After crossing the Equator at night, we reached the north of Isabela Island early this morning. Here, the frigid waters of the deep equatorial countercurrent rise up along the western edge of the undersea Galápagos platform. This upwelling brings extraordinary conditions for rich marine wildlife, including whales and dolphins that are often found around this area. Today was no exception, as we encountered a large group of common dolphins that we followed for a while. It was a pod of probably 300/400 individuals, adults and juveniles, jumping and possible feeding.
After this incredible early experience, we landed at Fernandina Island, the world's largest pristine island and the youngest of all the islands in the archipelago. With an imposing volcano of nearly 5,000 ft./1520 m, Fernandina is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Its flanks are streaked with innumerable fresh lava flows, most of them still black and lifeless. The landscape is very unique, with solid black slabs of "Pahoehoe" (ropey) lava, white sand, turquoise waters and some green patches of mangroves.
Marine iguanas were everywhere, basking on the dark lava, while sea lions, flightless cormorants, herons and even sea turtles were abundant.
During lunch we navigated back to the north again, to reach Ecuador Volcano, located in the northwest tip on Isabela Island. Most of this spectacular shield volcano, which is bisected by the Equator, collapsed and slumped away into the ocean, leaving fascinating views of the inner caldera wall and the caldera floor. We dropped anchor at the southern end of the caldera, at Punta Vicente Roca, were we had the chance to snorkel along the lava cliffs, with dozens of Pacific sea turtles, marine iguanas, and some curious flightless cormorants.
Later on in the afternoon, once we finished our snorkeling outing, we went for Zodiac rides along the base of the imposing cliffs, on the lookout for penguins, cormorants, turtles, marine iguanas and more.
We returned to the ship and met on the foredeck to celebrate our crossing of the equator line, with an incredible view of the inner caldera of Ecuador Volcano and some wine-tasting. An excellent way to end another day in paradise.
