Isabela & Fernandina Islands
Today revealed the most spectacular and radiant sunrise we have had the whole week. Our vessel rode us around Santa Cruz Island all the way to the northwestern side of the archipelago. This time we were invited by King Neptune to cross the Equator and enjoy the beauty and magnificence of the western shield volcanoes of Isabela and Fernandina islands.
A refreshing morning mist covered the shores of volcan Ecuador while we sailed towards Punta Vicente Roca, where we Zodiac rode in search of the gigantic Pacific Sun fish or Mola mola. We then snorkeled along the shores of volcan Ecuador’s collapsed caldera and… there they blew! A couple of spectacular Orca whales came around the Islander just as we were loading back snorkelers into our Zodiacs. We rushed after them and we enjoyed one of the best hours of our lives! A big Orca male accompanied by a female purposed around our Zodiacs along the shore of volcan Ecuador; what an experience! Had we ever dreamed about this on this trip? Swimming with sea turtles, Galápagos penguins, flightless cormorants and lots of colorful fish and whale watching all at once? Well, now we know that anything is possible here in the land of the Giant tortoises!
Despite the strong sun over our heads, our afternoon felt pretty cool. The dramatic landscape seemed like a nice invitation to an easy stroll on Punta Espinoza, Fernandina Island. We walked around nesting flightless cormorants, the largest marine iguanas we have seen so far, lots of Galápagos sea lions and the royal presence of the Galápagos hawk. Not a bad day at all!
Today revealed the most spectacular and radiant sunrise we have had the whole week. Our vessel rode us around Santa Cruz Island all the way to the northwestern side of the archipelago. This time we were invited by King Neptune to cross the Equator and enjoy the beauty and magnificence of the western shield volcanoes of Isabela and Fernandina islands.
A refreshing morning mist covered the shores of volcan Ecuador while we sailed towards Punta Vicente Roca, where we Zodiac rode in search of the gigantic Pacific Sun fish or Mola mola. We then snorkeled along the shores of volcan Ecuador’s collapsed caldera and… there they blew! A couple of spectacular Orca whales came around the Islander just as we were loading back snorkelers into our Zodiacs. We rushed after them and we enjoyed one of the best hours of our lives! A big Orca male accompanied by a female purposed around our Zodiacs along the shore of volcan Ecuador; what an experience! Had we ever dreamed about this on this trip? Swimming with sea turtles, Galápagos penguins, flightless cormorants and lots of colorful fish and whale watching all at once? Well, now we know that anything is possible here in the land of the Giant tortoises!
Despite the strong sun over our heads, our afternoon felt pretty cool. The dramatic landscape seemed like a nice invitation to an easy stroll on Punta Espinoza, Fernandina Island. We walked around nesting flightless cormorants, the largest marine iguanas we have seen so far, lots of Galápagos sea lions and the royal presence of the Galápagos hawk. Not a bad day at all!
