In July I spent a week diving the Midriff Islands in the Northern part of the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California). I had never been to these islands and had wanted to see them for decades to go along with the many other Mexican Pacific islands I have dived over the years. The diving was very good. I was especially impressed at the variety and number of nudibranchs several of which are seen below. After driving down from Phoenix (no flights!) we departed Puerto Penasco (“Rocky Point”) on the liveaboard dive vessel Rocio Del Mar. The Rocio Del Mar has been operating in the northern Sea of Cortez (as well as the south, and the Revillagigedos) for many years, and they know the dive spots and islands well. The boat is large with lots of deck space, delicious and generous meals, a smooth easy ride, capable pangas and one of the best and friendliest crews I have met. The crew took great care of us. I was lucky enough to have my own stateroom which really made me feel spoiled. I really enjoyed waking up before dawn each day and enjoying the sunrise from the top deck with a cup of tea and my camera.
We left Puerto Penasco and motored overnight in calm seas and arrived at the Isla Angel de la Guarda (“Guardian Angel Island”) at sunrise the following day to begin two full days of dives at the northernmost island of the Midriffs. The water was in the 70s and my 5/3 wetsuit was good. I focused my attention on the nudibranchs, small reef fishes, and gorgonians and large expanses of black coral. My favorite keeper shots of the first two days of the trip are below. Cheers, and thanks for looking!
The blue-spotted jawfish is a species of jawfish native to the Gulf of California. It is an inhabitant of reefs where it is found in large colonies at depths of around 12 metres. This species hides in its burrow at night, completely sealing the entrance. Every morning, it rebuilds the burrow entrance.
Image ID: 40315
Species: Blue-Spotted Jawfish, Opistognathus rosenblatti
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico
Marcus' aeolid sea slug or nudibranch, Coryphellina marcusorum, Sea of Cortez, Mexico.
Image ID: 40317
Species: Marcus' aeolid, Coryphellina marcusorum
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico
Spanish shawl nudibranch, Flabellinopsis iodinea, Midriff Islands, Sea of Cortez.
Image ID: 40323
Species: Spanish shawl nudibranch, Flabellinopsis iodinea
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico
Isla Angel de la Guarda, Aerial Photo, Sea of Cortez, Mexico. Guardian Angel island is part of the Midriff Islands in Mexico's Sea of Cortez.
Image ID: 40327
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico
Isla Angel de la Guarda, Aerial Photo, Sea of Cortez, Mexico. This offshore pinnacle near Isla de la Guarda island offers spectacular underwater scenery along with a slew of nudibranchs. Guardian Angel island is part of the Midriff Islands in Mexico's Sea of Cortez.
Image ID: 40328
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico
Gorgonian Polyps, Detail. Gorgonians are colonial animals that extend branches of polyps into currents that flow over the reef in order to capture passing bits of food.
Image ID: 40329
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico
Starfish Sea Star Detail, Sea of Cortez, Mexico.
Image ID: 40331
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico
Mexican hogfish, female coloration, Isla de la Guarda, Sea of Cortez, Baja California, Mexico.
Image ID: 40333
Species: Mexican hogfish, Bodianus diplotaenia
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico
Isla Angel de la Guarda at Sunset, Aerial Photo, Sea of Cortez, Mexico. Guardian Angel island is part of the Midriff Islands in Mexico's Sea of Cortez.
Image ID: 40335
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico
Cardon Cactus grow on Isla Angel de la Guarda at Sunset, Aerial Photo, Sea of Cortez, Mexico. Guardian Angel island is part of the Midriff Islands in Mexico's Sea of Cortez.
Image ID: 40337
Species: Cardon cactus, Elephant cactus, Pachycereus pringlei
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico
Blue-and-yellow chromis admist Black Coral, Chromis limbaughi, Islas San Lorenzo, Sea of Cortez.
Image ID: 40341
Species: Connie's damsel, Chromis limbaughi
Location: Islas San Lorenzo, Baja California, Mexico
Mexican hogfish, female coloration, Isla de la Guarda, Sea of Cortez, Baja California, Mexico.
Image ID: 40342
Species: Mexican hogfish, Bodianus diplotaenia
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico
Cortez Angelfish, Pomacanthus zonipectus, Isla Angel de la Guarda, Sea of Cortez, Mexico.
Image ID: 40343
Species: Cortez Angelfish, Pomacanthus zonipectus
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico
Barberfish, Black-Nosed Butterflyfish, Johnrandallia nigrirostris, Isla de la Guarda, Sea of Cortez.
Image ID: 40344
Species: Barberfish, Johnrandallia nigrirostris
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico
Gorgonians and Juvenile Mexican Hogfish on Lush Rocky Reef, Isla de la Guarda, Sea of Cortez.
Image ID: 40349
Species: Mexican hogfish, Bodianus diplotaenia
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico
Cortez Angelfish, Pomacanthus zonipectus, Isla Angel de la Guarda, Sea of Cortez, Mexico.
Image ID: 40352
Species: Cortez Angelfish, Pomacanthus zonipectus
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico
Lizard Triplefin Blenny, Crocodilichthys gracilis, Sea of Cortez.
Image ID: 40354
Species: Lizard Triplefin Blenny, Crocodilichthys gracilis
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico
Tambja abdere nudibranch, Sea of Cortez, Mexico.
Image ID: 40355
Species: Concealed Tambja Nudibranch, Tambja abdere
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico
Norris' Chromodorid, Felimida norrisi, Sea of Cortez, Mexico.
Image ID: 40356
Species: Norris' Chromodorid, Felimida norrisi
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico
Glossodoris sedna nudibranch, Sea of Cortez, Mexico.
Image ID: 40357
Species: Red-Tipped Sea Goddess, Glossodoris sedna, Chromolaichma sedna
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico
Tambja eliora nudibranch, Sea of Cortez, Mexico.
Image ID: 40362
Species: Blue-Striped Nudibranch, Tambja eliora
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico
Tambja abdere nudibranch, Sea of Cortez, Mexico.
Image ID: 40363
Species: Concealed Tambja Nudibranch, Tambja abdere
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico
Blue-banded goby in the Midriff Islands, Sea of Cortez, Mexico.
Image ID: 40364
Species: Bluebanded goby, Lythrypnus dalli
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico
Dive boat Rocio del Mar anchored at Isla Angel de la Guarda at Sunset, Aerial Photo, Sea of Cortez, Mexico. Guardian Angel island is part of the Midriff Islands in Mexico's Sea of Cortez.
Image ID: 40366
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico
Dive boat Rocio del Mar anchored at Isla Angel de la Guarda at Sunset, Aerial Photo, Sea of Cortez, Mexico. Guardian Angel island is part of the Midriff Islands in Mexico's Sea of Cortez.
Image ID: 40370
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico
SCUBA Divers at Night, Isla de la Guarda Island, aerial photo, Sea of Cortez. Dive boat Rocio del Mar is seen in the distance. Night diving is scary so I stay on the big boat and fly my drone.
Image ID: 40372
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico
