Isabela & Fernandina Islands
Our morning started with the incredible view of Ecuador Volcano, on Isabela Island, the largest island in the Galápagos Archipelago. After a pre-breakfast visit of common dolphins and later a well-deserved breakfast, we went on a zodiac ride at Punta Vicente Roca. We found Galápagos fur seals, Pacific green turtles, marine iguanas, Galápagos penguins and flightless cormorants.
We wanted to explore up-close in the nice cool water, so we jumped in with our snorkeling gear. There were lots of sea turtles and very curious sea lions; mating cormorants were dancing, and a penguin was playing king of the mountain.
After a delicious Ecuadorian meal, the wildlife at Punta Espinoza, Fernandina Island, was waiting for us. Our first great impression was of the hundreds of marine iguanas hugging each other to warm up. Some males were very excited, and were fighting for territory and females.
A big surprise was waiting for us: a pod of dolphins delighted us, in the most playful way, with their acrobatics and dancing. One of them reached 20 feet off the water, almost impossible to believe!
We finished our great day in paradise with a sunset party on the whale-watching deck, in the company of a whale and a feeding frenzy of blue-footed boobies!
