Urbina Bay & Tagus Cove, Southern Isabela Island
A glorious morning found us anchored onboard our home this week, the National Geographic Endeavour, at the base of the impressive Alcedo Volcano. Just after breakfast we made a wet landing at Urbina Bay on a black volcanic sand beach. This location is famous for a geological event that took place here as recently as 1954; a long stretch of the coastline (approximately three square miles) was uplifted by almost 12 feet, leaving the original beach high, dry and inland and a big area of sea bed above ground. Nowadays it’s still amazing to observe the remnants of tube worms, shells and various types of coral that were trapped by the lava flows so far from the shoreline as it exists today.
Most of our guests opted to take a long walk that passes along an area where massive coral heads can be admired. Some others opted for a shorter version. In both cases we were fortunate to observe not only interesting wildlife but exotic vegetation as well. As the day was very warm, we observed at a very close range several of the largest and most colorful land iguanas in the archipelago, the Galápagos land iguanas. We had the thrill to find a couple of juvenile Galápagos giant tortoises as well.
Back at the landing beach, we had the chance to swim in the refreshing waters of the Pacific. Nearby, a mighty Galápagos hawk watched every move in the bay.
Back on board, our superb kitchen galley treated us to a fabulous Ecuadorian buffet lunch, there was a quick siesta, and then we were off for more excitement. During lunchtime the ship was repositioned to Tagus Cove.
Our afternoon excursions included several choices: kayaking, snorkeling, Zodiac rides and a late long hike. The Zodiac cruise took us along the rocky shoreline where we spotted many Galápagos sea lions, Sally Lightfoot crabs, marine iguanas and, best of all, many of the always-beloved Galápagos penguins. The hike was extraordinary as well, for we had the company of a magical warm light that helped us to reach the top of a nearby tuff cone where we could appreciate the immense lava fields of Wolf Volcano.
While riding the waves back to the ship in our trusty fleet of Zodiacs, we could not avoid dreaming about the new adventures and sightings that this extraordinary day has left in our minds and hearts. We can hardly wait to see what tomorrow will bring to our expedition around this enchanted archipelago.
