Our Journey to Puerto Ballandra
Christmas on the Sea
Our journey on December 22 from Loreto began shortly before 1700 hours, and in a mere two hours, we reached Isla Carmen, where we dropped anchor in the tranquil and crystal-clear waters of Puerto Ballandra.

Spending Christmas in Puerto Ballandra was an extraordinary experience. Nestled on the western shore of Isla Carmen, this tranquil cove offers views of the shimmering lights of Loreto just nine miles to the west and never-ending sunsets. The breathtaking beauty of the bay, combined with the joyful atmosphere aboard SV Inscrutable, created a truly memorable setting. It served as a perfect opportunity to reflect, engage with nature, and cherish the simple pleasures of life.
The days leading up to Christmas were filled with painting, baking, swimming, paddle boarding and exploring the shore line.
Christmas Celebration Highlights

Our Christmas Day in Puerto Ballandra was a perfect mix of fun traditions and adventurous spirit. We kicked off the day with the thrill of opening stockings and gifts before heading out on a beautiful hike with amazing views. The afternoon was filled with fun as we dove into some board games. For dinner, we enjoyed a delicious homemade lasagna that made the festive atmosphere even cozier. Although we couldn’t take a dip due to a red tide, the warmth and joy of the day made it a Christmas to remember.

Christmas Morning Hike
Hiking was excellent directly around the cove. We braved the heat and the challenging ascent that guided us along the ridge to the summit, where we were rewarded with breathtaking views of the Sea of Cortez and Puerto Ballandra. However, ‘No Trespassing’ signs restrict access to the interior, as this area lies near the Bahia Salinas hunting lodge on the northeast side of the island.

Red Tide Challenges
We awoke on Christmas morning to find the sea transformed by a red tide, shifting from its usual stunning turquoise to a deep, unsettling red. This unexpected change sadly meant we could not enjoy our favorite activities of swimming and snorkeling but we made the best of it and went hiking instead.
Red tide happens when certain types of algae grow really quickly, usually because there’s a lot of nutrients in the water. These algal blooms can really shake things up for the environment, turning the water a funny color and creating toxins that can harm marine life and even pose risks to our health.
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Merry Christmas!! What a great way to spend the day. The food looked great- and happy to see Logan enjoyed building the lego Matt sent. 🙂 Miss you!
What a gorgeous place! Glad you had a memorable Christmas. Can’t wait to hear about New Year’s. I’m on my way to Vancouver, leave for PS tomorrow! Yeah, need some sunshine!
Have a great time in PS and soaking up the sun ☀️❤️
Oh yes he loves the Lego kit, thanks Matt! Miss you too ❤️