Floreana Island
Overnight we left the western realm of the Galápagos Archipelago to begin our exploration of the south. Floreana is the sixth largest of the islands in the group and, as such, is tall enough to intercept the low cloud layer that is present during much of the year. Hence its summit is shrouded in dense vegetation, and these humid highlands contain a fresh water spring that made the island habitable. It is because of this that it has, throughout history, been one of the most frequented islands in Galápagos: first by pirates and buccaneers, then by whalers and fur-sealers, the latter setting up the famous postal barrel we visited in Post Office Bay that has now been in use since the 1790s. Later on, it was also the first island to become settled. These early settlers were a bunch of eccentric Europeans fleeing the big Depression between two world wars.
Visiting the island gave us the opportunity to learn about the human history of the Galápagos, as well as take nature walks focused on both the fascinating vegetation of the island and the shore birds, such as flamingos, stilts and pintail ducks, that inhabit the large salt-water lagoon that has formed behind the green olivine beach. We also got to deploy our kayaks and explore the shoreline, take Zodiac cruises to look for rare birds, swim and snorkel from the beach, and (best of all, in my opinion), jump into the water around one of the offshore islets, Champion, to partake in some of the very best deep water snorkelling in the entire archipelago.
We have just entered the hot, rainy season in Galápagos, and the real highlight this time of year is the snorkelling: the waters are warm, calm and clear, and we get to go in at least once a day!
Today we all went out to the windward side of Champion Islet and jumped in off the Zodiacs into clear blue waters bathing steep underwater cliffs that were absolutely swarming with the most spectacular, colourful fish imaginable. When the fish masses parted and allowed us to look around we saw beautiful invertebrates such as a variety of colourful sea stars and corals, as well as larger creatures such as reef sharks and Galápagos sea lions. Some even saw a marine iguana grazing off the sparse algae, and a jewelled moray slithering along the sandy bottom.
For many of us it was practically impossible to leave this magical world we were immersed in, and we stayed in the water for over two hours! Time certainly flies when you are having the time of your life!
Overnight we left the western realm of the Galápagos Archipelago to begin our exploration of the south. Floreana is the sixth largest of the islands in the group and, as such, is tall enough to intercept the low cloud layer that is present during much of the year. Hence its summit is shrouded in dense vegetation, and these humid highlands contain a fresh water spring that made the island habitable. It is because of this that it has, throughout history, been one of the most frequented islands in Galápagos: first by pirates and buccaneers, then by whalers and fur-sealers, the latter setting up the famous postal barrel we visited in Post Office Bay that has now been in use since the 1790s. Later on, it was also the first island to become settled. These early settlers were a bunch of eccentric Europeans fleeing the big Depression between two world wars.
Visiting the island gave us the opportunity to learn about the human history of the Galápagos, as well as take nature walks focused on both the fascinating vegetation of the island and the shore birds, such as flamingos, stilts and pintail ducks, that inhabit the large salt-water lagoon that has formed behind the green olivine beach. We also got to deploy our kayaks and explore the shoreline, take Zodiac cruises to look for rare birds, swim and snorkel from the beach, and (best of all, in my opinion), jump into the water around one of the offshore islets, Champion, to partake in some of the very best deep water snorkelling in the entire archipelago.
We have just entered the hot, rainy season in Galápagos, and the real highlight this time of year is the snorkelling: the waters are warm, calm and clear, and we get to go in at least once a day!
Today we all went out to the windward side of Champion Islet and jumped in off the Zodiacs into clear blue waters bathing steep underwater cliffs that were absolutely swarming with the most spectacular, colourful fish imaginable. When the fish masses parted and allowed us to look around we saw beautiful invertebrates such as a variety of colourful sea stars and corals, as well as larger creatures such as reef sharks and Galápagos sea lions. Some even saw a marine iguana grazing off the sparse algae, and a jewelled moray slithering along the sandy bottom.
For many of us it was practically impossible to leave this magical world we were immersed in, and we stayed in the water for over two hours! Time certainly flies when you are having the time of your life!
