Floreana Island
The Galapagos, a group of islands located 600 miles from the closest continental land mass, is not just a place where land animals have found a safe refuge. Beneath the Galapagos waves, there is another, little-explored world, that has always fascinated humans.
Today, armed with masks and snorkels, our guests went on a different type of excursion. With a “thumbs ups” to start us on our way, we headed for an experience that was later described as “one of the most fascinating snorkeling experiences ever.” Calm, crystal-clear waters made our encounter with an endless number of species of fish possible. (A school of yellow-tailed surgeon fish are pictured here.) Of course, sea lions showed up to play, too. With body contortions and flips, they showed us how inadequate our bodies are in the water world where they are masters.
The marine reserve of the Galapagos remains largely unspoiled, which is why UNESCO declared it a “World Heritage Site” on December 13, 2001. The large concentration of life in these waters make this one of the most important biological marine reserves on Earth. Sea lions, dolphins, whales, penguins and an incredible variety of seabirds depend entirely upon these waters. It is our duty, as inhabitants of this planet, to protect Galapagos from anything that could disrupt the complex relationships between these magnificent creatures. This is our chance to learn from our past mistakes and to reassess our relationship with the living Earth.
The Galapagos, a group of islands located 600 miles from the closest continental land mass, is not just a place where land animals have found a safe refuge. Beneath the Galapagos waves, there is another, little-explored world, that has always fascinated humans.
Today, armed with masks and snorkels, our guests went on a different type of excursion. With a “thumbs ups” to start us on our way, we headed for an experience that was later described as “one of the most fascinating snorkeling experiences ever.” Calm, crystal-clear waters made our encounter with an endless number of species of fish possible. (A school of yellow-tailed surgeon fish are pictured here.) Of course, sea lions showed up to play, too. With body contortions and flips, they showed us how inadequate our bodies are in the water world where they are masters.
The marine reserve of the Galapagos remains largely unspoiled, which is why UNESCO declared it a “World Heritage Site” on December 13, 2001. The large concentration of life in these waters make this one of the most important biological marine reserves on Earth. Sea lions, dolphins, whales, penguins and an incredible variety of seabirds depend entirely upon these waters. It is our duty, as inhabitants of this planet, to protect Galapagos from anything that could disrupt the complex relationships between these magnificent creatures. This is our chance to learn from our past mistakes and to reassess our relationship with the living Earth.
