We spent our first day in the Gulf of California’s exploring the wonderful San Pedro Mártir Island. Located right between the peninsula and the mainland, San Pedro Mártir is an epicenter for life. It’s sheer vertical cliffs and rocky slopes are topped with a dense forest of cardón cactus, everything covered by guano. Eight different species of seabirds nest on the island, including some of the world’s biggest colonies of blue-footed and Cocos boobies, red-billed tropic birds, Brandt’s cormorants, and many other feathered wonders give the place a lively atmosphere. There’s also an abundance of California sea lions and bottlenose dolphins, some of which followed our Zodiacs as we explored my favorite island.