Floreana Island
Today we started our day early in the morning at Punta Cormorant on Floreana Island. Here we went ashore for our pre-breakfast hike, and we learned about the different material from which we can get sand. During our walk we passed by a brackish lagoon where we spotted several shore birds including the colorful great flamingo. On the leeward side of the point we found a number of sea turtles floating on a shallow calm bay. Some of them were mating, which indicates that the breeding season just started.
Later on we visited a small island called Champion for a Zodiac ride and snorkeling. During the Zodiac ride we had the opportunity to see a lot of seabirds such as Galápagos shearwaters, Nazca boobies, red billed tropicbirds and the rare Floreana mockingbird hopping on the pads of a prickly pear cacti forest. Snorkeling was amazing; in the water we were surrounded by hundreds of colorful tropical fishes such as king angel fish, creoles fish, pelican barracudas, sergeant mayors, parrot fish and more! Also we got the chance to swim with the playful sea lions that live in a large number on Champion.
In the afternoon we went kayaking around the Loberia where we spotted several species of egrets, pelican and even Galápagos penguins — we had a great time. Later on we visited the traditional Post Office Bay. This place is famous for its history. Back in the industrial revolution whalers visited Floreana for resupply with freshwater and collect tortoises. And to use an honor-based system to send letters to their friends and family.
At the end of the afternoon we took our Zodiacs to explore the surroundings looking for more seabirds. It was another great day in paradise.
