Espanola Island has one of the most beautiful bays of the archipelago, Gardner Bay. This morning, we enjoyed the perfect weather and water conditions here, from kayaking along the coastline to snorkeling in crystal-clear waters. Some preferred to just swim or relax at the white coralline beach of Gardner Bay and were happy to share it with a colony of sleepy Galapagos sea lions.
This amazing island is home to several endemic species and a real favorite for marine birds. The southern, cliff-lined coast of Espanola is home to large numbers of Nazca boobies. It is quite an experience walking through this colony, especially as we encountered many chicks today. This is the egg laying season for the colorful Espanola marine iguanas, with many dusty looking females still busy burrowing in the late afternoon. We were not expecting it but were fortunate to encounter the first Espanola albatrosses returning to their home island after a few months in the open seas. Seeing these magnificent seabirds soaring around us made this an unforgettable end to our expedition in the Enchanted Isles.
