Southern Isabela Island

In the early hours we sailed the short distance from our overnight anchor near Fernandina across to Urbina Bay at Isabela Island. We find ourselves at the base of Alcedo Volcano, where our Expedition Leader, Dr Lynn Fowler spent 18 months studying the local giant tortoise population.

Some guests are up early, busy copying their digital camera images to free up space for the day ahead. There’s certainly no shortage of photo opportunities. There’s no shortage of good food either as Pamela invites us to another comprehensive breakfast.

After breakfast our Zodiacs transport us ashore for a choice of walks along the coast and inland. The coastline boasts numerous bays and coves formed entirely by random lava rocks and boulders. The tide is coming in, bringing along plenty of fish to explore the nooks and crannies. Heading inland we discover coral heads above the ground! Juan Carlos, our guide, explains that a little over 50 years ago, an area of nearly two square kilometers suddenly uplifted, leaving the original beach high and dry and inland, and a big area of sea bed above ground. The exposed sand has provided excellent nesting ground for land iguanas and we’re lucky to see five – some resting in the shade and some along our path. En-route we also see the ‘yellow cordia’. Juan Carlos tells us that when he was a child he squeezed the tree’s white berries to provide a glue to stick together paper for a kite.

Back at the beach, guests are swimming and snorkeling in the company of penguins, flightless cormorants and sea turtles. Nearby a Galápagos hawk watches every move.

Back on board, Chef treats us to a special Peruvian buffet lunch, there’s a quick siesta, and an interesting presentation about Charles Darwin from guide Ernesto. And then we’re off for more excitement … landing at Punta Moreno for a walk across an amazing lava landscape. We spot white tip reef sharks and numerous fish in the pools left behind when the tide went out, and flamingoes in brackish lagoons. Other folk enjoy a wonderful Zodiac ride amongst the mangroves and see eagle rays, sea turtles and a lava heron busy fishing.

A truly spectacular day is topped off with a stunning sunset. Everyone heads to bed very happy indeed! Galápagos is truly as close as you can get to the extraordinary.