To the northwest of Santa Cruz, far from the inhabited part of this island, is this location of remarkable variety in both flora and fauna.
After a wet landing on the rocky terrain, we come across a white sandy beach surrounded by black basaltic rock. All of this, combined with the greens and reds of the plants, gives the place an outstanding mosaic of color. This spot is also inhabited by many species of animal, like sea birds, marine iguanas, lava lizards, shore birds, and fish in tide pools.
Behind the beach we encountered a brackish water lagoon, where flamingoes find the favorite food, a microscopic shrimp called Artemia Salina, which in turn gives them their remarkable pink feathers. Here, they share their prey with other birds likes ducks, stilts and occasionally waders and shore birds.
A red trail, caused by the presence of iron on the rocks, takes us through a Palo Santo forest, which is still largely without leaves due to lack of rain at this time of year. Finally, we reach Dragon Hill, where land iguanas can be seen at any time of the year. Large iguanas, mostly yellow in color, are the highlight of the excursion here.
After returning to our ship, we get ready for the next adventure—snorkeling along the walls of a small island called Guy Fawkes. Many different types of fish, sea lions, and sharks live here, as well as turtles and sometimes rays.
In the afternoon, we move to a different island called Eden to go on a Zodiac ride along the coast, looking for animals like birds or marine life in the mangroves growing along the shore. Turtles and baby sharks, rays and sometimes sea lion inhabit these areas.
To conclude this lovely day, we navigate around the island of Daphne Major, where science found the perfect scenario for the studies of finches over multiple decades.
As the sun sets behind the island, surrounded by birds and other animals, we watch as another fantastic day comes to an end.
