May 9–13, 2025
Nestled between dramatic peaks and calm turquoise waters, Puerto Escondido has evolved over the years, but it still holds a quiet magic. Amid a new marina and modern vessels, we found what we were looking for: meaningful connections, curious minds, and a chance to share science in a place shaped by the sea.
Hands-On Science
On Friday and Saturday, we teamed up with Eco-Alianza de Loreto for two days of education and outreach at sea—one cruise with university students from Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABCS), and another with community members and local partners. On board, participants searched for a sunken wreck (never found!), explored a reef with the ROV, examined plankton samples, tested salinity, and scanned the horizon in search of marine life.
On Monday, we welcomed 40 high school students and 8 Eco-Alianza staff for two dockside education sessions aboard the Flyer. In the Chuck Baxter Lab, students examined plankton under microscopes and explored our ROV with guest scientist Arturo Ramírez. On deck, they toured the vessel and learned how a 1937 sardine seiner became a floating classroom and research platform.
The students had never heard of the Western Flyer. When asked to guess when it was built, many guessed the 1980s—a perfect opening to share the vessel’s surprising backstory and evolving mission.
Wildlife All Around
Mobula rays were a regular sight during our stay in Puerto Escondido—leaping out of the water without warning, sometimes just yards from the boat. They’d launch into the air and land with a dramatic belly flop—a sudden, spectacular moment that never got old.
We also spotted dolphins cruising past in tight groups, surfacing briefly before slipping out of view, and sea turtles drifting near the surface.
At night, needlefish darted through the glow of the boat’s lights, moving just below the surface—a quiet end to full days.
Community Celebrations
On Friday night, Eco-Alianza invited their supporters to celebrate the Western Flyer’s return to Puerto Escondido with a lovely dockside gathering. Then on Monday, they welcomed the broader community with a fun public event at their headquarters in Loreto. Eighty-six elementary students were already gathered when we arrived, coloring Western Flyer-themed activity books, and climbing aboard a cardboard replica of the ship. Captain Paul and Captain Andrea gamely “helmed” the cardboard Flyer and were soon surrounded by kids asking for autographs and sea stories.
The evening wrapped up with a screening of Journey to the Sea of Cortez, shared with families, students, and neighbors. It was a celebration of history, science, and place—full of laughter, learning, and salty air. We’re grateful to Eco-Alianza for hosting such a welcoming celebration!
Coastal Stories, Then and Now
On Sunday, we were thrilled to welcome aboard the family of Leopoldo Pérpuli, who guided Steinbeck and Ricketts on a borrego hunt during their 1940 expedition. Read more here!
Why It Matters
From cardboard boats to research cruises to connections from the past, these moments spark curiosity and open doors. For most students, it was their first time on a boat like the Flyer—and their first hands-on glimpse into the world of marine science.
These experiences are only possible because of supporters like you. Whether you’ve donated, volunteered, or simply shared our story, you’re helping inspire the next generation of ocean stewards—one student, one community, one port at a time.
Join us in continuing this journey.
