We began our expedition early by visiting Bartolome Island before breakfast! We had a dry landing, and we explored the lava fields and the Tiquilia forest that make this island unique. Tiquilias are pioneer plants that colonize new islands together with lava cactuses. Bartolome is a new island with volcanoes, lava, and volcanic ash. It is a dream place for geologists, ecologists, and nature lovers.
After the exploration walk, we visited a different part of the island. We relaxed on a golden sand beach at the foot of the iconic Pinnacle Rock. We also explored the coast in Zodiacs and by snorkeling. This island has an amazing snorkeling site that harbors a large variety of fish and Galapagos penguins. Today, we were lucky to see these amazing birds in the water as we explored the site.
In the afternoon, we explored another island called Sombrero Chino near Santiago Island. We snorkeled in the channel that separates the island from Santiago’s lava fields. The sea is shallow with an amazing circulation, so the spot offers the best conditions for amazing marine life. We boarded Zodiacs in the late afternoon to explore the shore and search for wildlife. We encountered a colony of Galapagos sea lions and some Galapagos penguins perched on the basaltic lava rocks, ready to spend the night in small caves.
Another day in paradise!
