronados Islands, our destination.
We were past the harbor area and heading
out to sea, the breeze was lifting our
hair and the ‘big blue’ beckoned, as
Captain Ben began telling the lively tales
of the Los Coronados Islands, which are
located in Mexican waters (don’t worry –
no need to bring your passport). There are
four different islands to visit – Dead
Man’s Island, the primary reproductive
area for over 3000 breeding pairs of brown
pelicans; Bird Rock Island, the smallest
island that is home to over 80 species of
sea birds including the Brown and
Blue-Footed Booby; Bomber Rock Island, the
third largest island that is home to
harbor seals and one of the only two
elephant rookeries within 300 miles; and
South Coronado Island, the largest island
featuring Elephant Seal Cove and Pirates
Cove which was home in for the brutal
Mexican Pirate, Jose Arnez. South Coronado
Island also has a history of Rum Running
during the 1920 prohibition times, and
once had a hotel and casino that was
frequented by Hollywood movie stars such
as Mae West and Charlie Chaplin.
 We
weren’t too far out when a pod of dolphins
discovered the boat and began to dive and
swim all around us. It was a sight to
behold as they raced around diving under
the boat and then surfacing on a crest of
a wave. It was absolutely magical. Captain
Ben traveled with the dolphins as long as
possible - he really was an excellent
guide, explaining the wildlife and the
birds, and ‘pulling over’ for lots of
photo opportunities--and there were many
of those with the amount of wildlife we
experienced.
It was a beautiful sight as the islands
came into full view – they were so green
and lush after the winter rains. We
visited Dead Man’s Island first which has
been used in movies including the ‘Pirates
of the Caribbean’. We witnessed thousands
of brown pelicans and other bird species,
including oyster catchers and cormorants.
Sitting amongst the rocks where the water
was crashing and flowing off into little
waterfalls, we spied a family of sea lions
basking in the sun and diving into the
ocean. Our next stop was Bird Rock Island
where we saw the uniquely marked Brown and
Blue-footed Boobies, which are known to
live on the Galápagos Islands. Bomber Rock
Island was next, where we visited the two
pristine beaches. Besides watching a
number of Harbor Seals, we were lucky
enough to see the huge Elephant Seals (the
males can reach 5000 lbs.), of which there
are only 2000 left on the Pacific
Coast--and only two places to see them –
here, and Anos Nuevos near Santa Cruz, CA.
Our last stop at the islands was the
infamous South Coronado Island, and as we
toured around it, one could not help but
envision the pirates, gamblers and rum
runners that made up this island’s
colorful past.
It was time to head back to San Diego and
again, we were joined by dolphins – a
definite highlight of the trip. Nancy and
I were just finishing up our hotdogs -
served below in the kitchen and dining
room, when we all got to see the majestic
grey whales heading back to the Bering
Sea, their feeding grounds. What a way to
end such an incredible trip – a true
nature fix! I will never forget this trip.
Southwest Blend Magazine will host a
special radio show featuring Captain Ben
Griffith, on Monday, April 14th,
at 10am.
To listen to this show "live", be sure to
tune in at 10am or a couple minutes past.
If you tune in too early, you will hear
the previous week’s show.
To Tune In –
Click here.
The San
Diego Harbor Excursion Nature Cruise is
approximately 5 ˝ hours long, and runs
until the end of May.
Cost - Adults: $50.00; Children
(4-12) $40.00; Seniors/Military: $45.00.
Photo I.D. required for all adults
Boarding Location:
1050 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101.
Foot of Broadway, Downtown San Diego, CA.
Info:
(619) 234-4111 or Toll Free:
1-800-44-CRUISE
Web:
http://www.sdhe.com/san-diego-nature-cruise.html
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