Floreana Island
As a Galápagos native, working as naturalist in these islands for over 18 years now, I am tempted to consider this island as one of my very favorites. Not only has it the most beautiful landscapes, but is among the best snorkeling in Galápagos, as well as a great place for SCUBA diving.
We started off our day’s activities by visiting one of the few human monuments found on the islands, one still in use to this day, the post office barrel found in the aptly-named Post Office Bay. Some of us partook of this long-lived tradition and either picked up or dropped off mail, to be hand-delivered one day.
After a hearty breakfast, we sailed on towards a small islet called Champion, where our water activities were to begin: snorkeling along the islet in the company of playful young Galápagos sea lions and graceful reef fish, riding the glass bottom boat and learning about the marine world from a naturalist, donning SCUBA tanks to sink down along the spectacular black coral-covered wall. The water visibility was at least 30 feet and in the glass bottom boat we saw so many fish that we could not tear ourselves away from watching a big school of fish and sea lions passing under the boat. We had also the great opportunity to find a fish that we don’t see so often due to its remarkable camouflage, the stone scorpion fish. It was resting on a rock waiting for its prey. We all had an unforgettable time!
After a delicious traditional Ecuadorian lunch, we had a short siesta to be ready for the afternoon outing at Punta Cormorant, Floreana. In this area there is a brackish lagoon, home to many shore birds, including the spectacular greater flamingos. Like all their Galápagos counterparts, these usually shy birds display an astonishing lack of fear, and we were all very excited today to find some juveniles right there on the trail, as we walked by. It was amazing to see this young flamingo so close, and a great photo opportunity. We ended up the afternoon on a beautiful white sandy beach, surrounded by hundreds of marine turtle nests that will be ready to hatch in few more days.
It was a full, unforgettable day on Floreana Island.
As a Galápagos native, working as naturalist in these islands for over 18 years now, I am tempted to consider this island as one of my very favorites. Not only has it the most beautiful landscapes, but is among the best snorkeling in Galápagos, as well as a great place for SCUBA diving.
We started off our day’s activities by visiting one of the few human monuments found on the islands, one still in use to this day, the post office barrel found in the aptly-named Post Office Bay. Some of us partook of this long-lived tradition and either picked up or dropped off mail, to be hand-delivered one day.
After a hearty breakfast, we sailed on towards a small islet called Champion, where our water activities were to begin: snorkeling along the islet in the company of playful young Galápagos sea lions and graceful reef fish, riding the glass bottom boat and learning about the marine world from a naturalist, donning SCUBA tanks to sink down along the spectacular black coral-covered wall. The water visibility was at least 30 feet and in the glass bottom boat we saw so many fish that we could not tear ourselves away from watching a big school of fish and sea lions passing under the boat. We had also the great opportunity to find a fish that we don’t see so often due to its remarkable camouflage, the stone scorpion fish. It was resting on a rock waiting for its prey. We all had an unforgettable time!
After a delicious traditional Ecuadorian lunch, we had a short siesta to be ready for the afternoon outing at Punta Cormorant, Floreana. In this area there is a brackish lagoon, home to many shore birds, including the spectacular greater flamingos. Like all their Galápagos counterparts, these usually shy birds display an astonishing lack of fear, and we were all very excited today to find some juveniles right there on the trail, as we walked by. It was amazing to see this young flamingo so close, and a great photo opportunity. We ended up the afternoon on a beautiful white sandy beach, surrounded by hundreds of marine turtle nests that will be ready to hatch in few more days.
It was a full, unforgettable day on Floreana Island.
