Today, our breakfast was enhanced by dramatic views of impressive volcanic landscapes from on board National Geographic Endeavour II. We arrived at Fernandina Island, the archipelago’s youngest island in the western realm of the Galapagos. The western islands are formidable and also the most remote.
We went ashore for a walk, where we were transported back to a time when the land was newly formed. The morning’s highlights were the countless Galapagos marine iguanas basking along the shoreline. After a walk on lava flows that are hundreds of years old, we snorkeled inside the bay with Galapagos penguins, sea lions, several species of fish, and foraging green sea turtles.
In the afternoon, we backtracked north and navigated towards the northwestern realm of Isabela Island. We arrived at Punta Vicente Roca, a collapsed caldera of Volcano Ecuador and one of the six volcanos that form Isabela. Guests took a Zodiac ride to explore the coast because the geology of the site prevents disembarkation. We found fur sea lions, blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, Galapagos penguins, and the impressive flightless cormorant.
Later in the day, we proceeded across the equatorial line and celebrated this event on the top deck with a sunset wine tasting. Today’s visit was outstanding!
