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Encounters Whale Sharks in the Sea of Cortez
WHALE SHARKS GALORE DELIGHT EXCURSIONS IN THE SEA OF CORTEZ!!
11/28/07 Our day started at 10:30 in the morning when we departed from The Cortez Club dock at la Concha Beach Resort in glorious sunshine. Our goal was to find a whale shark so that my youngest son Nicolas could go swimming with one such incredible pelagic and later present to his teacher his Super kid project that he had been selected for.
We traveled a distance of 3 to 4 miles from The Cortez Club that only took 15 minutes and were now in the zone. Our eyes scanning the waters’ surface for any irregularity or what could appear to be a dorsal fin. Within five minutes we spotted a strong reflection off the waters surface and as we approached it became clearer by the second that we had hit the jackpot today!
There before our astonishment was a 30 foot Whale shark feeding vertically with its gaping mouth wide open. The largest fish on our planet Earth is five to seven feet from our boat. Both Oliver and Nicolas, six years old and three years old respectively are mesmerized by its sheer size and for the first time in a long time are silent . We position ourselves very carefully so as not to disturb, harm or even scare this great leviathan.
Strangely enough the Whale Shark doesn’t mind our presence and oddly appears to welcome us. I prepare my mask, snorkel and grab my fins and in I go. As my head breaks the surface and I submerge my head into the water I am filled by an overwhelming adrenalin rush that almost paralyzes my entire body. Once I regain my composure I start swimming closer to this mighty creature with excitement boiling over. I am now in paradise, on cloud nine and having a very good day to say the least.
I spend over twenty minutes swimming, free-diving and admiring this 30 foot fish that I have heard so much about but never have got close to in years. My husband snaps away with his camera and helps young Nicolas into the water. Both he and I are side by side with what must seem to be a dinosaur to Nicolas and no fear is being displayed by either Fish or Man. What an experience.
We remained with that particular Whale Shark for two hours and then proceeded to look for others. It took no more than ten minutes before we were amongst five others.
Our day had transformed from a treasure hunt mission to a unimaginable treat that we will cherish for the rest of our lives and thanks to the photos, we will be able to re-visit our deepest felt emotions of joy !
Thank you Cortez Club, for making our dreams come true !!!
The Cortez Club thanks Mariana for her story and reminds all guests that we are currently experiencing a one hundred percent success rate with our visits to find the Whale Sharks, see you all soon.
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