Isabela & Fernandina Island
We start our day exploring the Northwestern coastline of the largest island of this oceanic archipelago (Albemarle is its English name). This part of Galápagos is the best place for cetacean observation and sea birds, this without mentioning the impressive geology of the area.
Wolf Volcano is the highest point found in this place and with its sitting clouds was really at its best. As we continued, we were ready to celebrate our second equatorial crossing with all of our guests on the fore deck. For some it was really their first time and it was a good reason to celebrate this episode with all their desires. A group of common dolphins showed up as a welcoming committee to their home.
As soon as we arrived, we dropped anchor and were ready to take the Zodiacs for more wildlife searching, but this time very close to the species. Galápagos penguins, cormorants, sea lions, Nazca and blue footed boobies, brown noddy terns, frigates, and pelicans were there for our delight. Late in the morning we were ready to go out again but this time for water activities. This location is probably the best for swimming with turtles, penguins, cormorants and sea lions. It was really a terrific experience at Punta Vicente Roca.
Early in the afternoon we disembarked at the most pristine Island in Galápagos, considered to be the youngest geological formation in the area. And that’s the main reason why this volcano is the most active of all. Fernandina is also our pristine island which means no introduced species are found here. Probably this place is best for understanding that the colonization of flora and fauna was a very slow process. Fernandina Island is the home for the largest population of marine iguanas, being also the biggest of the seven subspecies found here.
We enjoyed observing miles of fresh lava flows, lava cactus, flightless cormorants and piles of marine iguanas under the rain. This was a unique experience that we enjoyed because just a few of our guests have the opportunity to experience Galápagos with rain, because this place is very dry for most of the year.
