Isabela & Fernandina Islands
We had a wonderful day! After the crossing of the equator line we arrived to Punta Vicente Roca, on northwestern Isabela. There we went on a panga ride along the shoreline of this magnificent island, searching for turtles, Galápagos penguins, and flightless cormorants. Then, as a grand finale, we saw an Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola). Despite the water temperature being set on 70 degrees, we rushed to pick up our snorkeling gear, as snorkeling with sea turtles is something very special!
We navigated to Fernandina in the afternoon. Very cold water currents permanently bathe the shores of this island and that is the reason for an incredible wealth of living beings. We went ashore for a comfortable hike and we saw sea lions, flightless cormorants, marine iguanas and sally light-foot crabs.
Our highlight was a Galápagos hawk that killed and ate a baby marine iguana alive (until it died). Then a large marine iguana attacked the bird to steal the food and ate it itself. So the hawk kicked it away and, flying, took its dinner away from the cannibalistic iguana! The drama never ends…
To see video footage from today's expedition, click here.
