Hood Island

We woke up this morning anchored in front of the oldest island in the archipelago. The island we explored today has some of the most interesting fauna and flora. It is an island that is old and isolated. Plants and animals are unique to this location and found nowhere else, even when compared to other islands in the archipelago. Here, we found Galápagos waved albatross, colorful marine iguanas, mockingbirds, lava lizards, all different species, all of these only found on this island.

We walked on the rocky terrain and found that most of the young albatross are ready to fly. Only one solitary adult was observed flying above our heads. We found it very rewarding to see this bird, like the master of the wind with its long slender wings taking advantage of the strong breeze along the cliff. They fly fast and smooth, as if looking at the island for the last time before going to the cool and rich waters off the Peruvian coast.

We returned aboard and got our snorkeling gear. In the afternoon, we enjoyed the island from the water; we went snorkeling, kayaking, and looking for fish from our glass bottom boat. We also had a fascinating time on the beach in the company of Galápagos sea lions. A few were swimming, while others were busy feeding their young. In the distance we could hear a male barking as he watched over his territory.

We very much loved our first full day in Galápagos.