Hey guys,

 

Better late than never, right?

 

I went to La Bufadora this past weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) with friends from ValleyScuba http://www.ValleyScuba.com and supposedly folks from Scubapost (San Diego peops).  All of the San Diego folks flaked with the exception of Roy aka Shakazulu who know him by that name and his girlfriend Lisa.

 

Hearing Kevin and Debbie's report, I was somewhat reluctant, but knew I had to get away for a well deserved weekend of diving.  Not only that, but I LOVE Mexico!!!  I have been to La Bocana three times, but never to La Burfadora.  So needless to say, I was EXCITED!!!

 

John and I carpooled down with Neil (aka ICE) and Mary (aka FIreDive) late Thursday night.  We spent the first night in the 'Bunk House.'   LeeAnne (aka Leejnd), her husband Charlie,  teenage son and daughter, and daughter's boyfriend were already sawing logs in the bunks.  I knew it was going to be a rough and bumpy night!

 

Needless to say, I did not sleep well (going to bed at 2:30am and waking up at 6:00am and several times in between).  Since I was up early, I decided to go exploring.  I hiked down to the cove and explored all the different tide pools and rock formations.  I spent quite awhile just listening and watching the waves come in through the one of the many 'Arches.'  So peaceful and surrreal.  On my way back, finally LeeAnne and her husband were up, heading for breakfast at Cecelia's and offered for me to join them.  I quickly grabbed my money and we were off for a delicious meal of Huevos Rancheros and fresh hand made tortillas.  Yummy!  The rest of the group straggled in one after the other.  After breakfast, we got ready for our first journey in one of the 'Pangas.'

 

Friday morning June 15th

 

Heading out north, we didn't see much red tide which was a relief.

 

Dive #1

 

Eagle Reef

 

124'/ 54"/ 50` Suunto/ 80+ Viz 

 

SPECTACULAR Dive!!!  Slug Festival going on at depth:  Hudsons Horned Dorid, Yellow Horned Dorid, Cockerell's Dorid, Clown Dorid, San Diego Dorid, Yellow Edged Cadina, White Spotted Dorid, Spanish Shawls, Hermissenda Crassicornnis, and I found several Spalding's Dorids, and two that were mating!  Beautiful Reef, outstanding Viz.  I was pumped!

 

Dive #2

 

Under-Water Cavern/ Cave

 

93'/ 44"/ 52` Suunto/ 40-60' Viz

 

This was a pretty cool dive.  BIG underwater cave that went pretty far back.  Lots of fun exploring the walls, ceilings, and floor (snagged myself some pretty good sized Scallops).  Spotted the usual critters including two Herminssendas Crassicormnis.  Nice walls on outside of cave dropping off to well over 100'.

 

Saturday, June 16th

 

More divers from Valley Scuba arrived late Friday night including Walt Conklin and his son Tim who joined our Panga.  After having a filling breakfast at Cecilia's, we got geared up and ready to head south today.

 

Riding south, we noticed that quite a bit of red tide had come in.  Ugh...  We were keeping our fingers crossed to make it to what is called 'Candle Sticks.'  Arriving to the dive site, it actually looked pretty good.

 

Dive #3  Candle Sticks

 

100'/ 48"/ 52` Suunto/ 60-80' Viz at depth

 

Lots of variety on the walls of the Candle Sticks.  Sponges, nudis, varieties of rock fish, greenlings, goby's, Blacksmith, ect.  Parts of the dive were a bit surgy at times.  John and I found our way 'between' the Candlesticks and decided to 'go for it' to dive between the two walls.  This was by far my most favorite part of the dive.  The walls were narrow, steep, and deep.  Reminded me of diving Mary's Place in Roatan.  Very Cool, in deed.  Finding ourselves on the back side, there were more pinnacles to explore with the usual suspects.  At one point, a friendly sea lion joined us.

 

Dive # 4  La Playa

 

56'/ 47"/ 54` Suunto/ 20-40' Viz due to particulate and red tide

 

Initially, we were going to dive Hidden Reef, however, Red Tide was kicking up as well as current and surge.  So we decided to head over to La Playa near the Tuna pens.  Again, the usual suspects, however, on this dive, I spotted a testy Sheep Crab that tried to attack me as I was taking his picture at depth.  I should have grabbed him and had him for dinner, now that I think about it (FLASHBACK at La Bocana Kevin!).

 

On our return back to the beach, more divers has shown up:  Josh (aka Jester); Kailani (aka Compudude); and the sole member from San Diego Roy (aka Shakazulu).  They were getting ready to hit the dive sites as we were coming in.  We were lucky to have dove as early as we did, for on our return, the red tide was becoming pretty thick.

 

We relaxed the rest of the day by hitting the guantlet of vendors on our way to the 'Blow Hole'; having drinks at Cecila's; taking a siesta; having more drinks, dinner, more drinks....and Baja Some'mores  YUMMY!

 

Sunday, June 17th

 

Dive #5  UW Arch (near Blow Hole)

 

53'/ 55"/ 50` Suunto/ 10-40' due to initial red tide and particulate

 

The under water arch is a really cool dive.  HUGE arch where several divers can swim and explore together.  Viz on descent was iffy; once at depth it opened up marginally.  Ok for marco stuff, then all of a sudden, viz opened up, especially on the other side of the Arch.  Spotted remnants of a Purple Striped Jelly fish; many nudi's; rock fish; Sheephead; Blacksmith; Girabaldi's; ect.  All and all a great dive.  Would love to re-visit this site in better conditions.

 

Due to our *Spectacular* dive on the first day at Eagle Rock, we decided to head back there since Walt and his son Tim hadn't dove there before.  We weren't disappointed.  No red tide in the area to speak of.

 

#6  Eagle Rock  132'/ 54"/ 50` Suunto/ 80+ Viz below 40'

 

I know, I know...should always do the deep dive first.  Dropped down and explored different and familiar walls from the first dive.  Again, I was excited to find Spalding's Dorids scattered here and there on the reef at about 90' and below.  At around 85' I spotted a nice little cave that I could squeeze into that opened up once inside.  I played around a bit, taking pics and exploring.  Upon my exit, my computer was screaming at me, so I headed for shallower waters continuing to explore the wonderful walls, ledges, and pinnacles that this fabulous site has to offer.  After being in the water for 55`, I was the last to board our Panga. 

 

On our way back to the beach, the red tide picked up quite considerably being able to see a dark reddish brown bubbling uul being stirred up by the motor of the Panga.  As we returned, the second half of our group was just leaving to go for their morning dive.  It was even questionable if they would even be able to make their dives due to the red tide.  I believe I heard that they only did one dive and pretty much called it due to low viz.

 

After packing up camp, we headed for the border.  Driving back to Ensenda and heading north along the cost, we could see red tide all along the coast line.  At one point, it was truly RED.  I have never seen such a sight.  It was even worse when I put on ICE's polarized glasses!  The Scuba Gods were definitely with us this past weekend.  I look forward to going back SOON!

 

Oh, almost forgot, I took over 250 photos and am still in the process of editing and deleting.  Will post as soon as I get a chance.

 

Jan