On National Geographic Endeavour II, we started early in the morning by navigating near Punta Vicente Roca, a collapsed caldera of Volcano Ecuador in the northwestern realm of Isabela Island. We enjoyed the majestic outlines of Fernandina and Isabela’s shield volcanoes standing tall around Canal Bolivar, which separates the islands. Before breakfast, we arrived at Fernandina. The archipelago’s youngest island is in the western realm of the Galapagos.
After a delicious breakfast, we went ashore for a walk where we were transported back to a time when the land was newly formed. Countless Galapagos marine iguanas basking on the shoreline were the morning’s highlight. After a walk on lava flows that are only hundreds of years old, we snorkeled inside the bay with Galapagos penguins, sea lions, several species of fish, and foraging green sea turtles feeding on seaweed.
In the afternoon, we backtracked north and navigated towards the northwestern realm of Isabela Island. The western islands are formidable; they are also the most remote.
We arrived at Punta Vicente Roca, a collapsed caldera of Volcano Ecuador and one of the six volcanoes that form Isabela. The outing took groups on a Zodiac tour to explore the coast since the site’s delicate geology 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 with a sunset wine tasting event on the top deck. It was a phenomenal experience in paradise!
