Isabela & Fernandina Islands

We were all curious about a strange boat anchored on the northern shore of Isabela Island, near Albemarle Point. Considering the strict control the Park Service enforces on the marine reserve, it was a subject of major concern. We made contact with the Park authorities and were glad to know that the boat we had sighted was not one to cause alarm. It was a new acquisition of the local fishing cooperatives to minimize impact on the fisheries, with all the necessary permits to operate in the controlled areas. We were relieved! But it was just a matter of turning around when we spotted a pod of about 30 pilot whales in the company of several dozen bottled nosed dolphins. The whales were extremely friendly and remained there for more than 30 minutes, not moving, not going anywhere. It was a fulfilling experience not everybody has every day.

Later on, during our Zodiac ride along the coast at Punta Vicente Roca, we had the company of twenty or so penguins that together with some brown noddy terns were very busy chasing fish. They were all around us and at some point it looked like they were going to jump onto the Zodiacs. We were in shock by our good fortune, at the same time dozens of turtles were popping their heads here and there in the water to breath. Not necessary to mention that the snorkeling was outstanding.

At Punta Espinosa on the island of Fernandina, we experience an extra high tide due to the moon phase we are passing through. Also, our visit today brought very nice memories back to our honored guest, Dee Boersma, who in 1971 had her camp site near the actual visiting trail where she worked on researching Galápagos penguins. Many anecdotes and trivia came to be life through the narrations of Dee. It was a good moment we had there.

The light started to fade little by little as we approached the dock to pick up the Zodiacs that will bring us back to the National Geographic Islander. Behind us stayed another great trail, one that gave us lots of things to think about.