Isabela and Fernandina Islands
Our wonderful journey began today on the western realm of the archipelago visiting two of the most amazing areas, the islands of Isabela and Fernandina.
During our morning, we crossed the Equator line and enjoyed the geology of Ecuador volcano, fascinating as it is we looked to the inside and admired the caldera floor of the half aerial structure of this volcano.
Once anchored, we started a Zodiac ride along the coast of Punta Vicente Roca where the very impressive cliffs that provide shelter and nesting ground for brown noddy terns and lots of colorful Sally light-foot crabs were hanging on the rocks, as well as some marine iguanas. Today, we saw a lot of Pacific green sea turtles resting and swimming very close to the surface of the water. We spent nearly two hours enjoying the landscape, the geology, and of course the wild life of this area.
Snorkeling on Punta Vicente Roca was amazing. There were sea lions, sea turtles, a sea horse, and an octopus hiding in the rocky bottom. We were surrounded by large schools of small black striped salemas which are the favorite of brown pelicans. As a matter of fact, one started to plunge dive right next to our guests. This was a very exciting snorkeling outing.
For the afternoon, we traveled to Fernandina Island, and many males marine iguanas like this one on the picture are starting to become colorful and more aggressive towards each other. Some were fighting, while some females walked around in search of the best looking males. Many Galápagos flightless cormorants are nesting at this time of the year, so we observed males and females bringing algae for building their nests. Some others caught some fish in the vicinity of their nesting area and gave it to their chicks.
Our wonderful journey began today on the western realm of the archipelago visiting two of the most amazing areas, the islands of Isabela and Fernandina.
During our morning, we crossed the Equator line and enjoyed the geology of Ecuador volcano, fascinating as it is we looked to the inside and admired the caldera floor of the half aerial structure of this volcano.
Once anchored, we started a Zodiac ride along the coast of Punta Vicente Roca where the very impressive cliffs that provide shelter and nesting ground for brown noddy terns and lots of colorful Sally light-foot crabs were hanging on the rocks, as well as some marine iguanas. Today, we saw a lot of Pacific green sea turtles resting and swimming very close to the surface of the water. We spent nearly two hours enjoying the landscape, the geology, and of course the wild life of this area.
Snorkeling on Punta Vicente Roca was amazing. There were sea lions, sea turtles, a sea horse, and an octopus hiding in the rocky bottom. We were surrounded by large schools of small black striped salemas which are the favorite of brown pelicans. As a matter of fact, one started to plunge dive right next to our guests. This was a very exciting snorkeling outing.
For the afternoon, we traveled to Fernandina Island, and many males marine iguanas like this one on the picture are starting to become colorful and more aggressive towards each other. Some were fighting, while some females walked around in search of the best looking males. Many Galápagos flightless cormorants are nesting at this time of the year, so we observed males and females bringing algae for building their nests. Some others caught some fish in the vicinity of their nesting area and gave it to their chicks.
