Isabela & Fernandina Island
We just left behind the eastern side of the Galápagos that comprises smaller, older islands; while navigating in this region of the archipelago, one can not find fresh lava flows or active volcanoes.
Today as the sun rose, we found ourselves navigating around the northern side of Isabela Island. It was a beautiful morning with a gentle breeze on our faces, as we traveled south-west, circling the skirts of wolf volcano.
The early risers sighted a whale in the distance, along with Galápagos fur seals dedicated to their daily business of foraging.
As we headed even more to the south, we eventually crossed the equator line! Not too long after, we dropped anchor off the shores of Punta Vicente Roca where stunning cliff formations adorned the landscaping.
Besides the view, the superb wildlife on the shores and in the water gave us all a great Zodiac ride. The Mola mola, also known as the ocean sunfish, was found along the way. This awkward looking fish can attain gigantic sizes and weight over five thousand pounds! After only a few during the ride we spotted the first one of many; it was very exiting, the more we explored the place the more we discovered!
Later on we headed to the snorkeling site were we had a marvelous time. Clear warm water and a lot of fish were definitely the highlight. In addition, sea turtles, sea lions, penguins and flightless cormorants made this definitely a life time experience!
In the afternoon we repositioned the National Geographic Islander off Fernandina Island. It was soon after our arrival that we started the exploration on the shores. We all walked on the relatively new lava flows that are the main structure of the coastline.
Fernandina is the youngest island of the Galápagos, yet its wildlife is abundant. There are enormous colonies of marine iguanas and sea lions and while exploring the rocky shores, one can find the flightless cormorants which represent one of the best examples of evolution in the islands.
We just left behind the eastern side of the Galápagos that comprises smaller, older islands; while navigating in this region of the archipelago, one can not find fresh lava flows or active volcanoes.
Today as the sun rose, we found ourselves navigating around the northern side of Isabela Island. It was a beautiful morning with a gentle breeze on our faces, as we traveled south-west, circling the skirts of wolf volcano.
The early risers sighted a whale in the distance, along with Galápagos fur seals dedicated to their daily business of foraging.
As we headed even more to the south, we eventually crossed the equator line! Not too long after, we dropped anchor off the shores of Punta Vicente Roca where stunning cliff formations adorned the landscaping.
Besides the view, the superb wildlife on the shores and in the water gave us all a great Zodiac ride. The Mola mola, also known as the ocean sunfish, was found along the way. This awkward looking fish can attain gigantic sizes and weight over five thousand pounds! After only a few during the ride we spotted the first one of many; it was very exiting, the more we explored the place the more we discovered!
Later on we headed to the snorkeling site were we had a marvelous time. Clear warm water and a lot of fish were definitely the highlight. In addition, sea turtles, sea lions, penguins and flightless cormorants made this definitely a life time experience!
In the afternoon we repositioned the National Geographic Islander off Fernandina Island. It was soon after our arrival that we started the exploration on the shores. We all walked on the relatively new lava flows that are the main structure of the coastline.
Fernandina is the youngest island of the Galápagos, yet its wildlife is abundant. There are enormous colonies of marine iguanas and sea lions and while exploring the rocky shores, one can find the flightless cormorants which represent one of the best examples of evolution in the islands.
