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STORIES FROM A DISTANT SHORE: SOLITUDE IN BAHIA SANTA ELENA, COSTA RICA

SOLITUDE IN BAHIA SANTA ELENA, COSTA RICA

Northbound Ocean Posse members along the Central American Coast, SV AEESHAH recently sailed to one of the northernmost bays in Costa Rica: Bahia Santa Elena. Aside from the occasional local fisherman during the day and a host of wildlife, including howler monkeys, herons, cormorants, fish, urchins, and more, SV AEESHAH was treated to total solitude. Here they share their STORY:

Report from SV AEESHAH:

The passage to Bahia San Elana was lovely. The shoreline and off shore islands looked to be wild and exotic. This enormous bay was our pit-stop before heading to Nicaragua. We wanted to explore the area as it is all national park, “The Parque National Santa Rosa” and totally uninhabited. This area had recently been designated a Marine Management Area which meant the bay would be reserved for specific purposes. These include the conservation of marine life. Bahia Santa Elena is 732-hectare. It is a breeding area for several marine species, including dolphins, whales, and turtles. Plus the endangered whale shark and several species of rays breed here and are seen here. Our explorations were in the dinghy. The day was absolutely lovely, sunny, with just the right amount of clouds in the sky. We set off around the bay in a clockwise direction. Absolutely everywhere was stunningly beautiful. 

 The massive, tree-covered slopes on the northern shores were of dense jungle. We could hear howler monkeys, many, many different bird calls and insect screeches. Along the shores of the lower part of the bay are several river estuaries. As it was low tide there was no way we could enter the rivers, that will be for the next time. Even the shallows of the rivers were interesting and attractive.  Beyond them we could see that the foliage had changed. It was of species of plants that survive in drier climates.  We surmised that this was probably due to the Papagayo winds, or Papagayo jet as they are called, that blast through in the winter months. These wind speeds have been recorded as high as 70 mph which is just shy of hurricane strength.

The weather was doing its usual clouding up as the day progressed, getting ready for the regular later afternoon rain event. Back at Aeeshah we readied to leave early the next morning.

FAIR WINDS SV AEESHAH

SV AEESHAH  Jen & John - Gulfstar Hirsch 45

THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR ADVENTURES ALONG THE WAY!

Please submit your story to Maurisa.  Email editor@oceanposse.com.

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