Isabela & Fernandina Islands
Our expedition today took us to one of the most spectacular places around the Galápagos Archipelago: Isabela and Fernandina islands. We started early with the circumnavigation of Roca Redonda. This is the tip an eroded volcano that now is home for thousands of sea birds.
Shortly after we crossed the Equatorial line, we approach the northern coast of Isabela Island. Ecuador volcano today was partially covered by the fog, but after some minutes the sky cleared up and we enjoyed the breathtaking landscape. Impressive shield volcanoes and young lava flows.
The waters that surround this area are very rich in nutrients due to the cold water upwelling from the Cromwell current. There is a plentiful food supply for marine mammals and sea birds. The Polaris anchored in Punta Vicente Roca where we lowered Zodiacs to explore this fascinating area. Our guests had the thrill to observe several Galápagos penguins, sea turtles, sea lions, blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas eating the algae from the rocks, flightless cormorants and the rare sun fish (Mola mola). After the Zodiac some of our guests went to snorkel and had an unforgettable experience swimming with green sea turtles.
During the afternoon we visited Fernandina Island, the youngest and the most pristine island in the Galápagos. We explored Punta Espinoza located in northeastern point of this island. The beauty of this place is hard to describe, one big shield volcano surrounded by young black lava flows. We all enjoyed a wonderful walk in this area where our guests were especially amazed by the size and the amount of marine iguanas that were resting on the lava flows. Another highlight was to observe several flightless cormorants nesting along the shoreline. The whole day has been filled with extraordinary wildlife sightings.
What an unforgettable day!
Our expedition today took us to one of the most spectacular places around the Galápagos Archipelago: Isabela and Fernandina islands. We started early with the circumnavigation of Roca Redonda. This is the tip an eroded volcano that now is home for thousands of sea birds.
Shortly after we crossed the Equatorial line, we approach the northern coast of Isabela Island. Ecuador volcano today was partially covered by the fog, but after some minutes the sky cleared up and we enjoyed the breathtaking landscape. Impressive shield volcanoes and young lava flows.
The waters that surround this area are very rich in nutrients due to the cold water upwelling from the Cromwell current. There is a plentiful food supply for marine mammals and sea birds. The Polaris anchored in Punta Vicente Roca where we lowered Zodiacs to explore this fascinating area. Our guests had the thrill to observe several Galápagos penguins, sea turtles, sea lions, blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas eating the algae from the rocks, flightless cormorants and the rare sun fish (Mola mola). After the Zodiac some of our guests went to snorkel and had an unforgettable experience swimming with green sea turtles.
During the afternoon we visited Fernandina Island, the youngest and the most pristine island in the Galápagos. We explored Punta Espinoza located in northeastern point of this island. The beauty of this place is hard to describe, one big shield volcano surrounded by young black lava flows. We all enjoyed a wonderful walk in this area where our guests were especially amazed by the size and the amount of marine iguanas that were resting on the lava flows. Another highlight was to observe several flightless cormorants nesting along the shoreline. The whole day has been filled with extraordinary wildlife sightings.
What an unforgettable day!
