Grey thick clouds are strewn across the sky and gentle waves hit the National Geographic Islander as it is anchored next to the famous Floreana Island.

Those who preferred to have an early hike disembarked at a place called Cormorant Point. Here we started on an olivine crystal beach with a high concentration of minerals in the volcano, the coloration of this place makes it look a bit green. As we followed the trail the first thing we noticed was a group of blue footed boobies nesting on the edge of a low cliff. Some adults were getting ready to take off and start looking for food while the babies stayed in their nests patiently waiting. Behind the beach we got to a lagoon that is home to some of the most beautiful species of birds, Flamingos. Their numbers in Galapagos are not exponential, but it is a stable population that has managed to remain in this challenging environment. At the end of the trail we arrived at a white sand beach where, in the proper season, green sea turtles come to lay their eggs. Also we found some stingrays looking for shallow water to eat and to escape from the fearless sharks that control the waters in the archipelago. Eventually the clouds gathered up to bring some garúa and bathe the place with some moisture, but it also made us realize it was time for breakfast.

When we returned from our first activity of the day, the National Geographic Islander moved to Champion Islet. As we were deploying the Zodiacs for a ride along the coast of this islet, a female humpback whale with her baby showed up next to the ship! We followed these creatures until they disappeared in the distance. Later we prepared to snorkel in this same place. The moment we got into the water an explosion of fish was waiting for us with parrot fish, surgeons, damsels and more tropical fish.

Later we navigated for a last time to a different location on Floreana, Post Office bay.

Here we visited a wooden barrel that has been used since the 1790’s as an official mailing system. So our guests left some postcards for their relatives, friends, and to themselves just to see if the system still works. As everybody finished taking letters to deliver when home, the Zodiacs took us along the shoreline of this historical bay. Here we encountered a couple of sea lion colonies, stingrays, some resting sea turtles and even baby sharks.