Santiago Island
Today we anchored at sunrise off the Coast of Santiago Island alongside a mile long, brown beach known as Espumilla which means “foam.” Garua – a low wet mist - blew in at first blocking the nearby island from view, but soon the sun rose, wisps of blue sky appeared and the wet mist was burned off. We disembarked for either pre-breakfast kayaking or hiking at this location.
Jason lead the kayakers along a rugged shoreline and then below the dramatic steep cliffs of Buccaneer Cove. The wind pushed them along and they enjoyed the seabirds and sea lions, the views, the fresh air and the exercise! Aura and Walter took the hikers behind the beach through a mangrove forest and then up a gentle hill and into tall majestic palo santo trees. Finches and hawks posed for photos and we enjoyed the view from the hill, the exercise and the splendid cool morning. Back on board we deserved our breakfast and eagerly dug into the lavish buffet.
I switched our daily schedule around today, because our usual snorkel spot in Buccaneer Cove was turbid and rough; instead we all went on a Zodiac ride in this lovely area and admired the layered lava flows, the steep cliffs and looked for fur seals hiding among the lava boulders from the sun. I have to mention that the last Zodiac back to the ship was treated to an exciting “dolphin show!” A dozen bottlenose dolphins leapt and swam along in front of our Zodiac and appeared to be as happy to accompany us as we were to ride alongside them! Sometimes it pays to be last….
Following the Zodiac ride I gave a talk about Charles Darwin and then we had lunch and one of our much appreciated siestas. Then we offered snorkeling from the black sand beach of Puerto Egas. Those who partook were pleased to see – besides the fish, of course - sea lions, sea turtles and sharks! Afterwards there were two options: stay and enjoy the beach or take a hike to the fur seal grottos. Both groups of guests were delighted with the activities that they chose!
Along the trail as the sun slowly set behind the volcanoes of Isabela Island, the hikers found many sea lions (including tiny babies!) and marine iguanas, shore birds, bright Sally Lightfoot crabs and several of the endemic Galápagos fur seals. We returned to the ship – as usual – with the last light of the day and with smiles on our faces. Yet another magical day in las islas encantadas!
