Isabela & Fernandina Islands
A great breeze encountered among high shield volcanoes indicates that we are on the westernmost islands of the Galápagos Archipelago; many of us woke up very early to search for marine mammals and indeed a large pod of short-beaked common dolphin were spotted nearby while they performed a beautiful show, jumping very high, fluking and cruising along the ship. Sleek, handsomely marked and gregarious. They are found in tropical and warm temperate regions.
We kept our course towards Punta Vicente Roca, on the island of Isabela, where we explored shorelines from the Zodiacs; we spotted marine turtles here and there, penguins fishing, and a playful sea lion that didn't want us to leave. Another great sighting was the largest boney fish, the ocean sunfish which was not that far from the point.
In the afternoon we set foot on Fernandina Island, truly a jewel in the crown of Galápagos; a pristine place, we had a fantastic time walking by marine iguanas digging holes to lay their eggs, Galápagos sea lions bulling each other, penguins and the ever present flightless cormorants nesting near the path.
After a great communion with nature we all came back to the ship to celebrate another fantastic day in the "Encantadas".
A great breeze encountered among high shield volcanoes indicates that we are on the westernmost islands of the Galápagos Archipelago; many of us woke up very early to search for marine mammals and indeed a large pod of short-beaked common dolphin were spotted nearby while they performed a beautiful show, jumping very high, fluking and cruising along the ship. Sleek, handsomely marked and gregarious. They are found in tropical and warm temperate regions.
We kept our course towards Punta Vicente Roca, on the island of Isabela, where we explored shorelines from the Zodiacs; we spotted marine turtles here and there, penguins fishing, and a playful sea lion that didn't want us to leave. Another great sighting was the largest boney fish, the ocean sunfish which was not that far from the point.
In the afternoon we set foot on Fernandina Island, truly a jewel in the crown of Galápagos; a pristine place, we had a fantastic time walking by marine iguanas digging holes to lay their eggs, Galápagos sea lions bulling each other, penguins and the ever present flightless cormorants nesting near the path.
After a great communion with nature we all came back to the ship to celebrate another fantastic day in the "Encantadas".
