Today we started our day in the northern hemisphere. After a long navigation we ended at a very special place in the archipelago, Genovesa Island, the “bird Island.” In the morning we visited Darwin’s Bay in the caldera of Genovesa. We landed for a hike on a white sandy beach formed by eroded pieces of broken coral. The landscape was incredible and the island had an explosion of wildlife: red footed boobies, Nazca Boobies, frigate birds, swallow tailed gulls, herons and finches were everywhere. Genovesa holds the larger density of birds per island in the Galapagos. It was a real privilege to visit this place surrounded by mangroves and spectacular cliffs made of basaltic lava rocks.
Later in the morning we got the chance to get in the water for our last contact with the marine environment of the Galapagos. The conditions were not easy, the sea was choppy and the water visibility was less than 30 ft. In the water the story was different, we enjoyed the presence of a great diversity of reef fish that included species found in the Indopacific among others such as Moorish idols, parrots fish, king angel fish, damsel fish and much more, it was a real adventure.
In the afternoon we visited a different location on the other end of the caldera, known as Prince Phillip’s steps. Here we spotted many of the same species of birds found in the morning, but with different scenery. Palo Santos, saltbush and walteria dominated the landscape. After crossing a territory inhabited by Nazca boobies we got to a place were five short eared owls were spotted. Then the trail took us to the outer part of the caldera, were the prevailing trade winds hit the Island on its southern end to attract tons of birds. On our way back to the disembarkation area, the colors of an astonishing sunset were our best companions for our last day in this piece of paradise on earth.
