Isabela & Fernandina Islands
We navigated all night long in order to reach the westernmost part of the Enchanted Islands. Early in the morning we understood why the name “Enchanted” was given to the archipelago. Swirling sea mist was covering the volcanoes and we could see how the islands disappeared and appeared within minutes, as if they were bewitched.
We awoke first thing with a call announcing dolphins off our bow: a school of a couple hundred common dolphins entertained us with their acrobatics against the backdrop of a rising sun. We stayed with them until they disappeared into the mists, then continued on with our scheduled route. Our first activity was the equator line crossing; pirates came on board with King Neptune in person to baptize all our youngest guests that have become, from now on, “Galapagos Shellbacks.”
We sailed by Ecuador Volcano, where we saw the inner part of its huge caldera, exposed as a result of the collapse of most of the volcano into the sea.
The scenery was impressive as we arrived to Punta Vicente Roca. We boarded our Zodiacs to explore the coast, where marine iguanas, fur seals, penguins, flightless cormorants, boobies and noddy terns were posing for our cameras. During the Zodiac ride we also had the great surprise of finding the massive Mola mola! This oceanic sun fish feeds on jelly fish, and grows over sixty million times from its original weight.
The morning wasn’t over as we still had time for snorkeling: the water temperature was a little bit cold but it was worth it! Everybody had the opportunity of snorkeling with a green Pacific sea turtle.
Just after lunch, the National Geographic Islander crossed the Bolivar Channel with direction to Fernandina Island. This is the youngest island of the group; we landed on a lava field dating from 1825 where we saw hundreds of marine iguanas facing the sun and a nesting sight of flightless cormorants. The few species that had colonized the island are the strongest ones: lava cactus, lava lizards, mangroves and some land birds.
This was a very special day for all of us, and every person came back with a big smile. The islands are not bewitched, now we know, but certainly they are enchanted.
We navigated all night long in order to reach the westernmost part of the Enchanted Islands. Early in the morning we understood why the name “Enchanted” was given to the archipelago. Swirling sea mist was covering the volcanoes and we could see how the islands disappeared and appeared within minutes, as if they were bewitched.
We awoke first thing with a call announcing dolphins off our bow: a school of a couple hundred common dolphins entertained us with their acrobatics against the backdrop of a rising sun. We stayed with them until they disappeared into the mists, then continued on with our scheduled route. Our first activity was the equator line crossing; pirates came on board with King Neptune in person to baptize all our youngest guests that have become, from now on, “Galapagos Shellbacks.”
We sailed by Ecuador Volcano, where we saw the inner part of its huge caldera, exposed as a result of the collapse of most of the volcano into the sea.
The scenery was impressive as we arrived to Punta Vicente Roca. We boarded our Zodiacs to explore the coast, where marine iguanas, fur seals, penguins, flightless cormorants, boobies and noddy terns were posing for our cameras. During the Zodiac ride we also had the great surprise of finding the massive Mola mola! This oceanic sun fish feeds on jelly fish, and grows over sixty million times from its original weight.
The morning wasn’t over as we still had time for snorkeling: the water temperature was a little bit cold but it was worth it! Everybody had the opportunity of snorkeling with a green Pacific sea turtle.
Just after lunch, the National Geographic Islander crossed the Bolivar Channel with direction to Fernandina Island. This is the youngest island of the group; we landed on a lava field dating from 1825 where we saw hundreds of marine iguanas facing the sun and a nesting sight of flightless cormorants. The few species that had colonized the island are the strongest ones: lava cactus, lava lizards, mangroves and some land birds.
This was a very special day for all of us, and every person came back with a big smile. The islands are not bewitched, now we know, but certainly they are enchanted.
