Isabela & Fernandina Islands
During the night we cruised far to the northwestern side of the archipelago. Before breakfast we were roused to the decks as the ship circumnavigated the isolated rock known as Roca Redonda. There were swarms of Galápagos shearwaters flocking around the steep cliffs of the island. In the cold, rich waters surrounding this islet we found many other seabirds, including brown noddy terns, Nazca boobies, frigatebirds, storm-petrels, and several red-footed boobies. As we circled the small island a group of bottlenose dolphins came to the ship several times to ride on the bow wave.
Turning south, we made our way to Isabela Island and the region of Volcan Ecuador, a collapsed volcanic crater. At Punta San Vincente Roca we set out by Zodiac to view the scenery and abundant wildlife along this remote part of the coast. Sea lions, marine iguanas, brown noddies, blue-footed boobies, flightless cormorants, and a number of the diminutive Galápagos penguins reside in this area. We also found many green sea turtles in these waters. Later in the morning many people chose to go snorkeling and explore the underwater world here.
During lunch we headed on southward along the western side of Isabela Island. Our special Guest Photographer, Kevin Schafer, presented an inspiring show of his incredible wildlife images from around the world. By mid-afternoon we were anchored at Fernandina Island. We set out by Zodiac to visit the shores of this “youngest” island in the Galápagos. Although Fernandina’s barren, black lava rocks host only a few plants, there is a surprising abundance of wildlife. On the island’s shores we encountered great throngs of marine iguanas, more flightless cormorants, penguins, sea lions and many colorful Sally lightfoot crabs. Again today, the magical Galápagos Islands continued to surprise and thrill us with its many wonders.
During the night we cruised far to the northwestern side of the archipelago. Before breakfast we were roused to the decks as the ship circumnavigated the isolated rock known as Roca Redonda. There were swarms of Galápagos shearwaters flocking around the steep cliffs of the island. In the cold, rich waters surrounding this islet we found many other seabirds, including brown noddy terns, Nazca boobies, frigatebirds, storm-petrels, and several red-footed boobies. As we circled the small island a group of bottlenose dolphins came to the ship several times to ride on the bow wave.
Turning south, we made our way to Isabela Island and the region of Volcan Ecuador, a collapsed volcanic crater. At Punta San Vincente Roca we set out by Zodiac to view the scenery and abundant wildlife along this remote part of the coast. Sea lions, marine iguanas, brown noddies, blue-footed boobies, flightless cormorants, and a number of the diminutive Galápagos penguins reside in this area. We also found many green sea turtles in these waters. Later in the morning many people chose to go snorkeling and explore the underwater world here.
During lunch we headed on southward along the western side of Isabela Island. Our special Guest Photographer, Kevin Schafer, presented an inspiring show of his incredible wildlife images from around the world. By mid-afternoon we were anchored at Fernandina Island. We set out by Zodiac to visit the shores of this “youngest” island in the Galápagos. Although Fernandina’s barren, black lava rocks host only a few plants, there is a surprising abundance of wildlife. On the island’s shores we encountered great throngs of marine iguanas, more flightless cormorants, penguins, sea lions and many colorful Sally lightfoot crabs. Again today, the magical Galápagos Islands continued to surprise and thrill us with its many wonders.
