Hood Island
In 1835 when a very young Charles Darwin spotted Hood Island from far away, he was not very impressed with it, and soon after this first encounter, he landed on San Cristobal Island. He thought that all the islands looked the same. After visiting Floreana, he found out that every island is different and finally realized that this was a place like no other.
Let me tell you that every place on every island has its own special characteristic that makes it unique. Today’s island for example has many endemic species of plants, birds, and reptiles not found in any other place in the world not even in any other island, due to its isolation and its old age. Hood Island is considered to be about four million years old which makes it the oldest in the archipelago.
Our day activities started with a visit to Gardner bay. Waiting for us was a very large colony of Galápagos sea lions resting on the white organic beach with nice warm turquoise blue waters bathing the coast. Some of our guests went deep water snorkelling, while others enjoyed kayaking around Gardner islet.
During the afternoon, we went ashore on the western coast of Hood Island to a marvellous place as it is Punta Suarez where hundreds of blue footed boobies have just arrived to begin their mating season. Several couples were already displaying their mating ritual better known as “Booby dance” which includes marching, sky pointing, showing their feet during landing, and the exchange of engagement gifts.
Some curious Hood mocking birds tried to reach the water bottles in the back packs, while baby sea lions sniffed on our shoes. We certainly had a wonderful day and enjoyed every minute of it.
In 1835 when a very young Charles Darwin spotted Hood Island from far away, he was not very impressed with it, and soon after this first encounter, he landed on San Cristobal Island. He thought that all the islands looked the same. After visiting Floreana, he found out that every island is different and finally realized that this was a place like no other.
Let me tell you that every place on every island has its own special characteristic that makes it unique. Today’s island for example has many endemic species of plants, birds, and reptiles not found in any other place in the world not even in any other island, due to its isolation and its old age. Hood Island is considered to be about four million years old which makes it the oldest in the archipelago.
Our day activities started with a visit to Gardner bay. Waiting for us was a very large colony of Galápagos sea lions resting on the white organic beach with nice warm turquoise blue waters bathing the coast. Some of our guests went deep water snorkelling, while others enjoyed kayaking around Gardner islet.
During the afternoon, we went ashore on the western coast of Hood Island to a marvellous place as it is Punta Suarez where hundreds of blue footed boobies have just arrived to begin their mating season. Several couples were already displaying their mating ritual better known as “Booby dance” which includes marching, sky pointing, showing their feet during landing, and the exchange of engagement gifts.
Some curious Hood mocking birds tried to reach the water bottles in the back packs, while baby sea lions sniffed on our shoes. We certainly had a wonderful day and enjoyed every minute of it.
