Northern Isabela and Fernandina Islands
The day dawned windy and grey and the ocean was a bit choppy: not excellent whale and dolphin spotting conditions, and indeed we searched in vain for a spout or a leaping marine mammal before breakfast. We counted the minutes down as we crossed the equator and soon dropped anchor at Punta Vicente Roca. The excitement began at this point and we had three choices of outings to choose from: a Zodiac cruise in search of wildlife, Zodiac driving lessons/wildlife search or sea kayaking. I really can not say who had the most fun! We ALL saw incredible wildlife: flightless cormorants, huge marine iguanas, penguins, a sail fish, pelagic sun fish or mola mola, a huge manta ray, sea lions, and sea turtles to name just a few of the species observed. The kayakers thoroughly enjoyed the chance to quietly sneak up to the shoreline and watch iguana and penguin behaviour from their bright yellow boats.
Many of our guests headed out to cool off and snorkel following the boat rides. Everyone saw several sea turtles and was thrilled as they watched these creatures gracefully swim just feet from them. Some of us spotted a sea horse, there was an octopus too, and of course many fish of various colors, shapes and sizes. A fabulous snorkelling trip!!
Lunch was a grand affair today. The buffet table was crowded with Ecuadorian specialities from both the coast and highlands and after the Hotel Manager Esteban had named and explained each dish to us, we eagerly sampled them all. Our siesta was cut short – but no one was complaining – when Naturalist Gilda spotted a mother and calf pair of Bryde’s whales. Second mate Byron slowed and turned the ship and we cautiously followed them. We cheered and clapped when we all got a great look at these spouting and surfacing cetaceans. Bryde’s are mid-sized baleen whales that can be found year round in Galápagos. They feed on fish and are often difficult to approach and follow. We consider ourselves very lucky to have gotten such excellent views of them today!
The afternoon hike on the pristine island of Fernandina was fantastic. We observed and learned about marine iguanas in piles, nesting cormorants with newly emerged chicks, black lava lizards that are endemic to Fernandina and more of our friends the sea lions. I heard one of our guests say this morning: “I have fallen in love with these islands!” I am sure by now everyone on this voyage understands why these magical islands are called “Las Islas Encantadas!”
The day dawned windy and grey and the ocean was a bit choppy: not excellent whale and dolphin spotting conditions, and indeed we searched in vain for a spout or a leaping marine mammal before breakfast. We counted the minutes down as we crossed the equator and soon dropped anchor at Punta Vicente Roca. The excitement began at this point and we had three choices of outings to choose from: a Zodiac cruise in search of wildlife, Zodiac driving lessons/wildlife search or sea kayaking. I really can not say who had the most fun! We ALL saw incredible wildlife: flightless cormorants, huge marine iguanas, penguins, a sail fish, pelagic sun fish or mola mola, a huge manta ray, sea lions, and sea turtles to name just a few of the species observed. The kayakers thoroughly enjoyed the chance to quietly sneak up to the shoreline and watch iguana and penguin behaviour from their bright yellow boats.
Many of our guests headed out to cool off and snorkel following the boat rides. Everyone saw several sea turtles and was thrilled as they watched these creatures gracefully swim just feet from them. Some of us spotted a sea horse, there was an octopus too, and of course many fish of various colors, shapes and sizes. A fabulous snorkelling trip!!
Lunch was a grand affair today. The buffet table was crowded with Ecuadorian specialities from both the coast and highlands and after the Hotel Manager Esteban had named and explained each dish to us, we eagerly sampled them all. Our siesta was cut short – but no one was complaining – when Naturalist Gilda spotted a mother and calf pair of Bryde’s whales. Second mate Byron slowed and turned the ship and we cautiously followed them. We cheered and clapped when we all got a great look at these spouting and surfacing cetaceans. Bryde’s are mid-sized baleen whales that can be found year round in Galápagos. They feed on fish and are often difficult to approach and follow. We consider ourselves very lucky to have gotten such excellent views of them today!
The afternoon hike on the pristine island of Fernandina was fantastic. We observed and learned about marine iguanas in piles, nesting cormorants with newly emerged chicks, black lava lizards that are endemic to Fernandina and more of our friends the sea lions. I heard one of our guests say this morning: “I have fallen in love with these islands!” I am sure by now everyone on this voyage understands why these magical islands are called “Las Islas Encantadas!”
